What I’m Reading Now (9/23/19) + Nonfiction November Announcement

what I'm reading now

 

Last week, I was reading an Alcohol & Advil pairing in reverse. This week, I put it in the right order. So, what does that make the past two weeks…an Alcohol sandwich?

Nonfiction November is coming!

I’m thrilled to be co-hosting 2019’s Nonfiction November with Katie at Doing Dewey, Rennie at What’s Nonfiction?, Julie at Julz Reads, and Leann at Shelf Aware! Nonfiction November is a month dedicated to celebrating nonfiction…we’ll talk about our favorites, trade recommendations, discuss our nonfiction reading habits, and hopefully discover some new book blogs! There will be a link-up for your posts every Monday…see below for the schedule of events and where to find the link-ups.

Personally, I tend to push nonfiction to the back burner in favor of the shiny, new fiction releases, so I always appreciate this month of re-focus on a genre I love, but tend to ignore sometimes.

Hope to see you in November!

Schedule of Events

Week 1 (Oct. 28 to Nov. 1)

Your Year in Nonfiction So Far (Hosted by Julie at Julz Reads)
Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

Week 2 (Nov. 4 to Nov. 8)

Nonfiction / Fiction Book Pairing (Hosted by Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves)
This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.

Week 3 (Nov. 11 to Nov. 15)

Be The Expert/Ask the Expert/Become the Expert (Hosted by Katie at Doing Dewey)
Three ways to join in this week! You can either share three or more books on a single topic that you have read and can recommend (be the expert), you can put the call out for good nonfiction on a specific topic that you have been dying to read (ask the expert), or you can create your own list of books on a topic that you’d like to read (become the expert).

Week 4 (Nov. 18 to Nov. 22)

Nonfiction Favorites (Hosted by Leann at Shelf Aware)
We’ve talked about how you pick nonfiction books in previous years, but this week I’m excited to talk about what makes a book you’ve read one of your favorites. Is the topic pretty much all that matters? Are there particular ways a story can be told or particular writing styles that you love? Do you look for a light, humorous approach or do you prefer a more serious tone? Let us know what qualities make you add a nonfiction book to your list of favorites.

Week 5 (Nov. 26 to Nov. 30)

New to my TBR (Hosted by Rennie at What’s Nonfiction?)
It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which ones have made it onto your TBR? Be sure to link back to the original blogger who posted about that book!

There will also be an Instagram Challenge! Find all the hosts that are on Instagram: @sarahsbookshelves@julzreads@shelf_aware_, and @doingdewey!

Podcast

Episode 30, a full length episode about Southern Books, featuring Deb and Amy from the Bless Your Heart Book Club aired last Wednesday!

And, a mini episode will air this Wednesday featuring Kailey from @kmc_reads talking about emotional books.

New on the Blog

  • Fleishman is in Trouble by Tafy Brodesser-Akner…a book I called an underrated gem in my review, but that has since been longlisted for the National Book Award for fiction!
  • 2019 Rock Your Reading Tracker – I used my “Rock Your Reading Tracker” this year to track all my reading stats in real time and figure out who my best recommendation sources are…and, my reading QUALITY improved 42% from last year! The new and improved 2019 tracker is now available for $14.99…get more details here!

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…

what I'm reading now

 

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff (September 10, 2019)
Currently, this book is on my shortlist for #1 book of 2019…fiction or nonfiction. It should be read in schools everywhere to revisit the feeling of what 9/11 was like. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (June 25, 2019)
The perfect book to recover from The Only Plane in the Sky. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg

 

All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg (October 22, 2019)
I’m only 10% through, so I don’t have much of an opinion yet, but the premise is intriguing…what do you do when someone you’re supposed to love is on their deathbed, but you’re actually relieved about it?
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I tried, but wasn’t feeling…

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

 

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager (July 2, 2019)
DNF at 11%
The writing was bogged down in descriptions of the view out the window, etc. Plus, I didn’t like Final Girls, so was essentially giving this a quick shot because I heard it was different from Final Girls, but I wasn’t going to push hard with it if it wasn’t working.
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

 

Things We Didn’t Talk About When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco (October 1, 2019)
An upcoming podcast guest recommended this memoir about a girl who decides to confront the male friend who raped her years later…you’ll hear more about it on Episode 32 airing on October 2.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

How was your reading week?

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what I'm reading now

 

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45 Comments

  1. Angela wrote:

    I’m very excited that Nonfiction November is almost here! Sometimes I almost feel like I save my nonfiction books for that month! But I have a couple I’m very looking forward to.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I do the same thing 🙂

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  2. I’m sort of happy to hear you DNF’d Lock Every Door because I so thoroughly disliked The Last Time I Lied. I don’t think I could ever read him again!

    I just down loaded The Only Plane in the Sky . Its audiobook ratings/reviews are amazing. I’m both eager and wary of listening to this one.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ll be interested to hear how that is on audio…I was wondering whether I’d be able to keep track of all the people on audio.

