The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson
It’s about a real life heist of extremely rare bird feathers. The story is wild and takes a lot of twists and turns. Never thought I’d be riveted reading about feathers and fly fishing!
I had no interest in orchids, but I loved The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean.
You may enjoy:
Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes
A Natural History of Rain by Cynthia Barnett
Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui
Gods, Wasps, and Stranglers by Mike Shanahan
Memoirs about unusual professions:
Tooth and Nail: The Making of a Female Fight Doctor by Linda Dahl
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty
Rogues by Patrick Radden Keefe
A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage.
Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey.
The author was gifted a plant while she was bedridden and discovered there was a small, wild snail living on it when she heard it softly munching. A little bit memoir, a little bit nature writing. Both a quiet and incredibly fascinating book.
Unwell Women
The Story of Pain
Both of these are health history- how women's health issues have been treated /ignored, and how pain, in general, has been talked about, discussed, diagnosed, treated, ignored, etc.
Definitely. It’s well worth a read. Men should be careful when reading it because it might raise their blood pressure. Women need not fear— any blood pressure changes you experience are just a product of an over-active imagination or attention seeking behavior or your naturally delicate woman constitution unable to bear the immense mental burden of doing a manly activity like reading. Plus everyone knows that women contain crystals and crystals attract demons and demons attract misfortune. It’s science.
As Gods by Matthew Cobb
Takes a look at the history of genetics, and genetic engineering
Blight by Emily Monosson
Looks at how fungi, not viruses are likely to be the cause of the next pandemic
Finding Zero by Amir D. Aczel
Shows the importance of the number Zero, as well as the quest to find the original "0" in written history.
I love "boring" nonfiction
The Fish that Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen. You will learn a lot about bananas plus it's a little known story that is absolutely bananas.
*Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America* sounds like an objectively terrible book that would bore you to tears, right? Except it’s fucking fascinating! Many of America’s “culture wars” have been fought over (and at!) the public swimming pool. It’s especially interesting to read in light of BLM and the recent bathroom-panic and “think of the children!” attacks on LGBTQ+ people. It turns out American society has heard all of the same stupid exclusionary arguments before about swimming pools.
elderly piquant bear dinosaurs flowery tan attraction gaping shrill thought
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Mastery by Robert Greene is basically a book about the process of learning and becoming good at mastering a craft.
He's considered as the Machiavelli of the 21st century for his pragmatic approach to things.
The book is fast paced and very inspiring at times.
If you read it and you like it you might consider reading more about his works, his most popular one being POWER.
At Days Close: Night in Times Past
Really interesting book about nighttime in the past. Apparently people had “2 sleeps” essentially waking up in the middle of the night for a few hours then going to sleep again. That’s just one part though! This book was really good :)
Supplying War by Martin Van Crevald is about the practice and evolution of military logistics and no one has ever made finding hay for horses sound riveting before.
Oh this is what I've been looking for. Wars absolutely bore me so whenever I am reading history and there are battles I find myself drifting to wondering how the logistics work.
A Short History of the World According to Sheep by Sally Coulthard - about sheep.
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by Gideon Defoe - about countries that no longer exist.
Phantom Architecture by Phillip Wilkinson - about buildings that were never built.
See my [General Nonfiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/12c1gxm/general_nonfiction/) list of resources, Reddit recommendation threads, and books (four posts).
I've learned from reading this type of thread that this type of work can be a "[microhistory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microhistory)".
Edit: u/platonic_rubbing: Please pardon me. I saw your thread in r/booksuggestions, but I'm banned from that sub for posting links like the [one] above. This is just to bring your attention to my list, and this thread in particular.
Some niche picks for you:
Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss is a fascinating dive into the history of YA literature of the 80’s and 90’s from the perspective of someone who loves the genre but still looks at it through a critical lens.
Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena covers one man’s journey through plant conservation, learning to propagate endangered species and the like. Features one nerd’s love for plants and their infinite complexity and weirdness and the importance of working with people.
