As I mentioned, I've started a new job as a librarian, at a different branch. One of the hardest things was leaving the two book groups I'd been coordinating at my old branch, which was kind of heartbreaking -- I spent almost two years with both of them, and that was probably my favorite thing about that job. So, naturally, I'm eager to start another book group at this new location. And I have this idea that's so crazy, it just might work. . . . I'm starting a themed book group and the theme is. . . . nonfiction!!!
Yes, I'm going to attempt to start a new book group that will read nothing but nonfiction! I've been really inspired these past few years by how much great non-fiction is available nowadays -- some of my very favorite book club selections have been nonfiction choices. I'm going to call it the Stranger Than Fiction Book Group, and we're going to read a mix of history, biographies, memoirs, true crime, and adventure books, to name a few.
The group is going to start in January (no point in getting something off the ground until after the holidays) and I'm going to start publicizing it now. Our branch is going to have a Friends of the Library Book Sale soon, so I think that's a great opportunity to publicize it. I'm also going to try and advertise at some of the local senior centers. Who knows, I might even get some male patrons to the group.
Anyway, I have some ideas about possible reads for the first couple of months. They can't be too long, nothing over 500 pages, and we have to have enough copies in the library catalog, probably about ten, preferably with copies in large print and audio available. And nothing too popular; also, I'd prefer not to choose books that most people (myself included) have read already. So, I'm not even going to consider uber-popular works like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Eat, Pray, Love because so many people have probably read them.
Here are some of my top choices:
Isaac's Storm by Erik Larsen. He's written some incredibly popular nonfiction books, plus it's about Texas, so that's a win-win. Definitely on my list!
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. This was all over the 2012 best-of-lists. It might be a little depressing but I've heard it's also uplifting. I hope so.
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard. History and true crime combined, sounds fascinating.
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. The best-selling mystery writer moves to Italy, discovers a local unsolved crime, and ends up under suspicion by the Italian police. How could you make this up?
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I've never read Krakauer but it's kind of an adventure/biography. Plus, it was my daughter's assigned reading last summer. And it's short.
Anyway -- those are just some of my ideas. There are tons more nonfiction books I want to read -- hopefully I can find enough people to make the group work. If not, I'll just go back to mixing up the genres like I did in my last group. So -- good choices or bad? Any other suggestions?
What an exciting project - I'm envious! I enjoyed seeing the titles you are considering. "Into the Wild" is the only book on the list familiar to me; I've taken note of "Isaac's Storm" which caught my eye. Looking forward to hearing about the books you read together.
ReplyDeleteIsaac's Storm is well known here in Texas because of the Galveston hurricane. I picked it for the first month because I figured it would generate some interest.
DeleteI'd join! That looks like fun. Just a note about Into the Wild--I recently read an a follow-up article by Krakauer that further analyzes what might have caused the boy's death, and it was very interesting. I'd recommend that you include that with the book: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/09/how-chris-mccandless-died.html
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great non-fiction books out there--I'm having a hard time choosing just a couple of titles to recommend, but if you like, take a look at my index of reviewed books--the non-fiction is the first half of the page and there are several titles that would be good club picks. I haven't updated in nearly a year, though--gotta get on that.
Great, thanks for the link to the suggestions. And I will definitely look at the follow up article, sounds interesting.
DeleteI'm a big Eric Larsen fan--I haven't heard of this one though, so I'll be visiting my library's website after I finish this comment to search for it. The Monster of Florence also sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou are right--there are some incredibly good non-fiction books out there.
Good luck with your new club.
Thanks!! I'm really hopeful -- if nothing else, it will give me an excuse to read some great books. Larsen also wrote a book about Marconi and the invention of the telegraph, so that's a possibility also. And The Monster of Florence sonds really interesting -- I've never read anything by Preston so I might end up reading some of his books as well.
DeleteI left a huge comment with suggestions but it never showed up. I don't have time to relist all the books right now, but here's a link to reviews of some of the best nonficiton I've read...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.librarything.com/catalog/bookworm12&tag=nonfiction
Wow, so much great nonfiction on your list!! Some I've heard of but some that are new to me, so I'll definitely take a close look. Thank you so much!
DeleteGreat idea. I absolutely love non-fiction. I have to suggest Voltaire in Love, Nancy Mitford's wonderful biography of Voltaire's love affair with Madame du Chatelet, the French mathematician. It's available again through NYRB Classics. For a short read, you might also look at The Bog People -- an archaeology classic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, I've been meaning to read the Millard book. Isaac's Storm is interesting, though if your library system has enough copies, John Edward Weems' A Weekend in September is much better (I'm fascinated by the 1900 Storm). What about My Life in France, by Julia Child? Are you going to include travelogues as well?
ReplyDeleteOldies but goodies:
ReplyDeleteKing Leopold's Ghost
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
The Spirit Catches you has been on my to-read list for years, I definitely need to read that one. I'll have to look for King Leopold's Ghost, I hadn't heard of it. Thanks!
DeleteThat's a good idea. My book group always choose fiction and there is not reason not to read a biography or autobiography sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much well-written nonfiction nowadays, and the stories are sometimes stranger than fiction. You can't make this stuff up.
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