As an avid non-fiction reader myself, I know that it can take some time to read, reflect and review non-fiction titles properly. However, this means that I often turn up to write my monthly non-fiction round-up to find only one or two reviews on offer.
Therefore I propose a little mini-non-fiction challenge for our regular AWW readers this month. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find a bite-sized, read-in-one-sitting, non-fiction title to read and review in October. You could try one of the little ‘On Series‘ books from Melbourne University Press for instance.
Or you could tackle one of the amazing non-fiction titles that can be found in the children’s and young readers section of your local library or bookshop. Award winning titles like Maralinga’s Long Shadow by Christabel Mattingley or one of the lovely Walker series Nature Storybooks. Newer releases such as Nganga by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson might be easier to find or you could jump onto the springtime-new-me roundabout with a review of a diet/health/cook book!
For the love of non-fiction, I am prepared to be overwhelmed by choices for my October round-up post!
Your reward, as always, is the joy of reading non-fiction and bringing it to our attention 🙂
During September Tracey @Carpe Librum reminded us why so many people love Helen Garner’s non-fiction, with her review of Everywhere I Look. This was Tracey’s very first Garner and she would like us to recommend which one she should try next. Personally, I recommend trying This House of Grief. It’s not an easy or comforting read, but I liked how Garner tackled a difficult, emotional and controversial issue with such sensitivity. I’m sure our readers will have other suggestions below.
About Bronwyn: I have been a book blogger at Brona’s Books since 2009 and a bookseller (specialising in children’s literature) in Sydney since 2008. Prior to this I was as an Early Childhood teacher for 18 years in country NSW.
I joined the AWW team in 2015 as the History, Memoir, Biography editor. In 2017 I moved to the General Non-fiction page.
I taught myself to read when I was four by memorising my Dr Seuss books. I haven’t stopped reading since.
You can find me on Twitter @bronasbooks and Litsy @Brona.
Great idea, Bronwyn!
What a great idea! I love mini-challenges, so I might just take you up on this.
Also 4 books in the Short Blacks series https://www.goodreads.com/series/201655-short-blacks
Thanks Tien, I knew there would be more options out there, I just didn’t have time to search them all out late last night 🙂
The Short Blacks would be a great choice with such fabulous authors as Helen Garner, Karen Hitchcock, Anna Krien and Robyn Davidson.
Ah, here’s the mini-challenge. I’ll do my best. Am off to the NLA for lunch so will pick one up there. I gave my brother On disruption for his birthday (and Nadia Wheatley’s book – I gave him more than one min-book, haha) and he enjoyed it.
I think Joe Cinque’s consolation is an excellent Garner too. Plus any of her other essay collections.
Thanks for the Helen Garner recommendations Whispering Gums 🙂
Always ready to recommend a Garner Tracey!
Great wrap-up Bronwyn, and thanks so much for mentioning my review of Everywhere I Look and recommending a better place to start reading Helen Garner. I just finished another non-fiction book that may interest readers: Paramedic by Sandy Macken. I hope to be reviewing (and linking my review to AWW) soon. Thanks for the challenge to read more non fiction.