Week 2 of Nonfiction November has started. This week it is time to pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title, or, if you prefer, another nonfiction. Being in the modern time and age you could also pair it with a podcast, film or documentary. The choice is yours. This week is hosted by Rennie @ What’s Nonfiction
I always find this theme rather difficult, but this year I found my perfect match right away. It has to do with history, what else? One of my absolute favourite books are A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It covers the years from 1922 when communism was new until 1954, the year after Stalin died. You might see my pairing here. Simon Sebag Montefiore has written an excellent account of Stalin's life and his deeds. It is mostly scary reading. In The Court of the Red Tsar you get a detailed, well researched account on his life and times. It seems I did not write a review at the time, maybe because it is difficult to summaries everything that was happening. It is a very thick book, full of details, and sometimes so horrific to read, that you have to take a break. Not because of the writing but because the actions of Stalin are so terrible it is difficult to grasp.
Otherwise the nonfiction reading is rather slow. It turns out November is full of things to do. Blogging, newsletter, Nanowrimo and other fun things to do. I am enjoying your posts and recommendations.
I usually find this week difficult, but overcame that by creating the post through the year! A good pairing there.
ReplyDeleteMe too Liz, but somehow these two books came to me right away this year. Maybe because I really loved A Gentleman...
DeleteGreat combination. As you know, I also loved "A Gentleman in Moscow", such a fantastic book. And I read a lot about Russia and/or The Soviet Union, so this is close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteBook-Paring is one of my favourite weeks of Non-fiction November. My Week 2.
Marianne, the two books came to me in a flash (hihi). Usually, I have difficulties with this week, although I find it very interesting, to see which books are paired by other bloggers. Loved yours.
DeleteThanks, Lisbeth. I love this week because it gives me so many ideas what to read next. Although, having said that, my TBR pile is far too high already.
DeleteDeb, can really recommend this one. Montefiore has written another one on Stalin I think. He is such a good historian and he writes very well.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Court of the Red Tsar, and actually thought his earlier part of the Stalin biography, Young Stalin, was even better! If you haven't read that one I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI have not read that one Rennie. I must admit it was enough to read The Red Tsar. I might me ready for another one. To know of his younger years might give a clue to who he became in later life.
DeleteIt does sound like a great pairing!
ReplyDeletehttps://wordsandpeace.com/2022/11/09/nonfiction-november-2022-book-pairings/
Thank you Emma, I was happy to find this pairing so fast. It has taken me some effort earlier years. Now I am thinking of stranger than fiction, but cannot come up with anything fast. Have to take some more time.
Delete