This week's Top Ten from The Broke and the Bookish asks for your Top Ten Favorite Authors in any Genre. I talk a lot about my favorite modern authors and Victorian authors, but I also read a lot of non-fiction, so I decided to list my 10 favorite non-fiction authors and give you one book I’d recommend from each author. There are dozens more I love, but these are authors that I’ve read multiple non-fiction books from.
1) Ernie Pyle – Brave Men
2) Sarah Vowell – -Assassination Vacation
3) Mary Roach – Stiff
4) Erik Larson – Isaac’s Storm
5) Nick Hornby – The Polysyllabic Spree
6) Sebastian Junger – The Perfect Storm
7) Bill Bryson – In a Sunburned Country
8) David Sedaris – Me Talk Pretty One Day
9) Helene Hanff – 84, Charing Cross Road
10) Jeannette Walls – Half Broke Horses
Image from here.
14 comments:
Non-fiction is my very favorite genre: everything from memoirs to travel to nature and the list goes on. I have read almost all of the books on your list and would add Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief) and Richard Preston (The Wild Trees). Yay for nonfiction!
I've never even heard of "Isaac’s Storm" but I did love Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts.
Helen Hanff - yes!
I love Me Talk Pretty One Day, but have to wink at its inclusion--as if Sedaris ever writes anything that is truly non-fiction!
annieb - I've read The Orchid Thief, so good! I've been meaning to read another of her books for awhile. I've just added The Wild Trees to my TBR list. I hadn't heard of it before, but it looks really good!
Alex - I've read both of those and Isaac's Storm is actually my favorite of the three!
Jeanne - I suppose that can be said for all memoirs though. I'm sure most authors take a bit of creative license when they tell their stories.
I've read most of these authors, just different books. I love non-fiction. Nothing like a true story to make my brain buzz!
Many of yours line up with my favorite nonfiction authors--Mary Roach, Sarah Vowell, Bill Bryson(swoon). Out of the other ten, which author would you recommend the most highly to start?
Jeanette Walls has written some very interesting non-fiction. I have enjoyed all of her books. I was excited to see her on your list!
Most of your authors would be on my list except for three -- which I now realize I need to read!
I clearly don't read enough nonfiction! I know some of these names, but not all. Need to get on that. Great list - thanks for sharing!
I don't read nearly enough non-fiction, even though I usually enjoy it when I do. I loved The Glass Castle and have been wanted to get to Half Broke Horses.
I have the audio of 84 Charing Cross Road on my shelf waiting for me. I'm hoping to start it next week. It's super short, but I'm excited. I've heard such great things about it.
Sandy - I know! They make me work a completely different part of my brain than fiction does.
Nikki - I would say Hanff is perfect for a book lover and Sedaris is great if you're looking for really funny!
Trisha - I love her stuff too!
Jenners - There are so many great nonfiction books out there!
Cecelia - I hope you find some you like!
Kristi - I think you will LOVE 84 Charing Cross! I just finished the sequel and it was really good to.
I have crushes on Sarah Vowell and Nick Hornby, and they seem to have crushes on each other. All good!
Great list! I like the idea of recommending a book by each. I picked 2 categories - poets and historical fiction.
Bybee - That's funny because Nick Hornby talks quite a bit about Sarah in the book I just finsihed of his, Housekeeping vs the Dirt. And she talks about his in Assassination Vacation. I love it when that happens.
Becca - I'll have to check out your poetry suggestions, because that's one genre I tend to avoid.
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