When we think of nonfiction, we think of school and reading to learn something specific. While that is certainly one of the purposes behind nonfiction, we can also find a lot of books that are really good reading. Some of them are so good that they end up on award lists and are recommended reading. I want to tell you about a few that I have read, and then I'll also mention a couple that may be of interest because of the topic presented.
Ghosts of War by Ryan Smithson is written by a young man who joined the army at the age of 19 and spent time in Iraq. He writes his own story of how the experience changed his life. This book was eye opening as he talked about basic training and how the individual will of the soldier is broken until they can truly function as a team. Becoming a soldier is a commitment not only to service to a country, but service to the man or woman who stands next to you. It was also interesting to read the perspective of the soldier who has been there as to what our role was in this war and how the people that they were there to assist perceived them. This was a very interesting book and very well written.
Another inspirational story written by a young man who faced nearly impossible odds is Iron Heart by Brian Boyle. Brian experienced a near fatal automobile accident at the age of 18. This book tells the story of that crash and the determination it took for him to come back to compete in an Ironman competition. This is truly an inspiring story of what a person can do when they don't give up on themselves.
One of our High School Book Award winners for the year 2013-2014 is The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story by Mark Tabb. Ed Thomas was the football coach at Parkersburg, Iowa. In 2008, the town was devastated by a tornado, but Ed Thomas predicted that they would play their first game of the new year on their own field, and they did. He was an inspiration to the town and his team, but his life ended abruptly when one of his former players, who suffered from mental health issues, murdered him. This is the story of how his life and death impacted not only his town, but the nation.
Sometimes the nonfiction reader has a special interest or is just looking for a new approach to a topic. One book that may fit that description is A People's History of American Empire by Howard Zinn. This is a book of history told in graphic form. It tells a part of America's story with pictures and captions. Bomb is another award book and is written by Steve Sheinkin. It tells the story of the Atomic bomb and the race between nations to be the first to have this weapon. Finally, for fans of science fiction, The Physics of Star Trek by Lawrence M. Krauss will offer a new perspective to Star Trek science.
The nonfiction shelves carry a wealth of information about a variety of subjects. Some are more than just a list of facts. Many don't look anything like a textbook. I hope you will consider a nonfiction title as you explore your interests.