This has nothing to do with books, but I spotted something very strange in the sky this morning and hoped someone would be able to identify it for me.

I let my dog out into the garden at about 6.30am and noticed something falling from the sky. It appeared to be on fire.

Is it a meteorite?

All ideas gratefully received!

I live in Surrey, the most wooded county in England. Every day I take Ayla, my Bernese Mountain Dog, for a walk in the woods. As it is half term I am too busy entertaining my sons to write a lengthy book review so I thought you might like to see a few pictures of where I go each morning.

Ayla is now 9 months old and weighs 35kg. She will get a little bit taller, but by the time she is 2 years old she will probably weigh just under 50kg.

My friend’s labradors love this lake, but Ayla doesn’t like swimming. She prefers to dig in muddy puddles!

There is a lot of heathland near my house too. Ayla loves bouncing through the heather.

I love the walks as much as Ayla does!

 

Last year I wrote a post about having different criteria for fiction versus nonfiction books. The comment section became laden with fantastic narrative non-fiction recommendations and I also received many via twitter. I thought it would be a shame to keep my new found knowledge secret, so here are the books that people were most passionate about:

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

One of the first true crime books to introduce both the killers and their victims, this is commonly thought to the best piece of narrative nonfiction ever written.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The story of a serial killer who targeted visitors to the 1893 Chicago World Fair; this book also contains details of the politics, architecture and science of the period.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

During WWII an American bomber crashes into the Pacific Ocean and a young lieutenant manages to scramble onto a life-raft. This book tells his amazing story of survival as he battles against starvation, sharks and the enemy.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Chronicles the decade-long migration of black Americans who fled the south in order to find better lives in the north and west of America.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks

A collection of short stories that showcase a variety of different neurological conditions.

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

The story of the author’s year in Nepal and his efforts to reunite children sold into slavery with their parents.

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick

The stories of six people living in North Korea which reveal the culture and lifestyle of those living within this secretive country.

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The history of cancer, from the Greek slave who cut of her own breast, through to modern radiation and chemotherapy treatment.

Mountain People by Colin Turnbull

The description of how one African tribe survived a famine by selfishly abandoning all family ties.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

This book is part travelogue, part true crime and its vivid descriptions have apparently increased tourism to Savannah.

What do you think of this list?

Have I missed out any masterpieces of narrative non-fiction?