Unique Non-Fiction Books as good as Fiction Books !!!

Summary

In this video, the host introduces a selection of unique non-fiction books that transcend the typical genres of self-improvement and biographies. Starting with 'The Snow Leopard', a spiritual travelogue, the list includes 'An Immense World' exploring animal senses, 'Insomniac City', a personal account of New York City, 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' for a fun dive into science, 'The Devil in the White City' blending true crime with history, 'Give Me My Father's Body' on cultural exploitation, and 'The Library Book', an investigation into a library fire. The host emphasizes the power of reading and the diverse experiences non-fiction can offer.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script introduces a variety of unique non-fiction books that go beyond the typical genres of self-improvement and biographies.
• 🏔️ 'The Snow Leopard' by Peter Matthiessen is highlighted as a travel book with a spiritual element, detailing an expedition in the Himalayas and the author's internal journey.
• 🐾 'An Immense World' by Ed Yong is recommended for its exploration of animal senses, offering a different perspective on how animals perceive the world compared to humans.
• 🌃 'Insomniac City' by Bill Hayes is praised for its simple yet beautiful writing, providing a personal account of New York City through the eyes of an insomniac.
• 📚 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson is described as an engaging and fun way to learn about various scientific disciplines.
• 👿 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson is a non-fiction book that reads like a thriller, intertwining the story of the 1893 World's Fair with a serial killer narrative.
• 🗻 'Give Me My Father's Body' tells the story of Minik, an Eskimo boy brought to New York, and explores themes of cultural exploitation and identity.
• 🔥 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean investigates the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library and delves into the emotional connection people have with books and libraries.
• 🌟 The video emphasizes the importance of reading and literature, encouraging viewers to appreciate and preserve the power of books.
• 🎥 The speaker promises to be more consistent with video uploads, having taken a break while moving to a new place with a beautiful library.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about non-fiction books according to the video?

The common misconception is that non-fiction is limited to self-improvement, biographies, and generic topics, whereas the video suggests there are many more unique and diverse non-fiction books available.

Why did the author move to a new place in the US?

The author moved to a new place in the US because they found a beautiful library nearby, which provides a nice space for making videos and has a collection of cozy books and classics.

What is unique about the book 'The Snow Leopard' by Peter Matthiessen?

The uniqueness of 'The Snow Leopard' lies in its blend of travel writing with a spiritual awakening, as the author explores not only the external journey to find the snow leopard but also the internal journey of self-discovery and emotional reflection.

What is the book 'An Immense World' by Ed Yong about?

'An Immense World' discusses animal senses, exploring how different species perceive the world around them in ways that humans cannot, offering a perspective on the limited slice of reality that humans experience.

Why is 'Insomniac City' by Bill Hayes a personal account of New York City?

'Insomniac City' is a personal account because Bill Hayes, suffering from insomnia, wandered the streets of New York City, observing and conversing with ordinary people, capturing their stories and the essence of the city.

What makes 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson a fun read?

The book is a fun read because Bill Bryson presents complex scientific and historical topics in an engaging, light-hearted, and humorous manner, making learning about the world enjoyable and accessible.

What is the main theme of 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson?

The main theme of 'The Devil in the White City' is the juxtaposition of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, a celebration of progress and culture, with the dark story of a serial killer, H.H. Holmes, who was active during the same period.

What is the story behind the book 'Give Me My Father's Body'?

The book tells the story of Minik, a Greenlandic boy brought to New York by explorers in the late 1800s. It explores his struggle with identity, cultural heritage, and the exploitation of his people by Westerners, as well as his quest to recover his father's remains.

What is the significance of the book 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean?

The significance of 'The Library Book' lies in its exploration of the 1986 fire at the LA Central Library, the impact on the community, and the broader themes of the importance of libraries, the love of books, and the preservation of literature.

How does the video script suggest reading can impact a person's life?

The script suggests that reading can transport a person to different worlds, evoke deep emotional responses, and enrich one's understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives, ultimately changing the course of one's life.

What is the promise the author makes regarding the consistency of their video uploads?

The author promises to be more consistent with their video uploads, acknowledging the long gap since their last upload and expressing their commitment to providing regular content.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Rediscovering Non-Fiction Gems

The speaker introduces the video by challenging the common perception of non-fiction as being limited to self-improvement and biographies. They highlight the existence of unique and diverse non-fiction books and announce their intention to recommend such titles in the video. The speaker also shares their recent relocation to a place with a beautiful library, which will be the setting for future videos. The first book mentioned is 'The Snow Leopard' by Peter Matthiessen, a travelogue and spiritual journey through the Himalayas in search of the elusive snow leopard, which also delves into themes of self-discovery and inner reflection.

