I realised a bit late that ‘Top Ten Tuesday’ from The Broke and the Bookish is back today, but it’s a freebie week so easy enough to join in with
As it’s a freebie week I’ve decided to do Top 10 Non-fiction books. I’ve been on a bit of a non-fiction kick lately so I’ve got plenty to choose from.
As always, in no particular order
I mention Forsyth’s interesting and entertaining books about language frequently (and they have even featured on two previous Top 10 Tuesday posts). The Etymologicon is my favourite, but The Horologicon, and The Elements of Eloquence are also fantastic
A series of essays about women’s sexuality, rape and feminism. Very thought provoking and because the essayists have different views it’s interesting to see how different people view feminism. I haven’t fully reviewed this one yet but I have written a series of posts about various essays. Not one for the faint hearted, but I think it’s an important book
Part autobiography, part feminist anthem. Caitlin Moran’s first book is one I recommend frequently, and one which left me wishing I could be her friend. A more accessible form of feminism than the more serious feminist tomes. I genuinely think this should be read by every teenage girl (I also think this of Animal, but I didn’t like that as much)
An interesting personal look at neurosurgery and the NHS by neurosurgeon Henry Marsh. I found this to be a real page turner (or maybe button presser as I read it on kindle), and easy to understand as someone who knows relatively little about neurology (maybe a little more than others from my psychology degree). I even managed to read it when in hospital for surgery.
This is a book that I think is really important, but it isn’t the easiest read- emotionally or in terms of readability. It’s Zimbardo’s own account of his famous prison experiment on authority. An experiment which had to be cancelled because it was going too far
The Complete Polysyllabic Spree- Nick Hornby
When I read Nick Hornby’s book about books I added so many books to my wishlist. It is a collection of his columns from The Believer, and is featured on The Rory List.
Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure- Dave Gorman
Dave Gorman’s second book is a part travel part comedy book. His journey starts with one googlewhack; a phrase which elicits only one response when searched on google. He contacts the owner of the site and visits them to ask them to find another googlewhack who he also visits and so on. It’s mainly funny but also interesting to see which websites he sees and where he goes.
In ‘How to Be a Heroine’ Ellis revisits books which have shaped her. Will she still have to same opinions or will something have changed? A perfect blend of bookishness and feminism.
Living Dolls is the book which introduced me to feminist non-fiction. It looks at how society is creating a new type of sexism which teaches girls that they have to be ‘girly’ and boys that they have to be ‘tough’.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened- Jenny Lawson
Jenny Lawson talks about her life and depression with humor and honesty. A fun read with more meaning than it may originally seem.
