My Year in Nonfiction: 2019

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Today I’m joining Nonfiction November (for the very first time!) to share my nonfiction year in review. If you’re unfamiliar with Nonfiction November, it’s a month of blog posts dedicated to nonfiction. Five book bloggers join together to celebrate this often overlooked genre. For the first week, Julz of Julz Reads, is our host!

We’re sharing highlights of our nonfiction reads in 2019. I’m well aware that I’m not exactly a prolific nonfiction reader, but I assumed I’d have at least 5 or 6 books to sort through. Wrong! I can’t believe it, but I only read 3 nonfiction books so far this year! Clearly Nonfiction November has come at the right time. Since there are so few, I’ll share mini reviews of each of my nonfiction reads this year. I’ll also let you know which was my favorite!

Usually if I read nonfiction, I cover a range of topics. That’s obvious with my selections for 2019. Included in my list is a memoir, a book about Christianity, and a hilarious reflection on motherhood. The more surprising fact is that no narrative nonfiction made the list. Usually these are my favorite types of nonfiction (and I’m actually planning a full list of the best options later this month)! Read on to find out my thoughts about the three nonfiction books I read this year.

 

My 2019 Nonfiction Reads

Comfort Me With Apples by Ruth Reichl

Maybe this book was the reason I haven’t read much nonfiction this year. Sadly, it was one of my least favorite books overall in 2019 so far. I’ve read a few of Reichl’s other books and absolutely adored them, so I had high hopes for this too. Unfortunately, I found myself reading about her questionable personal choices and failing marriage rather than enticing foodie moments.

 

 

 

 

The Problem of God by Mark Clark

I first heard about this book from the pastor of my church. He preached a sermon series focused on understanding the difficult questions skeptics have about Christianity. At the end, he encouraged us to read Mark Clark’s book for more detailed discussions. Mark Clark certainly isn’t the only author to tackle this topic, but his method is approachable and easy to understand. I appreciated that it wasn’t 400 pages long and each topic was broken down into separate chapters. I highly recommend for those who have questions about Christianity’s take on science, the accuracy of the Bible, the nature of Jesus, and more.

 

 

 

#IMomSoHard by Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley

My most recent nonfiction read was actually an audiobook. Kristin and Jen share their hilarious and sometimes sentimental take on the reality of motherhood. From pregnancy to mom fashion to dealing with husbands, they don’t hold back! I related to so much of the content in this book and loved hearing how other moms deal with the joys and stresses that come with parenting. This is easily my favorite nonfiction read of 2019 so far and one of my top overall books as well.

 

 

 

 

What was your favorite nonfiction book of 2019? Did you read any that you disliked?

25 Comments

  1. I’m not much of a nonfiction reader either, but there are times I love it, if I get the right one for me – which is why I love getting nonfiction recommendations from others who read mostly novels as well 😉 Have been meaning to try out some Ruth Reichl, but good to know I should pick up one of her other books instead of this one!

    I’ve done more audiobooks than usual this year, which I find to be a great way to get in nonfiction – Michelle Obama’s Becoming was SO good, as was Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime. Currently in the middle of Dani Shapiro’s Inheritance, which is also great.

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    1. I think audiobooks may be my best format for nonfiction too! I often love hearing the author read their own work. I would highly recommend Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. Her novel, Delicious!, is also fantastic.

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  3. #imomsohard is definitely one of my favorite reads this year too! I also listened to it as an audiobook, which I think made it even more perfect!

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  4. https://stillanunfinishedperson.blog

    I don’t usually read very many nonfiction either. But this year has to be a record in quite a few years, at 11. My favorite was Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. My least favorite was one called Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, which I liked the premise. I just didn’t like his less than practical help on carrying out his ideas. I believe this is my first time participating in Nonfiction November, so we’ll be figuring this out together. 🙂

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    1. I personally loved Garlic and Sapphires, about her time spent as a NYTimes restaurant critic. Her novel, Delicious!, was also excellent!

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    1. I’m looking for other Christian nonfiction to read, but haven’t found anything that catches my eye. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

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  8. I am hit or miss with Reichl’s books too. I loved Garlic and Sapphires and have listed Save Me the Plums as a favorite this year. I disliked My Kitchen Year and found it to be too whiney and pretentious. I will take your advice and not read this one either!

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  11. I recently read my first book by Reichl, Save Me the Plums, and I really loved hearing about her time at Gourmet. Her career sounded fascinating and there were some fantastic sounding recipes. Sorry to here your latest read of hers wasn’t as good!

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    1. I imagine I’d like Save Me The Plums since it focuses on Gourmet. I loved Garlic and Sapphires which was all about her experience as a NY Times restaurant critic, so there’s hope!

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  15. I love #Imomsohard videos. Their swimsuit video is perfection! I’d definitely like to read that. I’ve also wanted to read the My Favorite Murder book. I haven’t listened to their podcast in a minute, but I think I’d like the book.

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