05:01

🌏 Exploring Animal Senses and NYC's Insomniac Tales

The speaker discusses two favorite non-fiction books of theirs from 2023. 'An Immense World' by Ed Yong explores the fascinating realm of animal senses, revealing how different creatures perceive the world in ways far beyond human capabilities. The book challenges the notion of human supremacy and invites readers to consider the richness of animal experiences. 'Insomniac City' by Bill Hayes is a personal account of the author's encounters and observations in New York City during his struggle with insomnia. Hayes' narrative is described as a love letter to NYC, capturing the essence of its people and culture through simple yet profound storytelling.

10:02

📚 A Whimsical Journey Through Science and History

The speaker recommends 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson, praising the author's ability to make science enjoyable and accessible. The book provides a comprehensive overview of various scientific disciplines in an entertaining manner, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a fun and educational read. The speaker also mentions 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson, a gripping non-fiction narrative that intertwines the story of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago with the exploits of a serial killer, offering a thrilling and historically rich reading experience.

🔍 Unveiling Cultural Exploitation and the Power of Books

The speaker presents two unique non-fiction books that delve into historical and cultural themes. 'Give Me My Father's Body' tells the story of Minik, an Eskimo boy brought to New York during the late 1800s, and his struggle with identity and cultural heritage after discovering the truth about his family's fate. The book serves as a lens into the exploitation of indigenous cultures by Westerners. The final recommendation, 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean, investigates the devastating 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library and explores the profound impact of the loss on the community, the importance of libraries, and the love of books.

Keywords

💡Non-fiction

Non-fiction refers to a genre of literature that presents real events, people, or situations, as opposed to fictional narratives. In the video, the host aims to challenge the common perception of non-fiction being limited to self-improvement and biographies, emphasizing that the genre encompasses a wide range of unique and diverse topics.

💡Self-improvement

Self-improvement books are a subcategory of non-fiction that focuses on personal development, often providing guidance on how to enhance skills, overcome challenges, or achieve goals. The script mentions that while self-improvement is a common association with non-fiction, there are many other types of non-fiction books that offer different perspectives and insights.

💡Biography

A biography is a detailed account of a person's life, typically written by someone other than the subject. In the context of the video, biographies are noted as another common type of non-fiction, but the host seeks to highlight non-fiction works that diverge from this traditional path.

💡Travel writing

Travel writing involves documenting experiences from journeys and explorations, often providing insights into different cultures, landscapes, and personal encounters. The script refers to 'The Snow Leopard' as an example of travel writing that also delves into spiritual awakening and personal reflection.

💡Spiritual awakening

Spiritual awakening is a profound shift in awareness and perception, often leading to a deeper understanding of one's self and the world. In the video, 'The Snow Leopard' is described as not just a travel book but also a narrative of the author's internal journey and self-discovery.

💡Animal senses

The concept of animal senses refers to the various ways in which animals perceive the world around them, which can be vastly different from human senses. The book 'An Immense World' mentioned in the script explores the unique sensory experiences of animals, challenging our understanding of the natural world.

💡Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. In the context of 'Insomniac City,' the author's experience with insomnia leads him to explore New York City and its inhabitants in a unique and introspective manner.

💡Cultural exploitation

Cultural exploitation refers to the unethical use or manipulation of a culture or its people, often by outsiders for personal gain or curiosity. The script discusses 'Give Me My Father's Body,' a book that tells the story of a Greenlandic boy brought to New York, highlighting the exploitation of indigenous cultures during the colonial era.

💡Historical perspective

A historical perspective provides a viewpoint on events or phenomena based on their historical context. The video recommends books like 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' and 'The Devil in the White City' that offer engaging historical narratives, making the past accessible and intriguing.

💡Library

A library is a repository of information, typically in the form of books, and serves as a community resource for learning and research. The script discusses the importance of libraries and the profound impact of their loss, as exemplified by 'The Library Book,' which investigates a devastating fire at the Los Angeles Central Library.

💡Reading

Reading is the process of interpreting written or printed text to extract meaning. The video emphasizes the joy and transformative power of reading, as well as the importance of promoting literature and the preservation of books, particularly in the digital age.

