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Original poster

What's a great book you've read on a topic outwith your interests?

30 replies

YesILikeItToo · 17/09/2019 14:00

There's something special about a really interesting book that's good just because the writer is good at writing about their area of expertise, not because it's full of things you wanted to know about. I've seen people try and find these books by asking questions like - what book in your area of study would you recommend to a layman? I thought I'd go the other way.

So - what have you read that was great even though you're not interested in the subject matter. I''ll offer these:

Structures, or Why Things Don't Fall Down, by J E Gordon. Learn the elements of engineering. I had no idea about any of this.

Playing Hard Ball by Ed Smith. First class cricketer compares his game to baseball. Insights into why anyone would care about either.

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PenelopeFlintstone · 26/11/2019 09:04

There are some good Christmas present ideas in this thread.

spacepyramid · 25/11/2019 17:38

If you like The Box (now on my wish list, thanks) you might also like 'Deep Sea and Foreign Going'

strongandlong · 24/11/2019 16:02

I 2nd/3rd the Henrietta Lacks book.

The box, about the history of the shipping container and it's influence on the world is a fascinating read.

The credits on 50 things that made the modern economy are always a good source of surprisingly interesting reading.

spacepyramid · 24/11/2019 15:51

Liquid by Mark Miodowik.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 24/11/2019 05:16

Into Thin Air by John Kraakeur. It's an account of an Everest expedition that goes horribly wrong. I have no interest whatsoever in climbing but was gripped.

Nandocushion · 24/11/2019 04:32

You probably shouldn't read Bonk while you're...oh never mind

Nandocushion · 24/11/2019 04:31

Gulp by Mary Roach. It's about the digestive system and I found it nearly unputdownable. DH says her other book Bonk (about sex) is equally good. NB don't read Gulp while you're eating.

Methyl · 24/11/2019 03:39

Beartown by Fredrik Backman. A book about ice hockey. I have ZERO knowledge of or interest in ice hockey. But I loved this book.

HappydaysArehere · 30/10/2019 09:49

Pillars of the Earth. Fascinating account of a cathedral being built.

ChristmasFluff · 12/10/2019 22:48

Not sure The Glass Bead Game by Herman Hess counts, but I got really immersed in the fictional game

pallisers · 29/09/2019 18:49

Far From The Tree by Andrew Solomon is fascinating.

XingMing · 29/09/2019 18:31

Thanks for reminding me of the title @sadeyedladyofthelowlands63 .

DarlingNikita · 29/09/2019 17:08

Time Song: Searching for Doggerland by Julia Blackburn. Although it's not so much that I was positively UNinterested in Doggerland – just that I didn't know anything about it. It's a quirky and lovely book with some beautiful illustrations.

sadeyedladyofthelowlands63 · 29/09/2019 16:55

Simon Winchester writes non-fiction about all sorts of odd topics. I recall two in particular: one about the American-murderer-surgeon who was a significant contributor to the OED from Broadmoor, and another about the creation of the first geological map of the UK, but have enjoyed others too.

Yes, these are great. I particularly enjoyed The Surgeon of Crowthorne.

Sadik · 28/09/2019 13:24

Glad you're enjoying it FiveShelties

PorridgeAgainAbney · 27/09/2019 07:27

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier is a lovely book if you are into sewing or art. It's a novel about a young Quaker woman who runs away to America and the whole story has the history and meaning (and methods) of the quilts that were such an important part of a Quaker woman's life intertwined with the plot.

Really beautiful.

Fatshedra · 27/09/2019 06:05

Wilding was very interesting- I bought some bee and butterfly plants for the garden- my little contribution.

FiveShelties · 27/09/2019 05:58

@Sadik I am listening to Wilding on Audio book, thank you for the recommendation. I usually read/listen to crime novels so a complete change for me and I am really enjoying it.

XingMing · 26/09/2019 16:45

Simon Winchester writes non-fiction about all sorts of odd topics. I recall two in particular: one about the American-murderer-surgeon who was a significant contributor to the OED from Broadmoor, and another about the creation of the first geological map of the UK, but have enjoyed others too.

The Shepherd's Life (James Rebanks) is fascinating on the Lake District and Herdwick sheep.

I second TonTonMacoute's shout for Yanis Varoufakis. And I am off to Google the books on shipping and structures as I need something new.

Cornishblues · 24/09/2019 21:24

I’ve borrowed and reserved a few from this thread. I think the copy of ‘Blind Watchmaker’ I read quoted on the cover a review that said something like ‘the kind of writing that makes the reader feel like a genius’, which is such a wonderful compliment.

RomaineCalm · 21/09/2019 22:24

I've just read 'The Prison Doctor' by Dr Amanda Brown and found it fascinating. I followed it with 'Strangeways: a prison officer's story'.

No intention of going to prison any time soon.

Sparklypen · 19/09/2019 20:41

I must read the book about Henrietta Lacks. I worked with HeLa cells plenty of times back in my bioscience days and had no idea where the name came from.

Charley50 · 19/09/2019 20:31

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - the investigation into the life story of the woman whose cells were (unknowingly) used in developing all cancer treatments. It's been years since I read it, but it's fascinating.

Original poster
YesILikeItToo · 19/09/2019 13:12

Thanks for these ideas. ("The Blind Watchmaker" is a good example - those first two books by Dawkins do seem special - to me they appear to be very highly crafted as texts.)

I've just been to literally look at my bookshelves to see if anything else jumps out, but not really.

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Knittedfairies · 18/09/2019 14:11

' The Lighthouse Stevensons' by Bella Bathurst. I have no particular interest in lighthouses, but it's very well-written - and I learned a lot.