
Friends! I know it’s not yet November, but it will be tomorrow and we can’t wait, so Nonfiction November kicks off today! I’m so excited to have you all join me for our first weekly discussion prompt. As is tradition, we first want to hear about how your reading year has been going to far and what you’re looking forward to from your year in nonfiction.

We’d love for you to share your response to the prompt, plus any nonfiction book reviews you post this week, with us in the linky at the end of this post. You’re also welcome to include any of the lovely graphics co-host Jaymie at The OC Bookgirl designed for us in your post too!
Your Year in Nonfiction : Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? Do you have a particular topic you’ve been attracted to more this year? What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
Here’s how my year has gone so far:
Nonfiction Favorites
I’ve particularly been enjoying essay collections this year and two of the best I’ve read have been collections about Black art. The first, A Little Devil in America, is a collection by Hanif Abdurraqib, who’s quickly becoming a favorite author. He writes about many different types of art, mixing his criticism with memoir and broader cultural critiques. The second collection, Black Love Matters, is by a variety of authors, but all focus on the topic of Black romance novels. I thought this was a fantastic topic, which engaged with the heartwarming genre of romance in a critical way. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Last but not least, I thought The Wrong Kind of Women was one of the best books I’ve read addressing structural barriers in the world – in this case, sexism in the film industry. The author blends statistics and memoir to tell a persuasive story and ends with a helpful call to action.
Current Obsessions
Well, I’m currently reading about two very different topics! First, my husband and I just bought our first home, so I’m going all in on home decorating books. It’s so fun to finally have a place that we can really make our own. Then, like a normal person, I’m doing a deep dive on the Opioid crisis for a little bit of relaxing, light reading. I picked this topic to dive into because I’ve been accumulating books on this topic on my to-read list for some time and Beth Macy’s new book release, Raising Lazarus, reminded me to actually read them.
Most Recommended
Honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve been recommending books very much this year. I’ll have to remember to push some of the favorites I mentioned on my fellow readers.
Nonfiction November Hopes
I always just love everyone’s excitement about nonfiction this month! I’ve been really busy lately with moving, but I’m hoping to dive back into blogging and spend a lot of time reading all of your posts.
Over To You
Now it’s your turn! Please link-up your post below and don’t forget to join Jaymie at The OC Bookgirl when the Instagram challenge starts tomorrow, Nov 1st. Then, for more fun next week, go visit Rennie at What’s Nonfiction for our next discussion prompt. Happy Reading!
Lisa notes
Congratulations on your new home! How fun that you’re getting to create it like you want it. I’m excited to see what everyone is reading through the posts this month. Reading about the opioid crisis sounds very informative and important. My reading obsession this year has been on dealing with grief. Thanks for hosting!
DoingDewey
Thanks Lisa! I’m excited to hear about what everyone is reading this year too. I lost my cat in March and have to admit that I’m still explicitly avoiding reading about grief, but I imagine I’ll reach the point where I want to read it about it eventually.
Lisa notes
Aw, I’m so sorry you lost your cat. 🙁
Liz Dexter
Some good reads there – I already have the first one on my wishlist! Thank you for hosting this week and hope you enjoy your new home.
Liz Dexter recently posted…Book review – Lao She (trans. William Dolby) – “Mr Ma and Son”
DoingDewey
Oh wonderful! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks so much for joining us 🙂
stargazer
The Wrong Kind of Women sounds interesting! Sometimes it is quite depressing to read about this topic though. Good luck with decorating your new home, that must be good fun. Thanks for co-hosting, Nonfiction November, I look forward to the event.
DoingDewey
It can be depressing to read about different biases – I was a grump the whole time I was reading Invisible Women! – but it helped that this book had some actionable suggestions. Thanks so much for joining us 🙂
Jinjer
It’s here! It’s here! It’s here!
My favorite time of year!
Thanks for hosting Week 1!!!! I’m REALLY curious about A Little Devil in America so that’s the first one to be added to my TBR.
Enjoy your new house!
Jinjer recently posted…Nonfiction November 2022 Week 1: Your Year in Nonfiction
DoingDewey
Woo! Nonfiction November is here! I can tell because our to-read lists are already growing 🙂
Jaymi the OC Book Girl
Great post Katie! I’ve been seeing a lot of essay collections – sort of like the nonfiction equivalent to short stories, right? Congratulations on the new house – so exciting!
Jaymi the OC Book Girl recently posted…Nonfiction November – Week 1: Your Year In Nonfiction #nonfictionnovember #nonfictionbookparty #theocbookgirl
DoingDewey
Thanks Jaymi! I find that it’s rare for me to like a short story collection, but for some reason, essays really work for me. I’m not really sure why that is!
Cindy r
Congrats on new design. You suggestions are constantly adding to my TBR.🎃🎃
Cindy r recently posted…ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden – Spotlight
DoingDewey
Thanks Cindy!
Rennie
Biggest congrats on the homeownership!!! Us too! Although we’re in the ludicrously, unnecessarily complicated NYC co-op apartment buying process so we’re nowhere your stage of decorating yet, sadly. I’m just thrilled for you!
I did have a lol at your opioid crisis light reading comment. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Raising Lazarus when you get to it!
I think the only overlap I had with you on these is A Little Devil in America, which I read a month or so ago on your recommendation. What a fantastic writer – I want to get to his other essay collection soon too!
Rennie recently posted…Nonfiction November Week 1: Your Year in Nonfiction
DoingDewey
Thanks so much, Rennie! Good luck with the apartment buying. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.
I’m happy I could make you laugh 🙂 Hopefully I’ll get to Raising Lazarus in the next week or so. It turns out that buying a house comes with a lot of adulting, so my reading has slowed down!
