Novels that teach you a lot
 

I read the book Aztec by Gary Jenkins and really enjoyed it. It's a story about an Aztec around the time the Spaniards found Mexico. I really liked that by reading the book I also learned a lot about the Aztec civilization and the early history of Mexico when the Spaniards came. The author did a LOT of research to write the book and it shows because when you are done you feel like in addition to a good story, you also read a short historical textbook. When I went to Mexico it was really helpful when on tours of Aztec/Mayan ruins.

Can anyone think of any other books that have you really learn a lot about a topic, but hardly notice because the story is so good?

The only one I can think of off-hand is Robert Musil's The Man Without Qualities. Though, it was a rather dry novel, it contains quite a bit about turn of the (20th) century Vienna, though for a lot of it one has to read a little deeper.

As for Aztec, are you sure the writer's last name isn't Jennings? I only ask because bookcloseouts.com is having a summer sale, and one of the books I have in my cart that I am pondering ordering is Aztec Blood by Gary Jennings, which seems like it could be part of some series by him.

Based on your appraisal of Aztec, I think I might get Aztec Blood with the hopes that it has as much information as Aztec. I like those kind of books.

Yes it's Jennings. Oops.

I've heard the second book isn't as fun to read and is slightly less informational. I also am considering reading it though just to continue the story.

Well, Judy Blume's Wifey taught me quite a bit when I was about eleven.

I had read some of her kids' books prior to discovering my mother's copy of "Wifey" and thinking "Hey, that's the lady who wrote 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.' I wonder what this one is about.'"

The first section of Life of Pi tells a number of stories about different animals in the zoo, and their histories. I assumed most of these odd tales were true. If they were all based on myths or something, please don't tell me. I'd rather live in ignorance than have my face red for a minute.