I decided to try reading factual books for two months this summer as I own rather a lot of them which I haven’t read yet. Factual books tend to be longer and need more careful reading than novels and, therefore, I read fewer of them. I also find that I can easily be distracted from a factual book by a new novel or a juicy crime story. I picked out twelve books, thinking that that was quite an ambitious target, and it soon became obvious that I was right. You can read my initial thoughts here.
I am glad that I decided to read factual books this summer and I don’t regret it. I found some real gems and enjoyed those I did read but twelve was almost too many to read in two months and I don’t want to find myself skimming through a book just to reach a target !! Next year I might choose ten to read and maybe have some in reserve in case I get through those more quickly than anticipated.
It was definitely touch and go as to whether I finished all the chosen books by the end of August but I just made it, even though I only finished eleven, and you can see the books I read below (and the one that I didn’t finish) – click on the titles for a link to my review.
Of the twelve books in the challenge I have kept seven and given away five which has created a bit of space for the books I have since bought but haven’t read yet – every little helps.
Next month I shall start a new challenge which will include some non-fiction but also i novels.
Books I loved
What to Read Next – a self-help book about the author’s year of reading and what he recommended.
Missoula – an examination of rape culture and the justice system in an American college town
The Appin Murder – A history of what happened after the Jacobite Uprising in Scotland and how it led to murder
The Old Ways – A book about landscape and our relationship to it and the ways we mover through it.
The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve – The religious, cultural and social impact of the Bible story
Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs – A history of Ancient Egypt
Books I enjoyed
Whitehall – a history of the street in London which is the centre of government power
Letters from the Suitcase – letters between a young couple during WW2 when they are separated by war
The Sphinx – the life of a socialite in the early twentieth century
The History of Art – a chronological overview of European Art
Books I thought were disappointing
Diary of Two Nobodies – not really a diary and two people with whom I didn’t engage
Books I didn’t finish
Under Another Sky by Charlotte Higgins (no review as I abandoned it). This is a book about the author’s travels to major Roman sites in Britain and what she saw there. Unfortunately, it’s heavy on the history and lighter on the author’s impressions and journeys. I don’t know a lot about Roman history and I soon became bogged down in names, dates and events. This is one for someone with an active interest in the Roman Occupation of Britain and an underlying knowledge of the subject.
Anne Is Reading 