What Should I Read Next? Ep 504: Niche and nerdy narrative nonfiction
Nov 25, 2025
Laura Howard, an Atlanta faculty developer and part-time professor, reveals her journey in discovering her preference for factual historical narratives over historical fiction. She shares her reading habits, which include audiobooks and engaging with her book club. Discussing her desire to fill gaps in her historical knowledge, Laura expresses a keen interest in concise nonfiction. The conversation includes exciting recommendations like 'The Ghost Map' and 'Tunnel 29,' both exploring captivating historical moments.
48:10
Realizing She Prefers Real History
- Laura realized she disliked historical fiction after reading a lot of it and preferring to learn actual history first.
- That discovery revealed gaps in her historical knowledge and prompted her search for nonfiction recommendations.
Steal Minutes With Audiobooks And Purse Books
- Read in short pockets of time using audiobooks for commutes and a physical 'purse book' for unexpected waits.
- Carry a Kindle or a cheap paperback in your bag to grab minutes for reading throughout the day.
Reading As A Social Connector
- Laura turned reading into a social connector, helping friends rekindle reading and guiding bookstore trips.
- She delights in recommending books and guiding people through sections based on their tastes.
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Intro
00:00 • 6min
Why Laura Wants Short, Narrative Nonfiction
05:38 • 2min
Laura's Reading Life and Habits
07:59 • 6min
Realizing Gaps in Historical Knowledge
14:29 • 3min
Length Constraints and Reading Goals
17:26 • 3min
Ad break
20:10 • 3min
Laura's Three Favorite Books
23:13 • 7min
A Book That Didn't Fit Right Now
30:24 • 1min
What Laura Is Reading Now
31:50 • 3min
Specific History Interests Laura Wants
35:02 • 1min
Ad break
36:10 • 1min
Recommendation: The Ghost Map (Cholera in London)
37:15 • 4min
Recommendation: The Notebook (History of Notebooks)
40:56 • 3min
Recommendation: Tunnel 29 and Candace Millard
43:36 • 6min
Laura's Choice and Next Steps
49:25 • 1min
Outro
50:32 • 1min
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Holding Change
adrienne maree brown
#1737
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day is a novel told through the first-person narration of Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall.
In the summer of 1956, Stevens embarks on a six-day motoring trip through the West Country, which becomes a journey into his past.
The novel explores Stevens' memories of his service during and after World War II, his relationship with the former housekeeper Miss Kenton, and the decline of the English aristocracy.
It delves into themes of regret, repression, and the consequences of dedicating one's life to professional duty at the expense of personal happiness.
The story is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the reliability of memory, and the human cost of maintaining a rigid professional persona.
#2116
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
The River of Doubt
Candice Millard
Candice Millard's "The River of Doubt" recounts Theodore Roosevelt's perilous journey down the uncharted River of Doubt in the Amazon.
The book details the physical and mental hardships faced by Roosevelt and his team, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Millard masterfully weaves together historical accounts, personal diaries, and scientific research to create a gripping narrative.
The expedition's challenges and near-death experiences underscore Roosevelt's adventurous spirit and his ability to overcome obstacles.
The book offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roosevelt's life and the exploration of the Amazon.
#
The Hating Game
Sally Thorne
Sally Thorne's 'The Hating Game' centers on Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants who work for a publishing company and are forced to share an office after a merger.
Their intense dislike for each other manifests in a series of hilarious and competitive antics.
As they vie for the same promotion, their carefully constructed animosity begins to unravel, revealing deeper feelings.
The novel explores the fine line between love and hate, filled with witty banter and charming characters.
#1741
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Destiny of the republic
A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
Candice Millard
This book by Candice Millard delves into the life and assassination of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.
It highlights the dramatic events surrounding his death, including the archaic medical treatments that ultimately led to his demise.
The narrative also explores the broader context of the time, including the national mood post-Civil War, the political struggles within Garfield's administration, and the roles of key figures such as Alexander Graham Bell and Vice President Chester Arthur.
The book is praised for its engaging storytelling and meticulous research.
#1891
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
The Ghost Map
The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic – and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World
Steven Johnson
The book chronicles the devastating cholera outbreak in London's Soho district in 1854.
