Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
I picked up Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman after a weekend that included visiting the Martin Luther King…
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I Am A Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter
I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter is possibly one of the best science books I’ve ever read — even though I’m not entirely sure I understood half of it.
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Human Condition by Hannah Arendt
I picked up The Human Condition because I thought Hannah Arendt might have something useful to say about living in…
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Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
I picked up Oedipus Rex as part of reading through the Theban trilogy. I was browsing Standard Ebooks and the collection caught my eye. I hadn’t read it since a required literature class in college, so I figured it was time to revisit and see how it held up.
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The First Man by Albert Camus
The First Man is the manuscript that was found at Albert Camus’s side after his death in a car accident in 1960. It sat unpublished for decades — held back by his estate, his daughter and granddaughter — before finally being released to the public.
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Antigone by Sophocles
I read Antigone by Sophocles after finishing Oedipus Rex. Both are part of the Theban Trilogy, which I grabbed from Standard Ebooks.
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Network State by Balaji Srinavasen
The Network State by Balaji Srinivasan is a book I picked up mainly because my work is tech-adjacent, and for a while this book was everywhere among the tech elite. Even though it seemed ridiculous on the cover, I wanted to understand what my peers were paying attention to.
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Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles
I picked up Oedipus at Colonus from Standard Ebooks as part of the Theban Trilogy, along with Antigone and Oedipus Rex.
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Behave by Robert Sapolsky
I picked up Behave out of frustration. The popular discourse around brain chemistry had gotten to be too much. Dopamine…
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The Woman Behind The New Deal by Kirstin Downey
Perkins may have had more direct impact on the everyday lives of ordinary Americans than almost anyone else in the 20th century. The 40-hour work week. The minimum wage. Social Security. Child labor laws. Unemployment insurance. These aren’t abstractions — they are the literal architecture of how Americans work, save, retire, and survive hard times. Frances Perkins built most of that architecture.
That was a serious underestimate.
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Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle
I’ve read the entire Sherlock Holmes canon. He’s my favorite mystery character, and I’ve worked my way through every story…
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Superbloom by Nicholas Carr
Superbloom by Nicholas Carr is the latest book from the author of The Shallows and The Glass Cage. It’s about how technologies of connection tear us apart—or more precisely, how they scale up both the best and worst of human nature to unprecedented heights.
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Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
A Study in Scarlet is really two completely separate stories. One takes place in Victorian London with Holmes and Watson investigating a murder. The other takes place in the American West—Utah, specifically—decades earlier.
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Ultimate Hiker’s Guide by Andrew Skurka
The Ultimate Hiker’s Guide by Andrew Skurka is the best backpacking book I’ve ever purchased. Not the most inspiring. Not the most beautiful. The best.
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How To Have Impossible Conversations by Peter Boghossian
How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay is a book I picked…
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American Philosophy: A Love Story by John Kaag
I picked up American Philosophy, A Love Story after reading Kaag’s earlier book Hiking with Nietzsche and coming across several of his essays in The Atlantic. John Kaag is, in my opinion, one of the most talented working writers who also happens to be an actual practicing professor of philosophy. That combination — the rigor of the academic and the accessibility of a great essayist — makes him worth following closely.
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Hiking with Nietzsche by John Kaag
I picked up Hiking with Nietzsche after reading John Kaag’s book on American philosophy. He’s a fabulous writer who uses personal anecdotes to weave deeper, more modern, and more personal connections to big philosophical ideas.
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Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell
Tobacco Road follows the desperate lives of the Lester family, poor white sharecroppers struggling to survive in Depression-era Georgia. The novel’s unflinching portrayal of poverty and moral degradation shocked readers when it was published in 1932, sparking controversy while highlighting the harsh realities of rural Southern life.
