Nonfiction November is well under way and I’ve been making sure to work in a novel every now and then to prevent nonfiction burnout (which happened to me about mid-way through the event last year).
And, you get two weeks worth of books in this post because I skipped last week to host Nonfiction November’s Fiction / Nonfiction Book Pairings.
Podcast
Mini Episode 37, featuring Elizabeth Chapman, aired last Wednesday! We had such great discussion that it ended up being almost as long as a full length episode!
And, a full length episode featuring Garrett M. Graff (Author of The Only Plane in the Sky) 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!
- Book Review of The Testaments…I didn’t like it as much as everyone else did.
- Fiction / Nonfiction Book Pairings…my favorite week of Nonfiction November!
Hosted by The Book Date.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
I finished reading…
Evicted by Matthew Desmond (March 1, 2016)
This book is a lot to think about. I’m still kind of processing it, but it’s depressing and there’s no easy fix. An eye-opening read for sure. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore (March 1, 2016)
Shared by Sara Hildreth on Ep. 34 of the podcast as a book she teaches to her high school English class that her students enjoy. It’s powerful and highly readable. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (December 31, 2019)
There’s a lot to unpack with this one…I’m still processing what I’m taking away from it and would love to talk to someone else who’s read it! But, I do know it’s extremely readable and I flew through the second half in about a day! Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
All That You Leave Behind by Erin Lee Carr (April 9, 2019)
Claire Gibson recommended this book on Ep. 36 of the podcast and I’m about 25% through. David Carr is a character and a great writer – reading his emails to his daughter, Erin, is a pleasure. I can’t wait to dig in more.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Upcoming reading plans…
Unless a library hold comes in…
Things We Didn’t Talk About When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco (October 1, 2019)
Cristina Arreola (a guest on podcast Ep. 32) recommended (off the air) this memoir about a girl who decides to confront the male friend who raped her years later. I’m thinking this will be my last nonfiction of the month.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
How was your reading week?
Pin this post…
I’ve been wanting to read The Other Wes Moore for years.
I’ll be interested to hear your final thoughts on All That You Leave Behind. I listened to it earlier in the year and got a little tired of her by the second half. It may be a book that works better in print. Looking forward to your thoughts on Things We Didn’t Talk About.
And, very excited to hear Garrett Graff on the podcast this week!
Mixing nonfiction with fiction is definitely the way to go if you don’t want to feel completely done with NF by mid month! I look forward to your mini reviews of the two NF titles mentioned.
Happy reading this week!
I definitely want to read Such a Fun Age, but haven’t yet! I reviewed American Spy for Library Journal and I’m glad to see you’re reading it! I don’t think it ever took off, but I liked it.
I’m dying to read Such a Fun Age! I love those books that make you take a step away to unpack.
Evicted is on my wishlist. My weekly update
Nice looking assortment of books. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I finished The Starless Sea and while it was 5 stars for me I’m pretty comfortable saying I think it would make you nuts. There wasn’t a moment of reality in the entire novel- which I loved.
Not sure what to read next. Pretty sure I’m in that book hangover space so should probably stick with a backlist thriller or something like that.
I’ve read Such a Fun Age! A few months ago now. I was engaged in the book right up until the ending, which I thought was really sloppy.
I’ve won “Such a Fun Age” on NetGalley recently and I think I’ll be reading it on my upcoming holiday, as I’m planning to take a book for each flight then read off my Kindle during the week to get some NetGalleys done. So I can discuss it then! (I’ll save your mini review when it comes out).
I would love to read Such A Fun Age but cannot order it until 12/31/19. If you send me your copy I promise you a discussion on the novel.
Have always loved Sarah’s Bookshelves. Unfortunately I feel that you are far more focused on your podcast and promoting it than your printed reviews. I have to wade thru so many promo notices that it has become tiresome.
Evicted was such a good book. I learned so much about housing insecurity that I hadn’t understood before. No easy answers there though.
I was very impressed by Evicted and I’m excited to hear more of your thoughts on it 🙂