7 Fascinating Nonfiction Reads: Learn Something New

The kids are back in school, learning new things every day. It’s the perfect time for Mom and Dad to expand their minds too. These fascinating nonfiction reads will teach you something new and have you turning pages as fast as you can.

This list was published on ksl.com and was a Studio 5 segment (to see the video click HERE).

History

“The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson

This fascinating trip into history reads like the best thriller novel. Author Erik Larson details the events leading to and surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. Following the progress of two men, one the architect of the great event and the other America’s first serial killer. You’ll be amazed by how many of the everyday things we enjoy now are tired to the Fair.

Erik Larson has several other amazing historical reads.

Content note: A few detailed descriptions of murders.

“1776” by David McCullough

How much do you really know about how our country began? This exhilarating book brings the fateful year of America’s birth to life, looking at our side and the British side. David McCullough digs deep into history and life to shine a light on stories you’ve never heard before of people who shaped a nation.

David McCullough, one of the foremost author historians, has written many books on many different subjects.

Science

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks — it’s a name we should all know and yet didn’t until this book came out. In the 1950’s, Henrietta, a black woman from the South, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. One of her doctors took a sample of that tumor for lab research. And that one sample changed the world. It led the way for a polio vaccine, better treatment of cancer, and much more. But Henrietta’s family had no idea their mother’s cells were still living on in labs all over the world. An incredibly fascinating story of family and science.

Content note: Brief mention of some sexual abuse and a few uses of foul language, including a couple F-words.

“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History” by Elizabeth Kolbert

In the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when a whole species or several were erased from the planet. We are currently in the sixth. “The New York Times” award winning writer, Elizabeth Kolbert, dives deeply into how humanity is affecting the planet and what is happening right now. A compelling, and eye-opening read.

If you enjoy this book, Elizabeth Korbert has a few other great science reads.

Life

“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain

Introvert and Extrovert—do you remember these terms from high school psychology? Do you know which one you are and what it means? In this extraordinary book, author Susan Cain delves deep into what it means to be an introvert. Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience, Cain brings to light the power of the introvert.

“Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity” by David Whyte

Is there truly meaning in going to work each day, in the menial tasks often set before us? If you’re looking to better understand what it means to work or to discover what your work should be, author and poet David Whyte weaves a beautiful exploration in this book. Whyte asserts that “work can actually be our greatest opportunity for discovery and growth.” A beautifully written book, sure to change how you look at your work.

“Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment, and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words” by David Whyte

This incredible book is an in-depth look at 52 words and what they really mean in our lives. Words like, alone and loneliness, friendship and beauty, work and withdrawal.  It’s the kind of book that opens your eyes to what is going on in your life, your heart, and your head. It makes you think. And it’s so beautifully written you’ll want to come back to it again and again.

For more about my books, the complete MOONLIGHT TRILOGY: BLOOD MOON, BLACK MOON, and STORM MOON, click the links on each book title.

WHAT NONFICTION READ HAS TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING NEW? Please share in the comments.

Last Minute Summer Reads for the Kids

If you’re looking for a few more books to fill the last weeks of summer, check out these two great reads from National Geographic Kids. My kids immediately picked them up and wanted to read. Great choices!

“HOOPS to HIPPOS: True Stories of a Basketball Star on Safari!” by NBA Player Boris Diaw with Kitson Jazykna

A short chapter book, great for kids 8 and older, especially boys.

“NBA star Boris Diaw of the San Antonio spurs takes young readers on safari as he explores his off-court passion: wildlife photography! Join Diaw as he escapes from stampeding wildebeests, comes face-to-face with lions, and discovers why you should never come between a hippo and its watery home. Through engaging stories and photos by Diaw, readers will discover a whole new side to this basketball champ.

National Geographic Kids Chapter books pick up where the best-selling National Geographic Readers series leaves off, offering young animal lovers who are ready for short chapters lively, exciting, full-color true stories — just right to carry in backpacks, share with friends, and read under the covers at night.”

“ANIMAL RECORDS: The Biggest, Fastest, Grossest, Tiniest, Slowest, and Smelliest Creatures on the Planet” by Kathy Furgang and Sarah Wassner

Fun facts galore in this fantastic book of comparison and information. Good for animal loving kids 5 and older.

“Lively and information-packed, this book is bursting with mind-blowing animal records. The fastest, the biggest, the most poisonous–it’s all here for kids to discover. It’s a visual feast of colorful photographs surrounded by swirling, expanding, and climbing bits of information in a high-energy design — as dynamic as the animal world it celebrates.”

9 Books About Women Who Changed the World

May is the perfect time to celebrate the wonderful women in our lives. Not only the moms, wives, and grandmas we adore, but also the influential women who have shaped the world. Pick up a book or two from this list to learn more about the bravery, endurance, intelligence, and ground-breaking actions of famous women.

Here is the full list as shared on Studio 5 and KSL.com. To see the Studio 5 segment, CLICK HERE.

For younger readers or a quick read

1. “Rosie Revere, Engineer” by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

Rosie Revere dreams of being an engineer. Tucked in the corners of her room and under her bed are clever inventions made from every day things. But when she starts to doubt her talent, her great-great-aunt Rosie helps her face her fears. A whimsically illustrated and entertaining ode to the women who worked the factories producing aircrafts, tanks, and trucks during World War II.

