I was reading the April 2006 minutes of the Adult Reading Round Table (ARRT) Nonfiction Study (a group I wish I could find time to join) when I spotted the URL for a book blog I had not seen. The AART group is discussing the possibility of starting its own blog (which I hope they do) and the newsletter pointed to Nonfiction (Readers) Anonymous as an example of what can be done.
I clicked on the archives links to see if I could learn the mission of the blog. Its initial posting from October 10, 2005 refers to a preceding blog StoriesThatAreTrue.com, which is now a dead link. I did find the statement:
The blog for people who love nonfiction with a passion that frankly, borders on the perverse.
I read a couple of month's worth of entries, which like postings on my blog often deal with nonfiction books (though I stray quite a lot). Like me, the author of Nonfiction (Readers) Anonymous often reads books that are several years old, but the similarity ends there. I tend to review only the books I like and want to recommend, while the anonymous author in Wisconsin (I do not want to assume a gender) will critique books with which he/she takes issue. Her/his tastes differ from mine; notably she/he does not usually like biographies, which I often enjoy. Despite our differing philosophies, I enjoyed reading the reviews and found a couple of books I want to read. Anonymous author knows nonfiction books!
In the sidebar of the blog are links to some more book blogs I had not seen. Ah, too many blogs, too little time. Do make some time to check Nonfiction (Readers) Anonymous.
Morning Rick!
ReplyDeleteI just read Joyce Saricks' article, "Taking the Plunge" in Booklist's Jan 1 & 15, 2006 issue. She talks about the promotion of non-fiction books for RA.
I think you and I are ahead of the times. Sounds like we've always promoted non-fic with booktalks.
Most people want to "learn something" when they read and consider fiction a huge waste of time. If you give them a book like Devil in a White City, Heart of the Sea, Lobster Chronicles, Slaves in the Family, etc. they are learning and enjoying at the same time.
Rule # 3. "Every book it's reader" and we recognize non-fiction as readable.
:-)