Reading with Style discussion

In memory of Tom Wolfe and his passion for saturation reporting, read a work of creative non-fiction, focused on an external subject (i.e. not an autobiography).

Creative non-fiction (or literary non-fiction) "is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction, such as academic or technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not written to entertain based on writing style or florid prose." (from Wikipedia)

Please post any comments or questions about task 20.9 in this thread.

I know there are some awards with Creative Nonfiction as a category. The WILLA Award is one of them.

I find there are some lists that may be helpful, Keep in mind that because these are public lists, there may be entries that don't fit this task - I haven't looked at them thoroughly.

Best Narrative Nonfiction

Independent Reading: Creative Nonfiction

Best Creative Nonfiction

Is there a 'tag' that can be used to point out that a book does indeed belong to this category?

Here's a couple which should work:

Literary Journalism

New Journalism

(Wondering aloud) Why is it that some tasks just EXCITE me? I have never before heard of Creative Nonfiction, nor would I have thought it would be something I would be excited about as I am not a big nonfiction fan. However, I scanned only two lists suggested above - The Willa Awards and The Best Creaive Nonfiction list - and found so many books that looked interesting and that I might like to read. I did finally pick one!

Thanks for introducing me to this genre of writing, Kate.

Bea wrote: "(Wondering aloud) Why is it that some tasks just EXCITE me? I have never before heard of Creative Nonfiction, nor would I have thought it would be something I would be excited about as I am not a b..."

Thank you, Bea! I am glad you are looking forward to this one. I know I am.

This is fantastic, Kate. I think I have picked what I want to read.

There is also this blog about creative nonfiction. I chose a different book than the one on this list, but I was interested to read Annie Dillard is one of today’s most celebrated CNF writers. Her prose punches holes in other people’s prose.

https://clearwaterpress.com/oneyearno...

Would this work? Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum

It sounds like narrative, in that it "tells the stories of some of the hospital's best-known patients."

Rosemary wrote: "Would this work? Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum

It sounds like narrative, in that it "tells the stories of some of the hospital's best-known patients.""

Yes, this appears to fit the bill. Enjoy!

This one?

Jail Birds: Australian Women Doing Crime

"In this new collection of stories by Australia's true crime queen, Robin Bowles shines a light on women who have done hard time.

The astonishing skill and brazenness of their exploits, along with some apparent and shocking miscarriages of justice, will take your breath away. "

Tien wrote: "This one?

Jail Birds: Australian Women Doing Crime

"In this new collection of stories by Australia's true crime queen, Robin Bowles shines a light on women who have done hard time..."

Yes. Enjoy.

Thanks, Kate.

Would most books by Mary Roach work then? I have previously read and enjoyed Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and have been meaning to take up all the other wonderfully titled ones, such as Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War or Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal.

Kätlin wrote: "Would most books by Mary Roach work then? I have previously read and enjoyed Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and have been meaning to take up all the other won..."

Yes.

Thank you Kate!

Want to check on these
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine K. Albright
Freedom Sailors: The Maiden Voyage of the Free Gaza movement and how we succeeded in spite of ourselves by Greta Berlin
Dreaming of Freedom by Norma Hashim
The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide by Susan Nathan
The Quilt That Walked to Golden: Women and Quilts in the Mountain West - From the Overland Trail to Contemporary Colorado by Sandra Dallas
Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
Bleeding Kansas: Contested Liberty in the Civil War Era by Nicole Etcheson
A Chosen Exile: A History of Racial Passing in America by Allyson Hobbs
No Questions Asked: The Secret Life of Women in the Mob by Clare Longrigg
Haunted: The Incredible True Story of a Canadian Family's Experience Living in a Haunted House by Dorah L. Williams
Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond by Essie Mae Washington-Williams
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
Who Killed My Daughter?: The True Story of a Mother's Search for Her Daughter's Murderer by Lois Duncan
Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History by Florence Williams
Sorry so many. Also Checking for combo points. (Smile)

Rebekah wrote: "Want to check on these
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine K. Albright
[book:Freedom Sailors: The Maiden Voyage of the Free Gaza movement and how we succeeded in spite of..."

Yes
No-appears to be a memoir
Yes
No-see above
Yes
Yes
Yes
Maybe-this appears to be more scholarly than creative
Yes
Yes? it may be too much of a memoir, but if you're reading it anyway, I will trust your judgement
No-memoir
Yes
No-memoir
Yes

Kate S wrote: "Rebekah wrote: "Want to check on these
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine K. Albright
[book:Freedom Sailors: The Maiden Voyage of the Free Gaza movement and how we succe..."

Thanks. With those answers I think I got it!
Non- fiction that’s fun to read but not autobiography or memoir. I think

Kate S wrote: "Rebekah wrote: "Want to check on these
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine

What about [book:Haunted Too: Incredible True Stories of Ghostly Encounters by Dorah L. Williams. The other is a memoir.

Would this fit? I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Rebekah wrote: "Non- fiction that’s fun to read but not autobiography or memoir. I think."

