Ask a librarian for a NONFICTION recommendation

[Juanita]

Here's the thread where you can post a request for a librarian's recommendation if you enjoy nonfiction.

[Lisa]

I have read and loved all of Erik Larsen's books. Can you recommend anything similar? Thanks!

[poshpenny]

Lisa wrote: "I have read and loved all of Erik Larsen's books. Can you recommend anything similar? Thanks!"

I second this request! Although I am not yet finished with Erik Larson, I need something on deck.

[Rhoda]

Hi, I'm Rhoda and I've been a librarian for 23 years. I started out as a children's librarian in a public school, but I've been a public librarian for the past 3 years. Two of my recommendations for nonfiction (and I hate reading nonfiction) are The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Both were excellent books that prompted lots of discussion in my book club at the library.

[Judi]

Some recommendations:
Satan's Circus: Murder, Vice, Police Corruption, and New York's Trial of the Century
Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery
The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder
Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship

[Rhoda]

I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka

[Sierra]

Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor

The Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery

[Amanda]

Lisa wrote: "I have read and loved all of Erik Larsen's books. Can you recommend anything similar? Thanks!"

Anything by Daniel James Brown.

Amanda - Public Librarian

[Lisa]

Thanks to all! These suggestions all sound great. I appreciate the input. Can't wait to start reading.

[Shirley J]

I'm a retired librarian and a fan of Erik Larsen. His most memorable book for me so far is: In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

My recommendations:

Hampton Sides' book: Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission

Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans

[Fran]

Rhoda wrote: "Hi, I'm Rhoda and I've been a librarian for 23 years. I started out as a children's librarian in a public school, but I've been a public librarian for the past 3 years. Two of my recommendations fo..."

I have read the glass castle and it was excellent. Good recommendation.

[Lisa]

Thanks again! I have another request....

Just finished listening to the audiobook Ghostland by Colin Dickey. My sons (ages 13 and 10) loved it. We will be taking another road trip soon, and I wondered if anyone could recommend anything similar. Thanks.

[Kirsten]

Another great author is Candice Millard. She's got a new one out, Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill. I really liked one of her early ones: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey.

Also, Mary Roach. Her science books are not only accessible, they are hilarious! One of her best is Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Lisa wrote: "Thanks again! I have another request....

Just finished listening to the audiobook Ghostland by Colin Dickey. My sons (ages 13 and 10) loved it. We will be taking another road trip soon, and I wond..."

Lisa, have you read Assassination Vacation? It's about a decade old, so some of its references are out-of-date for kids your sons' ages, but it's really interesting (the author visits the sites where presidents were assassinated)! I also second Kirsten's recommendation of anything by Mary Roach.

[Kirsten]

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Thanks again! I have another request....

Just finished listening to the audiobook Ghostland by Colin Dickey. My sons (ages 13 and 10) loved it. We will be taking another road trip soo..."

I loved that book! I need to read some of her others. She has one about Hawaii - Unfamiliar Fishes - that sounds very interesting.

[Tami]

I loved both Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail and Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. They both ruined me for books. I had a hard time opening another book after these two. Could someone recommend something along these lines?

[Kaila]

Hi librarian friends! I really love true crime books and am looking for a way to add them to this challenge and figured this prompt would help! Any suggestions? I've already read Amanda Knox and am currently reading about Jonbenét Ramsey!

Thank you :)

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Kaila wrote: "Hi librarian friends! I really love true crime books and am looking for a way to add them to this challenge and figured this prompt would help! Any suggestions? I've already read Amanda Knox and am..."

Hi Kaila! I LOVE true crime and definitely have some recommendations for you!

- The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder - Probably my favorite true crime book. Also great on audiobook, if you like to listen!
- The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective - everything by Kate Summerscale is worth checking out.
- Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts - a more light-hearted take on true crime! Would also fit for the advanced prompt of "book with an eccentric character."
- In Cold Blood - just in case you haven't read it yet!