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Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill by John Stuart Mill
The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill is a Modern Library compendium of Mill’s most famous works—On Liberty, The Subjugation of Women, Utilitarianism, and more. I bought it years ago for a college philosophy class and ended up keeping it, not because I reference it constantly, but because rereading essays like On Liberty reminded me of something important.
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Field Guide To The Cohutta Wilderness by Javier Velazquez
A Field Guide to the Cohutta Wilderness by Javier Velazquez is a book I have wanted to exist in the world for so long that a couple years ago, I started sketching out whether I could write it myself. I am deeply grateful to the author for putting in the time and effort to create a proper field guide to the natural and environmental history of the Cohutta Mountains.
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Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke
The book argues that our brains weren’t designed for the modern world. We evolved in an environment of scarcity, where pleasure was rare and hard to come by. Now we live in what Lembke calls a “dopamine tsunami” – unlimited access to anything that feels good, all the time, right at our fingertips.
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Ultimate Companion To Meat by Anthony Puharich
I picked up this massive meat cookbook as part of a work project for a cooking website. I had no idea that the world of meat and meat cooking would be this in-depth and thorough. It was like going down a rabbit hole about a very specific culinary segment.
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A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz
A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz is a history travelogue that focuses on the nearly 300 years between Columbus’s discovery of America and the Declaration of Independence.
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Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill
Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill is a 1914 book on Christian mystical practice. It’s available for free on Standard Ebooks, which is one of my favorite resources on the internet for beautifully formatted public domain books.
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The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
I’ve been a Murakami fan for years. I’ve read most of his major works and loved the surreal, dreamlike quality…
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Atlanta Then & Now by Michael Rose
I picked up Atlanta Then and Now expecting to feel nostalgic about demolished buildings and lost architecture around Atlanta. Instead,…
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Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
I read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich in the mid-2000s, a few years out of college. It’s one of…
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Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
I re-read the entire Sherlock Holmes canon every few years. It’s my favorite mystery genre, and I never get tired…
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Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez
Main Street Millionaire by Cody Sanchez is one of the better business books I’ve read in the past few years….
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The Soccer Book by DK
The Soccer Book provides a comprehensive breakdown of the world’s most popular sport, combining technical analysis with historical context and modern gameplay evolution.
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The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK
The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained goes chronologically through 2,500 years of philosophical ideas & concepts, breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces.
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Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
In 2006, before his presidential run, then-Senator Barack Obama published The Audacity of Hope. It was part of a long tradition of presidential hopefuls publishing sort of a detailed personal & policy driven vision for the country. For myself, it was the only book of this genre that I’d ever read before or since. So, of course, I think it’s far and away the best.
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Arctic Traverse by Michael Engelhard
Northern Alaska is possibly the most sublime landscape on Earth. The sheer wild expanse and bigness is transcendent. And thanks…
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Books Read in 2025
Everything I read in 2025! It was a weird year for book selection. It was much more of a “cluster read” than a deliberate choice. But – serendipity felt good.
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Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
I re-read Brave New World and was surprised at how well it has held up. Definitely worth a re-read.
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America’s National Historic Trails by Karen Berger
America’s National Historic Trails is a lovely coffee table book that covers some of the hidden gems of America’s recreation & preservation systems (i.e., lesser known than the National Park system or National Scenic Trails system)
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Natural History by DK
I absolutely love DK books. In a world of AI and infinite access to information, they are geniuses at keeping…
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National Birds of the World by Ron Toft (plus my grades)
National Birds of the World is a brilliant book that combines two of my favorite things – birds and human…
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Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is an underrated collection of eleven short stories, published in 1893.
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Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck
Welsh farm boy Henry Morgan becomes notorious Caribbean pirate, only to find achieving his wildest dreams brings cruel disappointment. Excellent novel!
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The Darkening Age by Catherine Nixey
Nixey’s “The Darkening Age” reveals how Christian zealots systematically destroyed classical civilization after gaining power – an excellent, well-researched read.
