Thursday, September 22, 2016

Nonfiction Tag


This tag was created by Wendy @ Falconer’s Library. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t read much nonfiction (is it too early for 2017 reading resolutions?), but I thought I’d give this tag a try.

You guys are about to get a small glimpse at my bizarre interests. I’m terrible at math (maybe I should buy a math book), but I’d guess that 85% of the nonfiction on my shelves is about religious extremism, 10% is writing reference books, 4% somehow involves dogs, and 1% is other random stuff. Basically, I read a lot about cults, dogs, and grammar.


Nonfiction Tag



1. A book well outside your base of knowledge?

I have 2 philosophy books on my shelf, but I’ve never been interested in philosophy. One is Being and Time by Martin Heidegger. The other is The Portable Nietzsche. I read both of them and remember pretty much nothing about them.




2. A book that you refer to often?

I refer to my literature and editing books all the time. The ones that come off my shelf most often are The Chicago Manual of Style, The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, and A Handbook to Literature. Don’t those all sound amazing? I’m sure you’re adding them to your TBR lists right now . . .

My shelf.


3. A book you were assigned to read and found fascinating?

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. It was assigned reading for 9th grade English, and I loved it. I need to track down a copy and reread it. Brutal murders are pretty fascinating. (Unless you’re the one being murdered, I guess.)



4. A book that would start a great book club discussion?

I haven’t been in a book club since I was 12, and our book discussions weren’t exactly deep. Maybe Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer would make a good book club pick? It’s about the history of the Mormon religion and modern-day Mormon Fundamentalism. Actually, that might not be a good book club pick. Is anyone interested in Mormons besides me? My book club might be a bit odd.




5. A book you could (or do) reread annually?

This might be cheating because I only read this book for the first time a few weeks ago, but I’m going to say Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson. It’s hilarious and made me feel better about the horrible things in my life. Also, raccoons.




6. An essay or poetry collection?

Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers by Frank X Walker is a book of poetry about the assassination of Medgar Evers. If you’re new to poetry, this is a great place to start. The poems are easy to understand and educational.



7. Graphic novel (or other unusual format)?

I don’t read enough sequential art books, but one of my favorites is Blankets by Craig Thompson. It’s a graphic memoir about religion, abuse, and angsty teenage love.



8. A book someone recommended to you?

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. This book has been recommended to me by so many people. But, I haven’t read it. It’s been sitting on my TBR shelf for months. Supposedly, it’ll help deepen my understanding of literature. Unfortunately, reading YA books is much more appealing than deepening my understanding of anything. I swear I’ll read The Power of Myth someday.




9. A book about books, writing, or writers?

My favorite book about writing is Stephen King’s On Writing. If you want to write anything, you need to read this first. It should be required reading for all wannabe writers. King teaches you the basics of writing in a way that doesn’t make you want to jump off the nearest skyscraper. I’ve read a lot of writing reference books, and almost all of them are so boring you’ll want to gouge out your eyes so you'll have an excuse to stop reading.



10. A book that made you laugh out loud or cry actual tears?

Can I use Furiously Happy again? That book made me laugh out loud. A book has never made me cry, but I got really sad while reading My Life in Orange by Tim Guest. The author grew up in various communes around the world. Reading about child neglect is like being kicked in the crotch and then set on fire. It’s not the most pleasant thing in the world.




What’s your favorite nonfiction book?






15 comments:

  1. Furiously Happy is amazing and I so plan on listening again. Blankets is on my TBR.

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    1. I was totally surprised by how much I liked Furiously Happy. So good.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  2. I put a lot of non-fiction on my TBR but I also don't get around to it as often as I probably should...The Power of Myth is one that I've been meaning to read for ages, too. One of my favourite non-fiction works is Schott's Food and Drink Miscellany. Easy to browse, lots of interesting tidbits.

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  3. Ten Men Dead: The Story of the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike - David Beresford
    Come Here Often?: 53 Writers Raise a Glass to Their Favorite Bar
    Mongo: Adventures in Trash - Ted Botha
    Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris

    I'll spare you the list of poetry books I would recommend. :)


















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    1. I’ve heard of some of those books, but I’ve never read any of them. Guess I’m heading over to Goodreads after this to check them out.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  4. In Cold Blood is a longtime favorite. I've re-read it three or four times...it's just so well done! Another favorite would be The Stranger Beside Me: the author, Ann Rule, actually worked with Ted Bundy at a suicide hotline while he was serial killing and it's so interesting

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    1. The Stranger Beside Me sounds like a book I’d love. I just added it to my TBR list.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  5. This is such a fun tag!! I've never read any of these but I think we have kind of similar interests when it comes to non-fiction, especially in the area of religion. I still really want to read Furiously Happy!

    Tracy @ Cornerfolds

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    1. I love Furiously Happy. It’s one of my new favorite nonfiction books.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  6. I can't tell you how happy it makes me that you did my tag!
    I love Furiously Happy and On Writing. Blankets is good, but I don't think I could handle In Cold Blood. Unlike a previous commenter, I read Ann Rule's Ted Bundy book in middle school and swore off true crime for life.

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    1. Thanks for creating the tag! I love tags, so I’m always looking for interesting ones.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  7. I am super interested in Mormons, too! lol. I have read Under the Banner of Heaven and thought it was fascinating. Have you read his book "Missoula" I recommend it. I have the audiobook of Furiously Happy and listen to it all of the time when I need a pick me up. Love this blog post!

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    1. I meant to read Missoula, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Hopefully someday.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  8. It's the first I'm seeing this tag. I'll have to do it soon.
    I bought the Power of Myth a while back and have yet to read it. And I agree Stephen King's On Writing is one of the best writing books to read.

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