All About Books discussion

The Observer is following on from the Guardian's 100 Best Novels, with a weekly series of the 100 Best Nonfiction Books. (Thanks, Paul, for pointing this out).

For the first 14 weeks there are individual threads, in a separate folder titled '100 Best Nonfiction Books'. From Week 15, May 9th 2016, all the details and discussions will be in this thread,

Here's the link to the initial article about this

http://gu.com/p/4gxhy?CMP=Share_iOSAp...

And here's another article, also with some suggestions from readers as to what should be included:

http://gu.com/p/4g6q9?CMP=Share_iOSAp...

Great. I am looking forward to it!

I like the fact that this one is going to start with the present and work backwards. Nice contrast to the novels list.

Thanks, Gill and Paul.

I've started working my way through this list and I've read a few of the books in the top 10 now. I'll comment on the individual threads with my thoughts once I've reviewed them.

I'm not very impressed with the selection of books that Robert McCrum is choosing here. It doesn't feel to me like he's coming close to selecting the 100 best nonfiction books. I thought his selection of 100 fiction books was much better and much more interesting.

My gut feeling is to stop bothering with this series, adding the details in All About Books. I'll carry on doing it if people feel it's worth it, otherwise I'm happy to stop.

Oh I'd like you to continue, but if you're not very interested I can start following The Guardian article each week instead of following your link. I'm not sure he's choosing the best books either, but I've read a few from the list now, that I wouldn't ever have considered otherwise and overall I've been impressed with what I've tried.

Also, I think the list would have worked better if it was counting upwards rather than backwards, like with the fiction list.

Pink, I'll see if there's any other feedback over the next few days. I think if it's only you and me that are interested, we might just as well read the articles in the paper. Let's see!

I agree Gill and thanks for bringing my attention to the books so far :)

It might work ok, Pink, if you and I and anyone else who was interested in looking at the Guardian article each week, made any comments about any of the books chosen in this thread, rather than having a separate thread for each book.

I like that idea

This week's book, Week 15, is The Double Helix by James D. Watson (1968).

Here's a link to the article from the Observer:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016...

Hmm so this is a tricky one for me. I think I remember Charbel debating whether to read this or not several months ago. Obviously it seems an important groundbreaking topic to read about, but James Watson isn't the most endearing man and I'd rather avoid reading his account of things. I think I'd prefer to try one of Francis Crick's book instead. Has anyone read The double Helix?

I enjoy books about genetics and would read this one. However, it could be somewhat dated because of all the advances that have been made. But knowing the history is interesting, too. Genetics are a fascinating subject (I think so, anyway).

As for continuing the list, I enjoy seeing the weekly announcements. I don't comment often because I haven't heard of most of the books. I do find it interesting to hear the comments of everyone here. That brings the subject matter and/or the book more to my attention and, perhaps, onto the ever growing TBR list.
However, if it's a lot of work and not enough interest, it could be stopped.
If it continues, I will try to be more vocal about the weekly choices.

I've had a quick look for this week's book. It's Against Interpretation and Other Essays by Susan Sontag. I've heard of her and meant to try some of her work, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Has anyone else read this, or anything else she wrote?

Yes, Pink, I've read quite a bit by her. One of the best for me was Illness as Metaphor. I'll try to remember what else I read.

Pink wrote: "I've had a quick look for this week's book. It's Against Interpretation and Other Essays by Susan Sontag. I've heard of her and meant to try some of her work, but haven't..."

Here's a link to the article:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016...

Pink, I always keep thinking I should read Sontag too, but haven't, I don't know how many times I have moved The Volcano Lover: A Romance around in my shelves - wishlist, maybe,to read- back and forth over and over. jeez, I have to get some books. should I just take a chance and try it? I do not like tall the highfalutin things written about it in the reviews.....

I just picked up The Volcano Lover: A Romance on a whim. I have to stop wondering and try it!

I think one of the problems is I don't know where to start, so it's helpful to see what other people have read and enjoyed of her work. I won't be checking any of her books out for a while as I have quite a backlog at the moment, but I really must try something one day!

My French tutor tried to get me to read The Volcano Lover: A Romance fifteen years ago. About time I read it.