It centers around Dr. John Snow, who created a map to trace the outbreak back to its source—a contaminated water pump—and Reverend Henry Whitehead, whose local knowledge was crucial in determining the cause.
The narrative explores the historical context, the scientific and cultural roots of the miasma theory, and the impact of this event on modern urban planning, public health, and scientific inquiry.
The book also reflects on broader themes such as urbanization, environmental crises, and the role of cities in solving the problems they create.
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Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books
Kirsten Miller
In Kirsten Miller's "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books," a small Southern town is thrown into chaos when a mischievous prankster replaces the wholesome books in Lula Dean's lending library with banned titles.
The novel explores themes of censorship, community, and unexpected connections.
Through a series of interconnected short stories, Miller showcases the diverse perspectives of the town's residents as they grapple with the consequences of the prank.
The story is both humorous and thought-provoking, highlighting the importance of free speech and the power of literature to transform lives.
The book is a satirical commentary on book banning and its impact on society.
#4360
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
There Are Rivers in the Sky
Elif Shafak
#46842
Be the Bombshell
What Love Island Teaches Us About Dating
Rebecca Jennings
#
An American Marriage
Tayari Jones
Sean Crisden
Eisa Davis
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones tells the story of Roy and Celestial, a young African-American couple living in Atlanta.
Their lives are torn apart when Roy is wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit.
The novel explores the complexities of marriage, racial injustice, and personal identity through their experiences.
It is a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and the human impact of systemic injustices.
#19948
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Notebook, A History of Thinking on Paper
Roland Allen
#81
• Mentioned in 168 episodes
Radical Candor
Be a Kick-ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Kim Scott
Radical Candor by Kim Scott offers a practical approach to management by emphasizing the importance of caring personally and challenging directly.
The book argues that effective managers must find a balance between being empathetic and providing clear, honest feedback.
Scott draws from her experiences at Google and Apple to provide actionable lessons on building strong relationships, giving feedback, and creating a collaborative work environment.
The book introduces the concept of 'radical candor' as the sweet spot between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy, and provides tools and strategies for managers to implement this approach in their daily work.
#4950
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
The book narrates the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her knowledge in 1951 and have since become one of the most important tools in medicine.
The cells have been used in developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more, yet Henrietta's family remained unaware of her 'immortality' for decades and never benefited financially from the cells.
The book delves into the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over body ownership.
It also explores the personal story of Henrietta's family, particularly her daughter Deborah, and their struggles with the legacy of her cells.
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Sick Puppy
Carl Hiaasen
Sick Puppy, by Carl Hiaasen, is a satirical crime novel set in Florida.
The novel introduces the memorable character Twilly Spree, who plays a significant role in later books.
The story explores themes of environmental destruction, political corruption, and the clash between nature and development.
Twilly's unique personality and actions drive the plot, as he confronts greedy developers and corrupt officials.
The novel's dark humor and suspenseful plot keep readers engaged until the very end.
#13338
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Tunnel 29
Helena Merriman
Tunnel 29 tells the story of Joachim Rudolph and a group of students who dug a tunnel under the Berlin Wall to help people escape from East Germany.
Despite numerous challenges, including infiltration by a Stasi agent and technical setbacks, they eventually succeeded in freeing 29 people.
The book also explores the involvement of an American TV network and the U.S.
government's attempts to suppress the documentary about the escape.
Historical fiction is a popular genre among many, but today's guest learned a lot about her reading life when she realized this genre wasn't for her!
Today Anne is talking with Laura Howard, an Atlanta-area faculty developer and part-time university professor. She’s always seen reading as both a personal joy and a form of connection, whether with the fellow members of her longstanding book club or with other friends and neighbors.
When Laura realized she wasn't a fan of historical fiction, she was also able to pinpoint why: she’d prefer to learn about the actual history of events before reading fiction inspired by real life. She also has a specific list of topics she’d love to explore via engrossing nonfiction books. A high priority is keeping those books on the shorter side. Laura has tried to research on her own to find titles that meet her needs, but she’s found the options online to be totally overwhelming. That brings her here today: Anne and Laura dive in to identify great nonfiction about history.
Please share your ideas for Laura by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/504, where you'll also find the list of titles discussed today.
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