I almost did not sit down to compile this list but in an effort to curb my innate habit to start a project with gusto and then taper off the amount of effort I put into it, I decided I ought to see this month through by trying to hit all the goals of the four weeks.
Week 3: (Nov. 11 to 15) – Be The Expert/Ask the Expert/Become the Expert (Katie @ Doing Dewey): Three ways to join in this week! You can either share three or more books on a single topic that you have read and can recommend (be the expert), you can put the call out for good nonfiction on a specific topic that you have been dying to read (ask the expert), or you can create your own list of books on a topic that you’d like to read (become the expert).
My favourite type(s) of non-fiction is one that is filled with interesting factoids or a different way of viewing the seemingly mundane, which help bolster any flagging conversation between like-minded individuals. I am always on the lookout for such books. So I decided to be both the expert and ask other experts for books that fulfil the criteria. Since I already harped on Superlative: The Biology of Extremes by Matthew D. LaPlante in both of the participating posts earlier this month, I will not include it here.
1) Factoids
2)Conversation starters
3)Growth and introductions to topics from a personal angle
As mentioned earlier, I would also like to ask the experts out there who can suggest books in this wide umbrella of options that (try as I might) I am always unable to narrow into a single focus.
Superfluous Reading 
I’ve neglected nonfiction in general in my reading and have been curious to look into some noteworthy titles. All three books under Factoids look especially appealing.
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I hope you like them if you give them a shot! 😄
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These are great topics, I love factoids! I’m glad you liked Lab Girl, that one has been on my list seemingly forever, I really need to get to it! I’m thinking
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Lab girl was my kind of read, mostly because she felt so much for the research she was doing and trees. 😀 I look forward to your review when you do read it!! 😀
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Oops, sent too soon – I’m thinking about your last one, memoirs that introduce a topic. Have you read Brain on Fire? I feel like I was the last person on earth to get to it, but in case I’m not, it’s really worth reading and is a fantastic memoir plus an introduction to the difficulties of diagnosing a rare and misunderstood illness and what that means for patients/medicine.
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I remember seeing the review for this book but have not read it (may be I am that last person 😉 ) I will definitely look it up for the final week list as well! Thanks! 😀
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It’s so, so good. I was thinking it was overhyped because I’d heard so much about it such a long time, but it’s a fascinating story, well written and researched so I think it’s deserving of all the hype 🙂
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I am now more than exciting to get to this book!! 🙂
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I love all of these, especially factoids. (I’ve been looking for a good name for books like this…thank you!)
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I remember stumbling on that word in some book or movie (do not remember the exact circumstances) but I do like the effect of it too! 😀
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I think you should definitely check out Atlas Obscura by Joshua Foer. I generally like books that feature slightly bizarre factoids and anecdotes like The Book of the Year by No Such Thing as a Fish, and Weird-o-pedia.
Please stop by to see my NonFicNov: Become The Expert
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Thanks for the suggestions! 😄
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I love factoids too! Have you ever read And Then You’re Dead by Cody Cassidy and Paul C. Doherty? It’s all about the science behind ridiculous ways of dying—like being shot out of a canon or being swallowed by a whale. Morbid, but fun!
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I haven’t heard about it before! Will definitely look it up! Thanks 😄😄
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Thanks for keeping up with Nonfiction November! I felt like there were a surprising number of people who joined in for the whole event this year, which was just a ton of fun 🙂
I also really enjoyed What If, which had my husband and I laughing out loud as we read. Lab Girl was fantastic as well and since part of what appealed to me was the blend of personal and topical information, I’m interested to check out your other recommendations on that theme as well.
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It was fun!! I am definitely taking part next year too 😄
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I love Eats Shoots and Leaves (not Eats, Shoots and Leaves, haha). And What If too — have you read the history versions of What If? They have some interesting themes, like what if Cleopatra’s nose had been different, etc. ( I think this was one of the essays…)
Intelligence is an Algorithm sounds intriguing; are they mixing up religious motifs and cosmic intelligence?
Happy NFN 🙂
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Ah, I just realized this is last year’s post. 😦 But glad I stumbled across it anyways!
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I am glad you did!😄
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It wasn’t exactly religion. But information from ancient texts woven with theory 🙂If I remember right that is..and no I do not think I’ve heard of that version of what if! Will look into it
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