Hello, everyone! Today I’m participating in Let’s Talk Bookish. Let’s Talk Bookish is a bookish meme that was created by Rukky @ Eternity Books where each Friday, bloggers write posts discussing the topic of the week. Since April 2022, Aria @ Book Nook Bits has been the host of LTB, and she posts each month’s topics on her blog! This week’s topic is about reading nonfiction.
Do you read a lot of nonfiction?
I wish I could say yes, but I don’t read much nonfiction. Out of the almost 200 books I’ve read so far this year, only 3 have been nonfiction. I’m honestly not sure why there’s such a disparity. Maybe fiction is just easier for me to read? I usually do enjoy the nonfiction that I read, though. I just never seem to want to pick it up, probably because I associate it so much with school. lol.
What is the last nonfiction book you read?
The last nonfiction book I read was the memoir Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson. I read it way back in March. So, I’m definitely overdue for another nonfiction book…
Critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants—described as having “hints of Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five” (School Library Journal)—opens up about what led to an attempted suicide in his teens, and his path back from the experience.
“I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.”
Shaun David Hutchinson was nineteen. Confused. Struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. The voice of depression told him that he would never be loved or wanted, while powerful and hurtful messages from society told him that being gay meant love and happiness weren’t for him.
A million moments large and small over the years all came together to convince Shaun that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future. And so he followed through on trying to make that a reality.
Thankfully Shaun survived, and over time, came to embrace how grateful he is and how to find self-acceptance. In this courageous and deeply honest memoir, Shaun takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better.
Are there any nonfiction books you always recommend to others?
Not really. I don’t find myself recommending nonfiction books that often since I don’t read them much. This is a great opportunity to point out some of my favorites, though. So, here they are:
The Dark Queens by Shelley Puhak, A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins, Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw, The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom
What are your favorite nonfiction subjects to read about?
My nonfiction reading typically falls into one of four categories. First, I tend to enjoy memoirs and find them the most approachable of nonfiction books. Second, I love learning about history, especially European history. I’m always on the lookout for books that can help me better understand the events that have shaped our world. I’ve been especially interested in French history recently and am hoping to read more about it soon. Third, I tend to read queer nonfiction books, especially stuff related to bisexuality. I like to read these books because it helps me better understand myself as a bi man and the context/history that have shaped my own experiences. Finally, I’ve read quite a few nonfiction books about mental health and therapy. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since I’m a licensed professional counselor, but I read these because I’ve always been fascinated with the inner workings of the human mind and with learning how to utilize insight and thought processes in a way that improves life.
Here are four books on my nonfiction TBR, one from each of my favorite subjects:
What about you? Do you enjoy reading nonfiction? Let me know down in the comments!
I studied creative nonfiction in grad school, so I used to read it quite a bit. I still really enjoy a good personal essay collection or memoir, but I definitely don’t read them as often as I did when I had to for school!
Yeah. I don’t read as much non-fiction now that I’m not in school anymore, either. Although, I still buy plenty of non-fiction books that just sit on my shelves. Lol. Maybe I’ll get to them one day…
I read one non fiction book a month last year and did enjoy them. I think I just enjoy fiction more. I’ve read 6 so far this year and the Patrick Stewart memoir should be waiting for me at the library when we get home.
I’m enjoying the Patrick Stewart memoir so far. I had no idea that he had such an extensive theatre background.
I’ve seen him twice on stage. He was brilliant!
That’s so cool. I’ve only ever seen him in Star Trek and X-Men, but now I really want to watch some of his other stuff.
He’s done loads of Shakespeare with the RSC . I saw him and David Tennant in the same play, Hamlet. That was amazing. I think some of his stuff is on youtube.
I’ve read non-fiction more this year than any. Mostly through audiobooks.
That’s awesome. I think I’m going to try the audiobook route for non-fiction, too. Maybe I’ll be able to get through more of them that way.
I need to read non fiction; it’s just hard to pick them up but once I started I usually fly through it! I love memoirs, but I tend to read investigative expose like She Said by Jodi Kantor or Bad Blood 😀
Yeah. I need to read more of it, too. Memoirs are usually my go-to. I’m actually reading the new Patrick Stewart one right now.