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Debi Morton wrote:

      Susie, I think audio is the way I’d like to do this one, as well, but I’m afraid it may be too emotional. I’ll be interested to see what you think. Either way, it’s one I definitely want to read.

      Posted 9.24.19 Reply
      • Debi – I’ve listened to the first couple of hours and it is emotional, but I think it would be in print as well. I really like that you hear some of the actual recordings that were made that day and that they’ve used a huge cast of narrators reading people’s first person accounts. I feel like it’s a book every American needs to read. I’m thinking of giving it to both my sons.

        Posted 9.25.19 Reply
        • Debi Morton wrote:

          I didn’t realize you hear actual recordings. That cinches it for me; I’m definitely going audio. Thanks!

          Posted 9.26.19 Reply
  3. Looking forward to nonfiction November! I adored Evvie Drake and keep recommending it. I just finished The Simple Wild and think I’m hooked on any book set in Alaska now!

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  4. Glad you’re enjoying Evvie Drake! You and I have been in sync lately in terms of the ones we’ve liked. I think I will pick up the 9/11 book.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Listening to your Hyped Summer episode as we speak and we do agree on a couple on there….Fleishman for one!

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  5. Tina wrote:

    I love Nonfiction November! Reading The Only Plane in the Sky right now and it’s INCREDIBLE. I can’t binge it though, understandably, but agree with you that this should be required reading.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep, yep…

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  6. Just put a hold on The Only Plane In the Sky, and it looks like it will come in just in time for Nonfiction November! I wasn’t really planning on doing it this year, but maybe having a great nonfiction book on my list will prompt a rethink 🙂

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Perfect! You can always participate a bit…don’t have to devote the entire month to nonfiction. I’m probably not going to do the whole month this year!

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  7. Susan wrote:

    I’m waiting for The Only Plane in The Sky to come in from the library right now. To date I haven’t read any non fiction books about 911.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Well, I think this is the one to start with! It’s less about the facts and events and more about the feelings.

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  8. Melissa wrote:

    I love Nonfiction November! I already have a list of possibilities to fill the month. Still trying to figure out the best nonfiction audio books — although I see scribd has The Only Plane in the Sky, maybe I can do that one on audio (especially since my library is restricting checkouts of the physical book).

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m so interested to see how Only Plane translates on audio…there’s SO many people. I just wonder if I’d have gotten super lost.

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
      • Kim wrote:

        I am listening to it right now and it is great on audio. But you’re right about being lost. I can’t keep up with all the different people and voices.

        Posted 10.10.19 Reply
  9. kathy wrote:

    Nice variety of books. I very seldom read nonfiction but do have a few on my shelf that I should slot into November. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  10. Kathryn wrote:

    I enjoyed Evvie Drake Starts Over, it was a good light read on audiobook.

    Posted 9.23.19 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s not my usual fare, but it was the right book at the right time for me!

      Posted 9.23.19 Reply
  11. renee wrote:

    I totally agree with you about The Only Plane in the Sky, I listened to it and it was riveting. I didn’t have any trouble with all the people, in fact I found it incredibly intense listening to all the different voices tell their stories. It”ll be in my top 3 for the year for sure!

    Posted 9.24.19 Reply
  12. Renae wrote:

    I loved Evvie Drake – such a fun read! Followed that with Necessary People which I have to admit, despite how much people loved it, I really struggled to finish! Just started the YA book, American Royals based on Grace and Becca’s reviews. Love your podcast, Sarah! I get so excited when I get that notification that a new episode is out!

    Posted 9.24.19 Reply
  13. Lisa notes wrote:

    I’ll have to look up Nonfiction November because I prefer nonfiction! 🙂 Thanks for sharing about it. Bookmarked.

    I’ve heard good things about The Only Plane in the Sky. I’m afraid it would make me too sad to read, but I guess that isn’t reason enough not to read it if it’s good.

    Posted 9.24.19 Reply
  14. Oh I loved Evvie Drake so much! I listened to the audiobook after reading a few thrillers in a row, so I’m with you on the perfect timing. I also cannot wait to read Jeannie Vanasco’s new book! Her last book, The Glass Eye, is one of my absolute favorite pieces of nonfiction.

    Posted 9.25.19 Reply
  15. Heather Hicks wrote:

    I’m reading a sci fi by an amazing female author. The book is We Have Met the Enemy and the author is Felicia Watson. She writes with strong female leads, and her story of finding family and discovering her self along the way makes for a great experience!!

    Posted 9.26.19 Reply
  16. Nonfiction November sounds awesome!! I am definitely going to participate – I am looking forward to it!

    Posted 10.21.19 Reply
  17. Hi there. Sorry if this isn’t the right place but not sure where else to ask a question about NF November: do you have a link-up system set up somewhere for everyone to upload their blog posts? Thanks a lot. Thanks, also, for being a co-host of this event. I’m enjoying it immensely.

    Posted 11.4.19 Reply

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