Non-Fiction November: Week 1

My calendar hasn't flipped to November yet, but I see Nonfiction November posts popping up all over the place and when I got out of bed this morning I noticed a blanket of white covering our lawn.  November is just around the corner, whether we like it or not.  

I'm not thrilled about the winter weather, but I've been waiting to share some of my non-fiction reads for a while, looking forward to November for that reason.

Here is the prompt for the first week of Nonfiction November:

Your Year in Nonfiction, hosted by Julz of JulzReads: Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

What is your favorite non-fiction book of the year?

I've read quite a bit of nonfiction this past year, but always wish I had read more. There are so many great books out there that I just can't get to them all.

I don't have one specific favorite of this past year. 

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M Graff is one of my favorites, though.  9/11 was such an important, devastating event in our nation's history, occurring when I was a new mother that I felt a strong connection to the women who lost their husbands in the attack.  This oral history is so detailed, bringing to light so many different perspectives and memories of people who experienced the events of 9/11 first hand. It was not easy reading, but it certainly brought back many memories of this time in history.

What topic have you been most interested in this year?

As I listed some of my favorite non-fiction reads, I noticed that this year I've read quite a few memoirs and biographies I've enjoyed.  

Some of my favorites:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron de Hart - I loved this biography and learned so much about RBG.  After reading it, I went to the movie that had just come out about her life as well. The two nicely complemented each other.

Becoming by Michelle Obama - I'll read any political memoir and this one is so well written that I enjoyed every single page. Michelle's memoir makes her seem like she could sit down with you at Starbucks to talk about life.

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip Williams - such a devastatingly sad memoir that this is one I have a hard time telling others about and encouraging them to read, but it is so good.  good.  

I'll Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Laura Mary Philpott - Philpott is one of those writers who I feel could be a friend. We're close in age, so the issues she is encountering and writing about her own life seem to mirror many of my own.

The Kennedy Heirs: John, Caroline and the New Generation by J. Randy Taraborelli -I love reading about the Kennedys.  In this book, many familiar stories about the third generation of this family are fleshed out. I enjoyed revisiting some previous known stories and learning some new ones. 

What am I wanting to get out of Nonfiction November?
I'm excited to connect with other bloggers who participate in this event and add many new selections to my growing TBR.