I've got several friends who only read non-fiction. Some of them say they've tried, but just can't get into fiction for one reason or another. I stopped trying to convert them long ago and instead tried to pick up some good non-fiction suggestions. Some of those suggestions are reflected here, but most of them are subjects I just have (or had) a passing interest in reading.
The best non-fiction I read this year:
BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy (2002) – Jane Leavy
Jayson Stark called Koufax the most overrated left-handed pitcher of all time. Either he hasn't read this book or he's got a screw loose.
Mississippi Sissy (2007) – Kevin Sessums
A frank, unflinching look at growing up gay in Forest, Mississippi (which also happens to be my hometown). Excellent writing.
Einstein: His Life and Universe (2007) – Walter Isaacson
A highly readable, very enjoyable volume on Einstein's life, beliefs and work.
THEOLOGY/SPIRITUALITY
Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture (2006) – Walt Mueller
This book showed me some of what I'd missed from not being around Youth Culture for seven years.
The Ragamuffin Gospel (1990) – Brennan Manning
Manning shows us that Jesus embraced "the bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out." And still does.
Velvet Elvis (2005) – Rob Bell
New theology or the basic tenets of the Christian faith? See what you think.
Don't Waste Your Life (2003) – John Piper
My least favorite title of the year, but Piper gets to the heart of the matter expertly.
WRITING/THE ARTS
About Writing (2005) – Samuel R. Delany
Not an easy read, but essential for serious writers.
Art & Fear (1993) – David Bayles and Ted Orland
How art (of all kinds) does and doesn't get made. A thin but important book by artists for artists.
HISTORY/CURRENT EVENTS
The Looming Tower (2006) – Lawrence Wright
Essential reading for those (like me) with a limited understanding of Al Qaeda and the terrorist mind.
All the President's Men (1974) – Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
If you've seen the movie, you only know half the story.
OTHER
Countdown: The Race for Beautiful Solutions at the International Mathematical Olympiad (2004) – Steve Olson
Not only an honest look at contests and competition, but also an examination of genius, talent and hard work.
Other Non-Fiction Books I Read and Enjoyed:
Housekeeping vs. The Dirt: Fourteen Months of Massively Witty Adventures in Reading (2006) – Nick Hornby
Understanding Flannery O'Connor (1995) – Margaret Earley Whitt
A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) – Bill Bryson
Seven Money Mantras for a Richer Life (2004) – Michelle Singletary
Zodiac (1986) – Robert Graysmith (at least the third time I've read it)
The Truth is Out There: The Christian Faith in Classic Science Fiction TV (2006) – Thomas Bertonneau and Kim Paffenroth
Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality (2007) - Rob Bell
Step Across This Line (2002) – Salman Rushdie
Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture (2007) – William D. Romanowski
4 comments:
Are there any books that you disliked this year?
That should be a new category!
There were a few that I was disappointed with. That was mostly due to misconceptions I had about the book(s) going in, thinking it was one thing, then having it turn out to be something else, mainly with non-fiction.
If it's not (again, we're talking non-fiction) a topic I'm interested in, I won't read it no matter how great people say it is. With fiction, though, you're sometimes taking a leap of faith, especially with an author you've never encountered before.
Maybe I'll make a "2007 Disappointments" list.
I qualified my disdain for Jayson Stark because, although he obviously has moments of idiocy a la Koufax, he did correctly say that Barry Larkin is the most underrated shortstop of all time. However, I am now ready to say that Jayson Stark is a blithering idiot. Add to his blindness to the greatness that was Koufax his blindness to the fact that steroid use is, was and always shall be cheating. Every time you read one of his articles about this he apologizes for cheaters. No more. Mr. Stark, you suck.
Thanks for letting me get that out, Andy.
Hey, that's what blogs are for.
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