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Tami wrote: "I loved both Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail and Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. They both ruined me for b..."

Hi Tami! I saw that you asked for recommendations on the other thread, as well. I'll admit that I'm not as widely read in this area as in others, but two options you might enjoy are The Glass Castle and The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. (I'd also recommend Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar, a collection of Cheryl Strayed's advice columns - I openly wept while reading it, and it's very informed by the same voice and experiences she used in Wild.)

[Tanish]

Hi,
I would like a non-fiction recommendation.
I have read very less of non-fiction, some of them being Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I loved them both.
I'm open to trying something new in non-fiction just no political stuff, no offense but they make my head go blank.
Thank-you!

[Liz]

Tanish wrote: "Hi,
I would like a non-fiction recommendation.
I have read very less of non-fiction, some of them being Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I loved them both.
I'm open to tryin..."

Hi Tanish,

Are you interested in science or history at all? If science Mary Roach and Sam Kean do a really good job of readable science for laypeople. If history, I suggest a micro-history or a book focused on the history of a single object. This is a great list of them https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1058.Microhistory_Social_Histories_of_Just_One_Thing.

[Tanish]

Liz wrote: "Tanish wrote: "Hi,
I would like a non-fiction recommendation.
I have read very less of non-fiction, some of them being Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I loved them both.
I'..."

Hi Liz,
Thank you for sharing the list. I think I'll be going for micro-history. I have a paperback of At home by Bill Bryson which I have been meaning to read from a long time and an eBook of the Devil in the white city.
Thank you so much!

[Lexi]

Hey,

I am a veterinarian and used to enjoy reading science and animal books. I was looking for some suggestions, as I have wandered away from non-fiction in the last few years.
Thanks

[Jule]

For nonfiction, I highly recommend The Boys in the Boat. One of the best books I've ever read! Also in the science category, anything by Mary Roach. I was hooked with her first book, Stiff.

[Kayla Rae]

I'm a weirdo who really, REALLY likes books on difficult topics, so here's my Difficult Topics Non-Fiction Librarian-Recommended Reading Shortlist:

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory (It's about cremation and the death industry. I've read it twice, one with a library book club made up of old women, and it was fantastic both times.)

All Who Go Do Not Return (A book about a hisidic Jew who leaves his somewhat extreme and isolated community. Easily one of my top three books that I read last year.)

Eating Animals (I am in love with Jonathan Safran Foer. This book is a wonderful mix of fact and storytelling and it inspired me to become a vegetarian (again).)

Born a Crime (Another personal top 3 from last year. I have a huge celebrity crush on Trevor Noah (and his mom) now.)

[Lisa]

It's funny that you mentioned Assassination Vacation b/c we I listened to that with my boys (after Ghostland), and they loved it too. Sarah Vowell is a favorite of mine. I loved the Wordy Shipmates, but I don't know how they would like it. But, I think Unfamiliar Fishes or her latest (Lafayette in the Somewhat United States) would be good.

Also, thanks for the Mary Roach recommendations...I think those are good choices too.

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Xelly wrote: "Hey,

I am a veterinarian and used to enjoy reading science and animal books. I was looking for some suggestions, as I have wandered away from non-fiction in the last few years.
Thanks"

Hi Xelly, have you read The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness? I've heard really good things about it!

[Lexi]

I have heard good things too so planning to read it now. Thanks,

[Lisa]

I want to read that one, too!

[Joi]

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Kaila wrote: "Hi librarian friends! I really love true crime books and am looking for a way to add them to this challenge and figured this prompt would help! Any suggestions? I've already read Aman..."

I'm just going to kidnap that suggestion since I have it sitting right beside me.

[Liz]

Joi wrote: "Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Kaila wrote: "Hi librarian friends! I really love true crime books and am looking for a way to add them to this challenge and figured this prompt would help! Any sugge..."

I've heard great things about True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray.

[Taylor]

I've been reading more nonfiction lately and I seem to really like books that explore one scientific topic (Mary Roach, Jon Ronson), history that is off the beaten path (Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith, Russian history), or books on diseases (The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer).