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A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Henry David Thoreau
In 1849, Henry David Thoreau published a book about a boat trip he took with his brother.
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Heretic by Catherine Nixey
Heretic by Catherine Nixey is about the hundreds, if not thousands, of versions of Christianity that flourished in the hundreds…
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I Went from Reading 40 Books a Year to Reading 0
Very interesting post -> I Went from Reading 40 Books a Year to Reading 0
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Books Read In 2024
This year was a pretty random year with what I read. It was purely driven by interests at the moment rather than any plan or queue.
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Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
The last collection of detective stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle is still surprising, fun, and better than most detective fiction today.
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Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch
Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch is a doorstop of a book that is readable, fascinating, and approachable.
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Blighted by Margaret Stagmeier
Blighted by Margaret Stagmeier is a book about the housing crisis that plagues American cities, with a specific focus on…
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Magic Pill by Johann Hari
I loved the nuance & storytelling of this book. Very complex topic.
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Beyond The Bake Sale by Anne Henderson
Beyond The Bake Sale by Anne Henderson is a book on world of educational partnerships, specifically focusing on how schools…
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Shanghai Free Taxi by Frank Langfitt
Shanghai Free Taxi by Frank Langfitt offers an insightful glimpse into the rapidly changing landscape of contemporary China. Langfitt, a…
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Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport challenges the frenzied pace of the modern workplace, suggesting that our relentless rush to be…
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Loserville by Clayton Tutor
“Loserville” by Clayton Tutor examines Atlanta’s turbulent relationship with its professional sports teams. Beginning in the 1960s, the city’s leaders used sports to redefine Atlanta’s image, but struggled with poor team performances and weak support. Despite this, sports have significantly contributed to Atlanta’s identity and development.
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American The Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson
“American The Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson is a travel book across America’s National Parks but falls short in style and pacing, resembling TikToks instead of traditional travel writing. Despite extensive park visits and commentary on America’s contradictions, the lack of context and background detracts from the experience, unlike works by Bill Bryson.”
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Status Game by Will Storr
“Status Game” by Will Storr offers a nuanced exploration of how humans organize in social hierarchies, striving for status through various games. It discusses the impact of prestige, dominance, and humiliation games on society, relationships, and leadership. Storr emphasizes understanding these dynamics to foster cooperation and mitigate conflicts.
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Dad Camp by Evan Porter
Dad Camp by Evan Porter is an inverse coming of age novel about how parents experience their children growing up….
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News of The World by Paulette Jiles
News of The World by Paulette Jiles is a novel set in Reconstruction-Era Texas, specifically beginning in 1870 in Texas….
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How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg
How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read in the past…
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North Woods by Daniel Mason
North Woods by Daniel Mason is a novel set against the backdrop of a single house in the woods of…
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The Naturalist’s Companion: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife by Dave Hall
The Naturalist’s Companion: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife by Dave Hall is a short guidebook all about…
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The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin is a fascinating book by someone who has not only had a very creative…
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Exploring Southern Appalachian Forests: An Ecological Guide to 30 Great Hikes by Stephanie Jeffries
Exploring Southern Appalachian Forests: An Ecological Guide to 30 Great Hikes by Stephanie Jeffries is a book that is both…
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Drifting Into Darien by Janisse Ray
Drifting Into Darien by Janisse Ray is a memoir that chronicles Janisse Ray’s 10-day journey down the Altamaha River, one…
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What’s Our Problem by Tim Urban
What’s Our Problem? by Tim Urban is a thought-provoking book that introduces a new framework for understanding our chaotic political…
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The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash
The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Ella May Wiggins,…
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Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell
Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell is a 2016 book by Sarah Bakewell that delves into the philosophy and history of…
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The Pioneers by David McCullough
The Pioneers by David McCullough is a captivating historical account of the first voyage by New Englanders to the Northwest…
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Silent Spring Revolution by Douglas Brinkley
Silent Spring Revolution by Douglas Brinkley is a meticulously researched and deftly written chronicle of the rise of environmental activism…
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Historic Rural Churches of Georgia by Sonny Seals
Historic Rural Churches of Georgia by Sonny Seals is a profound exploration of Georgia’s cultural and architectural heritage through its…
