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?

Love non fiction especially early Antarctic exploration pre 1914-ish ask me anything about pemmican, scurvy, or seal blubber lamps...

Me too, Slowreader! Antarctica just does it for me - I'm not sure that I actually want to go there, mind.

What? Never?
Have you read Apsley Cherry Garrard's Worst Journey in the World?

I'd go if there was a decent hotel etc but I wouldn't want to emulate those early explorers! The penguins would be cute.

Yes, I've read ACG's book. It was one of the most harrowing books I've read yet awe-inspiring that someone would put themsleves through such agonies.

Not generally but have just finished the Diary of Mary Berg (diary of life in the Warsaw Ghetto). Wow. Not "enjoyable" of course but massively powerful; one of those books that I think everyone should read.

I have finally finished the Churchill book!!! It's taken me about four motnhs, on and off. In contrast, I read 'Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs (she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)' by Paul Carter in just one evening.

I'm not sure which NF book to read next, I must peruse my collection of unread tomes.

Love Bill Bryson's books. Non-fiction and very entertaining & amusing. I like some autobigraphies (Alan Bennett in particular) but wouldn't read a Jade/Kerry Katona/Posh/Becks one if you put a gun to my head. They've not even lived yet!

Bill Bryson is an amazing author

I have BB's A Walk in the Woods to read. I've read it before but have now been lucky enough to holiday in the woods he writes about, so it will be more relevant, iykwim.

I loved a Short History of Nearly everything

I've recently read an Audrey Hepburn biography - "Enchantment" which was really good but then I am a bit of a fan. I also like travel books especially when going on holiday. John Simpson`s books about his experiences as correspondent in the worlds dangerous places are also really compelling. I do like biographies but I read one about Michael Foot once years ago and although the writer clearly thought Mr Foot wonderful, it made him seem such a dry academic ivory tower sort of person who accepted help and patronage from some pretty unpleasant characters that it put me right off him.

I have just started Emergence by Steven Johnson. Its about "self-organization studies", how slime mold, ants, brains, cities and software have a lot in common.

Im currently reading 'My Heart Is My Own' by John Guy. It's the story of Mary Queen of Scots and is engrossing. If nothing else, it makes me thankful I wasn't a woman in the 1500's! The author has uncovered a lot of new or forgotten papers which shed new light on the subject.

The only problem with it is that it involves a Frenchman called du Croc and guess what I think of every time I see his name? Yup, plastic shoes.

Anyone else read this book??

i pretty much only read non fiction

i loved 'the madness of kings' by vivian green and would appreciate any recommendations for books similar in nature (not in topic necessarily)

suedonim, I've just started 'In my end is my beginning' also about Mary Queen of Scots.

I've just finished Peter Ackroyd's 'Blake'. Again. And 'Heat'

That was Mary's motto when she was kept captive, wasn't it, Castles? (you have a v appropriate name, lots of castles in her story!) I'll see if I can get that book when I'm home.

Black Earth - Andrew Meier. It's about post-communist Russia. Reads like a novel, and he's fit.

Gosh,

I am at home with this trhread...

I've given up on fiction, so many other interesting things in the world and an infinity curiosity makes get so bored reading about people and situations I don't care!

The last 3 books I've read are

[1] Arthur Racham - A book of his illustrations with his biography.

[2] A handbook of knots - A practical step by stpe guide-.

[3]Working girls, Gender and sexuality in Popular Cinema.

xxx

ah, and i love almost all essays about media in all countries in the world!

I'm reading The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins atm. The edition I have is full of footnotes where he corrects himself or points out where other biologists have got it wrong.

suedonim - I have 'put aside' the Churchill book for about a year now... but I will get back to it one day.

I'm currently reading "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine and "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman.

Afterwards I plan to read something more lighthearted like "Raising Boys" by Stephen Biddulph

Lol, Clarkent. It is worth persisting with, even though it took me months.