I just finished "More Leaves". It was in interesting but somewhat repetitive book of Queen Victoria's travels around the Scottish Highlands by foot, coach and horseback. She love to stop for lunch or tea and do a little sketching. There are also a few entries of her dedicating statues.

Some of the more interesting tales were of her getting caught in the rain and stopping for "tea and whiskey". Or the time her carriage tipped over. She had to sit on the ground leaning against the upturned carriage for hours while Brown freed a horse and rode for a replacement carriage. QV also liked to describe in detail the houses or manors they stayed in. Some things never change for the Royals; "we were spied upon by impudently inquisitive reporters who followed us everywhere".

The book also expanded my vocabulary with words like nosegay, gillies, mutch, leistering, creel, pibroch and pennon.

Recently finished Um. . . Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders, and What They Mean (gave it 3 stars). No linguistic stone was left unturned in this very well-researched book about our pauses and gaffes when we speak. At times, it felt too stretched out though and I had to make myself keep reading. However, the topic itself intrigued me.

The upcoming movie "Young Victoria" influenced my next read. It is "More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands" - by Queen Victoria. The book is a compilation of letters mostly written by Queen Victoria between 1862 and 1883. The start was just eight months after her beloved Prince Albert died. The book was published in 1884, so being 125 years old it is not in the best of shape. It will have to be a gentle read.

OK, I checked out my memoir shelf and picked these:
The House by the Dvina A Russian Childhood
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Adventures of a Curious Character
The Seamstress

Actrually I have lots more. Check out my memoir shelf if you are interested.

I am a new member and I really liked both Wild Swans Three Daughters of China and The River of Doubt Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey mentioned above. Another memoir that I recently read and liked alot is Eleni. I will look at my shelves and see what else I can recommend.....

The Education of an American Dreamer How a Son of Greek Immigrants Learned His Way from a Nebraska Diner to Washington, Wall Street, and Beyond

The Snowball Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

The Glass Castle

Angela's Ashes

John wrote: "Terri wrote: "I am reading Think No Evil about the Amish Schoohouse shootings"

This book sounds very interesting, tragic but interesting. Have you read "Under the Bridge". It is a book about a gro..."

I will ahve to see if I can find it, it sounds interesting

Finished A Farther Shore Ireland's Long Road to Peace by Gerry Adams on the weekend and it must be the most biased book I've ever read in my entire life. It was interesting to see his perspective but my god that man lives in a serious bubble.

I just finished Truth & Beauty A Friendship by Ann Patchett and it really turned me off. Now I no longer want to read Lucy Grealy's Autobiography of a Face. It seems like Patchett's only reason for publishing this was pure profit and publicity--it paints her friend Lucy in such a negative light. I was told I should have read first. But at this point, I don't care to read it at all.

Terri wrote: "I am reading Think No Evil about the Amish Schoohouse shootings"

This book sounds very interesting, tragic but interesting. Have you read "Under the Bridge". It is a book about a group of school kids who beat up and killed one of their classmates who just wanted to fit in with them. The girl's parents are like the Amish, they are pillars of strength, grace and forgiveness. The killing took place here in my home town and the book brought out a lot of facts not presented in the media or the trial coverage. I would be interested to hear what you thought of "Think No Evil" when you have read it.

I am reading Think No Evil about the Amish Schoohouse shootings

Finally finished "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. I know we all can't go out and live on a farm or grow food in our back yards, but this book will be a success if you just start thinking about where your food comes from and try sourcing some locally.

A few of my favorites are: Isaac's Storm A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, Outliers, and The End of Overeating Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

I need to create a non-fiction shelf, too.

Auto racing is not everyone's cup of tea but I am really looking forward to the book I just started "Top 100 F1 Drivers of All Time". Of course it is one man's opinion but I am anxious to find out where my favorites are ranked.

Just finished "My Favorite Things 75 Works of Art from Around the World". I really enjoyed this book mainly because it didn't just have the same tired old things you usually see. Sister Wendy includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, pottery etc. Her example of Michelangelo is a stairway. Who knew he designed stairways? Wonderful pictures!

Jenny wrote: "Absolutely love that book Emma. It is one of the best books I have ever read!" Me too

If cookery books are allowed here I'd highly recommend The Silver Spoon. Its the definitive Italian cookery book.

Absolutely love that book Emma. It is one of the best books I have ever read!

Wild Swans Three Daughters of China

Should be set reading for everyone!

I just began The Innocent Man Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by Grisham. Curious to see how his writing form translates to NF.

I am about to start "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" - Barbara Kingsolver. One of my favorite authors and her family try to live for a year on what they produce on their own property

I've got Reading Lolita in Tehran on my TBR pile - I've read the first chapter (...as I do with most of my books as soon as I buy them) and it looks really promising!

Ally

He are a few of the NF books I have really enjoyed. "A Short History of Progress", "Colour", "History of the World in Six Glasses", and "River of Doubt".

I like this idea, too! You inspired me to create a "non-fiction" shelf for the books I've read. I'll pass along anything worthwhile. Presently, I would recommend Kluge The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind and Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder .

Nice idea John - I read them much more than occasionally. If you consider Memoirs to be NF that is.

I was thinking that it would be nice to have one central place to put those occasional non-fiction books that we read.