For Week 2 of Nonfiction November, the topic is as follows:
Week 2: (Nov 4 to 8) – Fiction / Nonfiction Book Pairing (hosted by Sarah’s Bookshelves)
This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.
I have chosen three of the non-fiction books I’ve read so far this year and paired each of them with a novel that I think is a good match.
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Following in the Footsteps of Henry Tudor by Phil Carradice/The Tudor Crown by Joanna Hickson
Earlier in the week, I reviewed this new biography of Henry VII which focuses on his years in exile and his march to the battlefield at Bosworth in 1485 where he would defeat Richard III and become king of England. A good fictional accompaniment would be Joanna Hickson’s The Tudor Crown, which covers the same period. Although my own sympathies tend to be with Richard III and the House of York, Hickson almost managed to make me like Henry Tudor!
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Decoding the Bayeux Tapestry by Arthur C. Wright/Gildenford by Valerie Anand
We know that the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest and Battle of Hastings, but Arthur C. Wright’s book looks at the often-ignored images in the margins of the Tapestry and discusses what they add to our knowledge of the period. A fiction title which goes well with this book is Gildenford by Valerie Anand as it’s set in the years just prior to the Conquest. I have the second book in the series, The Norman Pretender, ready to read soon.
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Rosie: Scenes from a Vanished Life by Rose Tremain/The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
Another of my recent non-fiction reads was the author Rose Tremain’s childhood memoir, Rosie. In the book, Tremain talks about her memories of visiting Switzerland at the age of seven and later being sent to ‘finishing school’ there. Her 2016 novel, The Gustav Sonata, is set in Switzerland, which I think makes these two books a good pair.
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Can you think of any good fiction/non-fiction book pairings?
She Reads Novels 
These are good ones. I’ve loved the huge variety that I’ve seen on various people’s blogs!
Yes, I’ve enjoyed seeing all the different responses to this week’s topic!
Great post! Loved the pairings! Also must look up Joanne Hickson; I always thought Richard III got a raw deal so am intrigued!
I think Richard III has definitely been unfairly treated by history, but Hickson’s book did make me feel slightly more positive towards Henry VII too.
I look forward to reading The Gustav Sonata soon!
A pairing that comes to mind today, because my mind is on music due to the above book: Gold Dust Woman, a biography of Stevie Nicks and Daisy Jones and the Six, about a fictional band loosely based on Fleetwood Mac.
That’s a great pairing. I know a lot of people have enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six.
As I really enjoyed The Tudor Crown by Joanna Hickson, I think I better add Following in the Footsteps of Henry Tudor by Phil Carradice to my wish list. 🙂 Although like you my sympathies lie with the Yorks. 😀
Following in the Footsteps of Henry Tudor was a perfect pair with The Tudor Crown as it covers exactly the same period of Henry’s life. I’m glad to hear you prefer the Yorks too. 🙂