Non-fiction Bookclub

[GSG]

Might be nice to read some non-fiction books and chat about them - anyone else up for that? If you are, make a book suggestion and we'll give it a shot.

[Mr. Viking]

yeah, worth a try, though the only non-fiction I read tends to be fairly specific, textbooks, music books and brewing histories or guides

[GSG]

Let's keep it as accessible as possible to all then and if we read about something that someone else already knows loads of stuff on, maybe we could use their expertise to sort out any confusion/answer questions?

Mr. Viking, are there any particular music books you can recommend?

If not individual books, what sort of topics would you all like to read about - science, philosophy, psychology, politics, biographies, sociology, history, the mating habits of naked molerats? However peculiar and unnerving your desire for a particular type of knowledge may be, I'm sure we can accommodate it.

[Mr. Viking]

not really, they're mostly self help "learn to play piano, or songbooks, so nothing that can really be discussed or compared.
I have to admit I am more into the mating habits of clothed molerats.
I thing biographies and history would be the easiest, or maybe politics, but it's just a muddle of the other too. Science would be pretty good, a lot of good popular science books about. I meant to have a look in waterstone's earlier but I forgot

[GSG]

I just bought 'The Selfish Gene', anyone else want to read that?

[peetie44]

Maybe it would be a good idea for folks to describe their preferences in non-fiction reading? That way, the various posters might find some common ground and interests.

Myself, most of the non-fiction I read are biographies of people (usually entertainers or athletes) whose work I have admired. I also like true crime books (if they're well written and not overly sensationalized), various historical subjects, such as military events, the migrations of people and the development of civilization. Occasionally, some science-related reading gets included, but I'm not much on technical subjects unless they crop up as a life necessity.

[GSG]

That's a good idea peetie. I like to read biographies of all sorts of people (e.g. entertainers, artists, writers, historical figures), layman's science stuff, adventure/survival/travel stories, referencey trivia books, interesting philosophy and history. I'm sure I like other stuff too, but I can't think what they are.

[Fabricsoftner]

I'm down for this. Maybe we can decide on different genres, and a corresponding book for each one. For example, a biography, a philosophy book, history book, etc.

[GSG]

Great, well biographies seems to have been mentioned a few times now so shall we start with that? Any preferences? Is there a good one of Hemingway? He always sounded like he had a fascinating life.

[mistah willies]

How about embellished biographies?

Truth is stranger than fiction, but the Drunkard Tale grows each time it is told, can I get an amen?

[Patchez]

I'm currently reading the biography of Leonard Crow Dog.



I think there is a large gap in the world between being a "good" person and being a "spiritual" person. I don't see the need in giving it a name so I've been trying to read about "spiritual" people lately. Don't know it that makes sense or not. Getting to a higher level here with my "spirit" guide, whiskey.

[Wingman]

i remember liking the selfish gene, but it's been about 20 years.

can that be right?

[Palinka (RIP)]

What about infranovels, such as Laurent Binet's "HHhH"?

[mistah willies]

It's heartening to know that folks still enjoy the written word. Yup.

[Fabricsoftner]

Let's get this shit started. Considering the fact that we're all drunks, perhaps a historical text dealing with the subject of alcohol/booze would bee a good starting point.

I've read it a few times, but "The Joy of Drinking" by Barbara Holland is a fantastic and short read.