Genealogy research through affordable DNA testing has been a popular topic in nonfiction lately, as it is in the news in general, I suppose. I made genetics-related nonfiction the subject of a Nonfiction November Expert Week post two years ago. Two recent memoirs by women look at different aspects of heritage and identity, taking their... Continue Reading →
Minis Roundup: Pop Science and Psychology
Because my blogging has reached new productivity lows, I'm trying to at least gather some thoughts on the past year's reading. Trying! As I mentioned, I continued to read most heavily this year in the area of pop science and psychology. It's time to accept that I'll never get around to full reviews for these.... Continue Reading →
Nonfiction November Week 1: Your Year in Nonfiction
Hello and welcome: Happy first day of Nonfiction November! I'm your host this week for the kickoff, and I could not be more thrilled. Here's our topic: Week 1: (November 1-5) – Your Year in Nonfiction with Rennie at What’s Nonfiction: Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions... Continue Reading →
Nonfiction November Wrap-Up
To end Nonfiction November this year, Julie, Katie and I recorded an episode of Leann's Shelf Aware podcast. We talked Nonfiction November history, reading preferences, and a bunch of other stuff. It was so much fun to get to chat about books with my fellow hosts and I hope it's fun to listen to! I... Continue Reading →
Upsides and Downsides of the DNA Revolution
Book review: The Lost Family, by Libby Copeland (Amazon / Book Depository) I could not help but think... that spitting into a vial in search of family was like spinning a roulette wheel, with no ability to predict the outcome in advance, and the highest of stakes. One of the most rapidly changing branches of... Continue Reading →
A Chef and Historian Traces His Roots In African American Culinary History
Book review: The Cooking Gene, by Michael W. Twitty (Amazon / Book Depository) The Old South is a place where people use food to tell themselves who they are, to tell others who they are, and to tell stories about where they've been. Chef, historian, and Afroculinaria blogger Michael W. Twitty has another fascinating day job:... Continue Reading →
Popular Science on How Genes Can Influence Who We Are
Book review: Pleased to Meet Me, by Bill Sullivan (Amazon / Book Depository) Bill Sullivan, professor of pharmacology and microbiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, writes that he's always been curious about why we are the way we are, with all of our many often peculiar differences. So many traits, preferences, and physical qualities seem... Continue Reading →