Nonfiction November officially kicks off today (I’ll have my Intro post up tomorrow, but check out everyone’s Intro post at Julz Reads), but I started my nonfiction reading last week!
Podcast
Mini Episode 35, featuring Sarah Bohl, aired last Wednesday! We talk about our trouble with Pulitzer Prize winners, our feelings about a beloved WWII novel, and Sarah shares some character-driven mysteries.
And, a full length episode featuring Claire Gibson (Author of Beyond the Point) will air this Wednesday.
New on the Blog
- Get bonus podcast episodes…Get bonus podcast episodes and other goodies when you support the podcast on Patreon!
- Q3 2019: My Best Book Recommendation Sources…my top two sources are separating themselves from the pack.
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I finished reading…
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson (February 12, 2019)
I liked this mash-up of a spy novel and a family drama…starring a black, female counterintelligence agent. But, I don’t have a ton to say about it and I’m not sure it will prove super memorable once some time has passed. But, an enjoyable and unique read in the moment.
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The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (September 1, 2005)
Mary Laura Philpott (author of I Miss You When I Blink) recommended this modern classic in Ep. 21 of the podcast. Didion chronicles the year following her husband’s death from a heart attack as she researches grief to try to make sense of her own experience. Parts of this book were brilliant, but she included some things I could’ve done without. Mini review coming in my Nonfiction November round-up at the end of the month.
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Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino (August 6, 2019) – AUDIOBOOK
I’ve really enjoyed this essay collection that Sara Hildreth (@fictionmatters) recommended on Ep. 34 of the podcast, but I’m having trouble coming up with an overall theme for it. The subtitle is “Reflections on Self-Delusion”, but I felt like these were essays about issues of the modern world, mainly relating to women. I did enjoy her take on each individual issue. Mini review to come.
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I’m currently reading…
Evicted by Matthew Desmond (March 1, 2016)
I tried this super-hyped book from a few years back on audio earlier this year and I had trouble keeping the stories of the 8 featured families straight. But, the print book is going much better (I’m 25% through so far). It’s an eye-opening look into evictions, the people that face them, and the rental market in poverty stricken areas, but I do think he’s conveniently skating over certain issues. I’m interested to see how things progress and will discuss more once I finish it.
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I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Innocents by Michael Crummey (November 12, 2019)
DNF at 18%
I loved this Canadian novelist’s Sweetland (my review) a few years ago, but this novel felt slow and somewhat boring. I’ve come to realize I might not love wilderness survival stories in general, which this book is. But, when I started feeling bored, I checked the Goodreads reviews…some said that they found this book slow even though they’d loved Crummey’s previous work. And, that sealed the deal for me to DNF. I will say that his gorgeous writing is there…but, the children in this story do speak in some sort of dialect that takes some getting used to.
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Upcoming reading plans…
Unless a library hold comes in…
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (December 31, 2019)
I realize it’s Nonfiction November, but I made the mistake of ploughing through a bunch of nonfiction books in a row during this event last year and got burned out halfway through the month. So, I’ll be working in a novel here and there this month. This debut is getting tons of hype and I’ll be interested to see if it lives up to it!
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How was your reading week?
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The Innocents doesn’t really sound like my type of book, either, but holy moly, that cover is gorgeous!
I have Such a Fun Age coming up too, but am trying to hold off on 2020 books until December. We’ll see if I make it because I feel like the pickings are pretty slim right now!
The Innocents sounds like my kind of book, but I just can’t read *everything*!
Nice looking books. I hope you enjoy nonfiction November. I may try to read one nonfiction book during the month which will be my first nonfiction book of the year. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m not planning on participating in Nonfiction November. I have my own schedule that I read by and it’s working for me right now. My weekly update
American Spy does sound like a fun in the moment kind of book. I’ve been trying to read a bit more nonfiction this year. I’m not ready to focus on it for a full month but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read this year, including the one I read this month – What the Dog Knows by Cat Warren.
I’m taking part in NonFiction November too but I’ll be posting on Fridays, I’m looking forward to getting started.
I have Such a Fun Age to read too.
Wishing you a great reading week