A month-long celebration of favourite non-fiction reads
Nonfiction November is an annual challenge to read, critique and discuss non-fiction books through the most autumnal of months. The five hosts will each in turn post a different themed discussion prompt every Monday. This week’s topic is introduced by Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness. It runs from 29th October – 2nd November.
MY YEAR IN NONFICTION
For many years I read far more non-fiction than novels, but latterly I have devoured a great quantity of fiction, which has balanced the books, so to speak. However, quite unintentionally, 2018 has been all about reading and reviewing newly published titles, and my consumption of non-fiction has fallen considerably (had I participated last year, I could have named any number of excellent 900 pages plus biographies and history books). Nevertheless, there have been some outstanding reads.
Please follow the links to read my thoughts on each title.
What was your favourite non-fiction read of the year?
It is immensely difficult to pick only one book, but the following three I would highly recommend:
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Fiona Sampson
Books for Living by Will Schwalbe
The Beekeeper of Sinjar by Dunya Mikhail
Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?
In the UK, 2018 marked 100 years since Parliament passed a law allowing the first women to vote. This milestone has been celebrated with the publication of numerous books concerning female suffrage, several of which I have read. The two that stood out for me were:
Sylvia Pankhurst: The Rebellious Suffragette by Shirley Harrison
Suffragette: The Battle for Equality by David Roberts *
* A children’s title with richly detailed artwork bringing to life historical figures from the Suffragette movement.
What non-fiction book have you recommended the most?
Hmmm, this is a tricky one… I don’t believe there has been one book I have singled out for recommendation in 2018 above all others, but I have certainly praised:
Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? 200 birds, 12 months, 1 lapsed birdwatcher by Lev Parikian
In Search of Lost Books: The Forgotten Stories of Eight Mythical Volumes by Giorgio van Straten
The Library of Ice: Readings from a Cold Climate by Nancy Campbell
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
I hope this month to read at least one highly esteemed or classic non-fiction title that has been gathering dust on my shelves. There are several I keep putting off for a rainy day, so Nonfiction November is the perfect excuse to indulge in a factual reading frenzy.
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Please join #Dewithon in March 2019 – the big Wales Readathon!