good non-fiction books?

Anyone have good recommendations for non-fiction books? To see the type of stuff I like, follow the links below:

http://mobspin.com/rating/blog/5VZ4wPAeKEM

http://mobspin.com/rating/blog/Yt0-NYNmFzg

http://mobspin.com/rating/blog/fr5Uif9JKSg

http://mobspin.com/rating/blog/SPBqNSA31hw

—

asked on Jun 24, 2008

Sign up or Sign in

comments and reviews

Check out my review of Clapton: An Autobiography

#1 - posted on Jun 26, 2008 (6:44 pm)

The book I'm reading now (almost done) is Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. It's mainly for people who love Paris. He moved there with his wife in 1995 and was sending a "Paris Journal" to the New Yorker. There are many essays that I like, esp. about raising his son there, others have too many minutia to the point that he babbles or is just plainly a nudnick. such as his essays about food. Debbie I was thinking about you when I read the chapter Barnie in Paris, it's really funny. He tried to keep his son away from watching this terrible show that kids love, but you can imagine the end of the story. He has a good sense of humor and some parts are touching. If are you interested I'll mail the book to you.

#2 - posted on Jun 27, 2008 (8:26 am)

Defintely interested, but you don't have to mail it... just bring it on your next trip out!

#3 (reply to #2) - posted on Jun 27, 2008 (8:19 pm)

About a year ago I read "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time". http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214777807&sr=8-1

It's written by an American mountain climber who got lost on a climb in Pakistan. To thank the village that took him in he agreed to build a school for them. Eventually this turned into a life mission for him to build schools throughout Pakistan. It's not the type of book I usually go for but I couldn't put it down and found it really inspiring. It's especially relevant given all the turmoil in Pakistan over the past year.

#4 - posted on Jun 29, 2008 (3:13 pm)

See below...

#5 (reply to #4) - posted on Jun 29, 2008 (6:36 pm)

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
by Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

See it at

Amazing and inspiring story

I loved this book! Lots of different facets, not too preachy, and very interesting. My friend Satomi recently bought me a copy and I plan to reread it

reviewed by: the poster above

I really enjoyed "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court" by Toobin.

And, I love Atul Gawande. I just read "Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Peformance" and dashed through it as well.

I have to say that I don't tackle non-fiction stuff that's too scholarly anymore, sadly.

I also enjoyed "Heat" by Bill Buford and "Ravens in Winter" by Bernd Heinrich.

#6 - posted on Jun 29, 2008 (8:48 pm)

Thanks for the recommends - I will definitely check them out!

#7 (reply to #6) - posted on Jun 30, 2008 (8:54 pm)

Debby,
Have you read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides? I thought it was amazing and seems to be along the lines with the other books you like.

#8 - posted on Jul 1, 2008 (2:15 pm)

I have tried to read that book, exactly because I thought I should be interested in it, but couldn't get through it. I actually reviewed it a while back, see the review below

#9 (reply to #8) - posted on Jul 1, 2008 (8:02 pm)

Middlesex: A Novel
by Jeffrey Eugenides

See it at

Controversial material, but ultimately uninteresting

This novel is about a hermaphrodite whose parents are siblings. You would think that with such an edgy topic that the book would be compelling. I even made it about half way through. I kept trying. I just couldn't maintain interest. sorry Emilie...

reviewed by: the poster above

I just picked up "Better" by Gawande. It looks awesome. I am going on vaca next week and will get started on it.
I also bought "among the thugs" by Buford - it looks intriguing and will let you know...

#10 (reply to #6) - posted on Jul 16, 2008 (9:11 pm)

See below...

#11 (reply to #1) - posted on Jul 26, 2008 (9:08 pm)

Clapton: The Autobiography
by Eric Clapton

See it at

good vacation book

I enjoyed this read on my recent vacation. It had enough depth, but was light enough to make it a page turner. Clapton is quite an interesting guy with an interesting life. His battle with alcohol and drug addiction and his recovery was the most fascinating part to me. I like his music but am not a devout fan, and the book was still compelling. Thanks Chris, for the recommend.

reviewed by: the poster above

See below...

#12 (reply to #6) - posted on Jul 26, 2008 (9:12 pm)

Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance
by Atul Gawande

See it at

short stories about issues in medicine

this book was fascinating! Gawande is an excellent writer. The book is a series of short non-fiction pieces on various topics in medicine. I really like how he managed to show many different sides of an issue, while still letting the reader know his opinion. Really made me think. thanks for the recommend!

reviewed by: the poster above

did I mention that I read "among the thugs" by Bill Buford. I picked it up because of your recommendation. It was an interesting read and I enjoyed it. Thanks!

#13 (reply to #6) - posted on Nov 13, 2008 (9:48 pm)

Among the Thugs
by Bill Buford

See it at

This is a book about football hooligans in England. I found it interesting for the most part. However, I think it was a bit long. There was quite a bit of shock value in the whole thing though, especially as an American with very little exposure to the violence in the European football matches.

reviewed by: the poster above

Have you read Freakonomics? I liked that one.

#14 - posted on Nov 14, 2008 (10:37 am)

not really non-fiction, but I recently read "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman - really interesting. Showing how quickly nature would take over if we disappeared from the planet, and the mess we are doing...

#15 - posted on Nov 15, 2008 (12:04 pm)

I have heard that one is good and have not read it yet. I will pick it up - thanks!

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

See it at

#16 (reply to #14) - posted on Nov 17, 2008 (6:01 am)

Sign up or Sign in