Jaymi @TheOCBookGirl

Week 1 – Nonfiction November #theOCBookGirl #nonficnov #nonfictionbookparty

Nonfiction November Week 1

Hello Friends! It’s time for the first blog prompt hosted by Rennie at What’s Nonfiction.  Make sure to visit her post HERE and link your post too!  Let’s get into it!

WEEK 1 Discussion 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?

My favorite nonfiction reads (so far…)

The Beauty in Breaking: A Memoir by Michele Harper

In her 2020 memoir, Dr. Michele Harper writes about treating gunshot wounds, discovering evidence of child abuse — and drawing courage from her patients as she’s struggled to overcome her own traumatic and violent childhood.

Bookshop | Goodreads

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner

In this emotional story – the author recalls her childhood and how her memories of cooking and eating Korean food with her mom are both painful and healing. It’s a beautifully written tribute to the power of family and food.

Bookshop | Goodreads

Unacceptable: Privilege, Deceit & the Making of the College Admissions Scandal by Melissa Korn and Jennifer Levitz

This was a thorough and fascinating look at the recent college admissions scandal. Beginning with how Rick Singer began his career as a counselor and mentor, it is a complicated story with many, many players. Besides the entitlement and privilege and using wealth to get ahead, the heartbreaking part was reading how these smart and talented kids felt when they realized their parents didn’t believe they could do it on their own merits.

Bookshop | Goodreads

Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Cheryl Diamond

This is one of those books where it’s easy to forget that it’s NONFICTION! Cheryl Diamond’s memoir is the most shocking and absorbing true story I’ve read in a long time. The survivor of serious psychological and physical abuse, Cheryl shares her lifelong struggle to discover her true self in this disturbing yet inspiring story. ⁠

Bookshop | Goodreads

Topics and Goals

I tend to gravitate towards memoirs and survivor stories. People that overcome incredible challenges always interest me. I’m also fascinated by oddly specific, deep dives into seemingly mundane topics.

I’ve been neglecting this blog (and posting reviews if I’m being honest), so this month is just the kick in the pants I need to get posting again.

I’m looking forward to learning more about the different sub-genres of nonfiction (like graphic memoirs) and I expect my TBR to double or triple in size!

*PRO TIP: Start writing your week 5 wrap-up post NOW – I add to it all month long!

What is your favorite nonfiction read(s) of the year (so far?)

Don’t forget to check out the latest #nonfictionbookparty post over on Instagram.  I’m hosting a daily photo challenge, tons of giveaways, author guest posts, and much more!

 

Let’s be friends! The OC BookGirl is on Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Thank you for supporting this blog and the books I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using this link. I may have received a book for free in exchange for my honest review, however, all opinions are my own.

If you want to purchase any books I’ve mentioned, please search my online bookstore: BookShop.org (Amazon gets enough of our money.  Find and support your local bookstore using this link.) 

22 comments

  3. I hadn’t thought about how the kids in the college scandal would feel. I guess I sort of assumed they knew what was going on? But what an absolute shock to those who didn’t. I can’t imagine.

    Thanks for the pro tip! Now that you mention it, I do remember scrabbling to write the wrap-up post last year.

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  8. We have been looking into college options for my daughter, so I am quite interested in the college admissions scandal. I will probably pick that up.

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  9. Yes to stories of survival! I enjoy the broader stories of whole groups because I get so tearful and I need joy from my reading right now.

    I feel you on that kick in the pants. NonFiction November is the perfect way to merge back into more blogging. I am using it to be more social which is always the last thing I remember to do.

    And your tip is so on point. I have already started my week five post. The first year I participated that one really took me by surprise!

    Enjoy!

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  10. Your Pro Tip is spot on! Last year I did it wrong so I made a point of drafting that post up early so, like you said, I can add to it all month.

    I added Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Cheryl Diamond to my list.

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  12. I am not always attracted to survivor stories, but the right one can work (I loved Educated, but hated The Glass Castle).

    Oof you’re so right about week 5. Will I actually start it? I’m sitting here thinking about starting week 2’s post, that’s ambitious for me 🙂

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  13. Good books! And amen to the tip! The very first year I participated, I was able to find the titles I had added, thanks to my Goodreads TBR shelf, but of course, couldn’t remember on which blog I had seen each title. So now yes, I start a draft, and have it open when I visit all the other bloggers, so I can list who recommended what.
    So far, I have only visited 13 sites for their first post, and I have already 6 new titles for my TBR…
    And I’m planning on visiting everyone tomorrow, so my TBR is of course going to implode.
    Here is my post:
    https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/11/05/nonfiction-november-my-year-2021-in-nonfiction/
    By the way, thanks for hosting the #nonfictionbookparty o IG, so far, I have been able to post every day, I’m almost shocked, lol

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  15. Glad to see Crying in H Mart amongst your favourites! It’s on my wish list and I hope to get to it soon, maybe even in November. Nowhere Girl also sounds fascinating!

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