November is coming upon us fast and furious isn’t it? Soon 2018 will be in the past! Isn’t that unbelievable (but probably not such a bad thing to leave 2018 in the dust)?
A couple of reading challenges or themes usually crop up in November and one major theme is “Nonfiction November”. I’m planning on making a serious effort at reading the NF on my shelves this November. This also relates well to my Milestone birthdays and rethinking reading lists post and to my Winter is Coming post too (I’ve lined up books from my shelves that relate to a winter theme).
I’ve just finished reading Merilyn Simonds novel, Refuge (thoughts to come) and I have two of her non-fiction books on my shelf that I’m quite eager to get to, The Convict Lover and Gutenberg’s Fingerprint. The Convict Lover sounds like something completely up my alley – a book created after finding a cache of letters in the attic, and Gutenberg’s Fingerprint is a book about books, so what could go wrong with these two right? If they were written with the lovely writing style found in Refuge, they both should be wonderful books to read.
There are so many others sitting and waiting patiently on my shelves that will make for a satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable NF November. I can finally read this one by Maggie O’Farrell, I Am, I Am, I Am, which has so many rave and wonderful reviews:
I recently won from the 49th Shelf and Douglas McIntyre The Cowkeeper’s Wish. When I first heard about it, I thought it so fascinating that I requested our library bring it in, but now I have my very own copy! It really is a beautiful book too – it has this great heft to it with pictures throughout. It’s going to be a great reading experience, I can just feel it.
I also have these two on my shelves, both thanks to Penguin Random House Canada. The Wife’s Tale which has been nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Awards for Nonfiction and Elizabeth Hay’s All Things Consoled which has been described as a “balm“. It too is a Governor General’s finalist. Also from Penguin Random House Canada I’ve got The Juggler’s Children (another GG Books finalist!) and The Wolf. I’m waiting patiently for the audiobook of The Wolf to come available however, since it won the Audie Award for Non-Fiction and Mark Bramhall narrates.
Out Standing in the Field was nominated (longlist) for CBC Reads and at that time it was one that looked very interesting to read, so I definitely want to pick this one up. I wanted to read it when it was first nominated so there should be no excuse to read it this November!
The Lost City of the Monkey God comes so highly recommended by more than one and has been receiving rave reviews. It sounds completely fascinating, so I for sure want to make space for it in my reading schedule.
There’s also absolutely no shortage of Nonfiction hanging out (languishing?) on my shelves too. All written by and also about fascinating women! (Links to their descriptions can be found by clicking on their covers.)
So, my November schedule of books looks like it will be fantastic for informative, insightful, and fascinating reading. Which one should I pick up first? Hopefully I’ll be able to read all of these plus start working in my winter themed books too!
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8 Comments
Ann Patchett book is amazing!! Let us know if there are any must reads here.. non fiction is my go to lately!
Awesome news – I’ve had it on my shelf for so long! I will absolutely let you know if any are must reads! Thanks Robyn!
Ooooh some to add to my list. Highly recommend the Douglas Preston. One of the best books I’ve read! (although there are as many genres in non-fiction as there is in fiction so it’s possible it might not appeal to you but I loved it.)
Yes! That’s what I keep hearing about the Douglas Preston! So I had to add it, but more importantly I have to read it! ;-) It really does sound great – like the one I need to read first right?
Yes!! Have you read it? I had a bad bout of insomnia when I was reading it and I was reading it to try to go back to sleep and it was so engrossing I couldn’t get back to sleep! I read a lot of non-fiction and this one was SO good. For me it was one of those experiences where just thinking about it I can remember reading it and how interesting it was and how I couldn’t wait to get back to it. :)
I haven’t read it yet Heather – but it would be an excellent fit for one of the reading challenges I’m participating in. I was JUST looking it up yesterday too. So it’s high on my radar and I will probably be reading it very, very soon! :-)
Oooh, you have so many great choices. Many of them are on my TBR too! The only ones I’ve read are The Juggler’s Children, which I quite liked. And the Ann Patchett, which Robyn has already raved about. And, one of my true favourites, The Convict Lover. It’s just lovely (and her book about gardening was also enjoyable). Looking forward to hearing about your November reading!
The Convict Lover looks so much like it’s going to be a favourite, I hope I’m not setting my expectations too high! I have a signed first edition on the Patchett so I’m pretty thrilled with that one. That’s very good news that The Juggler’s Children was good too – so many great NF to read in November! The dilemma is “what do I read first?” But it looks like I can line up Preston, Patchett and Simonds to get me started. Thanks so much!