Most of the creative nonfiction I’ve been reading lately has been borrowed from the library. Another plus, besides being a cheap way of reading a heap of books, is the recommendations the librarians – and the other people in the checkout queue – give.
Over the past couple of months I’ve been on a quest through lists of creative nonfiction, especially memoirs, lists that have come from the back of writing instruction books I’ve enjoyed. My first reason for borrowing books from the library was the cost, but as I’ve gone along, I’ve discovered that two of the books I’ve most enjoyed got a plug from people at the library.
The first of these was Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
Some of the books I’ve read have been dreadful. Many have been okay. But both the books that received rave reviews from the library have been excellent. So when in doubt about what to read, ask a librarian – or other punters.
We’re both reading and writing memoirs and using the same WordPress theme!
I find good memoirs are few and far between. Many people who write them aren’t writers to begin with. Also, people can be self-serving, or way too detailed, especially regarding mundane childhood incidents. The best one I’ve read is The Liars Club. I read Zen and the Art…many years ago.
Long live libraries!
PS. My memoir, and this theme, is at a different URL from my regular WP blog. In case you care, it’s at http://marcysmemoir.wordpress.com