book time

[lirazel]

Apparently for the first time in my life I'm interested in reading non-fiction. I've always been more a novel-type person and haven't really been drawn to reading a lot of full-length books in the non-fiction genre. But I guess because I'm not in school anymore, I've been wanting to lately.

So I was wondering if any of you have any recs for me, non-fiction books that you really love and/or think I'd enjoy.

I'm not really into memoirs as a genre and no self-help type-things, but I love anything involving history or culture, especially works that explore specific or obsucre moments in history or cultural movements. As a general rule, I also prefer works that don't have a lot to do with contemporary American life. I mean, I live that life; I like to learn about lives that are really different than mine. I'm less interested in biographies of specific people than I am in works about larger groups, events, etc., but if you have an especially awesome one in mind, feel free to let me know.

Anyone?

Comments

[uwsannajane.livejournal.com]

Anne Fadiman's The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down is one of the best books I've ever read, fiction or nonfiction. It's a story of the Hmong diaspora in America, about a sick child and the clash between traditional and contemporary cultures. Just amazing. Also wrenching.

(This is one I love so much that I keep extra copies around to lend out.)

[gingerwall.livejournal.com]

I read this for an anthropology class and loved it!

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Definitely adding this to my list. Thank you!