Highlights

Introduction to the video discussing unique non-fiction books beyond self-improvement and biographies.

Recommendation of 'The Snow Leopard' by Peter Matthiessen, a travel book with elements of spiritual awakening.

Discussion on 'An Immense World' by Ed Yong, exploring animal senses and perceptions beyond human capabilities.

Insight into 'Insomniac City' by Bill Hayes, a personal account of New York City and its people.

Review of 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson, a fun and informative look at science and history.

Intriguing narrative of 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson, blending true crime with historical events.

Story of 'Give Me My Father's Body: The Life of Minik, the New York Eskimo', touching on cultural exploitation and identity.

Investigative account in 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean, detailing the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library fire.

Emphasis on the importance of libraries and the love for books as a civilization's cornerstone.

Personal connection to the power of reading and the impact it has on one's life.

Promise of more consistent video uploads and a sneak peek into upcoming content.

Encouragement for viewers to explore the推荐的 books for a broader understanding of non-fiction genres.

Reflection on the transformative potential of literature and its ability to resonate with readers on a profound level.

Acknowledgment of the gap between video uploads and a commitment to regular content creation.

Final thoughts on the importance of preserving and promoting the culture of reading in the digital age.

Transcripts

whenever people hear the term

non-fiction the first thing that pops

into their mind is self-improvement

biography and all the generic stuff but

I think there are many more great unique

non-fiction books out there hey you

beautiful people welcome back to a new

video on our Channel R travel become I

know it's been quite some time that I've

uploaded a video almost a month now

actually I was moving places uh there's

a new place which I have moved to in the

US and surprisingly this place has a

beautiful Library around me the one

which you see behind me it's a library

it's a very nice space with some cozy

books some Classics so I'm going to make

my videos here uh videos are going to be

regular so let's talk about this video

in this video I'm going to talk about

some very very unique non-fiction books

which do not fall into the spectrum of

the quintessential self-improvement or

the biography books non-fiction has much

more to it than just biographies and

self-improvement books it's not just

about you know business success you know

how to do things there's much more

things in the non-fiction category and

the recommendations that I'm going to

give in this video are going to be super

super unique and fantastic in the videos

that I'm going to make from now on the

last book is is going to be my personal

favorite recommendation it's going to be

always at the end so make sure you watch

the video till the end you may never

know which thought or fact May resonate

with you and change the course of your

life so let's get started the first book

on the list is the snow leopard by Peter

matys so it's an old book from the 1900s

and it's actually a travel book this

book came at a time when travel writing

was very very popular if you if you have

heard about the endurance mission of

Ernest Shackleton which was like a crew

of people crew of explorers who went to

the Antarctic this book is is also on a

similar line but this author this writer

Peter along with his biologist

environmentalist friend they both went

to the upper Himalayas on a tiban

plateau they basically wanted to

research on a particular type of blue

Himalayan sheep and they also wanted to

spot the snow leopard during that time

very few people in the world had spotted

the snow leopard so these two people

went out on an expedition to find out

about that snow leopard now what

happened on this Expedition how did

these people travel is all about the

book but the differentiating factor the

fact that this is a very very popular

book and a very unique non-fiction book

is that this book is also a spiritual

awakening kind of a book it's not just

travel outside but it's also a travel

inside while Peter was traveling he has

written his feelings about loss sorrow

deep Melancholy and how an external

environment has helped to refine his

internal environment it's a deep

meditative philosophy book in a way but

written beautifully like the whole

concept of finding a rare animal while

he was on that expedition he actually

found himself which according to him was

more precious than finding the snow

leopard what happens is the book for

forms the Crux of the book very very

unique non-fiction book you must read

next on the list is one of my favorite

non-fiction books of all time uh so much

so that I've made a separate video a ful

length separate video on this particular

non-fiction book the book is called an

immense World by Ed Yong uh this book

talks about animal senses we always feel

that humans are at the top of the chain

and we have conquered the world we so

much we know so much about the

environment about the world but this

writer has has specifically researched

about animals and how they have

different kinds of Senses the humans

just have five senses some animals can

hear different sounds some animals can

see different colors see different

wavelengths they have extremely

different sense of communicating with

the environment how do these

interactions happen and how we are just

experiencing a slice of reality forms

the Crux of this book if you want to

know more about this book please find

that video which I uploaded it's a

beautiful book I can't stop recommending

it in 2023 it was one of the best books

I read so go ahead and watch that video

if you want to know more about this book

