Last year, I had a ton of fun participating in this event. While I don't think I am going to get much nonfiction reading done this month (based on how my library hold list currently looks...my own fault!), I still want to jump in and post during NFN where I can, because it really reignited my love for nonfiction books when I took part last year.
This week's host is Kim over at Sophisticated Dorkiness, so please stop by! Here's the prompt for the week:
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?
Let's start with my favorite nonfiction book of 2015 (so far). That's a tough call! I'd have to say it's a tie between Missoula by Jon Krakauer, and Dead Wake by Erik Larson. Both are truly exceptional in their own way.
As for the nonfiction book I've recommended the most (at least from my 2015 reads), other than the 2 faves above, I think it's been Grain of Truth by Stephen Yafa. I have several friends with gluten allergies and/or sensitivities, and that book was a very enlightening read for me on the subject. I've recommended it to both gluten-free and non-gluten-free eaters, because I think it sheds a lot of light on a topic that is often regarded as "just a trend" by the non-GF eaters.
A nonfiction topic I haven't read enough of yet...hmmm. I've covered a lot of nonfiction areas, but one that I have a lot of interest in (even though I've yet to read much of it) is medical nonfiction. Examples would be the Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee, Stiff by Mary Roach, or On Immunity by Eula Bass. (All three have been on my TBR list for ages!)
What do I hope to get out of Nonfiction November this year? Well, as I mentioned above, I probably won't be able to read a lot of ACTUAL nonfiction this month (and I'm quite sad about it!). However, when I participated last year, just talking about nonfiction with other NF lovers made me so very excited to dive into some new titles, and my nonfiction TBR list went through the roof as I read through the other blogs that were involved. So I suppose I hope to spread the nonfiction love, and get plenty of new nonfiction inspiration for myself. :)
What's your favorite nonfiction read of 2015 been thus far?
I'm with you on Missoula and Dead Wake, both were great! I hope you get a chance to read On Immunity this month...it's a fantastic read and super short, so it's worth checking out.
ReplyGood to know that it's short, maybe I will be able to fit it in after all!
Missoula is my fave nonfiction of the year so far as well! Dead Wake was a bit of a disappointment for me (I usually love Larson) :( And - I listened to Stiff earlier this year and it was great as well! Also - Brain on Fire is another great medical memoir! Looking forward to adding to my TBR as well!
ReplyThanks for the rec of Brain on Fire--forgot about that one, I heard about it quite a while ago.
Missoula and Dead Wake are both on m wish list! I really like medical nonfiction, too. Being Mortal by Atul Gawande is my most recommended book this year... seems like it fits in with your interests.
Thank you for the recommendation! Sounds fascinating.
I still have the Emperor of all Maladies in my Kindle...I got about halfway through and then just lost interest! I need to finish it!
ReplyIt's so long! I got it out from the library once last year, and ended up sending it back unread. I need to carve out some serious time for that one.
Kelly, I LOVED The Emperor of All Maladies; I have to admit that I work in healthcare (and visit with lots of cancer patients), but I think it should be interesting to a wide audience. I hope you are able to read it, some time; it's definitely worth it. Stiff sounds like it would be a good one, too; I'm going to have to look for that one! So exciting to be participating this year; hope you're doing well!
ReplyI'm glad you're participating as well! All that marathon training must make extra reading time tough, but I'm sure you'll manage ;)
"Stiff" has been recommended to me by many people but it's still only on my TBR too. I read a very interesting (and easy reading) book called "Gut: The story of Our Most Underrated Organ" this eyar that you might like along those same lines.
ReplyI want to read the Larson book too at some point. I've read a couple of his others and enjoyed them.
Gut sounds interesting, that's exactly the type of book I'm looking for!
I really must read an Erik Larson book soon - all his titles sound like something I would enjoy. There's a lot of blogger love for him out there.
ReplyThe Diet Myth by Tim Spector is a great book for getting to the facts behind the fads and fictions around most of the modern day diets. Easy to read but fascinating.
http://thefourseasonsofbrona.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/the-diet-myth-real-science-behind-what.html
Thanks for the recommendation on the diet book...I am soooo not into those fads, but would be interested in reading more about what's true and not behind each one.
I'm reading On Immunity now -- it's a very interesting blend of science, sociology, and memoir. The medical book I really enjoyed -- and have recommended to everyone I know -- is On Mortality by Atul Gawande
ReplySomeone else mentioned that one in an above comment as well! I must check it out!
Yes to Dead Wake! Thus far, I have really enjoyed everything of Larson's that I have read. I've heard so many great things about Missoula but, as a parent, part of me is very nervous to read it.
ReplyYes, Missoula is a tough subject for sure, I'd think especially for parents of high school/college age kids. Does not paint the most reassuring picture of life on a college campus.
All three of the medical nonfiction books you listed are great, although in totally different ways. I bet you will enjoy all of them.
ReplyThanks Kim! And thanks for hosting!
I'm excited to hear you liked Dead Wake so much because it's moving towards the top of my to-read list! I'm also excited for you to possibly pick up Stiff or The Emperor of All Maladies. I thought both of those were pretty awesome!
ReplyCan't wait to hear what you think of Dead Wake. Larson does a great job making nonfiction move along at a pace that seems more fitting for a fiction novel.
On Immunity is a super fast read, but I didn't love it (it just didn't feel like it really had enough substance to be a full length book), but I've heard great things about Stiff and The Emperor of All Maladies! Another medical nonfiction book I loved was Being Mortal.
ReplyI actually read On Immunity over the weekend, and ended up feeling similarly to you. Not as hard-hitting as I had hoped, I suppose.