Reading the 20th Century discussion

I read a lot of non-fiction. The Baillie Gifford prize has now announced their shortlist and I do feel that non-fiction should be celebrated far more than it is. So, what non-fiction books are your favourites or what are you reading now?

I am currently reading The Haunting of Borley Rectory: The Story of a Ghost Story
Have loved other books by Sean O'Connor, which have been true crime. Looking forward to see this views on the house that Harry Price labelled 'the most haunted in Britain.'

I used to only read work-related non-fiction but Susan and buddy reads here have made me a convert!

I'm poised to start the audio of Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History.

I'm planning to read The Ship Asunder: A Maritime History of Britain in Eleven Vessels by Tom Nancollas, author of the wonderful Seashaken Houses: A Lighthouse History from Eddystone to Fastnet - anyone who can make lighthouses fascinating to me is a star!

Sound like great choices, RC. I am fascinated by the tale of Borley - nuns leaning over the gate, headless horsemen driving phantom carriages, dragging footsteps overhead, endlessly ringing bells and skulls in the library!

I've read fiction set in or using a thinly disguised Borley Rectory but not a book about the real thing - sounds perfect for Spooktober!

It is mentioned in our buddy read The Apparition Phase

Planning to make a start on Apparition Phase this weekend, at last!

I've been working today and then went off to have my jabs. I know, it's hard to find the time to read.

My favourite non-fiction book of the last few years was Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

My review is here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just filled with somewhat surprising studies of how our thinking works and fails to work rationally.

The Highly Sensitive Person's Complete Learning Program: Essential Insights and Tools for Navigating Your Work, Relationships, and Life is one I can highly recommend.

Braiding Sweetgrass is another.

I loved Blurb Your Enthusiasm: An A-Z of Literary Persuasion earlier this year. My rave review if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ben wrote:


"My favourite non-fiction book of the last few years was Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."

Agreed - fascinating stuff 🤩

Ben wrote: "My favourite non-fiction book of the last few years was Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

My review is here. https://ww..."

Is there any discussion in the book about brainwashing, cult thinking and conspiracy theories?

Jaye wrote: "Is there any discussion in the book about brainwashing, cult thinking and conspiracy theories?"

Not directly. It is more of a book about how our mind works to understand and predict the world than about these types of phenomena, although I think the misperceptions that accompany conspiracy theories are covered.

It's years since I read Thinking, Fast and Slow, but what I recall is that it discusses the two 'systems for thinking' we have, one is intuitive and instinctual, and the other rational and logical. Isn't it to do with our biological evolution from 'lizard brain' (fast, instinctive) to 'human brain' (slower, logical)?

The bit I recall is the politicised way that demagogues frequently appeal to 'fast' thinking instincts which helps to explain why, despite all the rational evidence, people continue to vote for politicians whose policies are against people's own best interests.

Roman Clodia wrote: "It's years since I read Thinking, Fast and Slow, but what I recall is that it discusses the two 'systems for thinking' we have, one is intuitive and instinctual, and the other rational and logical...."

I continue to look for hope, but i think I've lost my close family member.
I think their brains get changed irreversibly.

This thread has made me realise that I haven't read all that much non-fiction this year. I tend to go mainly for a few subjects that I'm interested in, mainly biographies and group biographies and social history topics.

At the moment I'm reading Charles Dickens and the House of Fallen Women by Jenny Hartley, which has been waiting on my shelf for years. It's about Urania Cottage, a home for destitute young girls and women which Dickens founded together with heiress Angela Burdett Coutts. Many of the women emigrated, and the author has tried to trace what happened to some of them.

I'm also currently reading Spuds, Spam And Eating For Victory: Rationing In The Second World War by Katherine Knight, after being disappointed by another book on this theme recently. Hoping this one will have a bit more detail.

I recently started The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller. Spurred on by a recommendation from my cousin and Brownwyn's recent review of the book. I was reminded that my mother had seen them when she was young. Although from the date of their birth she couldn't have been that young as I think they were born when she was 17. She told me about it when I was reading an article in Life Magazine, probably when I was also about that age or younger.