🔥 ROASTING MYSELF 🔥 | Popular Nonfiction Books I Shouldn't Have Slept On

💄 My Makeup 💄
Eyeliner: go.magik.ly/ml/1qhba/
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👋 Booktuber Mentioned 👋
Jill ‪@TheBookBully‬
📚 Books Discussed 📚
Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff: amzn.to/3AFjbYi
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain: amzn.to/3AHSF06
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park: amzn.to/3XqpDMl
Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahallan: amzn.to/2UXESO5
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe: amzn.to/3sV4LPG
Know My Name by Chanel Miller: amzn.to/3Tzr9tR
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore: amzn.to/3ObNr1q
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow: amzn.to/3DEWLIY
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: amzn.to/3BhoE6L
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed: amzn.to/38E0QzD
#nonfiction #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionnovember #books #booktube #bookrecommendations
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[@priyankabajaj2733]

Hi Olive. I studied microbiology as a PhD scholar and used HeLa cell lines myself. In our busy schedule of reading text books and journal articles sometimes we miss gems like this. Thank you for bringing The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on top of my TBR :)

[@sandeesandwich2180]

I just finished listening to Catch and Kill. It really did have so much detail that I did not know before -- not just about how hard NBC tried to bury this story but also the connection between Matt Lauer's story and Weinstein. (Also the gruesome details about both men's crimes that were so sanitized in the news reports.) I've wanted to read Know My Name, but I keep waiting to be in the right mental space to do so. I'm not sure what space that is, but it's so hard to start something you know will be heartbreaking.

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Yes to this list!! Cleopatra, Brain on Fire, Say Nothing, Know My Name are all waiting patiently next to newer shinier books. 😊💙

[@ShannonsChannel]

Brain on Fire is terrifying!

[@yeshannahcansing]

I've found that I often wait until the hype for stuff dies down to read it because I'm scared of being "overly critical" of something everyone loves. I ask a lot of written media, and will knock points off if I feel the writing isn't dynamic enough. Rating books lower because "The writing wasn't good enough," is a good way to get your casual reader friends ready to fight you over The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo lmao !!! But I refuse to lower my standards so I hold my tongue until the hype dies a bit and I can be a hater in peace.

[@lindamaxie]

I have so many books on my TBR list. And I do read primarily nonfiction. I have fifty books in my spare bedroom (mostly picked up in used bookstores) to read "next." When I finish one, I look at my pile to see what I'm in the mood to read next. So I seldom read books when everyone else is talking about them. But it works for me. I just finished Indian Givers by Jack Weatherford (written in 1988), and I absolutely loved it. I've never thought about keeping up with what everyone else is reading. Although maybe I should try it. I may be missing out. I want to read Brain on Fire and the Cheryl Strayed book you recommend. They weren't on my list earlier. I did read Wild when it first came out. Loved that one too. I'm glad I found your channel.

[@julierogers1155]

Be gentle with yourself, dear Olive. I share that "rebellious teenager impulse" too.

[@aliciareadsinbr]

Do I need this temptation on Black Friday when I’m on a no buy for November 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@pattidoyle5102]

Great to put on your wish list!

[@nanimaonovi2528]

Hi, Librarian here, it's Buy Nothing Day here at the library. Every Day actually. 😄

[@launchedathousand]

I do this with a fiction a lot of the time. Every time you talk about Brain on Fire I get more interested in reading it.

[@dawnhermann3352]

I loved this video idea! As a big NF reader I love hearing about some that are more backlist and might not be getting as much current attention!

[@abbywonder3825]

I read The Radium Girls this month for Nonfiction November. So heartbreaking and frustrating reading everything they went through

[@Leebearify]

Hi my friend, my 'reason' such as it is turns out that I purchase too many books! I 'treat' myself' to that one or this one and I add it to the pile by my chair and then tomorrow I get another or maybe 2-3 and they go on top of the pile and pretty soon there are two piles and the one I desperately wanted to read is on the bottom of the pile !!! Then I am seriously peeved with myself that I am the last person to actually read my 'treat' book !!! I am taking the month of December off and reading just the treat pile !!!! I am adding the Anthony Bourdain to the purchase pile today. I was delighted to say that other than that I had read all of the others that you listed. AND AND AND thank you so much for telling everyone again about Henrietta Lacks. That book should be read by every woman. Every man who had a Mother and every person who goes to medical school or reads a newspaper. BTW the book was superior to the Oprah show by a zillion miles.

