Nonfiction November is hosted by Based on a True Story, Volatile Rune, Adventures in Reading Running and Working from Home, She Seeks Nonfiction and Hopewell’s Public Library of Life.
—
Choosing Nonfiction
What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? Do you have a particular writing style that works best? When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you? If so, share a title or cover which you find striking.
As a huge history nerd I’m always more attracted to historical nonfiction books, especially if it goes into ancient history. I’ve always been intrigued (obsessed???) with ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome so I can’t read enough books with these topics. Three authors I would highly recommend and that are actually easily readable are Kara Cooney, Paul Cartledge and Barry Strauss. Especially Strauss’ books are very readable!
When Women Ruled the World | Thebes | The War That Made the Roman Empire
I do like to branch out every now and then. And when I do it’s usually in the genres of self-help, memoir and true crime. Here are some of my favorites in those genres. Dader Onbekend (if I translate the title in English it is called Perpetrator Unknown) is a book in Dutch by a Belgian author. It goes into using the Y-chromosone to use unsolved murder cases.
What Your Soul Already Knows | I’m Glad My Mom Died | Dader Onbekend
Covers definitely influence me when picking what books I plan on reading next. I think every reader gets influenced by covers occasionally. Here are some covers that caught my eye in the past.
The Map of Knowledge | Antigone Rising | How Far the Light Reaches
Have you read any of the books I mentioned?
What kind of nonfiction are you drawn to? Do you get influenced by certain covers?
There’s some big titles here. I haven’t read any of these but they look intriguing. The Jennette McCurdy one looks interesting. Thanks so much for taking part Stephanie.
Jennette McCurdy’s book was so heartbreaking but really good!
I love the cover of How Far the Light Reaches😁 And if I had time to read non fiction, I’d probably read mostly memoirs.
How Far the Light Reaches was a really good one!
I’m definitely drawn to history nonfiction, and I love a good celebrity memoir!
I’m currently listening to my 2nd celebrity memoir ever!
I do love that cover of Antigone Rising a lot!
I love that book so much!
I’ve read The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney and enjoyed it. I haven’t heard of any of your other authors but they sound good! Those covers catch my eye too, especially How Far the Light Reaches.
How Far the Light Reaches has such a beautiful cover and the book itself is great too!
I was watching Hank Green’s World History Crash Course class and became obsessed with The Mongols. I had forgotten I even had that book (The Horde) until I read your post! Thanks for that.
I love historical nonfiction too!
I love nonfiction! I usually read about history, science, nature, or religious extremism.
I love those topics too. Except maybe religious extremism because it scares me…
I am so happy to expand my nonfiction awareness, as I invariably turn to fiction first. Thank you for being one of the hosts for this rich experience.
Feel free to hit me up if you ever need recommendations 🙂
I’m not particularly drawn to covers, but a good cover can lure me in. “What Your Soul Already Knows” is pulling me in from your list. I keep hearing about “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” but I’ve been hesitant to read it since I am a mom and I don’t want my kids to feel that way about me one day. 🙂
I was hesitant about I’m Glad My Mom Died too but it was really good, in a sad way of course because she went through a lot with her mother. I’d recommend it.