Musing Mondays (Apr.27)
(Musing Mondays are hosted by Rebecca!)
This week’s post asks:
Do you read non-fiction regularly? Do you read it in a different way or place than you read fiction?
(question courtesy of Diane)
I do read nonfiction very regularly, in fact. It didn’t used to be so, but I have a real passion for learning, and tend to really soak up books that deal with whatever subject I’m currently fascinated by.
Did that make any sense? LOL.
I have read about 34+ books about weight loss | diet | health & fitness in the last 3 years. It’s a subject I’m passionate about. And, I am currently enthralled with books about decluttering and organizing, so I’m reading one after another.
I also love reading Christian Living titles (Christian nonfiction about how to improve your spiritual life). Some of my favorites have been: “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith” by Rob Bell, “A Scandalous Freedom” by Steve Brown, “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin Raphael McManus, “The Backward Life” by Jarrod Jones, and more recently “10 Things I Hate About Christianity” by Jason T. Berggren.
Another genre I like in nonfiction is memoirs. I have read some really enthralling memoirs and have thoroughly enjoyed them… “Great With Child” by Debra Reinstra was a pregnancy memoir, and “My Twice-Lived Life” by Donald M. Murray, which was about growing older.
Some of my favorite nonfiction, though, is about books & reading. Books like “Ex Libris” by Anne Fadiman, “So Many Books, So Little Time” by Sara Nelson, “The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop” by Lewis Buzbee, and “Books In My Baggage” by Lawrence Powell… these are awesome, and I wish I knew of more titles in this genre! I’m always looking for these, as they make me drool! LOL.
My nonfiction shelf is mainly cookery and gardening books.
Like you I read self-help non-fiction. When I didn’t know how to handle a tantrum – Christopher Greens’ ‘Todler training’, for testosterone problems it was Steve Bidoff’s ‘Raising boys’ and just now I’m reading helpful stuff about how to help my daughter deal with her relationship break-up. We have a great Christian bookshop in our area which is great for all of the curve balls life sends – where would we be without books!
[I've deleted the first comment that was here, as I don't like it when people try to advertise on MY blog! grrrr....]
I have lost any interest in memoirs recently. I am sick of one sad story after another, which is what most of them seem to be anymore.
Interesting question! I read mostly fiction, for fun, but I do indeed read non-fiction but in a totally different way. Fiction — start at the beginning and go to the end. i read all kinds of non-fiction and while a few things (memoirs and biographies) would be in the linear fashion, computer books, cooking and others I read where I want to, hopping from place to place. I’m currently reading one fiction book, listening to anotehr and also perusing a great beginner’s guide to understanding the economy, called, not coincidentally, “The 21st Century Economy – A Beginner’s Guide.” With the economy the way it is, this has helped me understand WHY things are the way they — and not a single chart or graph in it! Instead, the author uses simple everyday examples that relate to MY life to explain complex economic terms. If you ever wanted to throw “IMF” and “derivatives” into party chatter, this is for you.
“Books about decluttering and organizing” – certainly a genre I should be reading!
I have to read a lot on England and America as part of my teaching – literature as well as many kinds of non-fiction. That is why I usually choose a crime novel after work. If I read British literature for pleasure, I always end up taking notes etc instead of just enjoying the book.
Thanks for the recommendations! In the books on weight loss/improving your health/fitness that you’ve read what has been the best advice that has worked?
You do indeed read a lot of non-fiction. Puts my 2 book this year to shame.
Thanks so much for the well wishes.
‘Nise — the best health/fitness/weight loss advice I’ve gotten that’s actually worked has been “follow your internal hunger cues” (eat when your stomach is empty, and eat only enough to refuel). The book “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch teaches you how to do this.
I lost 25 lbs in 6 months while still eating cheeseburgers, fries, pizza, ice cream, and chocolate, and drinking Coca-Cola.
It makes complete sense to me. I am the same way. I love to learn new things. Health books and books about psychology, humanitarian issues, and, yes, other books are my favorites. I liked Nelson’s So Many Books, So Little Time, too.