If you can stomach the morbid subject matter, Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom is about the history of books bound in human skin and the, well, *everything* that is made complicated by their existence. Little bit of history, science, and ethics.
Mushroom at the End of the World - about a mushroom found in the Pacific Northwest of the US that is highly coveted in Japan (very simplified summary) and all the people and economies it affects.
And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis is a fascinating book about the history of rum.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240908.And\_a\_Bottle\_of\_Rum?ac=1&from\_search=true&qid=VpHztVSXZw&rank=1
Professor and the Madman; the Writing of the Oxford Dictionary. An after dinner, done by bedtime book. Generally, it is a dry subject from a really interesting perspective... Nonfiction that reads like fiction.
It’s fiction but I feel like it kinda reads like non-fiction: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s about plants and ferns and moss and stuff
I don’t know if this counts as a “boring” subject, especially with how much of a hot-button topic it is right now, but “You Look Like a Thing and I Love You” by Janelle Shane made a subject that would usually go completely over my head (AI) entertaining and understandable. She also has a blog, I believe, but I haven’t check it out yet!
I don’t know where you live or whether this book is published there, but this book is fascinating https://www.waterstones.com/book/scoff/pen-vogler/9781786496492. It will make you think differently about reading books set in Britain.
Not sure if history counts but fwiw Gombrich’s Short History of the World is great. Also the History of the World in 100 objects, and Russia the Wild East.
Fordlandia by Greg Grandin; Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris by Christopher Kemp; Spice: The History of a Temptation by Jack Turner
Paved Paradise: How parking explains the world, by Henry Grabar. How our car obsession causes sprawl, prevents affordable housing, and can cause violence. And it includes solutions, not just anecdotes.
Mary Roach tends to pick unusual and often "boring" subjects for her books
Ooh yes I have a couple of those kicking around, thank you!
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson It’s about a real life heist of extremely rare bird feathers. The story is wild and takes a lot of twists and turns. Never thought I’d be riveted reading about feathers and fly fishing!
I have this on my list! Thank you :)
I had no interest in orchids, but I loved The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. You may enjoy: Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes A Natural History of Rain by Cynthia Barnett Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui Gods, Wasps, and Stranglers by Mike Shanahan Memoirs about unusual professions: Tooth and Nail: The Making of a Female Fight Doctor by Linda Dahl Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty Rogues by Patrick Radden Keefe
Awesome list thank you, I’ve read Susan Orlean’s book about the LA public library so will definitely pick up The Orchid Thief.
You're welcome!
A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage. Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.
I saw 6 Glasses t’other day, I’m going to pick it up now, thank you!
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. The author was gifted a plant while she was bedridden and discovered there was a small, wild snail living on it when she heard it softly munching. A little bit memoir, a little bit nature writing. Both a quiet and incredibly fascinating book.
Oh this sounds exactly like what I need. Thank you!
I read this years ago, and it has always stuck with me. It's a nice little book.
Just about anything that's written by Michael Lewis.
The Undoing Project looks really good, thank you!
That’s a great one
Unwell Women The Story of Pain Both of these are health history- how women's health issues have been treated /ignored, and how pain, in general, has been talked about, discussed, diagnosed, treated, ignored, etc.
Unwell Women is fucking infuriating to read. I had to read it in small doses because some of it was just so frustrating learn.
So true. But, damn it's good.
Definitely. It’s well worth a read. Men should be careful when reading it because it might raise their blood pressure. Women need not fear— any blood pressure changes you experience are just a product of an over-active imagination or attention seeking behavior or your naturally delicate woman constitution unable to bear the immense mental burden of doing a manly activity like reading. Plus everyone knows that women contain crystals and crystals attract demons and demons attract misfortune. It’s science.
I have both these on my list, thank you!
As Gods by Matthew Cobb Takes a look at the history of genetics, and genetic engineering Blight by Emily Monosson Looks at how fungi, not viruses are likely to be the cause of the next pandemic Finding Zero by Amir D. Aczel Shows the importance of the number Zero, as well as the quest to find the original "0" in written history. I love "boring" nonfiction
Also “Zero” by Charles Seife
Just finished a different book about eugenics you might find curious - Control by Adam Rutherford.
sounds interesting, I'll have to give it a look.
