Sunday, February 17, 2008

Wanna Play? Nonfiction Meme!

I’ve been tagged, that means I’m IT! Na-Na-Day-Boo-Boo! Iliana tagged me for a non-fiction meme created by Gautami.

A) What issues/topic interests you most in non-fiction, i.e, cooking, knitting, stitching, there are infinite topics that has nothing to do with novels? I read a variety of nonfiction for fun such as history, memoirs, travelogues, biographies, true adventure and crime. Right now I am really enjoying micro-histories on topics such as pigeons, rats, oysters, cotton, etc. where one learns the origins of a subject through to modern times. I pick up how-to books only when I exhaust my neighbors’/friends’/family’s knowledge.

B) Would you like to review books concerning those? Yes, I do it all the time! Since I publish weekly in local newspapers, I do mostly nonfiction to encourage male readers. Studies show newspaper readers are mostly male and males mostly read nonfiction. When I write about a fiction book it is usually aimed at book club readers or monthly themes such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

C) Would you like to be paid or do it as interest or hobby? Tell reasons for whatever you choose. No, I will not accept money for reviews! My writing is totally on a volunteer level and although I may type the articles at work I read the books on my own time. If I was a reviewer, yes, but I’m only a librarian.

D) Would you recommend those to your friends and how? I recommend all types of books through my articles and face-to-face. I see no difference in recommending fiction and nonfiction. To me, I’m suggesting good reads no matter the story.

E) If you have already done something like this, link it to your post. I’ll go back to my latest...How Starbucks Saved My Life, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Fame Junkies.

F) Please don’t forget to link back here or whoever tags you. Iliana at Book Girl Thanks!

Now, time to break the rules…I’m supposed to tag 10 people. If you read to this point, consider yourself tagged. *running away so you can’t get me*

16 comments:

Lori Thornton said...

Okay - here's my post: http://familyhistorian.blogspot.com/2008/02/non-fiction-meme.html

maggie moran said...

Yeah! Lori!! Thanks!!!

Iliana said...

Thanks for playing Maggie! I remember your post on The Diving Bell & The Butterfly... have you seen the movie yet? I'm curious about it as well. I'm also adding the Starbucks book to my list being that I am addicted to their lattes :)

maggie moran said...

No we still haven't seen it, Iliana. We were debating last night and Spiderwick won. I'm amazed the Starbucks is still doing the rounds at our library! Enjoy! :D

Literary Feline said...

I did this one yesterday--finally. :-) Nonfiction can be very interesting, especially when you find a topic that piques your curiosity even more.

I enjoyed reading your responses, Maggie. Have a great week.

maggie moran said...

And I yours, Literary Feline! Oh, and I would pay you! ;D

tanabata said...

I just read your review of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I hadn't heard of it but what an amazing story!
The micro-histories sound interesting. Any recommendations?

maggie moran said...

Hi Tanabata! I'm really glad I read the Diving Bell & Butterfly. My life is better for it.

As for micro-histories, on e of my favorites this past summer was Rats by Robert Sullivan. It deals with migration and eventual settlement of rats in Manhattan Island, New York. I understand this may be an aquired taste...

Another, I finished this fall is High Cotton by Gerry Helferich. The author writes about one season or year in the life of cotton from planting to the mills, and between each chapter he talks about the history involved.

Mark Kurlansky is getting quite a name for his books: Cod, Salt, and Big Oyster. Oh, and I LOVED Pigeons by Andrew Blechman.

Happy Reading! :D

sage said...

I should do this--but I have a meme backlog! Although I don't only read non-fiction, I do read a lot of it.

maggie moran said...

I totally understand Sage. I did this one thinking it wouldn't take long, but it still took me over an hour. What surprised me? I'm reading more fiction lately. What's up wid that? :)

Gentle Reader said...

Good answers! I'm doing this meme, too. I think I'm going to have to add the Starbucks book to my list, too :)

maggie moran said...

I look forward to your answers, Gentle Reader. I hope you like Starbucks! :)

Anonymous said...

Maggies, thanks for doing this meme. Thanks also for leaving a sweet comment on my blog. Yes, now I got so many grand-grand-grand-grand-grand babies! I like the feel of it.

I like your answers. I am also going to check on those links.

Hope Sage does it too. He reads so much of Non-fiction. Maybe we create a fiction meme for him..:-)

tanabata said...

Maggie, thanks for the micro-history suggestions. I'll have to check them out. :)

Nyssaneala said...

I like your answers. That's interesting about newspaper readers being mainly male. I wonder if that includes those who read the news online?

I'm hoping to get ariund to doing this meme soon!

maggie moran said...

Gautami - I read some of Sage's last post at work today and his last two reviews were nonfiction. ;) Thanks for starting this meme!

That's right, Tanabata! Check them out from a library just in case they aren't our cup of tea. I find them rather addicting, myself. :)

Never thought of online, Nyssaneala? I've noticed I've gotten more news online lately such as Roy Sneider(sp) death and flu reports than the evening news or newspaper! :) Take you time doing the meme, you're creating a mini-you and that takes effort. ;)