13 one-line book reviews: non-fiction edition
All the non-fiction I read in the first half of 2018, reviewed for you here in brief. Twice the taste in half the time for the girl on the go.
Man's Search for Meaning, Victor E. Frankl (1959)
A psychiatrist trapped in Nazi death camps observed that people retain power to choose their own reactions, even in the worst of circumstances. A must read, a classic still in print six decades on.
Everywhere I Look, Helen Garner (2017)
An essay collection; memories, reflections, observations on all kinds of topics from one of Australia’s most celebrated authors. Utterly breathtaking writing from a master of the craft.
Work Strife Balance, Mia Freedman (2017)
Funny, insightful, generous memoir, a necessary contribution to feminist debate. I already reviewed it here
.
The First Stone: some questions about sex and power, Helen Garner (1995)
Narrative nonfiction true crime – think Capote's In Cold Blood. This discomfiting investigation of students’ sex assault allegations against a lecturer is still relevant and compulsively readable.
Joe Cinque’s Consolation: a true story of death, grief and the law, Helen Garner (2004)
Immediately needed more. Another unique investigation, this time of the bizarre murder of Canberran Joe Cinque. Possibly even more compulsively readable than the last.
Draft no. 4, John McPhee (2017)
On the art of long-form nonfiction writing by the legendary author, New Yorker writer and Princeton professor. Fascinating insights into his structuring process. Hardcore writing nerds will love it.
Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss (2017)
Autodidact collects short passages of life advice from 100-plus famous people. Fun, more accessible than previous Ferriss and full of amusing, inspiring and useful nuggets. Great gift idea.
French Women for All Seasons, Mireille Giuilano (2006)
I read French Women Don’t Get Fat last year, loved it and craved more. These are only nominally diet/style books. At heart they are about our culture and our ability to celebrate and enjoy food.
Scrappy Little Nobody, Anna Kendrick (audiobook, read by author) (2016)
If you don’t love her, watch The Last 5 Years. Her memoir is hilarious, a glimpse inside Hollywood weirdness. Liked it so much I watched entire Twilight franchise just for her awkward-friend part.
A Grief Observed, C. S. Lewis (1961)
The notebook the great Narnia author kept after his wife’s death. A fierce cry of pain and insight into the process of mourning someone vital: so personal, and yet so universal an experience.
The Passion Trap, Dean D. Celis and Cassandra Phillips (1990)
A psychologist examines the power dynamics and traps involved in both romantic relationships and friendships, and how to alter them. Should be required reading. Fascinating, sensible and practical.
The Boy Behind the Curtain, Tim Winton (2016)
Autobiographical essays reveal WA’s most famous writer’s early life, career formation, relationship with land and insight into WA environmental politics. Exquisitely written, frequently funny.
How to Be a Writer: who smashes deadlines, crushes editors and lives in a solid gold hover craft, John Birmingham (2016)
Refreshingly modern, useful advice on business, and craft, of being full-time multitasking Australian writer. Tough, like a face-punching Mr Money Mustache for novelists, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Further reading:
Peter Craven reviews 'The Boy Behind the Curtain’ by Tim Winton
- Australian Book Review
The biggest problem with Joe Cinque's Consolation [movie]? Helen Garner didn't make it
- The Guardian