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| Design credit: Sarah of Puss Reboots |
Today’s genre discussion is all about non-fiction. I have to admit that on the whole, I tend to stay away from non-fiction. When I read, I like a good story. That’s not to say that I haven’t read non-fiction or that I will not read it, it’s just not usually my go-to choice.
I recently came across a series of non-fiction books that definitely appeal to me. It’s a series called History in an Hour and basically they are short pieces of non-fiction on a specific topic. So far, I’ve only read one – Henry VIII’s Wives by Julie Wheeler. I love anything having to do with the Tudors, but normally stick with historical fiction. This, though, was great – it was a fun, quick look at each of the six wives of Henry. Because I enjoyed this one so much, I got a couple more, but just haven’t had time to read them yet. I think I got one on JFK and one on Queen Elizabeth. Have you heard of these?
Besides my love of all things Tudor, I also have a deep-seated love affair with all things Kennedy. I have quite a collection of books that I’ve picked up from library books sales, book stores, and yard sales. Some of the books are about the whole family – like The Kennedy Men and The Kennedy Women both by Laurence Leamer. Then I have some biographies and memoirs such as The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy: Times to Remember by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, along with a handful of books on Jacqueline Kennedy – Jackie After O by Tina Cassidy and Reading Jackie by William Kuhn. Unfortunately I have yet to read any of these, but I will get to them one of these days!
So, beside the Henry VIII’s Wives, here are the books I’ve read and enjoyed that fall into the non-fiction category:
- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin
- Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
- Reading Lolita in Tehran by Asar Nafisi
- What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen
- Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time by Carissa Phelps
As you can see, the list is not long at all. I think I need to challenge myself to read more non-fiction books – especially some of the Kennedy books that I already own! I’m seeing a new challenge to join next year – one geared towards reading non-fiction.
So, what about you? Do you read non-fiction? If so, what types and if not, why?
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Previous ArmchairBEA 2013 posts:
- Day 1: Introductions
- Day 1: Genre Discussion: The Classics
- Day 2: Blogger Development
- Day 2: Genre Discussion: Genre Fiction
- Day 3: Giveaway Day
- Day 4: Ethics in Blogging
I HAVE to check out those History in an Hour books! I love nonfiction, historical nonfic in particular and I think those would be right up my alley!
Let me know which ones you end up getting if you get any!
I love the sound of those History in an Hour books! I'm like you, sticking with historical fiction, but those sound so interesting!! I would really like to check out the one on JFK! The Kennedy books would be interesting too, anything about that family always peaks my interest. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I'm hoping to get to the JFK book soon, as well as some of the other ones I have on my shelves.
I read Henry VII's Wives recently, too. It's such a good, concise summary.
Yes, it definitely was!
I am not in to much non fiction as compared to fiction either. I do love the Kennedy family though! I remember as a teen hearing of his assassination, it was huge world news. I am reading Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy at the moment on my ipad. At the moment is a little bit of a euphemism as I haven't touched it in months, but I must get back to it!
I'm not familiar with that book – will have to look it up. Sounds interesting.
Great list of faves! I also loved Three Cups of Tea, Reading Lolita in Tehren, and Infidel. And I have Mennonite in a Little Black Dress waiting on my shelf – have to get to that one!
Sue
Book By Book
Big Book Summer Challenge
Hope you enjoy Mennonite in a Little Black Dress…it was interesting!
I'm not a huge non-fiction reader either! I do, however, love the Tudors. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction from that time though, which is odd! Nice post 🙂
I've read tons of historical fiction on the Tudors – but each one is just a bit different which gives you another perspective.
Of the 200+ books I read a year only 10 or so are non-fiction. Always try to read more than the previous year.
That's what I should do – try to read at least 1 more than the previous year…great idea!!!
the history in one hour sounds perfect for me! I must check those out ~ thanks for the recommendations…loving ABEA and all the tips I've learned 😀
They are great books – quick reads, chock-full of info on a targeted subject.
I agree – I've definitely picked up tons of tips this week!
I got a copy of Infidel years ago, was so amped-up to read it, but then let it hang around with all my other unread books. sigh. I still want to read it, but I often find that once I have the book in my hands, my impatience disappears and I think, I'll read this when I'm ready/in the right mood.
I haven't heard of History in an Hour but it certainly sounds appealing! Does it really only take an hour to read them?
I tend to do that too, hence all the Kennedy books I have sitting on my shelves!
I honestly don't know if it only takes an hour to read – I read it in on my phone when I had 5 minutes here or there. I will certainly try to track it next time I pick one up!
I've only read Three Cups and found it a wonderfully good read. I think I'd go look up What I think I knew. Sounds intriguing.
Yes, Three Cups was definitely a good read…quite inspiring at times, especially for someone with a teaching background.