Pick My Book
I have a lot of audio books. I'm not quite at the book version of SABLE - Stash Acquisition beyond Life Expectancy, for the non-knitters among you - but getting there and it's time to do some stash diving. More specifically, it's time to get a bit edified by choosing something nonfiction. But which one?
A couple of years ago, I did a little experiment and it was a lot of fun, so I thought I'd do it again. I'm going to list five of my top candidates for next nonfiction book to read, ask you to vote in the comments and then read and review the book that gets the most votes. Ready?
Abigail Adams
by Woody Holton. I've posted before about my reaction to John Adams 
, the HBO miniseries - I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a lot. One of the things I learned was that I wanted to know more about Abigail Adams. She was her husband’s equal partner and staunch supporter, frequently acknowledged by him as being the smarter of the two. Had things been different, she might've been president.
by Woody Holton. I've posted before about my reaction to John Adams , the HBO miniseries - I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a lot. One of the things I learned was that I wanted to know more about Abigail Adams. She was her husband’s equal partner and staunch supporter, frequently acknowledged by him as being the smarter of the two. Had things been different, she might've been president.The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea
by Philip Hoare. No list like this would be possible or complete without an ocean-related book (me? Obsessed? Whatever makes you say that??). Hoare is a British biographer who is himself obsessed with whales and this book is described as "a deeply moving and thought-provoking biography of the planet’s toughest, yet most vulnerable of prehistoric survivors." Sounds wonderfully intriguing
by Philip Hoare. No list like this would be possible or complete without an ocean-related book (me? Obsessed? Whatever makes you say that??). Hoare is a British biographer who is himself obsessed with whales and this book is described as "a deeply moving and thought-provoking biography of the planet’s toughest, yet most vulnerable of prehistoric survivors." Sounds wonderfully intriguingIn Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
by Michael Pollan. This book was named one of Amazon's Significant Seven (whatever that is) in 2008. Described as a "shocking yet essential treatise on the industrialized Western diet and its detrimental effects on our bodies and culture," this could be one of those books that has your ranting for weeks.
by Michael Pollan. This book was named one of Amazon's Significant Seven (whatever that is) in 2008. Described as a "shocking yet essential treatise on the industrialized Western diet and its detrimental effects on our bodies and culture," this could be one of those books that has your ranting for weeks.The Pain Chronicles: Cures, Myths, Mysteries, Prayers, Diaries, Brain Scans, Healing, and the Science of Suffering
by Melanie Thernstrom. The title is quite a mouthful, but if what's inside this book lives up to it, it should be a terrific read. Publishers Weekly says it is "an exquisite, meticulous history of medicine’s quest to alleviate pain" blended with the author's personal experience with chronic back pain. It sounds like a good one.
by Melanie Thernstrom. The title is quite a mouthful, but if what's inside this book lives up to it, it should be a terrific read. Publishers Weekly says it is "an exquisite, meticulous history of medicine’s quest to alleviate pain" blended with the author's personal experience with chronic back pain. It sounds like a good one.Infidel
by Ayaan Hirsi. I’ve wanted to read this book for years and a couple of months ago, there was an excellent sale on Audible and I finally bought it. Hirsi is a fascinating person who seems comfortable being controversial and Publishers Weekly describes this book as delivering "a powerful feminist critique of Islam informed by a genuine understanding of the religion."
by Ayaan Hirsi. I’ve wanted to read this book for years and a couple of months ago, there was an excellent sale on Audible and I finally bought it. Hirsi is a fascinating person who seems comfortable being controversial and Publishers Weekly describes this book as delivering "a powerful feminist critique of Islam informed by a genuine understanding of the religion."Which one do you vote for? Leave a comment between now and Sunday at 6 PM and I'll start reading on Monday. Thanks for playing!
Comments
As for voting on one of these books, I don't know which. The pain book is probably the most 'useful' one, but I'm not sure I'd want to spend several hours or more listening to someone talk about pain. (That doesn't include you :) ). The food book is probably fascinating, but it wouldn't change the way I eat. I have noticed your attraction to water themes, so maybe that one would be the most enjoyable.