Regular Rumination is hosting a month-long celebration of nonfiction and for the first week she asked "What is your favorite piece of nonfiction?" I just had to jump in with my two cents. I love nonfiction, which was a big surprise to me as a reader.
If you’re firmly in the “I hate nonfiction” camp I’d encourage you to try one nonfiction book that sounds interesting and see if you still feel that way when you finish it. Nonfiction really does deserve a better reputation that the dry and boring one it currently has.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was the first book that taught me nonfiction could be just as creative and enthralling as fiction. Since reading that in high school I have fallen in love with dozens of travel memoirs, biographies, history books, etc. I couldn’t pick just one favorite (though if I had to it would probably be Midnight) so I made a list of a few favorites depending on your taste.
Favorite Book on War:
Brave Men by Ernie Pyle
In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton
April 1865 by Jay Winik
Favorite Auto/Biography:
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Thomas Jefferson by Jon Meacham
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Favorite Travel Memoir:
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson (funny)
Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman (serious)
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite Childhood Memoir:
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (sad)
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (hilarious)
Favorite Book about a Random Topic:
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court by Jeffrey Toobin
Favorite Historical Event:
Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
Favorite Book about Writing/Reading:
On Writing by Stephen King
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Favorite Love Letter to a City:
Here is New York by E.B. White
Imagined London by Anna Quindlen
Favorite Book of Grief:
The Longest Goodbye by Meghan O'Rourke
Favorite Social Commentary:
A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut
Also, here’s a link to my complete list and ratings of nonfiction books I’ve read if you want more options.
