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Original poster

Best non-fiction

35 replies

CookieMumsters · 04/02/2022 12:56

Looking for recommendations for any non-fiction books, doesn't matter the subject matter, the wider the variety the better. I'm just looking for things that are nicely written and easy to follow.

OP posts:
ThirdElephant · 06/02/2022 07:10

@babybythesea

Bill Bryson writes good non fiction.

‘A short history of nearly everything’ is about the history of science. Who found things out, how did they did they do it - it’s a bit old so there are a few bits that are dated but it’s good.

‘At home’ - about normal life and the home over the centuries.

‘Shakespeare’

I find them easy to read. He has a dry sense of humour which appeals to me.

I second The Short History of Nearly Everything.
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/02/2022 07:09

The Radium Girls-

The story of women who worked with radium in aircraft factories in the US in the early 20th century; the impact on their health and how they campaigned for recognition, compensation and protection at a time where welfare at work, H&S law etc law just didn’t exist.

LittleDiaries · 06/02/2022 07:03

Kate Summerscale writes interesting non-fiction. I've read two of her books so far - The Wicked Boy, and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. Both were really interesting, but I much preferred The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. It was a fascinating look at life and death in Victorian England, and the early days of police detective work.

The Midnight Library is fiction, but Matt Haig does also write non-fiction, focusing mainly on maintaining good mental health. Definitely worth a read.

BayandBlonde · 05/02/2022 22:33

Just started the Midnight Library

yoshiblue · 05/02/2022 22:22

The World I Fell Out Of - Melanie Reid
Vaxxers - Dr Sarah Gilbert and Dr Catherine Green
The Cut Out Girl - Bart Van Es

These were my favourites over the past few years

Blackcountryexile · 05/02/2022 22:19

The Century Girls Tessa Dunlop interviews with centenarians
Ladies Can't Climb Ladders. Jane Robinson Female pioneers in professions
The Life Project Helen Pearson Story of longitudinal studies -sounds dry but I found it fascinating
British Summer Time Begins Ysenda Maxtone -Graham Children's experiences of school summer holidays in the twentieth century.

babybythesea · 05/02/2022 19:54

Bill Bryson writes good non fiction.

‘A short history of nearly everything’ is about the history of science. Who found things out, how did they did they do it - it’s a bit old so there are a few bits that are dated but it’s good.

‘At home’ - about normal life and the home over the centuries.

‘Shakespeare’

I find them easy to read. He has a dry sense of humour which appeals to me.

RightOnTheEdge · 05/02/2022 15:55

I don't read a lot of non-fiction but I am reading Etta Lemon by Tessa Boase and its really interesting.
It's about Etta Lemon who fought against killing birds for millinery and founded the RSPB and also about Emmaline Pankhurst who's campaign was seen as more glamorous and the suffragettes wore big feathers in their hats.

Original poster
CookieMumsters · 05/02/2022 15:48

Thanks for the suggestions @Warmworm

Yes, I'll give memoirs a go. I'm just looking for something a bit different to my usual reading.

OP posts:
Warmworm · 05/02/2022 12:42

War doctor by David Nott is incredible, he’s one of life’s true heroes. I also enjoyed Born to Run by Christopher MacDougal, about endurance runners who can run huge distances.

Do you include memoir in non- fiction? If so then Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman is very interesting, life in a very strict Jewish community.