Nonfiction November Review Round-Up

While I didn't *exclusively* read nonfiction this month, I was able to knock quite a few off my TBR, and honestly, they were all pretty incredible.  I wouldn't be surprised if most of them made my "best of 2024" list!  Here is a quick round-up of some of the books I read this month.

The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series by Jessica Radloff (2022) 

I was only a casual watcher of The Big Bang Theory when it started, but by the last couple seasons, it was required Thursday night viewing for me!  I fell in love with the characters, with the humor and heart, and even the science!  In this book, Jessica Radloff compiles interviews with the cast and crew, creating a comprehensive look at a TV show that dominated our screens for over a decade - behind-the-scenes stories, memories, and things they haven't talked about until now.  A must-read for fans of the show!  4.5 stars

The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court by Gareth Russell (2023)

Historian Gareth Russell explores the history of the British palace Hampton Court.  From its humble beginnings to massive renovations to its current state, Hampton Court has been an important location for many British monarchs.  I love history and especially learning about royalty and iconic buildings, so this was the perfect mash-up of all those topics for me!  It was fascinating to learn how many events took place at Hampton Court, from births to deaths to scandals and everything in between.  Russell has arranged the book in chronological order by royal house, and while the Tudor section was a particular favorite of mine, they all offered something interesting.  4.5 stars

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson (2024)

If Erik Larson writes it, I will read it.  Even if it's about a subject that, on the surface, I might not think I'm interested in!  I love history, but American history is, ironically, not at the top of my list of subjects I enjoy reading about.  But, when I saw that Erik Larson was releasing a book exploring the months between Abraham Lincoln's election and the first shots of the Civil War, I knew I was going to read it.  Larson's narrative nonfiction style truly does make it feel like you're reading a novel, but you can also tell that he's done a ton of research.  He transports you back to 1861, bringing people, both famous and not, to life through vivid details.  I always feel like I learn a lot from Larson's books, and this one was no exception.  5 stars

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