So, who else reads mostly non-fiction books here?

[nytemare]

I read about 5 books at a time, depending on my mood. I don't get too much fiction. I love books about psychology, science, and politics.

Et tu, DU?

[Zuni]

1. Thats me too. I read several at a time---skipping between them

although mine are either about History (usually 20th Century) or True Crime

[nytemare]

3. Yes, I read a lot on WWII

forgot to mention. I just bought one called "Seduced by Hitler", which goes into the roles average Germans played in WW2, and goes into those who resisted. I just started it, but it seems very interesting so far. I draw so many parallels with America following Bush now. Not that Bush is Hitler, but the wheels of propaganda have been warm for a while now.

[Nite Owl]

4. I do too.

I try to read a novel every once in a while and I like it when I do but it isn't the type of bood I usually grab.

[two gun sid]

2. Never touch fiction....

read mostly history and politics. Rereading 'Secretariat: Making of a Champion' by William Nack right now. Just finished Howard Zinn's latest book.

[nytemare]

6. I recently bought "Moral Politics" by Lakoff

As I said, I read so many at once....but this seems like a good one as well.

[BOSSHOG]

5. I read alot of military history

I've got three books now about the D-Day Invasion I'm "fixin" to jump into. "A Glimpse of Hell" about the USS Iowa explosion and I have two books about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. And stories about New Orleans. Also weather history books, Hurricane Camille and Rising Tide about the great Mississippi flood of 1927. Non fiction is often better than the made up stuff. But, I am anxiously awaiting James Lee Burkes new book coming out this summer. Its another Dave "Robi-show" adventure. Outstanding cop series set in and around New Orleans, an alcoholic x-cop and his big bully sidekick. Burke's stuff is worth looking into if you haven't read any of his stuff.

[nytemare]

7. N'orleans eh?

I have read some Anne Rice. I like her style of writing. Anne Rice and Amy Tan are two fiction writers I have enjoyed.

[BOSSHOG]

14. There are at least a dozen nice used book stores

scattered throughout the French Quarter including one in William Faulkners old house on Pirate's Alley. I found the Battle of New Orleans quite fascinating since it was fought after a truce was agreed to. And the British sent General Packenham, who was killed in the battle, back to England in a Rum Keg to preserve his body. Ann Rice's son has published two books but I haven't read any of his stuff. There are lots of literary festivals in New Orleans, the "Stella" one occurred a couple of weeks ago where contestants vie to see who can shout "Stella" the best. A truly wonderful town, and only 50 miles away.

[nytemare]

21. I need to go to New Orleans

I have been to Europe and Asia, but not New Orleans yet. But I am not interested in Mardi Gras, I would have to go when I can explore.

[BOSSHOG]

25. If you are looking for low tourist seasons

may I suggest middle of summer or between Thanksgiving and Christmas. January through May are pretty busy months as well as September through Mid November. Check out www.nola.com for stuff that's going on.

[Az]

8. I wouldn't say mostly

I read a fair mix of nonfiction and fiction. I read nonfiction books on philosophy, physics, psychology, politics, religious history, skepticism and other topics.

Between these books I read fiction such as Terry Pratchett or Larry Niven. I favor SciFi an fantasy. I particularly enjoy comedic works such as Pratchett or Douglas Adams who mix fantasy/SciFi and social commentary.

[nytemare]

10. I enjoy Carl Sagan's books

He is a hopeful skeptic. He never ceased to find wonder in reality.

[Az]

13. My fave book regarding that: Unweaving the Rainbow

Richard Dawkins writes about how science by exploring the universe does not dismantle the wonders. Rather it paves the way to new wonders and preserves the world of wonders around us.

[nytemare]

19. Sounds much like "Broca's Brain"

I will have to make a list of some of these recommendations!

[democracyindanger]

9. I try to keep one fiction, one non- going at the same time.

[nytemare]

12. Sounds like a good practice!

I need to narrow myself down. I am overly opportunistic in my book buying, and some books that may be wonderful sometimes go unread.

[AlCzervik]

11. almost all non-fiction for me, last one was "Devil in the white city"

by Eric Larson, it was excellent and another page turner is "Close to shore " by Michael Capuzzo, it's about shark attacks on the east coast in the summer of 1916.

[nytemare]

16. The shark book sounds great!

I like stories about people who live through amazing things.

[AlCzervik]

20. Once you start reading that you will not be able to put it down

i brought that on a trip with me and i wished the flight was longer so i could finish it, when i got my rental car i was reading it at l red lights.

[nytemare]

26. That sounds creepy!

I should write these down!!

[phusion]

15. Yep, me too!

Just finished Original Wisdom and was blown away...

I love anthropology/ethnography books and also enjoy the occasional political book.

[nytemare]

17. Dammit, I have to finish the books I have!

:)

[SarahB]

18. Me!

Similar stuff too. I'm not much of a fictional novel person. :shrug:

[nytemare]

24. I can read some weird fiction

I don't think it is weird, but others probably would. I can read some vampire novels, and Amy Tan, I enjoy novels by foreign writers, something of the writing style intrigues me. "All Quiet on the Western Front" is an example, but that wasn't "all" fiction.

[SarahB]

31. I suspect most people would think the fiction I DO read...

is also weird. Oh well, some of us are content to march to the beats of our own unique drums. :)

[nytemare]

33. Yes, and I am picky in my weirdness!

Nothing wrong with that, though!

:)

[Toby109]

22. I try to work in some page turners

amongst my non-fiction. Right now I'm reading "Summer For the Gods" by Edward Larson. Great study of the Scopes-Monkey Trial and pertinent to our current climate. "The Reckoning" by David Halberstam is due for a re-read.

For fiction I'm reading "The Broker" by John Grisham, who manages to sneak in some liberal ideals.

[nytemare]

27. Gotta sneak in some liberal ideas!

Grisham books make for some good movies.

[Bok_Tukalo]

23. I do.

Barely

[minkyboodle]

28. that's me

I'm trying to read some fiction now to make sure I haven't lost the ability to do it. Currently starting out Ken MacLeod's The Star Fraction. Will probably read the series and then go back on another two year non fiction kick :)

[Imalittleteapot]

29. "Parting of the Waters. America in the King Years 1954 -63." is my

vacation book. I only read it on the plane to and on the beach. It's over 1,000 pages! I will finish it in July. It's taken years.

I have 5 other non-fiction books going, jumping from one to the other depending on my mood.

I'm glad to know that there are others with this sickness.

[nytemare]

32. I have about 20 books that I have abandoned

and some I'm sure I just forgot about! Poor lonely books!

[shesemsmom]

30. Me too but I can only read one at a time

the only fiction I read is Patricia Cornwell And alot of that is based on factual happenings

[nytemare]

35. One at a time is a good thing!

It insures stuff gets read! My reading is fleeting...LOL

[shesemsmom]

36. I read every night

that is how I escape from reality

[JohnKleeb]

34. Yes

[deutsey]

37. I go in phases. When I'm maxed out on fiction, I turn to non-fiction

and vice versa.

The best non-fiction book I've read in a while was "They Marched Into Sunlight." Excellent book about a massacre of US troops in Vietnam and a college demonstration that marked a major turning point in the US anti-war movement circa 1967.

[jandrok]

38. I definitely prefer non-fiction these days

Good non-fiction is every bit as compelling, if not more so, than anything a fiction writer can come up with.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

39. I read biography and history mostly

I occasionally pick up a novel. The last nonfiction book I read was "Middlesex", and I enjoyed it.

[solinvictus]

40. Politics, science, and history..

Most fiction is shite.