[@judybrown1624]

I think I just overestimate my capacity for reading all the books. The one reason I put off reading specific books is when they have a beautiful cover. I don't keep most books after I've read them, so if it's a pretty cover I don't want to let it go. 🙃

[@belair90210]

I miss Border’s 😢

[@tammyripp998]

Kitchen Confidential is a great read, especially for anyone having worked or that does work in the restaurant/bar industry.

[@LinnaAP]

I got Know my name bc of you. I do hope that the translation makes justice to the writing tough. I'm just preparing my heart for it bc it's a sensitivity subject for me and I also know that I'll end up either crying a lot or smashing things a lot, maybe both. Probably both.

[@myrarucker7953]

😊 haha me too!!! Movies clothing styles food. I just do things in MY timing!!😂

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

PS tiny beautiful things was amazing and I just finished reading it a few months ago. It inspired me to pick up a book on my shelf wild by the author that I had not wanted to read but I’m reading it now because of sugar

[@sandyokey7728]

I find myself doing this also. If a book is catching a lot of hype, I’ll usually avoid it altogether. I think it’s like my inner snob thinking she’s not going to join in the mass hysteria over a book. Then when I do eventually read it, which I usually do, I mentally slap my head and realize what all the hype was about. Well deserved hype, I should add. Glad to know I’m not alone😊

[@jenny6904]

The Radium Girls was such a devastating read!

[@abookgirl1306]

There are so many books I put off for way too long. But, I see books like relationships. Sometimes it’s not the right time. I wonder if I would have enjoyed the book as mush if I read it at an earlier time. ❤

[@marianamasbooks]

I’m currently rereading Cleopatra as part of my Nonfiction November reading! 😍

[@bybeebooks]

I call it "shying away" from a book, in my case. Then I'm annoyed with myself when I finally read and enjoy the book. I'm doing it with several on your list like Catch and Kill, Brain on Fire, and The Radium Girls.

[@jubychacko4730]

I felt the same way about Tiny Beautiful Things! Just read it this week and definitely will be reading it over and over!

[@socaltoobie8984]

Omg… After getting a Kindle to get back into reading, I didn’t even know where to start. Kitchen Confidential was the second book I got for the Kindle. WOW. While I haven’t read nearly as much as you, back in the day I read a lot about the early space program and The Right Stuff was possibly the best book I had read. Kitchen Confidential is right at the top next to The Right Stuff. Just enthralling!!

[@krisprepolec5616]

The audiobook of Know My Name was one of the most powerful things I have ever listened to. Her writing is so beautiful that I hope that she writes something else. I would pick it up immediately. I think we all suffer from the problem of So Many Books, So little Time. Every book I do read means that there are hundreds that I am not reading instead. I better start taking my vitamins.

[@novelideea]

So many good ones here! I added Cleopatra & Tiny Beautiful Things to my list!!

[@The3Gregorys]

I also put off popular books. I always think like a book snob, if everyone likes them then they must be trash because they’re not devoted readers😆 which is never the case (except when it is…like the Fifty Shades series 🤣)

[@lisaedwards8505]

My daughter and I saw the play of Tiny Beautiful Things a few years back. So powerful! I have the book but haven't read it yet. Need to do that! I loved Ronan Farrow's book. And I need to prioritize Chanel Miller's book. I've owned it since publication but haven't read it yet. I think I'm a bit scared of it. I had two daughters away at University at the time and after reading Missoula by Jon Krakauer, I couldn't stomach another sexual assault on campus book.

[@bookwalk1]

Sometimes I put off reading a book that is buzzy because I am afraid it won’t live up to the expectations I have put upon it. That has happened to me a few times, so I sometimes do still shy away.

[@PetiteFrog]

Ok I'm here for the book talk, right? But girl, your eyeliner is fabulous! Also that lipstick, is perfect. And the Breton top rocks! 😘

[@melissamybubbles6139]

I do tend to avoid popular books because I mostly read academic history. I figure I can watch other people summarize popular books, only reading them if they particularly strike my fancy. I also have the snobbish rebellion you mention.

[@laurenab]

I tend to put off books when they're too hyped up. I'll wait until the buzz has died down and when I get to it, sometimes I feel the buzz was worth it, other times not so much. I just read Tiny Beautiful Things this month, it was amazing.

[@judiswank82]

I bought Cleopatra from a book club I was in when it came out-still sitting on the shelf unread. Now, after listening to you, I feel the urge to grab it and read it. Sounds like a New Year start to me.

[@LaRosaReads]

There’s no rhyme or reason why I jump on some books and put off reading others. Sometimes it’s about the mood I’m in. Other times I jump on a book because I feel the pressure to read it because of my profession like everyone will expect me to read it. Other times I’m so overwhelmed by the hype I don’t want anything to do with it lol

[@ShannonsChannel]

Brain on Fire is definitely terrifying. There is a movie as well, I think. (I feel like I've seen a movie of it but can't remember for sure!). I didn't know she'd written anything else.

