I am really enjoying Nonfiction November--reading other bloggers' posts is opening new possibilities for adventures in nonfiction. Thanks to the hosts for putting this together! This week is hosted by Frances at Volatile Rune.
Week 2 (11/4-11/8) 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.
I generally read around specific nonfiction areas--history, archeology, literary biography and lit crit, gardening, birding, and travel. And within these basic areas, I have favorite subjects--English history, Roman history, American Civil War, Shakespeare/Austen/Dickens as well as other favorite authors. I like to read up on places I like to visit (Maine, Italy, California) and places I hope to visit (Everglades, the Dordogne, Canadian Rockies, etc).
I rarely if ever read self-help books, although I will read and collect cookbooks that are connected to favorite authors, locations, or cuisines. I rarely read celebrity memoirs, although I loved Yes, Please by Amy Poehler and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. I sometimes read things like Educated by Tara Westover if the subject captures my interest, the writing is reputed to be good, and people I trust really like it.
I think I am immune to titles and covers because I mostly pick nonfiction based on liking the author (Erik Larson, for example), hearing about a book that is in my zone, or trusting a positive review from a fellow blogger. However, I do appreciate wonderful covers and titles, and they may push a book up on the TBR stack. I get frustrated by derivative titles and covers that seem to be clinging to the coattails of a successful book.
I absolutely love the cover of Around the World in 80 Plants, by Jonathan Drori. This book was a feast for the eyes, heart, and soul, and I think the cover invites a reader like me into the beautiful and exotic world revealed in the book.
That is a beautiful cover! I'm staring at it on a gloomy rainy day, when it's even darker than it should be because of the time change -- so it looks even better than it usually would.
ReplyDeleteYes, and the inside of the book is filled with similar art--illustrations for every plant that just make it such a joy to read and relish.
DeleteI've seen Eric Larson mentioned before. I must look him up. Thanks so much for sharing your reads and taking part in Nonfiction November Jane and I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteLarson is definitely worth checking out. My first Larson was Devil in the White City, and I was just fascinated by the 1893 World's Exhibition in Chicago. There were some pretty grizzly parts, but I loved reading about the Exhibition.
DeleteErik Larson is probably my favorite nonfiction writer. I love British history, particular the Tudors.
ReplyDeleteLarson picks such interesting subjects, dives into them with sterling writing, and never disappoints.
DeleteLooks great! I’m putting this on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteAround the World in 80 Plants is such a beautiful-looking book. I just started The Next Everest by Jim Davidson. It's interesting, but very detailed and descriptive, so it's been a slower kind of read.
ReplyDeleteI usually read nonfiction at a much slower pace than fiction--takes me a while to absorb the details. I'm intrigued by what The Next Everest is!
DeleteI read Around the World in 80 Trees a few years ago and I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI also have Around the World in 80 Trees, and hope to read it in 2025.
DeleteI love all the books about the history of the world through an item or around the world through a subject but I have never seen this beautiful one!
ReplyDelete