Thanks Doing Dewey for hosting this event this year!
What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West. I just finished this and I loved it. I feel like a stalker but I want to spend some time on Google hunting down Lindy West articles to read. But the year isn’t done! I’m determined to get Tiny Beautiful Things read this year – maybe I’ll love it even more? I was also really surprised at how much I enjoyed Locally Laid since farming is most decidedly not my thing.
What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart by Claire Harman might top the list along with 5 Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink.
What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet?
This is a hard question! I think I need more historical biographies in my life. I also need to read more globally. I still have to get to Without You There is No Us. I also just learned about The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire – tell me you don’t want to read that based on the title. I also really need to pick up my copy of The Dragon Behind the Glass: A True Story of Power, Obsession, and the World’s Most Coveted Fish. I love books like that about topics I’ll know nothing about and how they send me down the rabbit hole to MORE books. Basically this question is giving me anxiety for all the books I have still to read.
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
Of course I want all the new to me titles to add to my TBR and always to find some new book nerds to talk to. I say book nerd with total love as a nerd myself!
Gun In Act One 
Um yeah, I need to read about Genghis Khan’s daughters for sure.
I’m so happy you’re participating in this! I read Shrill FINALLY. I loved it so much and I feel exactly like you – I need to go on a Lindy West rabbit hole adventure ASAP.
That Bronte bio was hard work but I’m glad I read it. Also because of you!
Yay!! I’m so glad you loved Shrill too! What an ass kicker of a read. I am going to have to make a move to find Genghis soon because it just sounds so amazing.
It was 100% an ass kicker of a book! Glad I read it in the Before. Not sure I could get through it right now.
Okay, I need to read like all of these. Have you read Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser? I really enjoyed that one when I read it.
Seconding this recommendation — and watch the film afterwards, too, if only for the crazy costumes and filmography and soundtrack.
I haven’t read that one but I will definitely add it to my list! She’s another I’m curious about always
I did not know about it
I like the sound of The Dragon Behind the Glass, I have a soft spot for books about really niche subjects that I really have no good reason to be interested in!
Book nerds, unite! I identify with this: “I love books like that about topics I’ll know nothing about and how they send me down the rabbit hole to MORE books.” Love that about nonfiction and all the recommendations this month.
Woohoo, I’m glad you’re doing Nonfiction November too. ‘Locally Laid’ was a real stand-out this year (and thanks again to you — I’m the one who happily won the copy y’all gave away).
I remember! I’m so glad you were a fan of that one too. I am loving all the titles I’m learning about.
I’m reading Memorial now and it reads like a page turner! I’m totally engrossed…and sad for how everything went down.
You must read TBT…I was hesitant b/c I don’t generally like advice columns, but I loved it.
And – what in the world is the world’s most coveted fish?! I’m so curious.
Thanks for loaning 5 Days at Memorial! I hesitate to say I loved it because of the subject matter, but I really did need to read it. Highly recommend.
Excellent! What a sad story but so well put together. Totally compelling book. Now I have to get your book club pick done in between nonfic!
I’m taking notes here. I want to read more nonfiction but always seem to pick out the chunksters that I know will take forever. I love big books. I seem to avoid big nonfiction books though.
I loved Five Days at Memorial – such a fascinating read! Saw the new Charlotte Bronte exhibit at The Morgan Library in NYC last month and immediately added that new bio to my list.
It takes foooooooooorever but such an excellent book. What a sad family story.
I deliberately skipped this week because it would be litrally impossible for me to name just one nonfiction topic I want to read more of. ALL OF THEM would be my answer, basically — the nonfiction tab of my TBR spreadsheet is 300+ titles long and will never, ever stop growing.
ALL OF THEM is the perfect answer! Why should your TBR ever stop growing really?
I read a book about Genghis Kahn last year, and thought it was fantastic. It also talked about how his daughters saved his Empire. It was called Genghis Kahn and the Making of the modern world.
Oh excellent! I think that is the same author. I will have to check my library for both.
Ooh, all the books on your to-read list sound good to me too!