This week's host is Leslie over at Regular Rumination, so please stop by! Here's the prompt for the week:
For the second week of Nonfiction November, we are discussing Book Pairings. The original intention of this week’s theme was put together a fiction book and a nonfiction book that go well together. If you decide to pair two nonfiction books together, that works too! It could be two (or more!) books you’ve read, one book you’ve read and one you have not, or two books that you’ve added to your TBR and want to read that you think will complement and inform each other.
What a fun topic! I thought it would be hard to come up with many appropriate pairings, but instead I ended up with quite the list!:
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, and The Martian by Andy Weir
I read the Roach book after The Martian, and I found myself constantly thinking about the fiction novel while I was reading about how the real-life astronauts prepare for space. They compliment each other perfectly!
The Residence by Kate Andersen Brower, and American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
Real-life descriptions of life in the White House, vs. a fictional story about a modern day First Lady (though it is very obviously based upon Laura Bush).
Expecting Better by Emily Oster, and A Bump in the Road by Maureen Lipinski
A nonfiction book with a unique twist on pregnancy do's and don'ts, and a funny fiction novel about a woman's unexpected first pregnancy (and all the hazards that go along with it). Pregnancy requires a sense of humor, that's for sure!
My Life by Bill Clinton, and Primary Colors by Anonymous/Joe Klein
I patted myself on the back for this one. That's just funny, y'all.
Marley & Me by John Grogan, and The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Both of these are stories about dogs that made me cry big baby tears. One is true and one is not. Both are amazing!
Night by Elie Wiesel, and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Or, substitute the Picoult novel for any heart-wrenching fictional depiction of life in the concentration camps. Some heavy reading material here.
What are some fiction and nonfiction marriages that you'd like to put together?
Interesting how even the covers on most pairings are quite similar. Some titles here I hadn't come across, or had forgotten about, like The Residence and Expecting Better. Thanks!
ReplyTrue about the covers, I was surprised especially by American Wife and The Residence--so similar!
Haha!!! I love your My Life/Primary Colors pairing...I read Primary Colors years ago...before the author outed himself. And - I think I need to read The Residence, as I loved American Wife...it was such an intriguing (if "fictional") take on the views of "Laura".
ReplyYes, The Residence doesn't focus solely on the Bush administration, but it does give some cool background for books like American Wife.
Love the concept! The Martian and Packing for Mars are totally book cousins.
ReplyThose were the first two to come to mind for this prompt! I couldn't stop thinking about The Martian when I read Packing for Mars.
I will have to look for the Mary Roach book about Packing for Mars since I love her writing and I adore THE MARTIAN. Sounds like a winner pair.
ReplyMy Nonfiction Pairs
Oh yes, sounds like a definite winner for you!
Love the look of The Residence! Thanks
ReplyHope you get to check it out!
I read The Storyteller and then The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal as a follow-up, because someone else had Night checked out from the library. Your pairing reminded me that I have yet to read it. The two books make a perfect pair, I think.
ReplyYes, I'd like to read The Sunflower as well, I went to a stop on Picoult's book tour for The Storyteller and she mentioned that book several times.
Great pairings! I really enjoyed The Residence, so I'd love to check out American Wife :)
ReplyYes, that is definitely a fiction novel that I think would mesh with your interests!
Great combos! Especially The Residence and American Wife. I'm watching Madam Secretary right now and it sounds like a pairing I'd really enjoy!
ReplyI am DYING to watch that show! My husband has no interest so I have to find some solo TV time to start it. :)
WOW! Such great picks, Kelly!! I love your Mars combo and I'm definitely interested in The Residence (loved American Wife); thanks so much for the recommendations!
ReplyGlad I could help make your TBR even longerrrrrr! :)
I've been wanting to read The Residence, and now you've given me a fiction pairing to go with it!
ReplyAlways nice to know what you'll be reading once you finish it. ;)