tammyw Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Just wondering if there are any new favorites that we can share? I loved Jeannette Wells books (Glass Castle especially). I need new inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore Amazing read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah C. Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Haven't finished it yet, but I've really enjoyed reading The Facebook Effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Guns, Germs, and Steel. (how geography influences culture-- it won prizes) A Pirate of Exquisite Mind (biography of an man in an interesting time) The Confident Hope of a Miracle (The Economist said it was the first new important work on the Armada since 1959, and has more about the Spanish side than most histories. I wish it was twice as long) The Landmark Thucydides (thick prose but amazing- it is true there is nothing new under the sun- try reading it slowly, aloud) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 The Millionaire Next Door Imperial Hubris - Anonymous Freakonomics Practical Theology for Women - Wendy Allsup Knowing God - J. I. Packer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Oooh, exciting! More, more :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforjoy Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 It's not new, and a bit difficult and/or rambling at times, but one of my all-time favorite non-fiction books is Susan Griffin's A Chorus of Stones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I am about to finish "A Short History of Nearly Everything". It is an absolutely fascinating book about the history of science. It's probably the only science book I've ever stayed up until 1:00 in the morning reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I've enjoyed all of Tony Horwitz's books that I've read: A Voyage Long and Strange Confederates in the Attic Baghdad without a Map Blue Latitudes Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Guns, Germs, and Steel Collapse A Short History of Nearly Everything 1491 The World Without Us Marriage: A History (Stephanie Coontz) The Omnivore's Dilemma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. And I'll throw a totally random one in here, Kon-Tiki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 I just got a book from the library and started reading it last night. We've been watching the old Little House series and so this book showed up on my radar. It's Nellie Oleson's story http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Prairie-*****-Survived-Learned/dp/0061962147/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307891712&sr=1-2 So far, it's a bit like The Glass Castle. Wow. It's very disturbing what her life was like. I've only gotten through a quarter of the book, but wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I've been reading The Disappearing Spoon and also The Victorian Internet lately and enjoying both... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Winterdance by Gary Paulsen. I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Autobiographical, but not entirely non-fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share Posted June 12, 2011 Winterdance by Gary Paulsen. I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my face. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Autobiographical, but not entirely non-fiction. I'll have to check out Winterdance for sure. Have you read Enslaved by Ducks or the second one Foul Weather? I looooved both of those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ester Maria Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Sokal, Bricmont: Fashionable Nonsense - Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science :tongue_smilie: It has been a long time since I read that one, but I remember tears in my eyes from the amount of laughter DH and I had reading aloud this one to each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I love this thread :D. Haven't finished it yet, but I've really enjoyed reading The Facebook Effect. This looks interesting, but I'll have to first overcome my loathing of the FB guy ... I started watching the movie about him, and couldn't tolerate more than 20 or so minutes. :glare: Guns, Germs, and Steel.(how geography influences culture-- it won prizes) Added this to my wish list. :) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Been meaning to read this for a while. I just got a book from the library and started reading it last night. We've been watching the old Little House series and so this book showed up on my radar. It's Nellie Oleson's story http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Prairie-*****-Survived-Learned/dp/0061962147/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307891712&sr=1-2So far, it's a bit like The Glass Castle. Wow. It's very disturbing what her life was like. I've only gotten through a quarter of the book, but wow. This looks great. Dh thinks I should read it, since I really, really have a problem with her every time we watch these. ;) We do enjoy watching the interview with her at the end of the series. She was nothing like the character. Phenomenal actress. I love The Geography of Bliss. Humorous, insightful, and right-on. Have read this twice. Love it. :D Also love: Food Rules Malcolm Gladwell books The Anti-Cancer Book – great overall health book not just for those concerned about cancer, and full of hope and action Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl – best self-help book ever, fabulous Dave Barry’s books for fun Confessions of an Economic Hit Man – very interesting and a real eye-opener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 (edited) My favorites: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford (& I want to read his newer book about the Mongol Queens) Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer books by A. J. Jacobs (so funny, imo) Fatu-Hiva by Thor Heyerdahl (now I want to read all of his other books) Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by Martin Dugard Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher Geniesse The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire (I also want to read his new follow-up to this book) Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert 1776 by David McCollough Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt City of Thieves by David Benioff (not really non-fiction, but it is based off of his grandfather's memories/life during the Siege of Leningrad; still, a really great book) Dancer by Colum McCann (this is not really non-fiction because it's a fictionalized biography Rudolf Nureyev but I'm still adding it to the list because I enjoyed it) Not favorites, but still very good & quite interesting: Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Live in the Void by Mary Roach A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz I Have America Surrounded: A Biography of Timothy Leary by John Higgs Iron & Silk by Mark Salzman The Lost City of Z by David Graham Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen ETA: You may also want to check out National Geographic's list of the 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time Edited June 12, 2011 by Stacia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I loved this book about the Darwins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Loving this thread! I recently read and enjoyed: Tom Vanderbilt, Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do Meghan Daum, Life Would Be Perfect if I Lived in That House (her earlier book of essays, My Misspent Youth, is an all-time favorite) David Roberts, On the Ridge Between Life and Death Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Just wondering if there are any new favorites that we can share? I loved Jeannette Wells books (Glass Castle especially). I need new inspiration. To America by Stephen Ambrose. We listened to the audiobook and it was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret in GA Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Here's a list that I've recently finished and my own star rating (based on a maximum of 5 stars): Just Kids *** -- well written, but I found little to like about Patty or Robert This Life is in Your Hands *** - if you are at all into Organic Farming and have fantasized about homesteading, read this Albion's Seed ***** -- thought I knew so much about American history, until I read this masterpiece which ties it all together in a neat, geographical package. Great book Salvation on Sand Mountain, Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia ** 1/2 I give it this many stars because I do feel I learned something about Snake Handling. But... it was poorly written in my view and really should have gotten 1 star for the writer's lack of talent The Lost City of Z *** 1/2 -- a real page turner and I learned so much about exploring the Amazon The Genius in All of Us **** -- as must read for any homeschooler, in my opinion Zeitoun *****- - superbly written. And about so much more than just Katrina, though you learn so much about that catastrophe. I still can't believe this happened in the United States. Earrth **** 1/2-- I keep talking about this to everyone I know, so to me, that's a sign that it's a great book. And it leaves you with hope I also agree with those who recommended Gladwell's books and Tony Horowitz's books. I think Confederates in the Attic is a must-read Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquinas Academy Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 What a great thread! Although, I really don't need more books to read. Some non-fiction that I've recently read/am reading: Biting the Wax Tadpole In the Land of Invented Languages How Language Works Coming of Age in the Milky Way Packing for Mars This is Not a Book The Philosophy Book Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar At Home: A Short History of Private Life I also loved Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything which has already been mentioned several times. Mere Christianity Stephen Fry in America I also highly recommend Stephen Fry's Incomplete and Utter History of Classical Music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 [quote name= The Genius in All of Us **** -- as must read for any homeschooler, in my opinion :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 At Home: A Short History of Private Life I also loved Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything which has already been mentioned several times. I found this so interesting too, but the chapter on children (bedroom?) was heartbreaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Oh, I loved Winterdance! Great book! My faves: Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer Sway, The Irresistable Pull of Irrational Behavior Protecting the Gift, Gavin de Becker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCB Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I really enjoy anything by an Irish author called Dervla Murphy. She writes about trekking through countries either on foot or riding a horse, mule or bicycle. She's an older woman and has a lot of very interesting things to say. I don't always see eye to eye with her on politics - she has some strong opinions- but very interesting and I've reread several of them several times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Love the non-fiction books by Erik Larson. They are absorbing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 (edited) I've read a bunch of those already suggested and really enjoyed them. Here are a few from my recently read list that are not yet listed: Sea Cobra War Franklin and Winston Thermopylae: Battle for the West 1066: The Year of Conquest Savage Inequalities Edited June 14, 2011 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I found this so interesting too, but the chapter on children (bedroom?) was heartbreaking. I haven't gotten to that chapter yet, but I've learned so much from every page of this book ("At Home: A Short History of Private Life" by Bill Bryson). Great thread -- I love nonfiction! ~Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I am Jackie Chan by (ahem) Jackie Chan. He had a weird childhood! Inside the Victorian Home by Judith Flanders This is about everyday life in Victorian times. The book centers around the home, so it tells you what they ate (kitchen) how they entertained (parlor), etc. It is fascinating and reads like a storybook. Not dry at all. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Love the non-fiction books by Erik Larson. They are absorbing! I just got In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. So far so good. One of my favorites from the year has been How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had it Coming, by Mike Brown. Pretty fast and entertaining read. The story of Henrietta Lacks was also very good. I enjoyed that although it took longer to read than I thought it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 One of my favorites from the year has been How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had it Coming, by Mike Brown. Pretty fast and entertaining read. Oh, I heard an interesting interview w/ the author earlier this year on NPR. That book has been on my 'want to read' list ever since. Unfortunately, my library doesn't carry it, so I'm on a PaperbackSwap waiting list.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dang it. Now I've got 12 books on hold at the library, all within a 20 minute time period. Stop adding more books to this thread!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Unfortunately, my library doesn't carry it, so I'm on a PaperbackSwap waiting list.... My library does....it's my 13th book waiting in my library queue...Really, guys--no more! I don't think I can stop myself from coming back here for more ideas of books to put on hold at the library... must resist.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dang it. Now I've got 12 books on hold at the library, all within a 20 minute time period. Stop adding more books to this thread!! Can you put a 'hold' on your requests? Our library system lets us delay getting a requested book for up to a month. I find that very helpful when I request a bunch of stuff at once, but would prefer to get it over a spread-out time period so I actually have a chance to read what I requested. I leave a couple of books for immediate request, a couple to come up for request in a week or two, and the remainder to be held in a month.... ;):lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Can you put a 'hold' on your requests? Our library system lets us delay getting a requested book for up to a month. I find that very helpful when I request a bunch of stuff at once, but would prefer to get it over a spread-out time period so I actually have a chance to read what I requested. I leave a couple of books for immediate request, a couple to come up for request in a week or two, and the remainder to be held in a month.... ;):lol: Oh, now that's clever! I wonder if they can do that at my library? I'm going to research that--thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Lockdown High: When the Schoolhouse becomes a Jailhouse by Annette Fuentes. Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carlson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin I just downloaded this one on my Nook, but I haven't started it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 A couple I've particularly enjoyed... "Longitude" by Dana Sobel "The Republic of Pirates" by Colin Woodard. Good summer reads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 "Longitude" by Dana Sobel Ooh, I really liked that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I have to check out some of the books you mentioned. I read Glass Castle a while ago and still remember how depressing it is. I have enjoyed reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Yes, I know it is not non-fiction, but I love it very much and will read the auther's other books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in the NH Woods Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I enjoy reading about women's lives, in other times and places: Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey, and Women's Captivity Narratives. http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Captivity-Narratives-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140436715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310272013&sr=1- http://www.amazon.com/Diaries-Westward-Journey-Lillian-Schlissel/dp/0805211764/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310272277&sr=1-1 ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 How did I miss this the first time around? :confused: Anyway here are some of my favourites that I have read this year so far. Decision Points by George Bush All That is Bitter and Sweet by Ashley Judd The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Passionate Minds by David Bodanis (about Voltaire) Young Romantics by Daisy Hay (about Percy and Mary Shelley) The History of the World in 6 Glasses (I think that is the title) by Tom Standage The Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.