Thanks so much to Heather with Based On A True Story as well as others for organizing Nonfiction November. I’m late to this topic submitted by Heather, but I still wanted to tackle it:

Celebrate your year of nonfiction. What books have you read? What were your favorites? Have you had a favorite topic? Is there a topic you want to read about more?  What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

One of my reading goals was to read 12 nonfiction titles this year. I used to be a big nonfiction reader, always having many titles read each month, but got out of the habit. I wouldn’t say I’m back in the habit now…while I’ve read a total of 16 titles, I haven’t read any nonfiction June – October 2024. 

Nonfiction Books Read in 2024 So Far: 

Childhood Unplugged by Katherine Johnson Martinko

The Forgotten Art of Being Ordinary by CJ Casciotta

Set Boundaries Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson

Being Henry…The Fonz & Beyond by Henry Winkler

Getting Unstuck by Pema Chödrön

When I Was Your Age by Kenan Thompson

Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Things to Look Forward To by Sophie Blackall

Come Fly the World by Julia Cooke

100 Ways to Change your life by Liz Moody

Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost

Why We Read by Shannon Reed

Girl Walks Into a Bar by Rachel Dratch

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

My top three nonfiction I have read so far this year: 

Being Henry…The Fonz & Beyond by Henry Winkler

I listened to Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler in a day and a half and I’m pretty sure I had a smile on my face the entire time. This was absolutely wonderful. It was fascinating and candid and funny and thoughtful and all the things you want in a memoir. And most of all, I adored the chapters written by (and read by) his wife of over 40 years, Stacey. If you want to be reminded that there is good in the world and in Hollywood, pick this up. It was inspiring.

Things to Look Forward To: 52 Large and Small Joys for Today and Every Day by Sophie Blackall

This book feels magical and a balm for the soul. Go now, pick this up and smile and sigh as you read these gentle reminders. It’s a hugging book for sure.

Girl Walks Into a Bar by Rachel Dratch

It’s a little bit of everything–life before, during and after SNL. It’s honest and funny and full of lots of heart. Her story of the surprise of motherhood at age 44 was so much fun to listen to. Really well done.

Favorite Topics:

Memoirs are my most favorite nonfiction to take in, especially in audiobook format. Learning the stories of folks from all walks of life makes me feel connected to this big world. 

Nonfiction Going Forward: 

I’m currently reading a book about writing mystery novels (How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat) and I’d like to get at least one or two more nonfiction titles completed for the year. On my to read list includes: 

Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America’s Suburbs by Benjamin Herold

How to Outline A Cozy Mystery: Workbook by Sara Rosett

Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar by Jessie Inchauspé