What to read for

Here’s what I’d like you to be particularly aware of as you read your chosen nonfiction book, below. (Making notes or flagging passages with stickies may be helpful, since I’ll ask you to illustrate your points with a few examples from your book):

· The writer’s voice.

· The research or experience behind the book: how did the writer gather and process the information? For example, in A Walk in the Woods (which no one chose), Bill Bryson hiked the Appalachian Trail, structured casual encounters along the trail into funny or dramatic scenes, researched many aspects of the trail from archives (geology, bear behavior, history of murders, etc), and so on.

· Structure of the book

· Added value: What did the writer add to the basic factual information in the book through his/her own intelligence, experience, or interpretation?

· And finally, your critique. Did the book work? Was it an enjoyable read? Did it add value to your life? Why or why not?

That’s it. Enjoy!