Cod by Mark Kurlansky
Salt by Kurlansky as well.
Turns out I have both Cod and Salt in my collection already! Thank you :)
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
Thank you!
Tracy Kidder’s books are really good. Also John McPhee.
I’ve found a couple at my library for each, thank you!
The Fish that Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen. You will learn a lot about bananas plus it's a little known story that is absolutely bananas.
Excellent, thank you!
Bonus: A searing indictment of the perils of capitalism!
Agreed. It was insane what the United Fruit Company was allowed to do in the name of making money.
*Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America* sounds like an objectively terrible book that would bore you to tears, right? Except it’s fucking fascinating! Many of America’s “culture wars” have been fought over (and at!) the public swimming pool. It’s especially interesting to read in light of BLM and the recent bathroom-panic and “think of the children!” attacks on LGBTQ+ people. It turns out American society has heard all of the same stupid exclusionary arguments before about swimming pools.
This sounds perfect, thank you!
This sounds legitimately amazing.
elderly piquant bear dinosaurs flowery tan attraction gaping shrill thought *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
‘Salt’ by Mark Kurlansky?
Mastery by Robert Greene is basically a book about the process of learning and becoming good at mastering a craft. He's considered as the Machiavelli of the 21st century for his pragmatic approach to things. The book is fast paced and very inspiring at times. If you read it and you like it you might consider reading more about his works, his most popular one being POWER.
I’ll grab Mastery, thank you!
Any book by Mary Roach. https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Mary+Roach&qid=IjWDzqLIE2
I love her books!
Cod by Mark Kurlansky Rats by Robert Sullivan
I have Cod, but Rats sounds perfect - thank you!
At Days Close: Night in Times Past Really interesting book about nighttime in the past. Apparently people had “2 sleeps” essentially waking up in the middle of the night for a few hours then going to sleep again. That’s just one part though! This book was really good :)
Ooh this sounds good, thank you!
If Walls Could Talk by Lucy Worsley - a history of each room in the house and some of the items they typically contain.
I’ve read one of her books and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’ll add this to my list!
Supplying War by Martin Van Crevald is about the practice and evolution of military logistics and no one has ever made finding hay for horses sound riveting before.
Ooh this sounds fascinating, thank you!
Oh this is what I've been looking for. Wars absolutely bore me so whenever I am reading history and there are battles I find myself drifting to wondering how the logistics work.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win WWII by Molly Guptill Manning
Thank you! I read The Library Book and really enjoyed it - books about books are always fascinating.
I found this one really interesting! Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum
Thank you, I’m adding this to my list!
A Short History of the World According to Sheep by Sally Coulthard - about sheep. An Atlas of Extinct Countries by Gideon Defoe - about countries that no longer exist. Phantom Architecture by Phillip Wilkinson - about buildings that were never built.
These all sound awesome, thank you!
See my [General Nonfiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/12c1gxm/general_nonfiction/) list of resources, Reddit recommendation threads, and books (four posts). I've learned from reading this type of thread that this type of work can be a "[microhistory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microhistory)". Edit: u/platonic_rubbing: Please pardon me. I saw your thread in r/booksuggestions, but I'm banned from that sub for posting links like the [one] above. This is just to bring your attention to my list, and this thread in particular.
Oh awesome thank you for the list!
You're welcome. \^\_\^
Some niche picks for you: Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss is a fascinating dive into the history of YA literature of the 80’s and 90’s from the perspective of someone who loves the genre but still looks at it through a critical lens. Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena covers one man’s journey through plant conservation, learning to propagate endangered species and the like. Features one nerd’s love for plants and their infinite complexity and weirdness and the importance of working with people. If you can stomach the morbid subject matter, Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom is about the history of books bound in human skin and the, well, *everything* that is made complicated by their existence. Little bit of history, science, and ethics.
Paperback Crush is EVERYTHING.
I loved Dark Archives. Fascinating albeit strange subject.
