Armchair BEA Day 4: Non-Fiction!

Today is Day # 4 of Armchair BEA and our Genre of Choice is: Non-Fiction!

I will be honest and say that I do not read very much non-fiction.  At least, I haven’t before this last year.  Since September of 2012, though, I have been reading an enormous amount of non-fiction, at least compared to what I usually read.  This is because I started my Ph.D. in English program and, despite what people think, it’s not just reading novels!  That’s probably the least of it, actually.

In addition, I have also been making a concerted effort to read more books on writing and to read more biographies/autobiographies/memoirs of people who I find interesting.  I also recently purchased a pile of books on the French Revolution because I’ve been fascinated by it, lately.  Most of those books remain unread, but still! 

So, while a year ago I may not have known where to go with this category and what to suggest, today I feel pretty confident that I can recommend some good ones.  I’ve listed a few below, with a short description and a reason why I recommend the book.  If you have any great suggestions for me, please let me know!

On Writing:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:  I’m actually in the process of reading this one right now, so I can’t give to many details about it.  What I can say, though, is that as a reader and a writer, I responded to it right away.  The struggles, the confusion, the way real life seeps into our writing and into our writing process, it is all there in a well-told voice that is lovely to follow along with.  I can’t wait to finish this one.

Willa Cather On Writing by Willa Cather: Willa Cather is one of my favorite writers.  I read this collection of essays and letters (or at least parts of it) a long time ago and have it on-shelf for a re-read sometime soon.  Cather talks about her own writing and process, as well as that of other notable writers, such as Katherine Mansfield and Stephen Crane.  She focuses on how writing is an art form that is deeply personal, regardless of what one is writing.  Cather is easy to read and her thoughts are inspiring.  

On History:

Vive la Revolution: A Stand-Up History of the French Revolution by Mark Steel:  This book is a very concise, amusing look at the French Revolution.  It is written by a comedian, but which makes it fun to read, but it is also well-researched and well-written.  You get the basic facts of who, what, where, why, and when.  It’s not the most insightful or detailed book in the world, but it’s a great overview and introduction, for newbies. I enjoyed it.

Colonialism and Homosexuality by Robert Aldrich:  This book is a comprehensive overview of same-sex relationships in the European Colonies (Africa, Asia, South America) during the 18^th and 19^th centuries (there are some discussions of earlier and later periods).  It really opens up the discussion about homosexuality, homosocial relationships, same-sex desire versus identity, and, most importantly, the power-relationship between Colonists and the Colonized, and how same-sex sexual relationships were bred from this dynamic. Fascinating.

On Literary Theory:

Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan Culler:  I almost always like the “Very Short Introduction” books that I read.  They are put out by Oxford University Press and cover a wide-range of topics.  They are, as their titles indicate, short – which means they are compact, sometimes lacking detail, but great resources for beginners or those who want to brush up on a topic without spending too much time on it. This was the first of the series that I read, and the first book on literary theory that I ever read.  It was definitely a good introduction, it pointed to a lot of the major schools, movements, and theorists, and, most importantly, it had a great bibliography for further reading.

Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton: This book (and After Theory, also by Eagleton) is an incredible resource for literary theorists, new or experienced.  The 25^th Anniversary edition is a must, as Eagleton revised the original to include material on feminist and cultural theory.  This text covers all of the major schools, goes more in-depth than the “Short Intro” books and, most importantly, is written in a way that is not a burden to read. Eagleton’s narrative voice is engaging and relaxed, which is helpful when the information being discussed is so complex and sometimes dry.  

On Philosophy:

Five Dialogues by Plato: A collection of essays which recount the days leading up to Socrates’ trial for “corrupting the youths of Athens”, as well as Socrates’ defense (apologia) to the jury, and his final conversation with his closest friends before his induced suicide by hemlock. The essays are an exploration of the man and his methods, as well as an historical account by Plato of the time period and its dangers (during the transition from oligarchy to democracy there was a tension between the government and its people – the government being always weary of its own weaknesses).   For anyone interested in history, philosophy, rhetoric, or law, this is a must-read.   

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf:  Some call this book a work of feminism, others an instruction on writing.  It is, indeed, a collection of lectures given by a feminist woman to a group of university writers and while I do believe it checks-off those boxes, I found this book to be more than just a “feminist writer’s piece” or a “woman’s piece,” despite its most famous quote about what a woman needs.  Woolf tells a story in order to get her point across about telling a story – it is metanarrative and humanist philosophy in one.  She’s commenting on gender dynamics, power struggles, individual liberties, and personal fulfillment.  This is one of the most powerful, and empowering, books that I have read in the past decade – and I am a dude, so it’s clearly not just for women.

Biographies/Memoirs:

The Beautiful Room is Empty by Edmund White: The Beautiful Room is Empty is the second memoir n an autobiographical trilogy. It discusses not just the growth of boy-into-man, but also gives a historical account of the period. The 1950s and 1960s – the rise and fall of the Beatniks. The advent of hipsters. The strain for one man to understand what being homosexual means, and for one nation – one culture – to begin approaching a similar question. What is “gay?” White seamlessly weaves individual struggle with populous turmoil. There is the question in general, and the answers as approached through different lenses: class, education, region. How do the Midwestern intellectuals, mundane and suburban, treat homosexual? What about the artsy, edgy New York City high-rollers? The rich? The destitute? What’s the difference between a “trick,” his “john,” and day-life versus night-life? This novel attempts to answer these questions, and more. Really, though, it’s a novel of questions. It’s a memoir of life, as lead by the author – someone still obviously affected by the pain, the struggles, the joys, and the many, many questions of his youth. I also highly recommend the prequel, A Boy’s Own Story.

The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain: One of the benefits of reading an autobiography, and their primary appeal for most, is that they allow readers an opportunity to learn more about a historical figure’s life and work – things that could only be guessed at or inferred by reading their fiction, watching their movies, examining their politics, etc.  Twain’s autobiography fulfills this promise, in that it reinforces what one might learn about him through his fiction, but also reveals so much more about his private life, his personal ambitions, and his deep, deep pains.  I found Twain’s Autobiography to be wonderful and painful.  Anyone who is already a fan of Twain’s writing will certainly enjoy this text; however, conversely, those who do not enjoy his books may have difficulty with this, because his style and approach in narrative and essay form are similar (also some credit must be given to the editor, Charles Neider, who put some structure and organization into this edition of the work – Twain had dictated the entire thing, so its original form was far from fluid or cohesive).  It was incredibly rewarding not just to learn more about the man and his private life, but also about his writing process, his relationships with other prominent writers and figures of the time.

Ultimately, I am still a fiction reader, most of the time.  I do enjoy non-fiction, though – much more than I used to.  I think what helped me most was exploring topics that I was really interested in.  Biographies of favorite writers, for instance, or well-reviewed books about time periods, events, or issues that I am passionate about. 

What are your thoughts on non-fiction?  Do you read much of it?  Do you struggle with it?  Any recommendations?