Nonfiction is one of my favorite genres to read, so I’m thrilled to participate this year in Nonfiction November. I don’t think I’ll be doing the readalongs (too many other reading challenges to complete before December 31), but I do hope to participate in the weekly discussions. This week’s link-up is hosted by Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness, and the questions ask readers to reflect on their year of reading nonfiction:
What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
Favorite nonfiction of the year:
I’ve read several superb graphic novel memoirs this year: Roz Chast’s brutal and hilarious memoir of dealing with her elderly parents, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?; Cece Bell’s memoir of growing up deaf, El Deafo; John Lewis’s memoir of his life and work as a Civil Rights activist, March; Raina Telgemeier’s memoir of a family road trip, Sisters.
I also discovered the excellent Scientists in the Field series this year. While these books are published for young readers, they are equally appealing to grown-ups. My favorites, so far, have been Chasing Cheetahs and The Tapir Scientist, both written by Sy Montgomery and photographed by Nic Bishop.
I have also read over 100 nonfiction picture books this year, thanks to Kid Lit Frenzy’s 2014 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, and I have loved most of those books.
Nonfiction book you’ve recommended most:
I continue to recommend David Finkel’s Thank You For Your Service, one of my favorite books in 2013. Finkel follows the soldiers he profiled in Good Soldiers (also an excellent nonfiction read) after they return home to the U.S. The aftermath of war is no lovelier than war itself, and this is not an easy book to read. But Finkel makes you care passionately for these soldiers and their families. I finished this book and felt changed by the experience of reading it.
One type of nonfiction I haven’t read enough in 2014:
Books for grown-ups! I have been so focused on my picture book, middle-grade, and young adult reading goals that I have read almost no books published for grown-ups in 2014. I don’t miss adult literary fiction, but I do miss nonfiction and need to make more time for it. I also haven’t read many essays this year (published in print form anyway–I read a lot of essays online).
My goals for Nonfiction November:
I would like to read one or two nonfiction books for grown-ups this month. I’m looking forward to getting lots of great recommendations. And I hope to make some helpful recommendations on my blog as well.
the dirigible plum 
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