Content Note: CLEAN

2. “A Woman in the House (and Senate): How Women Came to the United States Congress, Broke Down Barriers, and Changed the Country” by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley

Taking the reader on a journey from before women’s suffrage to a record number of female representatives, this book chronicles the fascinating story of women taking on important rules in our government. The well-written account includes many photos and illustrations and is an inspiring read for young and old.

Content Note: CLEAN

3. “Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific” by Mary Cronk Farrell

Discover this amazing, little-known story of American nurses serving in the Philippines in the 1940s. Their lives were easy and blissful until World War II engulfed the Pacific. These women quickly learned how to treat battle wounds while bombs were going off all around and endured three years in a prison camp. Despite their hardships, this group of nurses built a strong sisterhood, honored their vocation, and all survived to come home.

Content note: Some details and a few mild pictures of prisoners of war suffering and starving. Also, descriptions of treating war wounds in battle conditions.

 4. “Just Being Audrey” by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos

We all know Audrey Hepburn as a glamorous, glittering Hollywood star, but off screen she also shined brightly. Growing up in Nazi-occupied Europe, she learned the vital importance of helping those in need. Using her belief in kindness, she became one of the first actresses to use her influence to spread the desire to help impoverished children around the world by working with UNICEF. An inspirational story and a lovely picture book.

 For older readers and more in-depth reading

5. “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust” by Immaculee Ilibagiza

In 1994, Immaculee Ilibagiza was twenty-four years old, visiting her family at their home in Rwanda for Easter. For most of the country’s history there was unrest between two tribes, the Hutu and the Tutsis. When the Hutu president was killed a three-month slaughter began. Several of Ilibagiza’s family members were brutally murdered, and she survived by hiding in a tiny bathroom with seven other women for 91 terrifying days. In this amazing memoir, she brings to light the evil that caused the conflict, but mostly she uplifts and inspires with her faith and hope.

Content Note: Graphic details of the massacre violence, including brutal murders with machetes, mass killings, rape, torture, injuries, tough conditions in hiding, etc.

6. “My Life in France” by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme

In 1948, Julia Child and her husband Paul moved to Paris. She spoke no French and knew nothing about the country, but was soon enchanted by the culture, and especially, the food. She began taking classes at the Cordon Bleu, changing her life and the world of food forever. Child, the first big food star, still influences the world with her cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” and her television show, “The French Chef.” A fantastic memoir.

Content note: A few brief sexual references.

7. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

Henrietta Lacks — it’s a name we should all know and yet we didn’t until this book came out. In the 1950’s, Henrietta was diagnosed with cervical cancer. One of her doctors took a sample of that tumor for lab research. And that one sample changed the world. It led the way for a polio vaccine, better treatment of cancer, and much more. But Henrietta’s family had no idea their mother’s cells were still living on in labs all over the world. An incredibly fascinating story of family and science.

Content note: Brief mention of some sexual abuse and a few uses of foul language, including a couple F-words.

8. “Bossypants” by Tina Fey

In this mega-bestseller, actress, comedian, writer, and producer Tina Fey talks candidly, and of course, funnily, about her life. Starting as a young girl with a dream to be a comedian through her time at “Saturday Night Live” to the perils and joys of being a boss, Tina gives lots of great advice for women working in a man’s world. Always hilarious, this makes a quick and entertaining read.

Content note: Frequent use of foul language, including a lot of F-words, and some crude humor.

9. “West With the Night” by Beryl Markham

Ernest Hemingway called Beryl Markham’s book, “a bloody wonderful book,” praising her skills as a writer. In this memoir, Markham details her life defying all expectations of what a woman should do and what a person is capable of doing. As a young girl in the 1920s, she moved to Kenya and grew up with a zebra for a pet, lions as neighbors, and horses for friends. She then spent the rest of her life on adventures, flying planes, training racehorses, and living life to the fullest. She became the first person to fly nonstop from Europe to America. A beautifully written and stirring memoir.

Content note: I haven’t read this one yet, but the time period it was written in suggests it will be none to moderate on content.

WHAT AMAZING WOMEN HAVE YOU READ ABOUT?

Father’s Day Giveaway! JAMES MADISON: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney

If the dad in your life is a reader and loves nonfiction – especially American history – you must enter this giveaway to win a great book for him! WIN a copy of former second lady Lynne Cheney’s new book, JAMES MADISON: A Life Reconsidered.

After a lifetime of research, Cheney offers one of the most complete biographies on the fourth president of the United States. James Madison was “father of the Constitution, principle author of the Bill of Rights, founder of the first opposition party, secretary of state, and fourth president. Madison was both a far-seeing theorist and a masterful politician, who despite all he accomplished has been overshadowed by other Founders.”

Publisher’s Weekly’s starred review claims the book is, “authoritative, conversational, certainly confident in its analysis.” 

For more on the book, read the NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

 

Recommended: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Goodreads Summary:

Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book’s categorization to be sure that ‘The Devil in the White City’ is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair’s construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. 

Burnham’s challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous “White City” around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair’s incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. 

The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World’s Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims.

My Thoughts:

This book was our most recent book club read and makes for most excellent discussion. For nonfiction and fiction fans alike, this is a fascinating page turner. I was blown away by all the history and firsts tied into the Chicago Fair. The details author Erik Larson uncovered are thrilling and impressive. I’m so amazed at how he weaves historic facts into a story that reads like the best kind of thriller novel.

Although the weaving of the two stories – the Fair and H.H. Holmes, serial killer – are not as intertwined as the book jacket leads us to believe, both are incredible stories.

A highly recommended read!

Content note: Some detailed and graphic descriptions of murders