This week, the Nonfiction November topic is Be the Expert/Ask the Expert/Become the Expert, hosted by Julie of Julz Reads.
Three ways to join in this week! You can either share 3 or more books on a single topic that you have read and can recommend (be the expert), you can put the call out for good nonfiction on a specific topic that you have been dying to read (ask the expert), or you can create your own list of books on a topic that you’d like to read (become the expert).
I have 94 books on my Goodreads nonfiction to-read list, so I thought I’d start there and see if I could find any common theme. One topic I seem to want to read about is “Amazing Journeys.”
Lois on the Loose by Lois Pryce
Unlike my husband, I am not a motorcycle aficionado — but this tale of an adventuresome “biker babe” who ditches her safe BBC job and takes off across the Americas sounds like a fun ride anyway.
The Old Ways by Robert McFarlane
Subtitled “a journey on foot,” this is the story of the author’s rambles from his Cambridge home across the old paths and byways of Britain, and further afield on the pilgrimage ways of Europe. I’m interested in how it illuminates the interior path as well as the external journey.
Worlds Elsewhere by Andrew Dickson
Exploring “how Shakespeare became the world’s writer,” this literary travelogue delves into the cultural history of many lands, showing how one playwright changed the world and how his works have also been transformed thereby.
Mother Tongue by Christine Gilbert
A language-mad mother boldly uproots her family in order to learn Mandarin in China, Arabic in Lebanon, and Spanish in Mexico. They seem to have survived the experience, and even gained some fascinating insights into language and culture.
In Search of Mary by Bee Rowlatt
After reading Mary Wollstonecraft’s “Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark,” the author (toddler in tow) sets out to see how the early feminist may have influenced those countries, then forays to France and America for more musings on life and motherhood.
Isn’t it wonderful that reading can take us all over the world, sharing in these incredible experiences? Looking at my TBR reminded me of how fascinating these books sounded when I added them — I’m newly inspired to hunt them out and “become the expert” now! What’s on your list?
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
Oooh, what marvellous mouthwatering titles you’ve chosen, Lory, all wonderful and all ones I’d like to read! (And many with British links, I see!) Well, I shall put on my thinking cap and come back later, if that’s alright; and I’m inspired to join in on this topic on my blog too.
LikeLike
Wonderful, Chris, I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
LikeLike
I lve books like this. I just read The Wonder Trail which is a trip from L.A. through South America. The Mother Tongue sounds great.
LikeLike
I’ve read hardly any books set in South America, so that’s a journey that especially appeals to me.
LikeLike
I haven’t read any of the ones on your list, but I’m listening to Run the World by Becky Wade on audio right now and it would fit perfectly in this category. Elite runner Wade travels to a number of destinations around the world and immerses herself in their running communities, learning about their training methods, diet, and customs.
LikeLike
I love when an author takes their passion and uses it to learn about the world.
LikeLike
Oh, thank you for this list! Our forthcoming Book Bingo Blackout card contains the category “The Journey,” and I confess it’s a weak area for me. I’m saving your list to help me with ideas.
LikeLike
What a fun category! I’m glad to be of assistance to you in filling it in.
LikeLike
I love books like this, too, and they all sound wonderful… especially The Old Ways. Hope you enjoy the journey through these books!
LikeLike
I’m very sure I will!
LikeLike
Worlds Elsewhere looks terrific! I’ve got another Shakespeare book on my TBR pile first (Shadowplay: The Hidden Beliefs and Coded Politics of William Shakespeare), but I’ve added this one to my Wish List.
LikeLike
Soooo many Shakespeare books, so little time. Shadowplay sounds interesting too just from the title and subtitle.
LikeLike
I feel pretty sure that if I had a look at my nonfiction to-read list I would also have a bunch of “amazing journeys” on it. Your post has inspired me to have a look at what topics have piqued my interest over the years!
LikeLike
I should look again and see what other categories I can come up with. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you didn’t put Jack Kerouc on this list. Your titles are fresh – and very appealing!
LikeLike
I honestly didn’t think of him. Somehow these appeal to me more — glad you agree.
LikeLike
Lois Pryce wrote another book where she rides her motorbike through Africa. I have read both of her books and loved the African book most. I can’t remember the name of it but you should be able to find it by her name. She is one brave young woman. I am a motorbike rider and loved both of these travelogues.
LikeLike
Ooh, that sounds good too.
LikeLike
I’ve heard awesome things about ‘Mother Tongue’ and it’s on my Christmas wishlist (along with far too many other books now after all these great Nonfiction November recommendations). You might also be interested in “The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey” by Rinker Buck.
LikeLike
That was on my list too! Don’t know how I overlooked it.
LikeLike
Mother Tongue is my choice! Having emigrated to The Netherlands….I had to struggle to learn the language but survived! You really only learn the language when you live among th people in the country. I envy what the author has been able to do!
LikeLike
I’m still struggling to learn German, which should be easy in comparison to Mandarin and Arabic. I hope I might get some inspiration from her story.
LikeLike
Fun theme! I only looked at my ‘read’ list, but I’m curious now what themes are in my to-read pile 🙂
LikeLike
It is fun to see what comes out of a randomly collected pile of books.
LikeLike