Week 8 - Nonfiction

I chose sports, crime, food, and history from the list presented in the video. Sports is generally found in 796 and true crime in 364. Food and history are much broader and can be found in various Dewey areas of the 600s and 900s and are also often in biography.

Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown would definitely be an excellent choice for a fiction reader. It is well-written, inspirational, and is a wonderful story that is hard to put down. It's a sports story that transcends the sport and thus has a wider appeal. The Bling Ring: How a Gang of Fame-Obsessed Teens Ripped Off Hollywood and Shocked the World by Nancy Jo Sales would appeal to fiction readers who like reading about the uber-wealthy and/or prefer their stories set in the glitzy world of show business. This one would also be one for teens and younger adults. Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen . . . by Julie Powell is a strong choice for fiction readers because of its diary-like format and engaging story. The Catonsville Nine: A Story of Faith and Resistance in the Vietnam Era by Shawn Francis Peters combines detailed historic research with in-depth characterization and a quick-moving story.

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell is the story of one young wife stuck in a dead-end job, who loves to cook. She decides to tackle Julia Child's recipes over the course of a year and blogs about it. Her blog becomes more than just a recitation of recipes and cooking techniques, and soon she is sharing details of her life. The blog becomes more and more popular and soon the entire experiement is affecting Julie's job and marriage.

I would recommend this one to a wide variety of readers. First, of course to foodies. The details of the recipes and the history involved in Julia Child's cookbook are fascinating fodder for those who like to eat and read about food. I would also recommend this to fiction readers who enjoy chick-lit. Julie's story of a young girl struggling in the big city would resonate with readers who enjoy stories centered around urban women and their lives.

Boys in the Boat by Brown shares the uplifting story of the University of Washington's rowing team who traveled to the 1936 Olympics and defeated Hitler's German team and other elite global teams. The author was able to share the memories of their coach, the teammates, and others who played a part in this underdog story.

I would give this to readers of history. It is a compelling story of a specific time and history buffs will enjoy the focus and the details of the 1936 Olympics, which were so important to Hitler. I would also share this with sports enthusiasts. While rowing is not on Sportscenter every night, the author captures the essence of teammwork and drama that is part of why lovers of sports stay glued. This would also be a good one for readers who enjoy inspirational or underdog stories to try. This is an excellent example of narrative nonfiction which could easily be enjoyed by the right fiction reader.