Good non-fiction reads

I recently enjoyed Unorthodox and Educated although both have some possible anxiety inducing themes. Also, The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit was interesting.

I am about half way through Suffrage by DuBois. It is the story of the fight for women to get the vote. ...so it is political, but not current politics.

It is written in an interesting manner and tells the story of the women leading the fight...and some of the infighting within the movement.

Agreed! This was great.  Other biographies I read over the last year or so that I really liked were:

In Pieces by Sally Field

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

Open Book by Jessica Simpson

Me by Elton John

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett Graff was hard to read and gripping.

I mostly read fiction but went back through my books and found a few non fiction that I have enjoyed. Not sure if they would cause anxiety, that's different for everyone. Only one of these I have read and not listened to. I have a hard time reading biographies, I find them boring. I have a hard time following complicated stories with too many characters, times, places when listening on audio.

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah narrated by himself on audio, excellent audio book, best one I've listened to. About his childhood in South Africa growing up as an illegal half black half white child during apartheid

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. I listened to this on audio because Edward Herrmann narrated it.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resislience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. I listened to this on audio because Edward Herrmann narrated it.

The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande. I do want to read the sequel to this, here's my reminder. A girl who grew up in Mexico and her parents snuck into the USA and left the children behind with grandparents. Eventually returning for them to sneak them across the border. Then them living in the US as illegals.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousfzai, Christina Lamb The young girl who was shot by the Taliban for standing up for women's education in Pakistan.

Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming (narrated by himself) about his tough childhood in Scotland.

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High by Tona Danza (narrated by himself)

Open Book by Jessica Simpson (narrated by herself)

These are some that I’ve read and would recommend.  I read the actual book or my kindle for these so no narration.  
Unbroken was one that I wasn’t sure about but it got such amazing reviews, I had to try it.  I’m glad I did. It’s an amazing story and she writes it so well.  

I just finished Radium Girls about girls who worked in radium factories during World War One and their sickness that ensued.  It really is a fascinating story about the US in those days with minimal protections for employees and minimal knowledge about harmful chemicals.  I actually listened to this one on audible.  The narrator’s pace and inflections bugged me every once in a while but not enough to stop listening to it. 

I have Michelle Obama’s Becoming on my nightstand to read next....whenever I get motivated to start a new book.

I’m currently reading Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming.

I’d highly recommend any of Mary Roach’s books. Start with Stiff. I’ve read a few and they’re all good, but this is my favorite. Spook and
Bonk are also great reads.

Atomic Habits by James Clear
Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl (A Gourmet Memoir)
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

I've read some of the books mentioned above, Born a Crime, Not my father's son, Stiff, The boys in the boat. All good reads.

Here are some others I've read that might appeal

Blitzed by Norman Ohler.

The Patient Assassin by Anita Anand

Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

The Astors by Virginia Cowles

Gulp by Mary Roach

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick


Currently reading Forensics, The Anatomy of a Crime by Val McDermid, very interesting but not for the faint of heart

A couple of many waiting to be read

The places in between by Rory Stewart

Pale Rider by Laura Spinney. Warning, this is about the Spanish flu, might not be what you're looking for.

My absolute favorite non-fiction book is "Chasing The Scream" by Johann Hari. It's about the rise of the war on drugs and what causes people to slip into addiction. Seriously one of the most enlightening books that I have ever read in my life (especially as someone from a family full of addicts). There is a Lee Daniels movie coming out next February called "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" that is based on the research in this book.

this one was really good


Recent reads I've enjoyed

The Road to Little Dribbling:Adventures of an American in Britain by Bill Bryson

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Mistress of the Monarchy:The life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster by Alison Weir

The Eleventh Man by Ivan Doig

Unbroken
I am Malala
Boys in the Boat
Circling the Sun
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Love, Life and Elephants: An African Love Story

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune.

I'm a huge fan of McCullough's books as well.  

I loved the Path Between the Seas.   I want to go to Panama and see a ship go through the locks.  

I haven't read Truman, but will put it on my list.  My favorite McCullogh biography was John Adams.  I felt like  John Adams, Abigal Adams and Thomas Jefferson were my good friends after I read that book.  I literally got teary eyed when John died at the end of the book, as if I didn't know it was coming!  

I really liked this book too. Haunting but well-written

Has anyone read Erik Larson's Dead Wake about the Lusitania?