Alaina’s Read Nonfiction Books

Nonfiction: this month’s post focuses on recent books I have read and am reviewing for you, so you can go out and read new things. Reading a variety of books is essential for any writer, as it gives new depth and ideas to their own writing. The cheapest way to improve your writing is to read widely and draw on authors’ styles and ideas as you read and write.

Clever Girl Finance: Learn How to Investing Works, Grow Your Money by Bola Sokunbi 

Three out of Five Stars 

I found this book helpful for understanding basic money-growing strategies, but it lacks the depth of true investment strategies. This book is a good basic introduction to financial investments and understanding of how to grow your money through CDs, bonds, stocks, futures, etc. But I have read books with more strategies, such as bond ladders for long-term stable income growth for retirement. I found the information too introductory for my knowledge level. If you have little to novice-level ability in understanding investment, this book is a good start for you.

The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father by Jim Wright

Four out of Five Stars 

I have a personal weakness for James Herriot stories; I did a Fulbright project about James Herriot’s life and was a finalist for the contest. I enjoyed reading this book from his son’s perspective. One thing I did not like about this book was that Jim Wright presented some factual information in confusing language, so I could not understand what he was saying without googling his father’s life. This book used some narrative devices to describe his father’s life and some stories that were not told by his father earlier in his memoir and novels. I enjoyed reading this book from another perspective and came away with a clearer understanding of the stories and of Alf Wight’s (James Herriot’s) life.