TOP TEN TUESDAY | BEST NON-FICTION BOOKS

I love learning from the books I read. Whether it’s about a set of experiences outside of what I can encounter first-hand, a place I’ve never been, an area of social or scientific research of particular interest to me or a culture that diverges from my own, I love finding ways to expand my horizons and step outside of my limited life.

I can often do this in fiction, but non-fiction provides a greater amount of detail and research. I won’t read any non-fiction, but if it’s on a topic I find interesting and particularly if it also well-written, I am fully on board.

This year I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs, particularly memoirs to do with health and illness, so that’s high on my list. But I also like reading travel memoirs, women’s studies, social issues (race, immigration, poverty, etc.), marginalized groups, some historical events and memoirs or biographies on family, health, certain celebrities and people who have led particularly fascinating lives.

Here are some of my favourites, followed by some I’d love to read!

Health

All four of these left a huge impression on me in a different way – deep emotional impact, a sense of recognition, education on a topic we don’t learn enough about in school and admiration for someone who has managed to thrive even though she suffers from severe mental health issues (some of which I share).

Family

Both of these books share one thing in common: an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the challenges of motherhood. Of the two I enjoyed Shirley Jackson’s book more – it is better written and has humour on its side – but Kim Brooks deals with the unique challenges of parenting in this time, and that was a valuable mirror to look into.

Nature

 

I adored both of these books. Durrell is obsessed with animals and fascinated by even the tiniest insect’s activities. His enthusiasm, while sometimes longwinded, is also endearing. Kingsolver’s book is softer, more focused on family and learning, but I found families between both of these covers that I would love to be part of, and both portrayed nature as its own character, with respect and love.

Human Sexuality

I’m fascinated by human sexuality. It’s a topic with as many stories as there are people, and everyone has something to add to the discussion. I’ve read a lot on the topic, but these two books stand out as having been informative, accurate, well-written and above all, entertaining.

Women’s Studies

Another topic of great interest to me, and another I’ve read a fair amount on. It’s been a while since I read the first two, so I can’t go into detail, all I can say is that the impressions and memories I have of reading them have stuck with me more strongly than most, and I both learned from and was incensed by them. I’m including We Should All Be Feminists because it’s a book I truly believe everyone should read. It’s also a great introduction to the topic, and one that will make you want to keep going to learn more.

Books

I love nothing more than connecting with fellow book lovers, whether that’s real, live people or on the pages of a book. These are two I count among my dearest friends, and I enjoyed every moment I spent reading them.

Travel

I love armchair traveling. There are the obvious favourites – anything by Bill Bryson, Peter Mayle’s Provence series, Frances Mayes’ writing on Italy – then there are the ones that colour outside the lines. These three are the latter. All three deal with unconventional ways of seeing the world, and all are engagingly written and will keep you turning pages long past your bedtime!

Race and the Prison-Industrial Complex in the US

Both of these discuss the prison system in the US through different lenses – one looking at how race plays into the management of criminal justice and the other from the perspective of a prison guard (and undercover journalist) looking at the system’s flaws from the inside. They have important information to share that will change how you view the “justice” system.

Celebrity Memoir and Biography

Memoirs and biographies are as much about finding subject matter you are interested in as they are about the writing. So when you find one about someone you are intrigued by that also lives up in the writing, it’s special. These four all take fascinating people who lived or are living extraordinary lives and bring them to life. These all have very different styles, but each kept me completely hooked from beginning to end.

Street Art

I love street art. It’s my favourite type of art, and I collect books on the topic. These are some of the best out there, starting with a timeless classic!

Non-Fiction Books on my TBR

There are so many here that I’m not going to go into any details about specific books. Suffice it to say I can’t wait to read every single one of them!

Social Issues

 

Medicine and Health

 

Mental Health

Sexuality

Women’s Studies

Motherhood and Family

Indigenous History and Issues

Migration and War

Books and Writing

LGBTQIA+

Race

   

Memoirs and Biographies

True Crime

Science and Nature

Travel

Some of these I just added to my TBR, others have been there for years. They are on a wide variety of issues, places and experiences. But I have heard great things about each of them, and am very excited to get into them all.

I’d love to hear from you guys if you’ve read any of these, or if this post has inspired you to add any to your TBR! I’d also love to know how you approach non-fiction. Are there specific topics you gravitate towards? Types of writing? Issues you are particularly interested in educating yourself on? Share any thoughts on the topic in the comments below!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.