I’m typically not a huge fan of non-fiction books. Of course, it depends on the topic, but typically I find them slightly boring, even if they’re quite interesting. It’s hard for me to get into them and power through, regardless if it’s a hardcover, audiobook, or eBook. Gah!
I’m usually a bit bummed when someone suggests a non-fiction for book club, because, again, not my first choice BUT I try to keep an open mind. And this spring, something magical happened — I read three excellent non-fictions back to back and I’m HAVE to share them with you.
3 Excellent Non-Fictions I Recommend
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. Erik Larson is kind of a genius. He has this way of breathing so much color and life into these real life characters, giving them voices and emotions. Weaving together strings of facts and information that flow so nicely. This book chronicles two men, with two very different agendas. Daniel Burnham is an architect, tasked with the impossible. Putting on the World’s Fair in Chicago at the turn of the century. And H.H. Holmes, who murdered nearly 27 women in his ‘murder house’ situated in the perfect spot for tourists and World Fair visitors alike. I learned so much about Chicago, how the city came to be, and how easy it was to make someone simply disappear back then. My god it was interesting and horrifying at the same time.
West Cork by Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde
OK, so this is technically a podcast series, and it’s not a book. BUT IT IS SO FREAKING GOOD I’m adding this to the list. And of course it’s based true crime, the unsolved murder that took place in Ireland in 1996. It’s Irelands most notorious unsolved crime… I blogged all about it here, and trust me when I saw it’s so gripping!
Radium Girls by Kate Moore
This was an intense read. In the early 20th century, the terrible effects of radium poisoning were still unknown. In fact, it was actually the opposite. Back then, they thought radium exposure was good for you. A radium dial factory opens up, employing women, who are considered the ‘lucky ones.’ Their wages are significantly higher and it’s quite a glamorous job. Until things start going terribly wrong, many of the girls start falling mysteriously ill. This became one of the biggest scandals of America’s early 20th century, it’s a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights. The courage of the girls, and their tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives. To be honest, it was hard to read at times, it was so disturbing to hear the horrendous effects of the radium, that it took me longer to read. I had to take breaks…
I’m thrilled that I was able to read three great non-fictions in such a short amount of time. I think I’m going to end up reading I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara — it’s a non-fiction about the hunt for the Golden State Killer (before he was captured), written by a journalist and from what I hear, it’s done exceptionally well.