[@carissa1446]

I read In Order to Live this year. It was so good!

[@octolilly_reads]

I’m def adding Cleopatra to my list! I loved this video :)

[@francescathomas3502]

Don't be too hard on yourself, Olive. You are allowed to be "late" to reading some books. I usually am. If I can grab them on sale then I do, but they seldom come up for sale when I have money. I read Brain on Fire and the Henrietta Lacks books some time ago. My sister read the Yeonmi Park book years ago and has told me to read it, I have not read that one yet. My main reason for putting off books is financial. I try and buy all my books on sale. The Radium Girls is one book I really really want to read. And it's on sale again!! Yaaay. Off to go buy it!! Finally!!

[@francescathomas3502]

Well. At least I got to read ONE book for Non Fiction November 2022. That book was the Radium Girls. I loved it. I do need to get the Yeonmi Park book soon. Can I recommend a book to you Olive? The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy. This is the story of many American socialites who had access to large family fortunes, and who moved to England to marry members of the Aristocracy who had "titles" . Rather like Downtown Abbey. I'm sure we all remember that Cora was an American.

[@sarah456832]

It's been a while since I've read Kitchen Confidential so I'm not exactly sure if that's where he talks about hating garlic that's been through a garlic press, but if it is I also think about that all the time too! Everytime I use one I'm like tsk tsk Tony would not approve 😅

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Omg Olive I do the same thing. Lol. I bought Stoner by John Williams. I got it as a rec from someone on Booktube. Then I didn't read it and I didn't hear anything more about it. Now it's become a "Booktube darling" in some corners of the fantasy booktube.... and now guess what? I don't want to read it BECAUSE they are reading it. Lol🤣

[@EntertheBook]

Brain on Fire sounds really interesting and I totally get taking sweet time to get to things to know it makes it past the hype.

[@kedi2064]

Hi yes like you I won’t watch or read anything that is highly popular at the time and yes will wait years later before reading. You have inspired me to try and enjoy things sooner 😊

[@jadecobain]

I am the same way with books but mostly because the books tend to me more expensive at used books stores if it's new/ everyone is talking about it or there is a long waiting list. I read Brain on fire before I found booktube and was amazed by the story and the movie I felt like it did a good job of telling it. I got Cleopatra at a used book store when I was getting into booktube. I thought it was well done. I had found a copy of Immortal cells of Henrietta Lacks at a thrift store and put it off for awhile mostly because I have been reading a lot of books about illness and needed to clear my brain. I really liked it but I still wonder how much the family got from book sales. I heard about Catch and kill and new I had to read it. It sounds weird but I remember seeing gossip headlines about how Harvey Weinstein was Hollywood's dirty little secret. I got lucky with this book and found it on my libby app with zero waiting list. Most new books or popular booktube books you have to wait months

[@TheBookBully]

I should be ashamed at not having read Radium Girls or The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks! I'm sure I would love both and here I am, a fool. (Honestly Empire of Pain is so good that I think you can be forgiven for enjoying it more than Say Nothing)

[@tawallah77]

I also put off books when they get too popular as well. I don’t want to be another voice shouting or be swayed. But I’ve picked up some books during the hype and tend to enjoy them.

[@emmal7510]

I found The Great Pretender interesting and I think it raised a lot of good questions about how we treat mental health, but I haven't read Brain on Fire, so I don't know how they compare. I do remember seeing a review that complained that it rehashed a lot of her experience from BoF, but I'm guessing that's unavoidable to a degree. I don't remember it being the majority of the book.

[@awebofstories]

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself! I find that have better success when I wait for the hype to pass to read popular books. My thoughts on your books: Cleopatra - Just added it to my TBR! Kitchen Confidential - Great book! For an added experience, Anthony Bourdain did an interview on the 20th (?) anniversary of this book where he roasts himself over it. It's an excellent watch if you can find it (I think it was on CNN, but I'm not sure...) In Order to Live - I'm on an island here, but that book just didn't work for me. While I completely believe that the North Korea regime is terrible, there was enough about Park's specific story and they way she told it that I ended just not believing her. Brain on Fire, Say Nothing - I have never actually heard of these, but they sounds fascinating! Know My Name - This one has been on my TBR for quite some time...just looking for a time to read it. The Radium Girls - Yes! It's on sale at Kobo! And now it's on my kobo! Catch and Kill - I think I might have this in my libro library. Or maybe it is She Said? I'll have to check. Henrietta Lacks - Such an amazing book! I read it a few years ago for a book club. It is a great discussion book (as I'm sure all these are!) Tiny Beautiful Things - Wonderful! I also saw the stage production of it a while ago (before the pandemic) and it was just as wonderful. Thanks so much for this and all your videos. You are responsible for a good chunk of my TBR!

