Hello everyone, So, this week it's non-fiction. I love non-fiction, especially when I'm reading it to break up the routine of novels and other books. It's a great genre to get stuck into and discover a new interest in something. There are also so many different types of non-fiction. Some books have short text and lots of pictures, some read almost like a novel but contain real events and facts in them, some are designed for learning, others are about people's lives and achievements, some explain a particular topic in depth...the list goes on and on. This week I want to look at three different non-fiction books. These are all ones which I have read and I hope they show some of the diversity in this genre. There really is something for everyone here! The first book I wanted to talk about was 'Fifty Ships that Changed the Course of History: a Nautical History of the World' by Ian Graham. In the words on the blurb, 'it's a virtual history of the world told through the boats and ships that influenced how and where people lived, with whom they traded, the ideas they exchanged, and how they won and lost the battles that set the course of later generations and millennia.' And the ships in it really do go across the world, including: Pharaoh Kufu's Solar Barge, the Mayflower, Potemkin, Kon-Tiki, USS Nautilus, Rainbow Warrior and SS Torrey Canyon, to name but a few. The book has small chapters on each ship with pictures and diagrams, and text explaining the ship's functions and lifetimes and, ultimately, their effects on history. It's a clear and graphic guide which approaches world history from a fascinating angle. There are also other books in the series on a range of topics; see the book covers below. Next, 'The Book of General Ignorance' with a foreword by Stephen Fry. A book which aims to find the real answers to questions in common knowledge and misunderstanding, this book 'will make you wonder why anyone ever bothers to go to school.' Some of the questions in answers include: How long can a chicken live without it's head? Where do most tigers live? Who blew the nose off the Sphinx? How many legs does a centipede have? What's the name of the capital city of Thailand? When did the most recent Ice Age end? The answers to the questions are supposed to make you feel a little silly for all your misconceptions...and they do. They show how the truth dissolves into misunderstanding and mistakes. Everything is explained with clarity and humour, too, with short sections and interesting topics. As the blurb says, 'If you still think that Henry VIII had six wives, that the earth has only one moon, and that Mount Everest is the world's tallest mountain, then you need this book. Urgently.' And, finally, 'Natural Wonders of the World' with a foreword by Chris Packham. This book - and the 'Man-made Wonders of the World', too - shows features from across the globe with bright images and bold text. Every glacier, river, lake, mountain, coral reef, weather phenomenon and forest from every continent is examined with high-quality pictures and information which reveals the truth behind the most stunning examples of nature in the modern world. With a comprehensive glossary, directory and index, this book is fun, factual and easy to navigate, with lots of detail and topics covered. Such an easy book to get completely engrossed in. And that's everything. I've really enjoyed reading about things that interest me this week, and exploring different types of non-fiction books, and I hope you've enjoyed it to. What sort of non-fiction do you like to read? Is there a topic which really want to find a good book on?
Do get in touch about what you're reading - I'd love to know! Last week in the Summer Reading Challenge next time...I'll see you then!
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AuthorHi, I love reading all kinds of books. Here, we can talk about different types of books we're reading and recommend reads to each other. Maybe share with us your reading 'ideal meal' or one of your favourite books. Archives
August 2020
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