I
know there are still two weeks left in December and I'm not done
reading for the year, but I want to get my best-of lists up before
everyone scatters for the holidays.This year I have only two lists: fiction and nonfiction. I'm not making a separate audiobook list or food writing list.
Here are my top five in nonfiction, in alphabetical order. Links lead to my reviews or features. If there isn't a link, I haven't yet reviewed the book. (Note: books read in 2014, not necessarily published in 2014.)
1. Dane Huckelbridge, Bourbon (William Morrow, 2014): "the history of America as seen through the rise and fall and rise again of an all-American drink."
2. Ben Bradlee Jr., The Kid (Little Brown, 2013): "Bradlee . . . found that magic place where scholarship meets personal passion."
3. Hampton Sides, In the Kingdom of Ice (Doubleday, 2014): "Sides carefully sets the stage and builds the tension, creating an adventure story as exciting and emotional as any novel."
4. Eula Biss, On Immunity (Graywolf Press, 2014): An engaging mix of personal stories and careful research covering a broad range of perspectives on the effects of inoculation
5. Judy Melinek and T. J. Mitchess, Working Stiff (Scribner, 2014): The sometimes horrifying, always fascinating real-life business of being a New York City medical examiner
I love Best of lists. Thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeletereaderbuzz.blogspot.com
On Immunity is definitely one of my favorites, too, and I have a copy of Kingdom of Ice I really hope to get to soon - I'v heard nothing but great things!
ReplyDeleteI love the lists too , and you have some very interesting choices.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely get to On Immunity in 2015 and Kingdom of Ice looks good, too.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I haven't read any of those books. I do have The Kid on audio though.
ReplyDeleteI loved In the Kingdom of Ice. I've been wanting to read on Immunity, and Bourbon sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI realized making my list of favorites this year that this was definitely a great list for nonfiction! I had so many great ones it was hard to choose. I'm adding Bourbon to my TBR. It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI am loving your lists this week. I have written down so many titles to look into!
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeballing On Immunity for a while, it's definitely popping up on a lot of "best" lists. Working Stiff sounds like it would be right up my alley, too. Two more books for my astonishing wist list - thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting on Working Stiff from the library - it looks good!
ReplyDeleteI love best of lists! Your books looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteKingdom of Ice was SO GOOD! A billion times better than I ever expected, and as you know it was on my list this year too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting list. I've read and enjoyed "In the Kingdom of Ice", and want to read "On Immunity" but will watch out for your other recommendations too. All the best, Bonny
ReplyDeleteOooh, I bet Working Stiff is fascinating! And horrifying. My favorite nonfiction of the year was Quiet (though not published this year...)
ReplyDeleteI just returned On Immunity unread to the library. My mistake. I'll be sure to give it a try next year. Biss is a compelling writer.
ReplyDeletei am always intrigued by your choices in non fiction which is not my cuppa .. too much reality in life for me so fiction is my escape .. however some of these would make excellent gifts .. thanks!
ReplyDelete