Does anyone have any recommendations along those lines? Or am I being too picky?

[Megan]

Shirley J wrote: "I'm a retired librarian and a fan of Erik Larsen. His most memorable book for me so far is: In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

My reco..."

I'm going to read "In the Garden of Beasts", thank you!

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Taylor wrote: "I've been reading more nonfiction lately and I seem to really like books that explore one scientific topic (Mary Roach, Jon Ronson), history that is off the beaten path ..."

Hi Taylor! You're definitely not being too picky - it's worth taking the time to search out reads that really match your tastes. None of these are perfect matches, but I do have a few recommendations for you:

Since you like Mary Roach and Jon Ronson, I'd suggest browsing through books by A.J. Jacobs. His topics aren't as straightforwardly science-y as theirs, but the tone and writing feels similar, and something like Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection or The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment might be a good match.

Specific books that sound like they might interest you: Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time;Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets; The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements; and Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud.

And a wild-card recommendation, which is technically history even though it happened in the 1980s and 1990s: Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts. It's telling a very specific story about one very interesting central character, but it also gives an amazing look into the world of communist and post-communist Hungary.

[Liz]

Taylor wrote: "I've been reading more nonfiction lately and I seem to really like books that explore one scientific topic (Mary Roach, Jon Ronson), history that is off the beaten path ..."

Definitely not too picky. I suggest Sam Kean as comparable to Mary Roach.

[Miriam]

Hello librarians,

I would like some recommendations, too. There a two big areas of intrest I have.

First, I'm a bit of a history geek and love to read about ancient cultures and religion. (Anything before the rise of christdom and the Middle Ages) It does not nessicarily has to be western culture, in fact I would love to read about early Asian or American history.

Secondly, though it might sound weird, I'm very interested in all things computer technology, computer science and mathmatics.

The absolut bonus would be if someone recommends a good book about those two combined. I know that early Indian and Mesopotamian cultured where real big in mathmatics and astrology but I never got round to dive into that.

As language goes, my native language is German but I'm quite fluently in English and very used to read in English so recommendations in both languages would be fine.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[Thegirlintheafternoon]

Miriam wrote: "Hello librarians,

I would like some recommendations, too. There a two big areas of intrest I have.

First, I'm a bit of a history geek and love to read about ancient cultures and religion. (Anyt..."

Hi Miriam! Two recommendations that might interest you are
Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art and Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity. I've read parts of both, and I found them fascinating!

[Liz]

Gaby wrote: "I've recently started reading historical nonfiction books like Unbroken and A Night to Remember, and I'd like a recommendation for similar books. I tried to read Hidden Figures but that was a littl..."

I really enjoyed The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

[Katie]

Hi librarians,

I would like a book recommendation. I have a specific ask and then a more general one.

Specific: I do freelance audio description, describing films and other video for blind and low vision audiences. I'm hoping to up my game in the audio mixing arena. I'd love to find a book that covers the basics of audio mixing/design, something that defines terms and explains how they impact design. I'm looking for a book that does this without being specific to a particular software program.

General: I love non-fiction audiobooks! I particularly enjoy histories that cover very specific topics and/or integrate artistic works and movements into their archive.

Thank you so much!

[Tara]

I need a rec for a specific author lol I'm reading a lot of Cathy glass and Torrey Hayden books. Both are psychology/child abuse accounts. Hayden is a special needs teacher and psychologist specializing in elective mutism and Glass was a foster parent for years. I have been reading a bunch of them and not able to fit them in any categories. If anyone can recommend a couple maybe I could fit my reading to the challenge for a change lol

Thanks in advance!

[Ron]

Going through all of these old threads since one of my topics for another book challenge is a librarian recommendation.

*****

Kirsten wrote: "Another great author is Candice Millard. She's got a new one out, Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill. I really lik..."

Thanks for this. I have 'Fuzz' so that actually sounds perfect.