My Nonfiction November reading list includes some history, memoirs, Christian books and more!
Have you heard of Nonfiction November? If you are on Instagram, you probably have at least seen the hashtag for it.
Grace and I both love nonfiction all year long, so we don’t usually do much for nonfiction November. This year though I decided to change that up, partly because my 2020 reading needs some help. So a nonfiction challenge seemed like just the thing.
My goal for November is to read mainly nonfiction and to also read my bookshelf. My TBR pile is actually a small bookshelf. It was larger than a pile a long time ago.
I have bought way too many books in the last two years, and I really need to read some of the books that I own before buying more.
Most of the books in my TBR pile are nonfiction, so it made choosing books for Nonfiction November easy. I had trouble narrowing it down to just a few books and ended up with more nonfiction books than I will probably be able to read this month. At least, it is narrowed down though.
I doubt I will get to them all done, but I hope to get most of them read. I am going to try to do a couple of recaps throughout the month as I finish the books, so be looking out for those.
Are you reading anything for Nonficiton November?
Nonfiction November Reading List
Faster by Neal Bascomb – How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s best. I love WWII books that share an interesting story that not very many people know about. This was an impulse buy at Costco earlier this year. It has been in my TBR pile for months, so it is time to finally read it.
The Matriarch by Susan Page – Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty. This one has also been in my TBR pile for awhile. I bought it last year shortly after it came out and never got around to reading it. I love to read books about U.S. Presidents and their families. Both the ones I agree with and the ones I don’t. This book has great reviews online from people on both sides, so I am looking forward to reading it.
Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager– Seasons of Love and Loss. This is another book about U.S. President and his family. I read Sister’s First and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that Jenna Bush Hager had a new book out I knew that I wanted to read it.
Courage to Soar by Simone Biles – A Body In Motion A Life In Balance – My daughter read this recently and thought I would enjoy it. It looks like a great read, so I added it to my TBR pile.
Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey – A Daughter’s Memoir. I love memoirs. They are some of my favorite nonfiction reads. I have heard great things about this one and can’t wait to read it.
The Best Cook In the World by Rick Bragg -Tales from My Momma’s Southern Table. I love Rick Bragg’s writing, and this one has been in my TRB pile for way too long. I wanted to make sure to have some lighter reader in November, and I think this will be a good one.
The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis – This is one that I have already started. I started it a couple of months ago. I keep reading a few chapters, and then I put it down to pick something else up. I am enjoying it, but it is a more serious read that I have to be in the mood for. I really want to finish it this month, which is why it is on the list.
Q’s Legacy by Helene Hanff – A Delightful Account of a Lifelong Love Affair with Books – I have read 84, Charing Cross Road and Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. I love her writing style so I am looking forward to reading this one.
Hill Women by Cassie Chambers – Finding Family and A Way Forward In the Appalachian Mountains. This book has great reviews online. I keep moving it up my TBR list, but other books always win out. Maybe this is the month I will finally read it.
I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard – The True Story that Inspired that Hit Song and Major Motion Picture. Another memoir that I hope to get to. Yes, I really do love memoirs.
She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh – Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs. I rarely buy new releases, but I bought this one. I actually preordered it. I find Dolly Parton’s story fascinating. She is an amazing business women and has done so much to help people in the area where she grew up. I am a few chapters into this one already and am really enjoying it.
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy – I love books about books and books about reading. I just started this one on my Kindle and so far am enjoying it.
The Characters of Christmas by Daniel Darling – The Unlikely People Caught Up in the Story of Jesus. My family gave me a hard time about starting a Christmas book the first week of November. But it is 2020, and I need some Christmas right now. I bought this book a few months ago and saved it to read closer to Christmas. I read a few chapters in it on Sunday and really enjoyed it so far.
I have three nonfiction books that I’m in the middle of –
1. “Book Girl” by Sarah Clarkson. I’ve been reading this one just a little at a time for the last few months.
2. “Why Emotions Matter” by Tristen Collins & Jonathan Collins.
3. “Live Not By Lies” by Rod Dreher. This was recommended by Whitney @ theunreadshelf.com and I’m really appreciating it so far.
Also in my Nonfiction November stack, but not started yet –
1. “All Over but the Shoutin'” by Rick Bragg. My Alabama book for the state challenge.
2. “Isaac’s Storm” by Erik Larson. My Texas book for the state challenge.
3. “The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are” by Libby Copeland. This one just looked really interesting.
Finally, to lighten the mood, I’ve been reading through D.E. Stevenson’s “Miss Buncle” book series. They are light-hearted, humorous, and good clean fiction that’s just fun.
Thanks for sharing your reads and reviews. They’re always informative and enjoyable. Take care!
I really enjoyed Book Girl and All Over but the Shoutin. I enjoy Rick Bragg’s writing style and have read a couple of books by him. Isaac’s ss Storm has been on my TBR for a long time. I need to read it. I like Erik Larson, so I think I would enjoy that one. I just added Miss Buncle’s Book to my TBR list. That looks like a fun series! I love series like that so thanks for recommending it.