I haven’t done a “What I’m Reading” lately, mostly because I’m adding volunteer work to my schedule and I’ve found I can’t get through stacks of books like I used to. I did manage to get through “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which, seriously, if you haven’t had a chance to pick it up, DO IT. And not just because everyone discovered who she was due to the sample of her TED Talk on Beyonce’s latest album. The book is beautifully written; I sympathized and related to many of the themes of discovery of self and one’s own and other’s culture in the lead characters. The book is actually the first selection for the “Patton Family Book Club” otherwise known as a way to keep my sister sane after she has her first baby next month (:-)).
Back on topic now. I’ve always been a huge fan of fictional works. I lose myself in the characters, the timing, the unraveling of the story, until there is no more. Then I reflect, inward and quiet. If it’s a truly good story, I may look at myself and those around me differently. And on to the next story and another one after that. I used to always tell myself that I wasn’t a “non-fiction” reader because those stories were so black-and-white, factual and dry. I don’t dislike history or biographies or business books, they just weren’t my thing.
Well, since life is all about change, and change we must, I’m now of a different opinion. When doing my 2013 review of the “best books,” I realized that I was missing out on a lot of new knowledge by avoiding what I thought I didn’t like. List after list of quality reading and insight, and I was in the dark.
So, without further ado, here is what I have on my non-fiction reading list:
- Currently reading “Five Days at Memorial” about Post-Hurricane Katrina events at Memorial Hospital. Riveting, very well documented and researched and manages to find a non-judgmental tone.
- Mike Tyson’s biography “Undisputed Truth“
- Eartha Kitt’s autobiography “Confessions of a Sex Kitten“
For business reading, check out this list of “10 books every digital marketer should read” from PR Daily and “15 books to add to your reading list in 2014” from Mashable. I’d love more recommendations on non-fiction reading, leave your suggestions in the comments. For direction, I want to learn more about Eastern European culture, creativity, Nigerian writers and comedy.
Comedy, eh? What exactly are looking for in that category? Memoirs by comics? How-to? History?
Memoirs would be more interesting, or history of a specific subsection of comedy. I know you have some good recommendations Jason!
I just read the Mindy Kaling memoir, and it’s good. Also, Tina Fey’s bio is good. To learn some about improv, check out “Truth in Comedy.”
I got Tina Fey’s bio, which my boyfriend is currently reading, and he is not a big reader. I’m on the fence about Mindy Kaling as a comedian/actress but I’ll check out her book. Thanks for the recs!