My readers know that I’m not a fan of history books. But I read them all the same as part of my research into all things Shanghai. While I’ve dangled my toes into the nonfiction pool, I’ve been occasionally surprised by strange and wondrous creatures. Creative nonfiction, in particular, thrills me and I hope to read more of it soon.
The nonfiction books you’ll find on this review page fall into three categories.
First, you’ll see my ongoing efforts to school myself in Chinese history, culture and politics. This is the research I need to do in order to create an authentic backdrop for my historical novels, The Shanghai Quartet. You’ll find some of that research reviewed here, though not all of it. If you’re particularly interested in 1930s Shanghai, the setting for The Dancing Girl and the Turtle, you can have a look at A Reading List. Or, if you’d like a bigger picture on Shanghai history, try this.
Second, you’ll find nonfiction books on the craft of creative writing: how to write it, how to edit it, and how to teach it.
Third, you’ll see nonfiction books about the Netherlands for no better reason than that I live here. Oh, and maybe a couple of cookbooks, some memoir, an essay collection. You know what? Forget about those categories. I read what I read because, well, why not?
nonfiction reviews
Listed alphabetically by author surname
La Migra: The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú
Feeding the Homies: L.A. Son, My Life, My City, My Food by Roy Choi
Reform!: The Tragedy of Liberation – A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957 by Frank Dikötter
Chinese Cooking: Slippery Noodles by Hsiang Ju Lin
Little Red Book: Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong by Mao Zedong
Close Reading: Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
Joodse Huizen 4 (Jewish Houses) edited by F. Rijksbaron, E. Shaya and G.J. de Vries
Rules: The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White (4th edition)
Dutch History Writ Small: Ons Kamp by Marja Vuijsje
Head for the Hills: Educated by Tara Westover