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Hiking Trails of the Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness by Tim Homan
Hiking Trails of the Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness by Tim Homan is an engaging and informative guide that takes…
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Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic Sherlock Holmes novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1901. The…
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Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamson
Growth of the Soil is a novel by Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun, first published in Norway in 1917. The story…
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Quiet American by Graham Greene
Quiet American by Graham Greene is a thought-provoking novel set against the backdrop of 1950s Vietnam, a time of French…
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These Gentle Hills by John Kollock
These Gentle Hills is a captivating work by John Kollock that takes readers on a picturesque journey through the North…
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Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a story that delves into the life of Stevens, an English butler…
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The Gulf by Jack Davis
The Gulf by Jack Davis is a comprehensive exploration of the Gulf of Mexico’s historical, cultural, and environmental significance. The…
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The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Buried Giant is a fantasy novel set in a post-Arthurian England, where a mysterious mist has caused collective amnesia…
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The Revenant by Michael Punke
The Revenant by Michael Punke is a thrilling tale of betrayal and revenge set against the backdrop of the nineteenth-century…
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Books Read in 2023
This year, I tried to read a bit more fiction. Here’s what I read.
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Eight Bears by Gloria Dickie
Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future by Gloria Dickie is a compelling exploration into the lives of the eight…
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Last Days of California by Mary Miller
Last Days of California by Mary Miller is a short, fun coming-of-age novel about the Metcalf family, embarking on a…
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99% Invisible City by Roman Mars
99% Invisible City by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt is a New York Times best-selling exploration into the unnoticed yet…
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Lives of the Trees by Diana Wells
Lives of the Trees by Diana Wells is a captivating exploration into the world of trees and their profound connection…
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A World Lost by Wendell Berry
A World Lost by Wendell Berry is a poignant and introspective novel that delves into the themes of memory, loss,…
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Indistractable by Nir Eyal
Indistractable is a book that reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction and shares a 4-step model to become…
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Ministry For The Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson is a science fiction novel set in the near future. It…
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Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle is a captivating collection of 13 detective stories penned by the renowned…
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Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee by Lloyd Arneach
Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee by Lloyd Arneach is a captivating collection of traditional Cherokee tales, meticulously curated and…
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The Glass Kingdom by Lawrence Osborne
The Glass Kingdom by Lawrence Osborne is a darkly atmospheric thriller set in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The novel…
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The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne
The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne is a captivating novel penned by the British author, Lawrence Osborne….
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The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis
The Fifth Risk is a non-fiction book that examines the transition and political appointments of the Donald Trump presidency, especially…
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Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
The Botany of Desire is a nonfiction book that explores the relationship between humans and plants. Contrary to popular belief,…
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Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a non-fiction book that explores the three principal food chains that sustain us today: the industrial,…
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God In A Cup by Michaele Weissman
God In A Cup is a book that explores the world of specialty coffee, focusing on the people and companies…
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Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku
Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku is a popular science book that explores the concept of parallel universes and the possibility…
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Discontent And Its Civilizations by Mohsin Hamid
Discontent And Its Civilizations is a collection of essays by Mohsin Hamid that explores the fractures generated by seismic changes…
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Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Exit West is a novel that tells the story of Saeed and Nadia, who fall in love as their country…
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Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a novel by Mohsin Hamid that tells the story of Changez, a young Pakistani man who…
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Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid
Moth Smoke is the debut novel by British Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid, published in 2000. The story revolves around Darashikoh…
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Fooled By Randomness by Nassim Taleb
Fooled By Randomness is a book that explores the role of randomness in our lives and how it affects decision-making,…
