Trying to decide on a NF book to read

[Genki Hikari]

I am absolutely horrible at deciding what to read in my massive Non-Fiction TBR pile. I have so many to choose from that I get bouts of decision paralysis, and end up retreating back to fiction, where I'm more comfortable (and decisive).

I've made myself narrow my list down to five that seem like good contenders. If I could do a poll I would, but I'm not a star member. Instead I'll list my finalists here, and anyone can recommend what they like. If you want to include your reasoning for it, that's cool, too.

Here they are:

*Kate Dawson - American Sherlock

*Patrick Keefe - Rogues

*Rebecca Skloot - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

*Jack Weatherford - Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

*White, April - The Divorce Colony

Whatever book gets the most recs, I'll read it.

[KS Toronado]

1. This book has never gone out of print

Dee Brown.......Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

I have a 1st edition. This is not fiction though.

[LoisB]

5. One of the best books ever written (IMHO). I have never been able to read it without crying. My

copy is 2nd Edition. I have the illustrated version too.

[Genki Hikari]

7. Sorry, I've read that.

I was looking for input on the five books in the list. Those are the ones I'm going to read next.

[brewens]

2. I've been watching on YouTube about ancient civilizations, step nomads and barbarians.

I'd go with Genghis.

One told about another Kahn warlord that took over this town in what's now southern Russia, I think.

He didn't have a huge army and the town had some kind of cavalry they couldn't deal with if they put the place under siege. So, they dug this trench across the steppe a few miles out of sight and hauled off the dirt so it couldn't be seen until it was too late. They left a few causeways across it and had some guys in the grass to show them where to cross.

Then they came riding up with enough guys to make their cavalry think they could charge and wipe them out. They let them chase them getting closer all the time and they rode right into the trench. Then all the other guys that were hiding in the grass with their horses got up and helped the others slaughter them.

Then they surrounded the place and forced them to surrender. That was diabolical.

[SeattleVet]

3. Rebecca Skloot's book is riveting.

I heard her interviewed on NPR when it first came out and got a copy immediately. The book was the impetus to finally get some compensation for the family. Henrietta Lacks is one of the non-cape wearing heroes, and it's well past time that she got the recognition she well deserves.

[Nay]

4. This. The book was riveting.

[LoisB]

6. From your list, I would recommend "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks".

[Genki Hikari]

8. Thanks for the recommendation

Looks like I'll be reading the Henrietta Lacks book, although Brewens made a great case for me to read the Genghis Khan book as my next NF read.

Thanks for the input, everyone!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. Not on your list,

but I've just started You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe.

And get you mind out of the gutter! It's a biography of George Washington.

[Genki Hikari]

10. No need to warn about the gutter

I'm familiar with the title. It's simply not in my wheelhouse right now. Most of the books up there are related to justice themes--that's what was pulling me toward them. I included the Genghis Khan because it's been on my TBR pile for a while. I keep meaning to read it, but get distracted.

Maybe later I'll be more in the mood for your rec.