Bloggers' Alliance of Nonfiction Devotees

This month’s host, Zohar at Man of La Book, has a great topic: what upcoming nonfiction are you excited about? I can’t wait to read the responses!

Another new host this month with what, to me, is a really interesting topic. Marilyn from Me, you, and books asks:

When is an author’s subjective response to a subject not a bias but a legitimate perspective? What non-fiction have you read where an author’s feelings enhance your understanding?

No one who enjoys non-fiction respects books that are so wedded to an ideology or bias that they deny established facts which challenge the author’s position. We reject those who tell us, “I’ve made my mind up. Don’t confuse me with facts.” Such an attitude limits rather than expands the treatment of a subject. But sometimes an author’s involvement in a situation or subject can enhance his or her ability to understand and describe it. Curiosity and concern can drive an author to learn all that can be known about something. Actually facing a problem can provide an inside view not seen by a researcher or journalist who maintains an “objective” distance.

Have you read any non-fiction where the author’s subjectivity strengthens the story told rather than weakens it? Any ideas about how the author achieves this?

Go visit her post and leave your thoughts!

We have a first-time host for BAND this month, Sheila at Book Journey. This month, we want to hear about the nonfiction you hate to admit you love:

Non-fiction covers everything from memoirs, to facts about anything…bugs, wood, planes, homes, historical truths, you name it… you can read about it…

HOWEVER…

what I would like to offer up as the topic this month is what are those topics in non fiction reading, that you almost hate to say out loud that you enjoy reading about.

Care (Care’s Online Book Club) is the host for this month’s BAND discussion. She wants to hear about quirky nonfiction: 

I like to read nonfiction on odd subjects. I define quirky as a book about a single subject that at first thought might prompt a question of how anyone could find enough stuff to write an entire book?

We’ve all got a type of book that, for whatever reason, we’re not inclined to read. We want to know what that type of book is and, if you’re up for a challenge, what recommendations your readers have for you to try.

This month Erin of Erin Reads asks about truth in nonfiction:

I like learning new things, so what’s the problem with nonfiction? I believe the answer lies, at least partially, in the question of truth. When faced with a “true” book, I struggle to decide how much to believe and how to figure out whether a particular work of nonfiction can be trusted — basically, how to know how true that book is. Which brings me to the question I’d like to ask this month:

How you determine truth in nonfiction? Is the “true-ness” of a book important to you? If you’re a nonfiction veteran, do you have any pointers to offer nonfiction newbies?

This month we have a special guest host, Amanda of Opinions of a Wolf, who asks about reading with a specific cause in mind. She writes,

I firmly believe in knowledge being power.  This is how my dad raised me, and I am forever grateful for that.  The more knowledge you have the more strongly you can support your cause.  This idea was further developed in me when I went to Brandeis University for undergrad.  Brandeis is built around the concept of social justice, and in all of our classes we learned that you can change the world one mind at a time.

Even though I’m out of Brandeis now, I’ve done my best to apply this concept to my reading.  I seek to constantly attain greater knowledge in areas that matter to me.  Pick your cause and read all about it, essentially.

Personally, I can’t wait to write about this one! - Kim