I’m so glad that you liked A Little Devil. I think Notes on a Tribe Called Quest is actually my favorite of his essay collections, so you have some great reading ahead of you.
Brona
A Little Devil in America is one of my colleagues favourite book too – it sounds really interesting.
Brona recently posted…AusReading Month – Week One
DoingDewey
Glad to hear other people are enjoying it! It was a great read 🙂
Stephanie @ Bookfever
I’m also in the middle of a move so things are very busy right now but still hope I can read many awesome nonfictions this month. *fingers crossed*
DoingDewey
Good luck with the move! And thanks for trying to join us anyway. I hope are able to find at least a little peaceful time to read 🙂
Molly
Oh I feel terrible but you made me laugh out loud at your comment about the opioid crisis being light reading.
Congratulations on the new home! There is just no feeling quite like knowing it is all yours and you can do whatever you want with it. I hope you enjoy it!
DoingDewey
Don’t feel bad! That makes my day. I’m not the funniest of bloggers, so it’s nice to know I made someone laugh 🙂
adrian
Thanks for hosting! I also have an interest in the opioid crisis and feel like the only person who hasn’t read ‘Empire of pain’ by Patrick Radden Keefe, so will be rectifying that soon. Will add Raising Lazarus and dopesick to the list.
adrian recently posted…NonFiction November – My year in Nonfiction
Emma @ Words And Peace
Home decorating books, nice!
I also read in a good variety of topics this year
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Nonfiction November: My Year 2022 in Nonfiction
DoingDewey
They’re so much more enjoyable now that I can make use of more of their suggestions! There’s so much wonderful variety within nonfiction, I’m excited to hear what you’ve been reading 🙂
maphead
Just posted my link. Thanks for hosting!
maphead recently posted…Book Beginnings: From Peoples into Nations by John Connelly
DoingDewey
Thanks for joining us again this year! I’m excited to hear about what you’ve been reading 🙂
Christopher @ Plucked from the Stacks
Congratulations on the new home! As someone currently looking at paint swatches and flooring options, I totally understand.
I’ll be really curious to read what you think about Raising Lazarus. And A Little Devil in America sounds fantastic. Adding that to my TBR pile.
DoingDewey
Thanks Chris! I’m excited for you that you’re getting to do some home decorating too.
I’m glad A Little Devil seems to be catching people’s attention. I’ve loved all of the author’s essay collections, although I have yet to try his poetry.
Whispering Gums
I can’t see where you link. I haven’t used this particular link-software before, but here is my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2022/11/02/nonfiction-november-2022-your-year-in-nonfiction/
Congratulations too on your new home – I have just bought a “new” home too, but it’s not my first. Instead we are getting on and it’s our downsizing home!
Whispering Gums recently posted…Nonfiction November 2022: Your year in nonfiction
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing your link here! And I’m sorry the inlinkz isn’t showing up. I’ve not found a better alternative, but it can be glitchy.
Congratulations on your new home as well! I hope you’re enjoying it and getting settled in 🙂
Lory @ Entering the Enchanted Castle
I’m glad you have a positive project to balance out the heavier topics. Always appreciate your recs and all the nonfiction love.
Lory @ Entering the Enchanted Castle recently posted…#NonFicNov: Your Year in Nonfiction
DoingDewey
Thanks Lory! I’ve not been reading as much fiction lately, so it is nice to at least have some balance in my nonfiction 🙂
Lisa of Hopewell
Here is my link: I can’t get logged in–sorry!
https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2022/10/10/nonfiction-november-week-1-oct-31-nov-4-your-year-in-nonfiction/
DoingDewey
Thanks Lisa! Sorry the inlinkz is being a pain. I’m glad you were able to share your post here 🙂
Kathleen
Love Nonfiction November.. although I read only nonfiction all year long! I didn’t particpate in this weeks prompt but I did post about the challenge and will participate in the others: http://www.smsnonfictionbookreviews.com/2022/11/nonfiction-november-2022/
thanks!
Kathleen recently posted…Nonfiction November 2022
DoingDewey
Thanks, Kathleen! I appreciate you sharing about the event and I’m excited you’ll be doing some of the later posts. I know even though I always read a lot of nonfiction, it’s a fun change to see so many other people focusing on it this month 🙂
Jenna @ Falling Letters
Ohh! Has it been public knowledge that you bought a home? I feel like this is the first I’ve heard about – so congratulations!! 🥳 I moved earlier this year to a larger apartment, and decorating even just that has been a lot of fun. Hope it’s all going well 🙂
Jenna @ Falling Letters recently posted…My Year in Nonfiction [Nonfiction November]
DoingDewey
Aw, thanks so much, Jenna! This is the first I’ve mentioned it. We only moved a few weeks ago. I’m glad you’re enjoying your new place too!
CurlyGeek
Thanks for hosting Nonfiction November, it’s one of my favorite events. Black Love Matters sounds great; I’ve really tried to diversify my romance reading and I enjoy the different perspectives on romance tropes (Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert are two favorites). A few nonfiction titles I loved this year include Inheritance, Quiet, Being Heumann, and We’re Going to Need More Wine.
CurlyGeek recently posted…My October Reading Wrap-Up
DoingDewey
I’ve not yet read anything by Talia Hibbert, but Jasmine Guillory is a favorite of mine too!
Trin Carl
I’m glad we are both reading Sedaris, I just saw him five feet away! I wrote a review on his book event this week. I also noted what prompted your blog writing, and enjoyed that. Have a great week! @theglobaldig.blogspot.com
Trin Carl recently posted…Snow in britain
Constance
Better late than never with My Year in Nonfiction:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2022/11/my-year-in-nonfiction.html
Constance recently posted…My Year in Nonfiction