next on the list is again one of my

favorite non-fiction books of 2023 the

book is an insomaniac City by Bill Hayes

Bill Hayes has suddenly become one of

the best writers that that I've ever

read I've read a lot of books in my

course of reading Journey but uh Bill

Hayes has something very very beautiful

to him his writing is so simple it's

stripped of all the heavy literature

that you want to expect is just simple

Beautiful Life uh he reminds me a lot of

Ruskin bond with his writing insomaniac

city is basically his personal account

about New York City he was experiencing

insom Mania because of some personal

reasons which he would find out in the

book and he basically went out on the

streets of New York and talked to people

just observed people simple people

regular people he was not looking out

for people with extraordinary abilities

he was just looking out for normal

people and trying to learn about their

stories in New York City uh if you have

a teeny tiny fascination with New York

City uh its iconic nature it's iconic

architecture its people you should

definitely read this B book it hits on a

different level if you have you know

some kind of an inclination towards New

York City it's like a love letter to New

York City in many ways so yeah it's a

it's a beautiful beautiful book it's not

exactly a memoir it's not exactly a

personal story it's just his

observations it's just his his musings

basically it's it's it's basically a

musings next there is a very very

popular book which you all might have

heard and many of you might have read a

short history of nearly everything super

fun book if you want to learn just

general knowledge about the world learn

about science Astron om biology in the

most fun way possible then this book is

for you Bill Bryson is known for his

writing I love his other book The a walk

in the woods uh he's he's a fantastic

writer like if if he can make you learn

science in the best way possible I think

that's a great skill to have for any

author because he just makes science so

much fun so much interesting I remember

when I first picked up this book I was I

was so dragged into the world of history

sciences and you know astronomy I

remember after reading this book that I

had picked up sapiens which I

appreciated even more because I had got

a fun background and a and a fun pretext

to reading sapiens so if you want to

learn about history in the most fun way

possible just just pick up this book you

won't be disappointed many of times it's

hilarious many of times it's amusing and

it's it's written in a very

light-hearted way basically you would

love it sometimes it becomes sciency but

in a fun way and the only problem is

it's a bit long so it's not meant to be

read in one shot it's just like a book

which you can have on your coffee table

when you're just browsing around a

chapter here and there you know it's

that kind of a book so so yeah a very

very unique non-fiction book in my

opinion next on the list is non-fiction

book which almost reads like a thriller

fiction book which like which is like an

unput downable page Turner I I

surprisingly had this book lying around

when I came into this room the book is

the Devil in the White City by Eric

Larson um this is a non-fiction book but

when you read it you would feel that you

are actually reading a spy Thriller

which is written by both Dan Brown and

Agata Christi it talks about the 1893

World's Fair which happened in Chicago

so apparently one of the world's best

Architects came together to Design This

World Fair where many eminent people

were invited it was like a big show

during that time and during this world

fair the world's first ferris wheel was

also invented it's like a quintessential

Chicago thing about the World's Fair and

in this Fair there was also a serial

killer HH Holmes which you might have

heard of he's a very popular uh pop

culture figure he was also active during

this time so there are two parallel

stories running in this book one is of

the architect who's designing the world

fair and the other is of the Cal killer

how these two stories into time is is

basically the book this is a page Turner

in most ways and one of the best

thriller writers in a non-fiction

category you could say uh you won't be

disappointed it's got a bunch of awards

it's I think made into a lot of

documentaries it's gotten a you know

it's like the national book finalist

award and stuff like that great

recommendation very very unique read if

you want to learn more about history but

like in the most fiction way possible

next unique non-fiction recommendation

is again very very unique I was actually

talking to a historian one day and we

started talking about books books and he

mentioned this book to me and apparently

this book is very popular in America

many people know about this particular

incident which happened the book is

called give me my father's body the life

of Minik the the New York Eskimo so what

happened was again this is during that

time late 1800s during which many

westerners were going out in the world

trying to figure out how other cultures

work finding new lands this was during

that time there were a bunch of

explorers American explorers New York

explorers in particular who went to

Greenland and they found a tribe of

people and there were was a meteor which

had strugg this particular land this

meteor was used by the local people to

hunt to make tools and a bunch of other

things so these westerners decided to

bring that meteor back to New York and

the process of bringing the meteor to

New York these westerners also got some

local Greenland people to New York to

study how their culture is to study

their habits so think about it like it's

a different world alog together in which

they live it's extremely cold it's it's

sparely populated their primary source

of food is hunting they have a different

culture they don't speak the language

