Non-Fiction Reading Can Be Interesting Too

Guest writer Mark Dolan tells us about three non-fiction books that many readers will enjoy reading, and a little about the book club that is central to his reading life

Hi readers,

I can’t believe it’s March already; this year seems to be going faster than usual. It’s almost Bluebonnet time in Texas, and I can’t wait until beautiful blooms are everywhere. The only thing that might be even prettier is Cherry Blossom time in Washington, D.C. I’ve seen pictures of the trees for years and always wanted to visit them when they bloomed. There’s even a yearly Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate these gorgeous blooms. I’ve never been to Washington, D.C., but it’s been on my bucket list for a while now; maybe I’ll go there next year after I retire.

I don’t read or recommend a lot of non-fiction in this newsletter. I’m also not a “book reviewer.” I read for pleasure and don’t always pick up on the nuances of whatever I’m reading. I’ve asked a fellow newsletter creator friend to write about his non-fiction book club and a few books he’s read that he recommends to other readers.

Mark Dolan

describes himself as a transplanted Minnesotan who believes “now is the best time ever to be alive,” and I agree. His topics vary widely, and starting soon will be a monthly feature where he reviews the book from his monthly book club. I can’t wait to read more about the books he enjoys reading!

Mark and his cocker spanial, Denny

Community, Persuasion, and Understanding

Gayla invited me to share my perspective about my Non-Fiction History book club. I wrote about it in “Are You Free” in November 2021. I will highlight the joys I get from an in-person club. The community part is easy, a place to be and share with book lovers. Our in-person meetings include at least a dozen participants, so a wide range of opinions are shared. I consider book readers amongst the most open-minded people. Genre, for many of us, operates like a gate. Here are a couple of history books you may enjoy, even if you don’t ‘like’ history books.

It’s the Author AND the Story

My reviews contain no spoilers. Frances Perkins is a person who changed our world, yet many of us have likely never heard of her. We were introduced to the writing of Kristin Downey when our club read “The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience.“ It was one of the MOST UNIVERSALLY praised books we had ever read! Some people impact our lives because of the power and force of their ideas. Sometimes their stories are barely known. Downey makes the story come alive. The challenge of history books for many is they can be dense and fact-filled. Ms. Downey develops key characters and creates memories for the reader. We will read her latest book about Queen Isabella later this year. I look forward to reading it not because of my interest in the Queen but rather my confidence in the author.

Further Reading

When a voracious reader shies away from non-fiction history, the antidote for them may be to take a chance on a great author who focuses on character development. There is no better example of that than Laura Hillenbrand. If you want to give history a try, either “Seabiscuit” or “Unbroken” is a great place to start.

Seabiscuit is a masterfully written story of the “underdog” (under horse). America’s favorite pastime in the early to mid-1900s was horse racing. Hillenbrand makes non-fiction come alive like no author I have read. Writing a captivating book when the subject is a horse illuminates her skill. During his career, Seabiscuit was more heavily covered in the newspapers than either FDR or Adolf Hitler! Hillenbrand brings readers along on this ride from another age. The highest praise I can give this book is if (1) you don’t read history books and (2) you don’t like horseracing, this may be one of the finest books you have ever read.

Unbroken is Laura Hillenbrand’s second book. It is the unlikely story of the indomitable human spirit and the cauldron which creates heroes. An Italian immigrant amidst the Depression traverses World War II facing each challenge and persevering. The book traces the emergence of fascism worldwide, including in America, and follows the hero's life through his military service and beyond. Americans are heartily assured what happened in Nazi Germany ‘could never happen here.’ The treatment of our erstwhile hero in his early years in America, where eugenics seemed reasonable, the Supreme Court said as much, and the casting aside of the tired and poor remained the challenge of a “more perfect Union.” Louis Zamparini is Laura Hillenbrand’s hero you will never forget as he transcends one challenge after another.

Both books have been made into motion pictures. If you are swayed by reviews (other than mine), Goodreads, between these four books, offers 54,521 reviews and an average rating of 4.35. Like all genres, there are hits and misses. These authors are a great place to start for the new non-fiction history reader.

---

Mark, thank you so much for telling us about these great books. I’d not heard of Kristin Downey before, but both books sound like something many readers would enjoy. Confidence in the author is important, especially in non-fiction; knowing you can pick up any book they write and a great story awaits you is just the best feeling. Hillenbrand is one of the best authors writing narrative non-fiction, and I heartily agree with your review of both books and the praise given to her.

You can find Mark writing weekly at

Why Living Today Rocks

. I enjoy seeing his newsletter in my inbox, and I think you will too.

That’s all for now; I have another guest post coming up soon that I think you’ll enjoy. I hope you had a great weekend and had time to rest, relax and read. Happy reading!