I’m welcoming the new month by taking part of Nonfiction November. This reading annual event is hosted by:
Katie at Doing Dewey
Lory at Emerald City Book Review
Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves
Julz at Julz Reads
Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness
It’s all about getting us to pick up those nonfiction titles and get talking about them.
I don’t know about you but I don’t read a lot of nonfiction so this serves as a reminder to move out of my reading comfort zone.
Every week there is a question or suggestion for discussion and this week to kick off the event it’s all about introductions and My 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?
So as I said, I don’t read a lot of nonfiction but I have read two books this year which were excellent and I would highly recommend.
The first was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Whether you consider yourself a creative or not, this is a book anyone can pick up and feel like they can create magic in their life. I enjoyed this one because it speaks a lot about what to do when you aren’t feeling creative. It serves as a reminder that if you want to be creative you actually also have to do a lot of work. Not just imagine that greatness will happen if you sit back. I liked this because I enjoy reading about the creative process and the author shared about the highs and lows and what happens when everything goes just right.
My other nonfiction read was When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This beautiful memoir is about a neurosurgeon who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Often he has had to give not good news to patients and deal with death but now he has to deal with his illness and how it will turn his world upside down. There were some lovely passages about his love affair with literature and his family.
I didn’t plan on a certain topic to read about for Nonfiction November but I grabbed these books from the library and I hope I find some good reads among these titles. I know some of these books have been readers favorites.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
The Folded Clock by Heidi Julavits
Death In the City of Light by David King
Blood In the Water by Heather Ann Thompson
I’ll keep you posted on what I read and I’ll have to do another library post soon because I actually got some other books too. You know, I couldn’t pass up some fiction. Ha. I’m drowning in library books so I better go read now.
In the meantime, please visit JulzReads for links to more My Year in Nonfiction posts. Oh and if you have a great nonfiction book you think I should add to my list please let me know!
I hope you review some of these because they sound really good. 🙂
Death in the City of Light is excellent. Thanks for participating!
I have not read as much nonfiction this year, but my two favorites were Hidden Figures and The Secret Life of the Mind. I’d like to read Big Magic and maybe regain some creative mojo and The Folded Clock also sounds good!
I’ve heard lots of good things about Big Magic – I really should check it out. I have a good pile of owned non-fiction books, but I do need to check out the library more. Non-fiction really doesn’t get the credit it deserves – I hope that I can up my wishlist this month! Good luck reading. 🙂
Both of those titles—Big Magic and When Breath Becomes Air—are coming up a lot this year. I should take a look!
Have fun and looking forward to reading all your reviews! 🙂
So glad you decided to join in the fun! When Breath Becomes Air was a favorite last year and I’ve had several friends recommend Big Magic… should probably give it a try. From your tbr, I can highly recommend Between the World and Me, especially the author reading the audio version. I previewed The Folded Clock and was impressed by the writing. Keep meaning to borrow it again so I can read it!
Looks like you have some excellent reading ahead! The author of Blood in the Water is coming to speak at my local library, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it or not. I haven’t read Big Magic, but I think I should — I’m feeling in a bit of a creative rut lately, and I think that book would help.
I have yet to read Big Magic even though I recommend it to others on the day so of a good friend. When Breath becomes Air is one I have read & I recommend it all the time!
Lark – I hope I get to them! 🙂
Julie @ JulzReads – Oh I’m glad to hear you say that. I hope I can get to it.
Jenclair – Hidden Figures – that’s the one I wanted to read and couldn’t remember when I was at the library. Oh darn, another trip to the library. haha.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) – That’s great that you’ve got a good pile to choose from. I hardly ever buy any non-fiction, although I do have some at home but wanted to see what the library had. Hope you have a great time discovering some new books.
Kim@Time2Read – I hope you check either one out. Really great reads!
Melody – I can’t wait. I hope I get to at least finish one book by the end of November 🙂
Joann@Lakeside Musing – I almost picked that one first as it’s the shortest of the bunch but got intrigued by The Folded Clock. hopefully I can read both!
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) – Oh I hope you get to see the author in person. I heard her on The Daily Show and was so intrigued by her book. Thanks again for hosting the event!
Brona – Yay, glad you also recommend When Breath Becomes Air. I hope you do get to check out Big Magic and that you’ll like it.
Ooooo — Big Magic! I really liked that one, too. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author, and her narration made the whole reading experience even better.
I hope you enjoy your nonfiction reads this month, Iliana! I am always tempted to take part in Nonfiction November and then there’s also Sci-Fi November . . . Maybe one of these years. 🙂
I just look back on my Goodreads list for this year and I’ve only finished four nonfiction titles (three of which were on audio). However, even though I’m not officially partaking in the challenge, I’m currently reading two nonfiction books this month! High Tide in Tuscon (Barbara Kingsolver) and Travels with Charley (John Steinbeck). Both are actually re-reads, which is rare for me, but they were calling to me. Good luck with the challenge!
I hope you enjoy the Coates and the Julavits, I enjoyed them both.