they're like a different form of human

beings in a way so these westerners

brought this family down to New York

just to study them in this family there

was a little boy called Minik so

obviously naturally these people

couldn't survive the conditions which

were there in America because everything

is different right as some years passed

the most of the family died some of the

family were sent back and this boy this

little boy Minik who who became very

popular later on was just left all alone

in New York some Foster Family took him

in they took care of him but that Foster

family also was not very well to do so

so in a couple of years that boy had to

struggle a lot as that boy was growing

up he forgot everything about Greenland

when he became a man he started

questioning his you know his identity

his roots his cultural Roots where did

he come from and that's when he found

out about his cultural heritage he found

out about how he had been bought to New

York by these westerners and he started

this whole investigation he started this

whole plea to you know find my parents

where they are right now and later on

they found out that the parents of this

particular boy had been used in the

museums as well they had been shown on

display they actually don't know where

exactly the remains were some remains

were here and there so this boy became

particularly torn with this particular

information he was he went back to

Greenland to study where he came from he

came back and for all of this there was

a book written the book is called give

me my father's body so if you want to

know more about different cultures how

different people think how different

tribes originated and how these

westerners exploited them in a way if

you guys have seen killers of the flower

Moon which Martin coresi celebrated on a

grand scale of how some some people

exploited local tribal uh Native Indians

uh in the same way this book is also a

very very relevant read if you want to

know more about history from this

particular lens of how colonialism

happened of how people were just

exploiting natural tribes this way this

book is a very very cultural read if you

are interested remotely interested in

these kind of things do give it a try

you won't be disappointed the plot is

very very important and the last

recommendation for this particular video

is my strongest recommendation in this

video the mystery book as I like to call

it the book is the life library book by

Susan aliens which I think every reader

should read particularly readers

particularly people who love books this

book is about the fire which took place

in La particularly in the LA Central

Library the public library in La which

was like a huge Library a big fire broke

out in this library in 1986 Susan

Orleans has written this book to find

out why did that fire take place in that

fire thousands and thousands of books

were destroyed very very important

manuals which are read rare manuals rare

manuscripts were destroyed uh almost

400,000 to 700,000 books were burned

down and a lot of manuscripts were

forever last in time now where does

Susan Oran come into play she definitely

has an investigative angle to this book

as to who started this fire why did the

fire happen because there was a

conspiracy theory during that time that

there was a stage actor who wanted to be

popular and he started that fire but

apart from this lens this book will talk

about how some people were so attached

to the library she has interviewed

Librarians she has interviewed people

who used to visit that Library she has

interviewed people who are frequent

visitors to this library and the just

the love of books and the Deep sense of

loss that these people feel because of

the library being burned down she's

talked about all of that so if you are

remotely a reader if you are remotely

interested in book if you are if you

like to surround yourself with books

like like I am surrounded right now I

love being surrounded by books and it

gives me a sense of you know Comfort it

give me a sense of you know just just

some inexplicable feeling you should

read this book because she's written

about books in such a beautiful way

she's talked about how different

Horizons are experienced through books

how libraries are such an integral part

of a civilization you know I just

resonated with her idea a lot because

even I believe like in in today's times

when people are just you know totally

into social media and you know

non-reading stuff basically where

they're not much interested into

literature per se but there are people

like me who are trying the level best to

make reading fun to make reading cool

making people believe in the power of

reading because it's just one of the

most beautiful things you can experience

I can I can assure you that like you're

reading the book in one world but your

heart would be beating in some other

world I can assure you that if you are

interested in this space you you should

you should read this book you you would

start appreciating the power of books

the power of knowledge the power of

literature and how important it is to

preserve literature to talk about

literature talk about books uh but again

this book is written in a different way

it's not exactly a philosophy book or

anything it's like an investigative book

about this particular incident but I

just like The Meta commentary that she

has around it about the love of books so

yeah that was the list guys uh I hope

you like these recommendations you read

these books and I'm I'm very very sorry

I'm uploading the videos very late but

from now on I'm going to be consistent

again I know um 1 month is a long time

for me for to not upload videos I I have

been reading books very interesting

books and there are many interesting

videos uh lined up so stay tuned and

thank you so much for watching this

video till here that's all for this

video see you in the next one bye-bye