My Year in Nonfiction

/ posted in: Reading

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Week 1: November 3 to 7

Your Year in Nonfiction: Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

Out of 95 books I’ve read this year so far 20 have been nonfiction. That’s pretty typical for me. I’ve always thought that I read about 25% nonfiction.

So far there isn’t one this year that stands out as the most amazing book ever. When I think of my favorite nonfiction reads they were ones I read last year. If I had to pick a favorite I’d probably say:

The Greater Journey: Americans in ParisThe Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 During the 1800s many Americans moved to France to learn. Some studied art. Some studied medicine. Some were diplomats trying to make sense of the increasingly unstable country they found themselves in. What they would learn during their time in France would impact their lives and teach them useful skills that they took back to the young United States.

I listened to this on audio and it kept my attention.

And I’d add:

Paradise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-Tenth of an Acre, and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the CityParadise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-Tenth of an Acre, and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the City by Eric Toensmeier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve always wanted to have a densely planted, self-sustaining garden instead of a lawn. 

Looking through my nonfiction reads for this year I can see that a lot of them have been about either racism or feminism.

Racism/Feminism

Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief JusticeBelle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice by Paula Byrne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

 

Devotion and Defiance: My Fight for Justice for WomenDevotion and Defiance: My Fight for Justice for Women by Humaira Awais Shahid

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic RootsUnorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

 

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi KingdomIn the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor’s Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta A. Ahmed

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of RaceWaking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in AmericaSome of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America by Tanner Colby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

 

Tomlinson Hill: Sons of Slaves, Sons of SlaveholdersTomlinson Hill: Sons of Slaves, Sons of Slaveholders by Chris Tomlinson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review

 

 

 

I’m glad to see an event highlighting nonfiction.  I think it is a genre that tends to get ignored by book bloggers.  I get a lot of comments on reviews where people are surprised by how much nonfiction I read.  On the flip side, my husband thinks I only read fluffy books with monsters in them.  I’m not sure why he thinks this since I keep him supplied with book suggestions that are 99% nonfiction.  He’s one of those people who doesn’t understand the appeal of fiction – but I’ve slipped some into his reading that he’s liked.
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