[@francescathomas3502]

Radium Girls is on sale on Kobo?? Cool. Off to get it right now. Finally!!! Thanks Melinda. I have been wanting to read this for ages!!! Brain on Fire was fascinating!!

[@lesliewells1062]

Memoirs and non fiction are probably 75% of what I read. Memoirs are my favorite. I also love really good novels. It seems like I have higher standards for fiction than non fiction. I think because in fiction, the author is creating a whole new world for us and in non fiction they are writing about the world that already exists. Although I have pretty high expectations of non fiction too!

[@halfmanhalfbook]

Generally, for me, Hype = Nope as I have read lots of books that never lived up to that hype. Because of my backlog I am normally very behind the curve. I have decided that rather than follow the FOMO feeling of new books I would rather choose what I want to read by curating my own lists of book that are right for me to read at that time.

[@LinnaAP]

I get the point of the video but I sincerely believe that we read books when we are meant to and maybe it helps that I rarely regretted putting of (and picking it up later) or putting forward a book.

[@elizabethsspookyshouseofbooks]

If you haven't read it yet then you need to , the book I'm talking about is The Woman They Coukd Not keep Slience its also by Kate Moore

[@janethansen9612]

I also have that rebellious aversion to popular and hyped up books which is for no reason other than being snobbish about my reading I guess. I'm going to add The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to my pre Christmas book order.

[@IrmaSincera]

Read Catch and Kill this year and it was mind blowing, loved it so much. I could recommend also Podcast Tapes by Ronan Farrow, very good docu series on same topic. I want to read SHE SAID , but not sure if it will be to repetitive after Ronans book. But the movie is coming out soon based on She Said book so its tempting me to read. Is it worth or Farrows book is enough?

[@sandraraedeer4849]

I am always putting of books and cannot say why

[@Aunt-Rachel]

The Great Pretender was just okay, imo. I've heard a lot of people say it wasn't as good as Brain on Fire, but I never read that, so can't compare the two.

[@kathyk1148]

"The Great Pretender" is not nearly as gripping as "Brain on Fire", but it does pose important questions about mental hospitals. It shows how so many mental hospitals were closed because of test data that was biased and heavily flawed.

[@ruthg7524]

I LOVE Say Nothing. It was one of the best books I read this year. I keep putting off Know My Name. I'm just not sure I will ever be in a good mental place to read it.

[@MilenaReads]

You’re not alone, I do this too 😅

[@electrology]

Olive you are so beautiful... I consider myself not a great reader..I am very slow to read and also easily get distracted and do not retain a lot of stuff that I read....my humble request to you is...are there suggestions and pointers that you can give me as a good reader to improve upon those things? please please...... and and and and oh dear you should not blame yourself for not reading or reading it late hahahaha

[@a_bookish_gemini]

Funny, I have the same apprehension regarding hyped books. I didn’t read Harry Potter until 5 years after the last book came out. I just finished “Educated”, which EVERYONE and their mother read 3 or so years ago. So weird.

[@kimb884]

I do this with books and tv shows everyone is talking about. I watched Seinfeld 15 years after everyone else. We’re quirky I guess!

[@melissamybubbles6139]

You might like The Ukrainian Night by Marci Shore. It's about the Maidan protest in 2014. Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe by Sheri Berman is also really good.

[@scrapsweetiepie]

I’m the same way about trendy things. I didn’t read or watch any Harry Potter until I was 27 / 2007 because it was too trendy.

[@abookolive]

Same here! I read through the HP series for the first time in my 20s.

[@kdbarham]

You go girl!

[@Souljacker7]

Solid recommendations! Thanks

[@stargater2892]

I do put things aside, the cover doesn't speak to me, not in the mood. Too many choices.

[@kimberlysneden4924]

Hi, I need someone to help me find a alternative history series that is based on WW II. Being that we did not win.

[@dollycatlin5077]

Excellent video!!!

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Yes!

[@charlesae1]

Can you recommend books for kids . ie is around 10 to 12 years.

[@anautisticreader2963]

I also put off books the more hype there is around it. Took years to pick up Twilight and my mom had to bribe me with money to read Harry Potter. I also avoid picking up non-fiction because it intimidates me.

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hi

[@brendondominique670]

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