I haven't heard of Susan Sontag before but her books sound interesting. My library doesn't have Against Interpretation and Other Essays but does have others by her. I will read one (or more) one day. Like Pink, I have a bit of a backlog at the moment.

There's also what sounds like an interesting book by her son, Swimming in a Sea of Death: A Son's Memoir. It could be a sad read.

Pink and Petra, I started The Volcano Lover: A Romance but very quickly decided it was not for me. Not a chance. Farcical in tone and disgusting. I don't want to read about people stuffing themselves and defecating, Confusing. Jumps all over in time and written to shock. Absurd. No thank you.

Ha, that doesn't sound like much fun to read! I'm not surprised you've put it down again.

You know, Pink I don't quit on books easily, but there wasn't a chance this would improve for me.

That doesn't sound pleasant. It isn't one of her books that my library has and I try to use the library for new-to-me authors, if I can. Her essays have interesting topics. I may try one of those one day.

Thanks for the update, Chrissie.

Petra, maybe her non-fiction essays are a whole different cup of tea. She is a strong feminist, right? That didn't show in The Volcano Lover: A Romance.

Hmm, well GR rates The Volcano Lover at a lowly 3.52, which is about as bad as ratings get on here, so it's obviously not one of her most loved. My library actually has quite a lot of her books, so I might try Against Interpretation later, as that looks like one of her best. There are a few essay collections that look okay, but I'll have to see what I make of her writing. Still one for later, as nothing is making me want to read right now.

Sontag is always referred to as "the author of The Volcano Lover", that being another reason why I chose it first. Anyhow, I can maybe try her non-fiction essays later. No more of her fiction for me.

Chrissie wrote: "Sontag is always referred to as "the author of The Volcano Lover", that being another reason why I chose it first. Anyhow, I can maybe try her non-fiction essays later. No more of her fiction for me."

Christie, I remember being disappointed in this novel. I thought it was much much weaker than her nonfiction writing.

Gill, that is really good to know. I should I guess try her non-fiction.

The nonfiction book for week 17 is Ariel by Sylvia Plath. Here's a link to the Observer article:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016...

Gill wrote: "The nonfiction book for week 17 is Ariel by Sylvia Plath. Here's a link to the Observer article:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016......"

Finally another book I've actually read...and loved!

I haven't read any Sylvia Plath. Perhaps this is the place to start?

I think this or The Bell Jar are good places to start. If you don't like either of them, you probably won't enjoy her other work.

Now we're talking! Week 18 is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. That was a seminal book for me.

Here's a link to the article:

http://gu.com/p/4jby2?CMP=Share_iOSAp...

Haha Gill, I was just browsing the Guardian article to see which book was picked this week and re-read through the articles for the previous weeks.

I haven't read this one, but I feel like I should! I'm glad you liked it.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

This is the book for Week 19. The Making of the English Working Class by E.P. Thompson. Another stunner in my opinion. I've read it twice over the years. It certainly would be on the shortlist for my desert island book.

Ooh, I've never heard of this one, but it does look very interesting and comprehensive! I'm putting it on my tbr list, especially as it gets an endorsement from you Gill.

I've now got a few of the previous week's choices checked out from the library, but I have lot's of catching up to do with my non-fiction reading. I'll probably start either Dispatches or Awakenings next.

Thompson does have a fairly specific world view, but I remember it as a fascinating book, Pink. I learnt a lot from it, although I remember very little of what I learnt!

That does sound like an interesting read. I enjoy books that show social formation and or change.

Pink, I'm far behind my nonfiction reading, too. I'm not sure if I can ever catch up before retiring.

The book for Week 20 is Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Here's a link to the article:


https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

I've never read this, and I don't know why. It was such an influential book.

Okay, I haven't even heard of this one!

Pink wrote: "Okay, I haven't even heard of this one!"

I think it was one of the first books about how humans were capable of destroying the planet and climate.

Gill wrote: "I've never read this, and I don't know why. It was such an influential book."

I ditto your thoughts . I must read it and soon.

The book for Week 21 is The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn. Here's a link to the article:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Oh dear, this list isn't sounding very inspiring again, although I could be wrong. I've read the synopsis for this book and I'm still not entirely sure what it's about.