Yippee! New challenge out there, sponsored by Joy at Thoughts of Joy, that I can handle! Read five non-fiction books between the months of May-September.
In five months I will probably read twenty books easy. BUT, here comes the problem, I can't predict what titles they will be.
First, I get ideas from two great non-fiction bloggers: Rick at Ricklibrarian & Nonanon at NRA. Second, I order star reviewed non-fictions from Booklist, Library Journal, and Choice. Third, I write for the newspapers and usually pick books along topical/holiday ideas. Lastly, the newer the book the better, and since this challenge calls for an up-front list, new books may not be included.
Here goes my list...
- The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
- Manhunt by James Swanson
- Mockingbird by Charles J. Shields
- Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler
- Things I Didn't Know by Robert Hughes
14 comments:
These authors are all new to me.
"Oracle Bones" is on my shelf, calling out to me, but I don't think I will have room to include it in my Challenge. So I really look forward to hearing what you think of it!
Hey Maggie! So glad you're all set now. I'm looking forward to this challenge.
I don't know any of the authors either, but now we'll be exposed to many. :)
The last book you have listed THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW sounds interesting. I didn't know a lot of things, but now I know that I don't know a whole lot more! lol
I like the sound of the last one too! I'm with Joy - there are a lot of things that I don't know, and I know it!
You guys have pointed out two great things about non-fiction!
First, the authors usually don't become well known for writing NF. Exceptions are politicians, reporters, historians, and economists or examples such as Erik Larsen, Ann Rule, and Stephen Ambrose. This usually means the writer has enough passion for his/her subject to produce a book. The book Pigeons by Andrew D. Blechman comes to mind.
Second, when one reads NF he/she is learning, thus one realizes they don't know as much as they thought they knew!
This will be a fun! :D
Maggie!
Best of luck with the challenge, and I thoroughly look forward to your reviews of these five (or any!) nonfiction titles. I have yet to read Oracle Bones, but love Peter Hessler; and Lemon Tree is a nominee for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Great choices!
And p.s.: I couldn't agree more about nonfiction both expanding your knowledge and simultaneously helping you realize how much more there still always is to know. Wild!
Nonanon,
Thanks for the compliment! I'll have to pop my head with a pin now just to get out the door for work! I'll also have to wait until May to start reading these books. :(
Thanks for some more good suggestions, Maggie!
Jenclair,
No Problem! Thanks to you for reminding me of O'Connor! I love the gargoyle! XP
Wow, interesting list, Maggie! Not sure I've heard of any of these titles but "Oracle Bones" sounds familiar. I look forward to the reviews and I like how you went about selecting your books.
Thanks for visiting my site! I am enjoying looking through your blog...and good luck with the challenge, too :0)
I was going to put Oracle Bones on my non-fiction five list. I didn't but I will read it sometime. My 2 little girls are from China. :-) I am looking forward to hearing how you like it!
Hi Lotus, Kim, and Eileen! I'm choppin at the bit to get started! Especially Oracle Bones! The orient just fascinates me so.
I'm not setting my non-fic 5 in stone until closer to May.
I did a preliminary list, but I'm already planning on reading 2 of those books this month.
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