I heard someone who talks about book trends that they thought books were getting shorter and they thought it was due to our shortened attention span. It might vary by genre though. I always assumed a lot of non fiction i read is kind of long but then i realized I read things with lots of notes sometimes loke 50 pages. Romatasy and fantasy books look to long to me while I'm noticing a lot more short literary fiction.
This is not a dumb question. It depends on the book and how they are written and what they are. If there is added information yes, but if it is just citations then no. I used page counts here excluding notes.
My neurodivergent brain! I meant to convey my gratitude to you (as always), both for advocating for Palestine (which so few writers and people in the book world are doing) and for platforming Palestinian writers.
Thanks so much for this! I have to say that Hiroshima is a book that fundamentally changed my thinking about certain things--the part where he describes what ppl physically experienced trying to help those survivors was so disturbing I had to put it down for a few days. I mean jezuz it was intense. Also, that one by Nathan Thrall was so excellent (heartbreaking, but such a great read). Sorry, one last one: Poverty By America was foundational to me too. I got my mom to read it and my sister afterwards and it opened their eyes too (we have a lot of conversations about it even now after reading it back when it came out). THAT is the book to read right now, with momentum towards the likes of AOC/Bernie/Mamdani candidates trying to discuss class-politics. I think it is a great work to build from to push candidates and help formulate a person's consciousness on class within the American system.
I so appreciate an excellent short book. Is it just me or does it feel like books are getting longer?
I don’t know that I’ve noticed a trend one way or the other. I need to pay more attention.
I heard someone who talks about book trends that they thought books were getting shorter and they thought it was due to our shortened attention span. It might vary by genre though. I always assumed a lot of non fiction i read is kind of long but then i realized I read things with lots of notes sometimes loke 50 pages. Romatasy and fantasy books look to long to me while I'm noticing a lot more short literary fiction.
Good point about genre. A romance author I have read and enjoyed released a new book and the paperback is 592 pages! That was a hard no for me.
That’s too long.
Thank you so much for sharing this list!
Dumb non-fiction question for you based on one of your footnotes: do you normally read the Notes at the end of books?
This is not a dumb question. It depends on the book and how they are written and what they are. If there is added information yes, but if it is just citations then no. I used page counts here excluding notes.
I listened to your podcast with Omar El Akkad. It's incredibly beautifully written, so I'm seconding it here as a "potent hit of nonfiction."
Yes! Love that book so much.
My neurodivergent brain! I meant to convey my gratitude to you (as always), both for advocating for Palestine (which so few writers and people in the book world are doing) and for platforming Palestinian writers.
Thanks so much for this! I have to say that Hiroshima is a book that fundamentally changed my thinking about certain things--the part where he describes what ppl physically experienced trying to help those survivors was so disturbing I had to put it down for a few days. I mean jezuz it was intense. Also, that one by Nathan Thrall was so excellent (heartbreaking, but such a great read). Sorry, one last one: Poverty By America was foundational to me too. I got my mom to read it and my sister afterwards and it opened their eyes too (we have a lot of conversations about it even now after reading it back when it came out). THAT is the book to read right now, with momentum towards the likes of AOC/Bernie/Mamdani candidates trying to discuss class-politics. I think it is a great work to build from to push candidates and help formulate a person's consciousness on class within the American system.
Thanks Traci!
I love how much of an impact these books have had on you. All three you mentioned are stellar!
I've read 11 books this year and only is non-fiction so this was all a call-out to me personally and I am listening...
You only reading one nonfiction book feels like a personal attack against me. 🔪🔪🔪
Dyscalculia is honest but refreshing and 225 pages. Perfect.
Yes! It’s a great fit.
great list!
Thank you! Do you have any fave short nonfiction?