Best Non-Fiction Reads 2008

As with most of my lists, the non-fiction list covers not only books that were published in 2008, but books I read in 2008 regardless of their publication date. I try to read widely in NF, but you don't have to look very far to see my main interests. Again, the order listed is the order read.

BEST NON-FICTION READS 2008

Hurt: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers (2004) - Chap Clark
I read a lot of books dealing with Christianity and culture. This book covers ground in both areas, but don’t think it’s a watered down study of teen culture. It’s well-researched and sobering, yet hopeful.

Watching Baseball Smarter (2007) - Zack Hample
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (2003) - Michael Lewis
Two great books on America’s Pastime: One will teach you how to better appreciate the game; the other, the game behind the game.

Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood (2008) - Mark Harris
American films took a significant and fascinating turn in 1967 and we’re still feeling the effects of the five films nominated for Best Picture from that year.

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA (2007) - Tim Weiner
Based on hundreds of documents recently declassified. A blistering account. If only a tenth of this stuff is true.... well, just read the book!

The Dangerous Act of Worship (2007) - Mark Labberton
Labberton is more interested in getting Christians to move beyond the doors of the church to actually help people in need. (What a concept!)

Escape from the Deep: A Legendary Submarine and Her Courageous Crew (2008) - Alex Kershaw
Absolutely riveting reading! Non-fiction (and history, no less!) that reads like a thriller.

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (1985) - Neil Postman
Postman’s book is now over twenty years old, but still significant.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008) - Tim Keller
Keller pastors Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. He’s heard every argument against Christianity and listened carefully. He’s not so much arguing back as much as he’s giving intelligent, caring responses.

Everyday Apocalypse: The Sacred Revealed in Radiohead, The Simpsons and Other Pop Culture Icons (2002) - David Dark
You must be kidding. Christian principles found in The Simpsons? You might be surprised.

Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko (2008) - Blake Bell
The troubled life of Spider-Man (among other characters) artist Ditko, featuring some incredible artwork.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (2008) - Michael Pollan
This could probably be included in the Horror section. A fairly little book, but lots to think about before you go to the grocery store.

The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals (2008) - Jane Mayer
A National Book Award nominee that focuses mainly on how we interrogate terrorism suspects. Another one that could fit into the Horror section.

Best J-Fic/YA Reads of 2008

As noted in a previous post, I read a lot of J-Fic/YA books in 2008 and many of them were excellent. I decided to list both J-Fiction and YA together. In case you're wondering, these designations are based largely on how the books are categorized in our library system. Some of that has to do with the age of the protagonist(s), the reading level, etc. Some of the books are a bit edgy, so I'd recommend clicking on the links to find out a little more about them if you have young readers in mind.

BEST J-FICTION/YOUNG ADULT READS OF 2008

(In the order that I read them)

A Pack of Lies (YA 1988) - Geraldine McCaughrean

How Angel Peterson Got His Name (J NF 2003) - Gary Paulsen

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch (J-Fic 2005) - Joseph Delaney

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village (J-Fic 2007) – Laura Amy Schlitz/Robert Byrd

This is What I Did: (YA 2007) - Ann Dee Ellis

Burger Wuss (YA 1999) - M.T. Anderson

Kit’s Wilderness (YA 1999) - David Almond

Skin Hunger (YA 2007) - Kathleen Duey

Uglies (YA 2005) - Scott Westerfeld

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow (YA NF 2005) - Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations (YA NF 2008) - Alex & Brett Harris

City of Ember (J-Fic 2003) - Jeanne DuPrau

Thirteen Reasons Why (YA 2007) - Jay Asher

Living Dead Girl (YA 2008) - Elizabeth Scott

The Knife of Never Letting Go (YA 2008) - Patrick Ness

The Graveyard Book (J-Fic 2008) - Neil Gaiman

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves (YA 2008) - M.T. Anderson