That's a fair way to look at this task.

Rebekah wrote: "Kate S wrote: "Rebekah wrote: "Want to check on these
Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine

What about [book:Haunted Too: Incredible True Stories of Ghostly Encounters by [auth..."

I think this will work.

Ann wrote: "Would this fit? I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara"

Yes.

Here’s a list I found that might have good choices on it.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Just noticed: shouldn't this task be 20.9, not 20.09?

Bea wrote: "Just noticed: shouldn't this task be 20.9, not 20.09?"

They are the same in RwS land. We have the zero for in the scorekeeping database.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Bea wrote: "Just noticed: shouldn't this task be 20.9, not 20.09?"

They are the same in RwS land. We have the zero for in the scorekeeping database."

OH!

Do biographies count?

Rebekah wrote: "Do biographies count?"

Some biographies will work for this task. As long as they are more entertaining and not overly academic, and written by a 3rd party (no memoirs or autobiographies), they should work.

I do believe this book fits the task:

Tobruk by Peter FitzSimons?

Tien wrote: "I do believe this book fits the task:

Tobruk by Peter FitzSimons?"

I believe so as well! Enjoy.

Thanks, Kate!

I have already posted Chosen Country by James Pogue for 10.5 and can’t decide whether it qualifies for this combo. It is not academic, or journalistic but has some elements of memoir. And I am not sure if you could call it entertaining :)

I am intending to post An Ocean Of Air: A Natural History Of The Atmosphere for this task. It is science and I am learning things but it is more a chain of small historical stories about how info was discovered.

itpdx wrote: "I have already posted Chosen Country by James Pogue for 10.5 and can’t decide whether it qualifies for this combo. It is not academic, or journalistic but has some ..."

With this endorsement, I will accept this book: "In a raw and restless narrative that roams the same wild terrain as his literary forebears Edward Abbey and Hunter S. Thompson". You are good to go with this one for 20.9.

Beth wrote: "I am intending to post An Ocean Of Air: A Natural History Of The Atmosphere for this task. It is science and I am learning things but it is more a chain of small historical stories a..."

Looks good, I will take it.

Kate S wrote: "itpdx wrote: "I have already posted Chosen Country by James Pogue for 10.5 and can’t decide whether it qualifies for this combo. It is not academic, or journalistic..."

Thanks

Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story by Christina Thompson ?

Ed wrote: "Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story by Christina Thompson ?"

On first glance, this looked like a memoir. However, after reading a couple of reviews, it looks like there is less memoir and more generally informative. I will take it.

Thanks....Also...


Blood and Guts in High School by Kathy Acker

see https://pen.org/gutted-how-kathy-acke...

Ed wrote: "Thanks....Also...

Nevermind...I see it is classified as a novel.


Blood and Guts in High School by Kathy Acker

see https://pen.org/gutted-how-kathy-acke..."

I am reading Dandelion Wine for this task. I saw it on some list for creative non-fiction (which, of course, I can't find now...). Anyhow, I just saw on GR that this is YA. It does have a lexile of 880. However, I think there is a school that uses this book in the BPL system. Does that mean it is disqualified for this (and any) task?

Valerie wrote: "I am reading Dandelion Wine for this task. I saw it on some list for creative non-fiction (which, of course, I can't find now...). Anyhow, I just saw on GR that this is YA. It does hav..."

Even though YA Assignment at BPL, with a Lexile of 800 or higher the book is qualified for all RwS tasks.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I am reading Dandelion Wine for this task. I saw it on some list for creative non-fiction (which, of course, I can't find now...). Anyhow, I just saw on GR that this is..."

Ok. Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm sure you've told me 10x, but I confused myself after I saw it is considered YA.

Valerie wrote: "Ok. Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm sure you've told me 10x, but I confused myself after I saw it is considered YA. "

Not a problem. When unsure, always good to ask.

I misunderstood either the task or the definition of creative nonfiction (!) as it pertains to Dandelion Wine.

I see that I found this book on the list shared in post 8, it is #3 on the list. Of course, I recognize that lists are not definitive when it comes to RwS tasks.

https://clearwaterpress.com/oneyearno...

Kirkus reviews says this is not a novel, in the middle of the paragraph. See the review here:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Obviously, I will defer to what ever you all decide but thought I would take one last kick at the can.

What about travel writing? The kind that forms a narrative of the person's experiences in a place? I am thinking of The Silent Traveller in Oxford

The great thing about this season is that any well-known book (if not low lexile) will fit into Listopia Tag. I see Dandelion Wine has a lexile of 880 so even if it's not approved for this task, I hope you can find a place for it in your Listopia plan, Valerie!

How about Maggie Nelson's Bluets, which is basically an homage to the colour blue, definitely creative, and non-fiction?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Jane wrote: "How about Maggie Nelson's Bluets, which is basically an homage to the colour blue, definitely creative, and non-fiction?"

Jane, I'm taking the liberty of jumping in as I've been eyeing this book for a while. Unfortunately the most popular English print edition clocks in at 98 pages, too short for the challenge. :(