Nonfiction November is an annual celebration of Nonfiction. This year it is hosted by Julie (JulzReads), Sarah (Sarah’s Book Shelves), Katie (Doing Dewey), Rennie (What’s Nonfiction), and Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness). The first prompt is today, and is hosted by Kim.
This week’s prompt is to choose a fiction book that we think goes along well with a nonfiction book. It is hosted by Sarah’s Book Shelves. I have trouble with this prompt because (although it’s incredibly fun) my fiction books don’t often mesh well with nonfiction books. But in this case, I decided to pick fiction books that I’ve simply heard are fantastic to pair with nonfiction books I’ve read this year. (With one exception, where I read both of them.)
American Psychosis and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
I really should read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest given my interest in the failures of the mental health system – it’s a classic. And I loved the movie. It is about a narcissistic man who decides to plead insanity in order to get a reduced incarceration time – and what happens to him in the insane asylum. American Psychosis, if I remember correctly, even makes a vague reference to the book. It is about the failures of the American Mental Health system throughout its history.
Beyond These Walls and The Hate U Give
This one is the exception: I have read both of these books, though Beyond These Walls will not be released until January. It is about the failures of the American Justice system through history and (partly) about the incongruity between the ratio of minorities in America and the ratio of punishments (and brutalizations) they receive from the justice system. The Hate U Give, if you haven’t heard of it already, is a book everyone should read. It is about a teen who sees her friend shot by a police officer and must testify against the officer.
Killers of the Flower Moon and Mean Spirit
Killers of the Flower Moon is a True Crime book about the Osage murders of the 1920’s. Mean Spirit is a fictionalized accounts of the same murders, and it was nominated (though did not win) the Pulitzer Prize back in the ’90s. (Does that make it a classic?)
Hibernator's Library 
I love One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and absolutely recommend it. Your pairing of American Psychosis just added a new book to my to-read (I’ve a huge interest in mental health).
LikeLike
American Psychosis is very informative. If you’re interested in the topic, you should certainly read it.
LikeLike
I think I might need to give American Psychosis a try, I have a feeling it’s going to make me sad and angry but I really want to know this history.
LikeLike
Yeah, the history is a sad one – both the history of decades ago and of more recent history. But it’s good to be aware of the problems that need to be corrected by society.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLike
I’ll double down on that recommendation of Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s a great novel. I’ll have to check out American Psychosis.
LikeLike
Yes, I know that’s a book I should really read. Maybe I can fit it in this year somehow. I’ll try to keep it in mind.
LikeLike
Both of these non-fiction volumes are on my TBR, one just now (the first one) and the other recommended to me by an American reading friend last year who knew about my project of exploring the landscape of indigenous writers. Both your pair matches sound like great fits!
LikeLike
There are a lot of good indigenous writers these days. I’m particularly fond of Sherman Alexie. I’ve also heard On the Rez is fantastic, though I haven’t had a chance to read it.
LikeLike
These seem to be well thought out and imaginative combinations. I am sorry to say that I have not read any of these. I think that I would like to read them all.
LikeLike
If only we could read everything that we wanted to read!
LikeLike
Hmmmm. I realise now I haven’t actually read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest… maybe I’ll read that and then its nonfiction pair.
LikeLike
Yeah, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a classic that should really be read by everyone that is interested in the history of mental health care.
LikeLike
Being nominated for the Pulitzer, if not bestowing ‘classics’ status, should certainly have made Mean Spirit better known!
LikeLike
Yeah, you’d think it would be better known, but it is an older book and perhaps the subject wasn’t as interesting to people back when it was published? I don’t know.
LikeLike
Killers of The Flower Moon is on my TBR pile. I remember reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee many years ago & wondered if they would also make a good pairing?
LikeLike
Possibly, though I would probably pair that one with one of the many fiction books that take place on Pine Ridge Reservation. As I recall, much of the action took place around there? Or am I thinking of another book?
LikeLike
very nice! Here’s my post: https://wordsandpeace.com/2018/11/07/nonfiction-november-2018-book-pairings/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! (Yes, I’m behind on answering comments, lol)
LikeLike
Great pairings – I’m particularly interested in the titles regarding the mental health system in the US. Like you, I’ve seen the film version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, but not read the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pairings! I love the last one – it’s interesting to read a fictional account and a true account of the same event.
LikeLike