I am so excited that Nonfiction November is here! I participate every year and always have so much fun and end up with a ton of recommendations.
Rennie at What’s Nonfiction is the host for this week and here are the questions:
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?
What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?
I finally worked up the courage to read Know My Name this year and it was incredible. Chanel Miller is a talented writer and I am in awe of her strength in telling her story. There was so much about the way the justice system treated her and wronged her that made my blood boil, but I think that if you are going to read one nonfiction book this year, make it Know My Name.
Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?
My nonfiction reading has really taken a nosedive this year, so it is difficult to recognize any patterns in my reading, but I will say that I found myself drawn to food memoirs at the beginning of the year. I am hoping to pick up more next year, but the two that I loved were Eat a Peach by David Chang and Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl. It was interesting to read about the restaurant industry from two very different perspectives, with Chang being a well-known chef and Reichl being a food critic and the former editor of chief of Gourmet magazine.
Like every year, I have been drawn to memoirs because I love learning more about someone’s life and their story. Of course, Know My Name is the standout for me, but I also loved Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford and How Y’All Doing? by Leslie Jordan.
What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
I often find myself recommending all of Jenny Lawson’s memoirs because they are hilarious and relatable. I love the way that she talks about her chronic illness, especially in Broken. I also think that her books are a great way to get into audiobooks. She narrates her memoirs and they are pure joy to listen to. I often find myself laughing out loud!
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
My main goal is to remind myself why I love nonfiction. It is rare for me to give any of the nonfiction titles that I pick up anything under four stars, so why don’t I prioritize them more? I am so frustrated with myself for neglecting nonfiction so much in 2021, and I hope that Nonfiction November sets me on the right path for 2022. I am also looking forward to all of the recommendations because nonfiction hasn’t been on my radar much lately and I feel like I am missing out on some really wonderful books.
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I also read Know My Name this year and it was incredible. It was tough to get through, but well worth it in the end.
Exactly. I am glad that I finally read it!
I still haven’t worked up the courage yet to read Know My Name. I know it will be very convicting though and I do hope to get a copy and read it one day soon. “Broken” sounds like a great memoir; I’ll have to look into it!
It is definitely one you have to be in the right headspace for. She is incredible in so many ways though!
Save me the Plums was a darned good read! I look forward to seeing what you pick for this month.
So good! I want to read so many food memoirs now!
I loved Save Me the Plums and just finished her previous book, Garlic and Sapphires. I also really liked Eat a Peach. Another I would suggest is Crying in H Mart. Not the same as a chef memoir but really great. And I completely agree with you about Broken and Know My Name.
I just finished Save Me the Plums and absolutely loved it! Now I want to read more from Reichl!
I hope you have great luck in reading nonfiction. You obviously enjoy it a lot.
Thank you! 🙂
I’ve had Know My Name on my list for a bit – I really need to read it!!
I’ve heard so many good things about Jenny Lawson, I need to read her books. I also need to read more non fiction. Like you, I enjoy them, but don’t prioritize reading them.
She is amazing! It’s hard to prioritize nonfiction for some reason.
I could not agree more with your thoughts on Jenny Lawson and audiobooks. I always warn people that they are not safe for driving – I nearly wrecked by car listening to her!
Enjoy you NFN!
It’s good that at least you enjoyed the nonfiction you read this year.
My post is here https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/11/05/nonfiction-november-my-year-2021-in-nonfiction/
I really have!
My goal was to read at least two nonfiction books a month this year which I’ve met. I plan to up it to three in 2022. Broken is in my to-read shelf, I loved Lawsons earlier memoirs.
That’s such a great goal! I should think of doing something similar next year.
Jenny Lawson is fantastic!
THIS!!! –> My main goal is to remind myself why I love nonfiction. It is rare for me to give any of the nonfiction titles that I pick up anything under four stars, so why don’t I prioritize them more?
This year my goal was to alternate, monthly, between print TBR and Kindle TBR. For 2022 maybe I’ll do the same, but every other book has to be non-fiction.
I’ve had Know My Name on my list since LAST NonFictionNovember!
Adding Broken to my TBR.
I’m so glad to see your shoutout for Save Me the Plums! It’s one of my absolute favorites.
It’s fantastic! One I would reread!
I hope you’re getting lots of good suggestions to get you back into reading nonfiction this month, especially some good food memoirs! I absolutely loved Save Me the Plums too 🙂 Tender at the Bone of hers was excellent as well.