Flipping pages on Friday …nonfiction

 I have been looking at my books of 2021 and trying to pick my favorites. My reading choices are often made by looking at reviews, award winners, personal recommendations, a book written by a favorite author, a topic I find interesting or a book I have picked up when browsing the stacks. It’s no surprise then that I end up with so many I love and picking the top 21 has been a challenge. One book stands out as the clear favorite for number one.

My favorite book of 2021
Also on the list

I read Patrick Radden Keefe’s book Say Nothing for my library’s book club choice in March.  It was a phenomenal read and I immediately put my name on the wait list for Empire of Pain. This historical narrative is a testament to the power of investigative journalism and winner of the Baillie Prize for non-fiction and the Goodreads Choice Award  for History and Biography. 
Also in my top 21 of 21 and in observance of Black History Month, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, another Goodreads Choice Award for History and Biography.  This masterpiece is a thoughtful and thorough examination of racism in America. This was a powerful, difficult read that I highly recommend.
Essential reading in understanding racism 
My top read of January 2022 is Made in America by Farah Stockman.
Favorite read of January 2022
I had ordered from this from the library after listening to an interview with Stockman, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. I have been a long time admirer of her for intelligence, empathy, and insight.  This book covers the socio economic divide, highlighting the lives of three factory workers.  This book covers a range of topics including racism, sexism and politics. Until reading this book, I could never understand how Trump was able to dupe people into believing him. I have a better understanding of it now and the importance of having your voices heard. These three journalists/authors do an excellent job of bringing these stories to the forefront. 

Happy reading, because there is always more to learn.

Comments

  1. You are such a voracious reader. Hope the storm isn’t bad for you

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  2. You have some interesting books Nan. Last year I didn't read a whole lot of non-fiction, compared to most years. I'm curious about the Empire of Pain. Happy weekend.

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  3. I read a review of Empire of Pain. At the time I read the review, it was not at my library (Thankfully, we still have 9 libraries in Wichita, although three have closed recently). It sounded like an interesting read, because I was so angry about the whole Oxy debacle when it first came to light.

    I took a second job once during the summer at a steel mill. Not the time of year to work in a place like that, and I worked the night shift, which was the hottest of the shifts. I also worked in a factory for many years, but I was an engineer, not a blue collar worker. I remember when the company, which was non-union, sent a lot of the work to Mexico and south Texas. The workers were actually glad to get rid of the jobs that were sent south. They saw it as a benefit, and no one lost their job as a result of the move. These are truly intriguing books you have shared. I saw Stockman on Morning Joe on MSNBC months ago where she discussed her book and the three people she spotlighted.


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  4. Caste is definitely one of the best books I've read. Say Nothing has been on my radar for a couple of years, and I will eventually get to it. I'd like to hear more about Empire of Pain. I didn't think I was interested in it, but if you put it at #1, I'd better rethink it.

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