Musing Monday: Reading Non-Fiction
by Jenners • 04/27/2009 • Book Talk, Non-Fiction • 13 Comments
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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading non-fiction… Do you read non-fiction regularly? Do you read it in a different way or place than you read fiction? (question courtesy of Diane)
Are you interested in reading about…
- happy or messed up childhoods?
- what it is like to work in different jobs?
- what other women think of motherhood?
- how people beat the odds and survived life-threatening situations?
- how authors feel about the process of writing and creativity?
- how people coped with the death of a loved one?
- how people came to find their spiritual path?
- people’s experiences trying different ways of living?
- the English language and how it got that way?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, then I can recommend a non-fiction book (or books) that deals with this topic. And of course, this is just a short list of topics that are covered by non-fiction writers. So, in answer to the question: YES! I read non-fiction regularly! I read it proudly and I read it often! And as far as whether I read it differently, the answer is no. For me, reading Bill Bryson is as enjoyable as reading Jodi Picoult. Reading A.J. Jacobs is just as fun as reading Nelson DeMille. Reading Jon Krakauer’s account of his climb of Everest had me as riveted as the most suspenseful thriller out there. Reading Mary Karr’s account of her childhood had me as involved as Donna Tartt’s The Little Friend. In short, non-fiction is as gripping, involving, emotional as any fiction book! Viva la non-fiction!
To see more answers to this question, visit Rebecca’s wonderful blog Just One More Page!
A few more thoughts on non-fiction. I find when I read non-fiction, it sparks my interest in reading more non-fiction (just as reading one Lee Child novel makes me want to read more about jack Reacher.)
I recently ran across Jonathan Rabin’s name —i had read “Old Glory” decades ago. Rabin took a trip down the Mississippi ala Huck Finn —well not quite —he had a motorized boat. I remember liking some of his descriptions, like saying a motel looked like it ought to have blood on the shower curtain. Anyway, I picked up his “Bad Land” a fascinating account of how the government encouraged people to move to SE Montana with the promise of free land c. 1910—only to find the land so bad it was nearly worthless. That sparked me to read Rabin’s “My Holy War” and also a wonderful biography of Evelyn Cameron “Photographing Montana” by Donna M. Lucey. Cameron, an upper class British woman who moved with her husband to Montana became a photographer while running her difficult farm —with almost no help from her husband. I lived in Brazil for a while without running water or electricity, but I think I would have lasted about two days in a harsh Montana winter. Cameron’s goal was to live a worthy life —and boy did she.
I also read a novel that mentioned a disaster in Halifax harbor, which prompted me to search for more information which I found in “Curse of the Narrows” by Laura M. MacDonald. Near the end of WWI, in Dec. 6. 1917 a munitions boat exploded in Halifax harbor, flattening most of the homes near the water. Other homes were burned when coals fell from toppled stoves. People watching the smoking boat, before it exploded, from windows on the hillside, were blinded when their windows shattered. The explosion caused a tsunami which pulled boats and people out to sea, then flooded the low lands. On top of that, there was a blizzard. Reading this after Katrina, I was amazed at how well it was handled with some temporary housing up before the end of Jan 1918. This was a disaster —but was handled so well, the book was actually uplifting in the end.
Once again, you give me great recommendations to pursue other reading avenues. I never take the time to look for nonfiction titles. I’m sure your list is going to help me find some interesting reading. I like the idea of reading about someone like Jon Krakauer. Someone who takes on that kind of daring adventure must have an amazing story to share. You would think that I would read more nonfiction considering how much reality television I watch
Though I wonder how much of that is really “fiction” anwyay!!
We seem to have similar taste in books. The Year of Magical Thinking is one of my keeper books. (One I won’t loan out or get rid of). My dh and I love Bill Bryson. He is hysterical. We laugh out loud on the train to stares and glances. I am going to look for some of these others you mentioned.
The Little Friend has been on my To Read list forever. I guess I should just get around to reading it, huh?
I can say yes to a few of those questions. A good memoir can be enchanting.
I don’t read tons of non-fiction, but I do love a good memoir. I’m not sure why – I guess I’m just nosy.
I think it’s great you enjoy non-fiction. I’m not big on it myself, unless I come across something that catches my interest. I prefer the escapism of fiction.
I love how you answered this question, thanks for the recommendations
well, I can’t agree on The Wordy Shipmates…I did not like it nearly as much as CJ…but I do read more non-fiction than I once did. And I own WAY more than I thought when I looked at the numbers.
Very good post Jenners, you are very well organized!
While I still read a lot of fiction, I've been reading more NF as I get older.
One I just completed & loved is Sarah Vowell's "The Wordy Shipmates." When I tell you it is a history book about the Puritans and Pilgrims, those two religious communities of people who didn't seem to know how to have any fun, you might be surprised to know it is also a hysterically funny book. Vowell has a knack for making a cheeky remark about almost everything. Vowell is correct in saying that most of what we learned about the Pilgrims, we learned from TV sitcom Thanksgiving specials —and mostly what we learned is wrong. While I learned a lot about early America that I hadn't known before, I enjoyed reading the book. It would make a great text for a student who hates to read 'boring' history —but then Vowell is outspoken and liberal, so no school board would ever approve it. I liked that the author admired these long-dead colonial Americans, yet saw the insanity of some of their beliefs and actions. And what I really loved, is that she related the happenings of the 1600's to more recent events, making them relevant to today.
I enjoy memoirs and current event non-fiction, but have not read much of it lately. Fiction has taken over! :0
Thanks for the recommendations! I don’t read NF because I don’t take time to check out what’s available.
Hi Jenners! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, when you live the stories day in and day out you don’t want to read about it in your spare time.