Tag: Reading Challenges

Nonfiction November: Sign-Up, Week 1 & 2 Discussion Prompts

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Nonfiction-November-2018

Yes, I know, I’m a little late to the party but, having realised that I had a couple of nonfiction books on my reading schedule for November already, I’ve decided to participate.

Nonfiction November 2018 runs from 29th October to 30th November (now you see what I mean about being late to the party).  This year’s hosts are Katie of DoingDewey, Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness, Rennie of What’s Nonfiction, Julz of JulzReads and Sarah of Sarah’s Bookshelves.

As in previous years, they’ll be posting a discussion question and link-up on the Monday of each week.  Check out this post for the full schedule.

My Nonfiction November Reading List

Although realistically I won’t get through all of them, here are the nonfiction books from my TBR pile I hope to read in November.  Click on the title to view the book description on Goodreads.

In My Life: A Music Memoir by Alan Johnson

Christmas at War by Caroline Taggart

Memory-Hold-the-Door by John Buchan

Sugar in the Blood: A Family’s Story of Slavery and Empire by Andrea Stuart

Song of Praise for a Flower by Charlene Chu and Fengxian Chu

I missed the first discussion question last week and the second one is under way so you’ve got a two for one deal here.

Week 1: (Oct. 29 to Nov. 2) – Your Year in Nonfiction, hosted by Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness

Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions:

Darkest HourWhat was your favourite nonfiction read of the year?

The list of nonfiction I’ve read so far in 2018 is pretty sparse so I have limited choices to select from. However, the book I most enjoyed is probably Darkest Hour: How Churchill Brought Us Back from the Brink by Anthony McCarten as I was inspired to read that by seeing the film starring Gary Oldman.

The Long and Winding RoadDo you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year?

Not really but I did enjoy The Long and Winding Road by Alan Johnson, the third in his series of memoirs which I reviewed on my blog.

I was also lucky enough to hear Alan speak about his latest book, In My Life: A Music Memoir at Henley Literary Festival recently.

The Million Dollar DuchessesWhat nonfiction book have you recommended the most?

I shared my review of The Million Dollar Duchesses by Julie Ferry as part of the blog tour earlier this year which I guess counts as the widest recommendation.

What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

Focusing on reading more nonfiction, reading some of the books in my TBR pile and getting involved with other readers taking part in Nonfiction November.

Week 2: (Nov. 5 to 9) – Fiction/Nonfiction Book Pairing, hosted by Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves

This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.

My literary pairing is a historical fiction novel I read recently, A Ration Book Christmas by Jean Fullerton, and a nonfiction book I’m currently reading, Christmas at War by Christine Taggart, that provides the real life background to the fictional story.

A Ration Book Christmas is set in World War Two London at the height of the Blitz.  It tells the story of the Brogan family as they and their East End neighbours struggle with the challenges of rationing, air-raids, loved ones away serving in the military and the threat of Nazi invasion.

Christmas at War uses the testimony of those who lived through the Blitz to bring to life their experiences of Christmas during the Second World War.  As the book description says: ‘No turkey. No fruit to make a decent pudding. No money for presents. Your children away from home to keep them safe from bombing; your husband, father and brothers off fighting goodness knows where. How in the world does one celebrate Christmas?’

Are you taking part in Nonfiction November?

Book Review: Macbeth by Jo Nesbø

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MacbethAbout the Book

He’s the best cop they’ve got.

When a drug bust turns into a bloodbath it’s up to Inspector Macbeth and his team to clean up the mess.

He’s also an ex-drug addict with a troubled past.

He’s rewarded for his success. Power. Money. Respect. They’re all within reach.

But a man like him won’t get to the top.

Plagued by hallucinations and paranoia, Macbeth starts to unravel. He’s convinced he won’t get what is rightfully his.

Unless he kills for it.

Format: Paperback (624 pp.)    Publisher: Vintage
Published: 20th September 2018 [5th April 2018] Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com  ǀ Hive.co.uk (supporting UK bookshops)
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find Macbeth on Goodreads

My Review

Jo Nesbø is the latest author to participate in the Hogarth Shakespeare project.  Launched in October 2015, the project’s stated aim is ‘to see Shakespeare’s plays reimagined by some of today’s bestselling and most celebrated writers. The books are true to the spirit of the original plays, while giving authors an exciting opportunity to do something new.’

This is the first book by Jo Nesbø I’ve read, although I’m aware of his books and his many fans across the world.  Therefore, I came to the book with high expectations both because of his reputation and the Shakespeare play he had chosen to tackle, Macbeth. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed.  At over 600 pages, I found the book rather a slog and not as gripping as I had expected.  For me, the author didn’t really succeed in ‘doing something new’ to the extent I was hoping for.

The book certainly fleshes out the back stories of many of the characters in Shakespeare’s play but I didn’t find this added much for me.  A lot of time was devoted to the detailed planning of police operations, carried out with ruthlessness and little regard for the rule of law.  So if you like plenty of blood and guts, you’ll be happy. Things picked up a little when Lady (the character who represents Lady Macbeth) arrived on the scene but not enough to reignite my interest in the book as a whole.

The book is set in a rundown Scottish town in the 1970s but has a distinctly dystopian feel.  It’s a place where unemployment and deprivation has led to a high level of addiction to drugs, gambling and alcohol.  In practice, the drug barons are in charge and corruption in local institutions, including the Police, is rife.  To my mind this was where the book worked best; conjuring up an atmosphere of decay and hopelessness, a society divided into ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and torn apart by violence and gang warfare.

I think if the writing had been tauter, some of the detail had been excised and the author could have done more than just retell the story but set in another time and place, it would have made Macbeth a more compelling read.  Although there were elements I enjoyed, like some other reviewers, I don’t believe this is the most successful contribution to the Hogarth Shakespeare series.

I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Vintage, and NetGalley.

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In three words: Atmospheric, dark, weighty

Try something similar…New Boy by Tracy Chevalier (read my review here)

Jo NesboAbout the Author

Jo Nesbø is a bestselling Norwegian author and musician. He was born in Oslo and grew up in Molde. Nesbø graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics. Nesbø is primarily famous for his crime novels about Detective Harry Hole, but he is also the main vocals and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 Nesbø also released his first children’s book, Doktor Proktors Prompepulver.

(Photo credit: Goodreads author page)

Connect with Jo

Website  ǀ  Goodreads