We all have books that stick with us for years: A memoir that captured something similar we went through, a fiction book that brought us joy, and/or a nonfiction book that taught us a life lesson.
Today, I’m sharing three nonfiction books that have stayed on my mind since I first read them.
BOOK #1 – The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
This is the story of Christopher Knight, not to be confused with Christoper Knight from The Brady Bunch fame.
In 2013 Christopher was arrested when a game warden caught him stealing food and other items from a closed (for the season) summer camp. Twenty-seven years prior in 1986, Christopher had walked into the woods and wasn’t heard from again until his arrest.
So many questions come to mind: Is he hiding from someone? Or hiding from something he did? How can a person up and leave society? Is this a ploy for attention?
One question that doesn’t enter my mind is, “Why?”. There has always been a part of me that feels a pull to be alone. Not because I’m depressed, it’s a desire for solitude and quiet. But, the difference for me is that the pull isn’t so strong, that I’m willing to leave family and friends behind.
And that’s why this story intrigues me.
Spoiler alert, it’s not about any of those questions. And it haunts me.
Nonfiction Book #2 – I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
I’m sure most people have heard of this book. Michelle was obsessed with locating the Golden State Killer. Her research was relentless. Her writing is engrossing.
One of the saddest parts of this book is that Michelle passed away before she could learn the true identity of the killer and witness his arrest.
This book sticks in my brain solely for the way Michelle weaves the story.
If you are into true crime this is the book for you.
Book #3 – Chernobyl: A Stalker’s Guide by Darmon Richter
I have been obsessed (not as in-depth obsessed as Michelle McNamara with the Golden State Killer) with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. I was fifteen when it happened and probably one of the first events that had me trying to follow the news. Unfortunately, the information at the time was sparse, and well the Soviet Union wasn’t forthcoming with info.
Needless to say, I have read as much as I could about the incident. But this book brings a different angle, away from the guided tours. It also captures pictures that I haven’t seen repeatedly. And the pictures are stunning.
Two picture spreads left me astonished: The spread on pages 210-211 which are from inside the new safe containment system. The spread on pages 214-215 which are taken from the outside of the containment system and shows how big the containment unit is. Until you see the person walking in front of the unit bottom right on page 214, then the full magnitude of the unit becomes jaw-dropping.
One last spread on pages 242-243 from where I placed some characters in one of my first published short stories.
I hope you find one or all three of these books interesting enough to read. If you have read one, I’d love to know what stuck with you most from that book.