Does any one like reading non-fiction?

[Elasticwoman]

All the books I was given for Christmas are non-fiction. Enjoying Amo Amas Amat And All That by Harry Mount at the moment. It's very funny and takes me back to schooldays when I learned Latin at school. Would never have thought of buying or borrowing this myself, and rather embarrassed to note the old fogey author is younger than me. Usually I go for biography or history when not a novel. What non-fiction do other MNetters enjoy, and does any one find themselves surprised at enjoying some non-fiction they were given for Christmas?

I enjoyed The Insider too, the Piers Morgan diaries Foxinsocks.

I enjoyed The Insider too, the Piers Morgan diaries Foxinsocks.

If you're interested in the state of the NHS, then 'NHS PLC' is a fab read - bit hard going and I haven't read it inside out yet, but it's so fascinating. By Allyson Pollock.

I also loved Augusten Borrough's 'Running with Scissors' - kind of memoirs of when he was growing up - it's an amazing read. His follow up 'Dry' is just as good.

Wickedwaterwitch, if you like food writing I highly recommend HEAT by Bill Buford. He used to be editor of the New Yorker and gave it up to become an unpaid kitchen assistant to an Italian American chef, or "kitchen bitch" as he refers to himself at one point. The book is an account of his growing obsession with food (particularly Italian food) and he ends up travelling to Italy to apprentice himself to a Tuscan butcher and make belly-buttons out of pasta. Completely fascinating.

When I lived in a small southern German town I quickly got through all the fiction on offer at the library (in the english section ) so I started on non-fiction and picked my way through all subjects with english books in! It got me hooked any way so I read 50% of each. Always sad when I've finished a book as it is hard to get hold of english books in Berlin where we live now, my library is rubbish compared to the small town one.

Oh is Heat good? I read a terrible review of it, can't remember where. Private Eye maybe?

I do like food writing, I love Anthony Bourdain for instance, I thought Kitchen Confidential was fantastic.

My fav non-fiction is 'a million little pieces' by James Frey. Very powerful true story about a guy going into rehab. Or if you want funny then 'Stupid white me' by Michael Moore, takes the piss out of the yanks.

I love popular science books - the new scientist books - ummn the does anything eat wasps and about penguins feet feezing (what ever the titles where) were good reads and easy too!

I am just reading Africa - a story about post-colony Africa how all the countries faired and why they are all so improvished- very intersting espcially as I knew nothing about it.

I also enjoy biography type books - letters form Amercia, from our own correspondant and John Simpson's book stick out as being enjoyayable!

However, as my OU course books have arrived now I shall enjoy (or not) reading my course text books!

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Bait and Switch, I worked out, is American for Carrot and Stick I assume, it's about trying to get a job in corporate America. Not as good as Nickel and Dimed but still a good read.

Pruni, have you read the UK 'version' the Polly Toynbee one? That's good too, very. Hang on will see if I can find it, Hard Work I think it's called.

here

I do, but also love fiction. I am just finished reading this . I finally got this for christmas, it having been on my birthday and christmas list for the last 4 years. Hence its been a bit of an anticlimax to be honest.

Yes I love history, currently reading about Waterloo

I go through phases and am currently in a non-fiction phase. Christmas books read and enjoyed include: 'Think' by Michael LeGault (advertised as the antidote to 'Blink') and The Culture Code by Clotaire Rapaille. Enjoy science, psychology, anthropology, comparative culture. Wholeheartedly detest autobiography of the 'my childhood was desperately miserable' variety.

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I too go through phases of fiction then non-fiction (currently in a fiction phase).

Can't stand all these new autobiographies where the person is only in their 20s (footballers, popstars, TV people). I mean COME ON. As if you have lived life (and can write a book about your whole life) when you are only bloody 20 years old. And lots of them are top sellers.

Yes I love non-fiction. My favourite is Bill bryson; love everything by him - would happily read his shopping list. I also like history books if they are not too stuffily written. Eg: the Giles Milton ones. Last year I read
this - superb
www.amazon.co.uk/Fatal-Shore-Robert-Hughes/dp/0099448548/sr=8-1/qid=1168807903/ref=pd_ka_1/202-3501903-9445467?ie=UTF8&s=books

this - totally gripping
www.amazon.co.uk/Heart-Sea-Epic-Story-Inspired/dp/0006531202/sr=1-1/qid=1168807951/ref=sr_1_1/202-3501903-9445467?ie=UTF8&s=books

this - brilliant but I skipped the chapter on sport!
www.amazon.co.uk/Consuming-Passions-Leisure-Pleasure-Victorian/dp/0007172958/sr=1-1/qid=1168808056/ref=sr_1_1/202-3501903-9445467?ie=UTF8&s=books

This - really interesting although his writing style is a bit annoying - needs to master the art of the semi-colon!
www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-English-Melvyn-Bragg/dp/0340829931/sr=1-1/qid=1168808109/ref=sr_1_1/202-3501903-9445467?ie=UTF8&s=books

Read others but those were my favourites.

WWW, I thought Heat was great but it is a bit precious - the idea of giving up your amazingly well-paid job to go on a pilgrimage to ravioli might irritate some . Plus thinking about it, I don't think I have EVER read a good review of any book in Private Eye!

Janeite, have you read the new Bill Bryson, the Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid? Sooooo nice, it just makes you want to adopt him and his mum and dad.

MissGolightly - yep, I've read it. I'm assuming there may be a "latter years" one before too long? It felt so short and I just wanted to keep reading! I think his next book is about Shakespeare; looking forward to that.
www.durham21.co.uk/archive/archive.asp?ID=2798

ooo sounds great!

Can I recommend The Prize WInner of Defiance Ohio - How my mother raised 10 children on 25 words or less by Terry Ryan. I've just finished reading it again and it's such a good book I have to give it a plug.

I'm reading the biography of Mao by Jung Chang and it is really gripping - if a little heavy to actually hold!

Oh well, it's back to Winston Churchill for me. I'm stuck in WW2, having great trouble getting through it!