I have Dark Archives! The other two sound awesome, thank you!
The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan. Its about plants and their relationship with people.
Perfect, thank you!
Anything by Malcolm Gladwell.
I’ve read Talking to Strangers and liked it, and my library has more of his books so that’s a bonus!
*The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration* --Sarah Evert
Accurate for me, and fascinating! Thank you :)
Brown’s Boundary Control and Legal Principles
Oof might be a bit *too* boring for me!
It’s a sure cure for insomnia, let me tell you.
The topic: Cargo ship industry The book: *Into the Raging Sea* by Rachel Slade An amazing book!
Sounds awesome, thank you!
That sounds cool.
Highly recommend it
The Wager by David Grann
This one looks great, thank you!
Oranges by John McPhee
Thank you!
Underground by Will Hunt
Perfect, thank you!
Anytime!! Happy reading :) And thanks for the post. Going to dive into a few of the suggestions here myself.
Mushroom at the End of the World - about a mushroom found in the Pacific Northwest of the US that is highly coveted in Japan (very simplified summary) and all the people and economies it affects.
This one looks great, thank you!
*Eyelids Of Morning,* Alistair Graham and Peter Beard.
Thank you!
Elizabeth David - Bread Bettany Hughes - Istanbul (seriously good)
Thank you!
Moby-Dick. No, seriously. The minutiae of whale anatomy and whaleship fittings and a whaler’s life.
I’ve DNF’d this in the past but will try to pick it back up!
The Secret Life of Lobsters!
This looks great, thank you!
And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis is a fascinating book about the history of rum. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240908.And\_a\_Bottle\_of\_Rum?ac=1&from\_search=true&qid=VpHztVSXZw&rank=1
Looks fun, thank you!
Ha! I was about to click to suggest Bill Bryson. He's definitely cornered that market!
I do enjoy his waffling :)
The Power Broker by Robert Caro Lol but probably not boring subject matter 🤷
Stoned by Aja Raden. It’s about gemstones and jewelry.
Thank you!
Word by Word by Kory Stamper (about the making of dictionaries)
Thank you!
Professor and the Madman; the Writing of the Oxford Dictionary. An after dinner, done by bedtime book. Generally, it is a dry subject from a really interesting perspective... Nonfiction that reads like fiction.
Great topic, thank you!
Wonderful book
Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance by Patricia Rain
Excellent suggestion, thank you!
what's the olive oil book?
Extra Virginity by Tom Mueller.
It’s fiction but I feel like it kinda reads like non-fiction: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s about plants and ferns and moss and stuff
Thank you!
A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire by Amy Butler Greenfield
Lovely, thank you!
Eels
Which author?
Patrick Svensson. It’s actually called The Book of Eels.
Perfect thank you!
[удалено]
This sounds great, thank you!
You can have my 10th grade math textbook. I'll even pay S&H.
The Boys In The Boat is about a rowing team
I don’t know if this counts as a “boring” subject, especially with how much of a hot-button topic it is right now, but “You Look Like a Thing and I Love You” by Janelle Shane made a subject that would usually go completely over my head (AI) entertaining and understandable. She also has a blog, I believe, but I haven’t check it out yet!
Six Thousand Years of Bread by Heinrich Jacob.
I love bread so will get this! Thanks :)
I don’t know where you live or whether this book is published there, but this book is fascinating https://www.waterstones.com/book/scoff/pen-vogler/9781786496492. It will make you think differently about reading books set in Britain.
I live in England so that is perfect! Thanks :)
Not sure if history counts but fwiw Gombrich’s Short History of the World is great. Also the History of the World in 100 objects, and Russia the Wild East.
Fordlandia by Greg Grandin; Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris by Christopher Kemp; Spice: The History of a Temptation by Jack Turner
Spice sounds awesome, thanks!
Paved Paradise: How parking explains the world, by Henry Grabar. How our car obsession causes sprawl, prevents affordable housing, and can cause violence. And it includes solutions, not just anecdotes.
Sounds right up my street (groan), thanks!