I’m so excited that Nonfiction November is back. In case you are new to this, every Monday the hosts of the event will put up a prompt to get us talking and thinking about nonfiction reads. You can find out more on the dates, hosts and topics for this year by checking out any of the hosts’ blogs. Thank you to all the hosts for a great event. Now, let’s get started with this week’s prompt.
Week 1: (Oct. 29 to Nov. 2) – Your Year in Nonfiction (Kim @ Sophisticated Dorkiness): Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
One of my reading goals this year was to incorporate more nonfiction reads. Actually this has been a goal for the last few years and I seem to start off with a lot of enthusiasm and will read a couple of books but I end up falling back on my favorite genres.
One nonfiction book I read earlier in the year that I’ve recommended a lot was How To Travel Without Seeing by Andrés Neuman. The writer is on a book tour and this is basically a look at his travel diary. He spends lots of time in airports, taxis and hotels and along the way trying to see the differences in each country through their writers and poets.
It made me realize there are a lot of Latin American authors I have never read and how I should make more of an effort. I mean, how lucky am I that I can read in Spanish? I seriously have no excuse for not reading books in Spanish. Anyway, I feel like I do stay somewhat in the know about issues that are prominent in Latin America but I think reading more from the various countries’ authors can only serve to help me learn more about each country’s history and societal concerns.
As for me goals for Nonfiction November, I hope I can finish at least one nonfiction read. No doubt I’ll find lots of books I want to read via everyone’s posts. I don’t really have a particular subject I’m leaning towards but I do have some potential reads I’m interested in so I’ll try to do a separate posts on those.
What about you, are you joining in? Are you a nonfiction reader?
How to Travel Without Seeing sounds rather fascinating…adding to my wishlist – thanks.
I’ll have to check out How to Travel Without Seeing someday as well. I love travel writings, and I haven’t read many authors from Latin America; I appreciate the rec! I’ll be joining in Nonfiction November, too, focusing on memoirs and history.
thanks, the Neuman sounds really good. My post is here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2018/10/29/nonfiction-november-my-year-2018-in-nonfiction/
I’m going to read only nonfiction books this November and see how it goes. I’ve got a lot on my TBR list that I’ve been wanting to read for awhile, and this month seems like the perfect time. 🙂
Brona – I hope you get a chance to read it. I was lucky enough to listen to the author at a book event a couple of years ago and he was so funny and witty.
Michael – If you get a chance to check it out, no doubt you’ll have lots of suggestions for books to try out from Latin American authors.
Emma – I enjoyed reading about your year in nonfiction so far and have taken note of some of the titles you mentioned!
Lark – Wow, that’s awesome. I can’t wait to see what you discover!
I made a goal to read more nonfiction this year, too, but the percentage is not very high! The ones I have read have been great, though.
How to Travel Without Seeing sounds great! And yea for reading in other languages – how lucky that Spanish opens up not just one country to you, but entire regions. If you ever want to explore Argentina there’s A Simple Story: The Last Malambo by Leila Guerriero, about a dance competition where the prize is forced retirement (!). Here’s to a great November!
How To Travel Without Seeing sounds interesting! I always want to keep a diary when I travel, but it never feels quite complete. I think a book that sort of leans into that idea would be a fun read. Thanks for joining us this year!
I need to read more nonfiction. Recently I’ve purchased “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” by Yuval Noah Harari and I hope to get to it one day soon.
How to Travel Without Seeing sounds like a fascinating read – interesting topic. I hope you’re able to read some great nonfiction this November!
Oh – how I envy you your ability to read in Spanish! I’m trying to read from/about South America and resources can be slim in English.
I resolve to read more nonfiction each year, but it is easy to get lost in my intentions and fail to follow through!
How to Travel without Seeing sounds fascinating… and it would certainly expand my reading horizons. I’d like to learn more about Latin America!
I’m a huge nonfiction reader. I generally read more nonfiction than I do fiction. I find that pattern becoming even stronger every year.
I’m woefully underread when it comes to Latinx authors, and really must make a point of it. However, I’m still working through a very long list of indigenous writers and there are only so many hours to read in a given week: tough choices! I’m looking forward to hearing about your other rec’s as the month unfolds.
I’m excited to hear what you decide to pick up! I’m sure you’ll get a ton of recommendations 🙂