It’s no secret that non-fiction is not as popular as its attractive sibling fiction. But even in non-fiction one can find gems. I know, some think non-fiction and all that comes to mind is dry, boring, hard to read text. It’s not always the case. Non-fiction, when delivered with a certain passion for the subject and maybe from a unique angle, can be very captivating.
Anyway, I came across this Friday Five feature on La La’s blog and though: eh, I have some non-fiction titles I can also show off in a blog post. And here we are.

The Kerry Coast by Tony O’Callaghan: an American lady living in Castlegregory, Ireland, organized a book festival in the village back in 2018. I can’t recall how I got involved. It was some kind of chance encounter that saw me offering help for the event. Anyway, I met a few local authors and Tony was one of them. A white haired older gentleman with a sweet smile and shy, yet friendly attitude. He was kind to give me a copy of his book. Why I want to read it? I simply love it when people are passionate about something. Writing a book and publishing it is no small feat. Tony must really love the Kerry coast ๐
The Islander by Tomas O’Crohan: I got this book for Christmas from my father in law. It has been sitting on my shelf for a number of years but I have been on the island in question – the Great Blasket island – and I know this title details an important part of Irish history and culture, and thus I feel that if there is one title I truly must make time to read in getting to know the Irish spirit, it is this one.
The Secret Societies Handbook by Michael Bradley: I got this title from a second hand shop purely because I knew my father would be interested in reading this. I am his book dealer these days. Naturally, he read it and said there wasn’t anything new to him, but I’ll still have a go. It’s a short enough and quick enough title.
Why I am so Wise by Friedrich Nietzsche: I’ve only read one title by Nietzsche before- Beyond good and evil. I found it difficult enough and interesting enough. He’s a bit of a black and white kind of guy. Iron principles. I just find it interesting… Why not? It’s always great to get the brain into action a bit.
The Wisdom of Life by Arthur Schopenhauer: my copy is in Estonian and another second hand store score. I’ve never read Schopenhauer before, have you? I have always known of the philosopher, but his books never kind of crossed my road and I didn’t actively search either. So, when this title popped up, I didn’t hesitate in getting it. I’ll let you know what I thought of it once I read it, very soon hopefully.
What you think of my non-fiction titles? What are the 5 non fiction books on your shelves you plan to read in the near future?
I don’t read a lot of non fiction myself, although I did finish Against The Ice by Ejnar Mikkelsen the other day… I tend to enjoy memoirs or survival/travel themed non fiction so I mostly read those (either that or true crime).
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Survival themed nonfiction can be really good! The human genius really shines in dire conditions.
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True!
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I am frightfully remiss when it comes to Irish Nonfiction reading of any kind. I used to read Irish folklore during my college years and I know some of it borders on real history, but I don’t count it. I think I still have some of those books somewhere. My grandmother’s family came from Cork, but I don’t know if it was the city, or just the the county. ๐ I didn’t know the distinction back then and now she’s not around to ask. ๐ I did read Angela’s Ashes, but that’s a memoir. Does that count? ๐ค ๐ ๐ฎ๐ช
I’ve never been much into philosophies. I think I told you before that the Philosophy class I took in college depressed me. Ha ha. Although I did want to read some Nietzsche after Existentialism and his life philosophy were mentioned in Little Women. It may have only been mentioned in the movie (๐ ), but that’s how the girls were being raised. I’ll have to pay more attention next time I read the book, which should be next year. ๐
Thanks for the shoutout. ๐
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Oh, Cork! Cork city was my favourite in Ireland – it has this student vibe there, a bit bohemian, I just always felt great there. Great county too, some insane sightseeing… I’d say Angela’s Ashes totally counts! I think it’s a bit of a national treasure of a book for Ireland.
Little Women – I have only seen the movie. I think there’s 2 movies made, the original and then the Hollywood remake… I thought both were great. I always did think I should read the book too…
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The 1994 movie with Winona Ryder is my favorite Little Women movie. They recently made a new one, but I’m always hesitant to watch new movies when I love another movie about a book as much as I do the 1994 movie. Maybe we could buddy read Little Woman next year in either March for Women’s History Month, or in December because I was planning on making it an annual re-read for the holidays. I think it’s because I listen to the ’94 movie soundtrack during the holidays instead of Christmas music. Ha ha. That and the soundtrack to the first Harry Potter movie and tradition Celtic folk music. I am not a Christmas music person. ๐
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I do read non-fiction, quite a lot actually, mostly history and science. I’m in the middle of “A Life on our Planet” by David Attenborough.
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Ah, Attenborough is such a captivating individual.
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