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 🙂
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. 😛 I didn’t know the distinction back then and now she’s not around to ask. 😌 I did read Angela’s Ashes, but that’s a memoir. Does that count? 🤔 😊 🇮🇪
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 (😅), 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. 📚
Thanks for the shoutout. 😃
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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. 😁
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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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