Nonfiction November

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!