Nonfiction November is here! It feels a bit like the month snuck up on me, but Minnesota got our first snow of the season and I switched to my flannel sheets, so I guess that’s where we are with the year.
The first weekly prompt for Nonfiction November is Your Year in Nonfiction, and will be hosted by Julie @ JulzReads:
Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
A quick reminder on the weekly hosts — if you’re a blogger, make sure you link up your weekly post at Julie’s blog so you can be included in any round ups we work on this week. If you’re a reader, head over there to check out other posts responding to the prompt and, if you feel so inclined, respond to the prompt in the comments. And now, on to my answers!
What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?
Of course, I can’t pick just one – that’d be pretty much impossible. Five books I’ve loved this year are Portage by Sue Leaf, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant, The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith, and Evicted by Matthew Desmond.
What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
The book I’ve loaned out the most is Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, a look at a series of suspicious deaths of members of the Osage Indian nation in the early 1920s. As the murders in the ‘Reign of Terror’ grew to more than 20 people, the FBI (still a young agency) was called in to try and solve the case. This is a book that can really appeal to people who think they don’t like nonfiction, and people who love well-researched narrative nonfiction, which is why I’ve been able to recommend it so much.
What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet?
Speaking of narrative nonfiction… I feel like that’s been a gap this year. I’ve read a lot of books I’d consider self-help or personal development, but not as many narratives on quirky or curious topics. I’ve got my eyes open for those this month.
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
This year has been another strange one for me. I was laid off in April and just started a new job in October, so I feel like I’ve spent a lot of the year without much of a routine. In addition to book recommendations and community, I’m hoping that this month will help me feel like I’m getting back in the groove of working and blogging and Instagramming and planning.
I’m really psyched to be kicking off this month already. If you’re participating as a blogger, be sure to link up your post at JulzReads!
And if you’re not a blogger (or are a blogger who wants to up your Instagram game), we also have a little bonus way to participate we didn’t include in the announcement. Check out these prompts for a #NonficNov Instagram challenge that will kick off on November 1.
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Narrative Nonfiction is my gap too! And I really liked Killers of the Flower Moon.
Hope this month helps you get back in the groove!
I’m adding that book to my wish list!
I’ve heard lots of good things about Killers of the Flower Moon; I may need to add this one to my list. I don’t know why I haven’t yet picked up a copy of The Glass Castle; thanks for the reminder! Thank you for putting together the IG challenge; it looks like a lot of fun! 🙂
That sounds terrific, Kim. I’ll definitely go in search of this one! My post will be up tomorrow; this is my first time!
I’m glad you’ll be joining us!
Since I liked another of David Grann’s books (The Lost City of Z), I am adding Killers of the Flower Moon to my TBR!
Killers of the Flower Moon has made it into many Aussie reviews and bookshows this past year, but my gaze tends to be more towards Australia and Asian non-fiction of late.
I’m hoping to get some new ideas through out the month. My participation may be a bit sporadic as I fit in my own #AusReadingMonth as well. But I do love combining you challenge with mine – so many interesting Aussie non-fiction books out there!
Killers of the Flower Moon sounds intriguing. Have been doing a lot of nonfiction reading from the 1890s and before, so this one might have to wait until that project is over, but still. Fascinating story. I have just visited a ton of these Nonfiction November list posts and MY GOD my tbr. It creaks and groans under its own weight! Heehee. Of course I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy reading. 🙂
Oh and my post is hanging out over here if case you’re interested: http://www.bookpunks.com/become-obsessed-memoirs/
Killers of the Flower Moon is on my wish list… good to know it comes highly recommended. I added Evicted to my list last year and had hoped to read it before this month, but you know how that goes.
I liked it a lot, and people I’ve suggested it to who don’t read a lot of nonfiction have also really enjoyed it. I think it gets a pretty universal endorsement.
I’m really excited about Nonfiction November as I’ve only read two nonfiction titles this year and really need this nudge to get me out of my comfort zone. Can’t wait to hear about what books you’ll be reading and also thank you for helping to host this event. Will be checking out all the other bloggers for sure!
I’m joining in, first time ever, be gentle with me, lol. I posted and linked to Julzreads and hope to keep up. I had not heard of the Killers of the Flower Moon, sounds intense.
We’re low key. Do what you can, find good books, enjoy the month!
I read more non-fiction this year than I thought I did … I’m interested to look back on 2016 to see how it compares. I want to expand my horizons with non-fiction so I love this month … it’s always fun seeing what everyone else is reading!
My nonfiction reading for this year is definitely down, but the stuff I’ve read has been really good, so I think it shakes out.
Killers of the Flower Moon was a great read but so tragic.
My book club read Killers of the Flower Moon and loved it. It was so fascinating and so incredibly sad.
I think you mentioned having Code Girls on your to-read list this month and having just finished reading this myself, I think it’s going to be a great way for you to get back to narrative nonfiction. It was such a good story! And if you’ve not yet read Death in the Air, I’d recommend that too 🙂
Congratulations on the new job!
I’m adding Killers to my TBR, right after this comment. It sounds like the kind of nf I could stick with.