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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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,…
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Guide to National Parks by National Geographic
Guide to National Parks by National Geographic is an informative and comprehensive guidebook that provides expert travel advice, candid tips…
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Guide to State Parks by National Geographic
The National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States is a comprehensive guidebook that showcases over 200 state…
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Secrets of the National Parks by National Geographic
Secrets of the National Parks by National Geographic is an authoritative guidebook that provides expert advice from rangers, park managers,…
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Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson
The Ascent of Money is a book that explains how different historical events led to the development of the current…
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World 3.0 by Pankaj Ghemawat
World 3.0 challenges the popular notion that the world is flat and fully globalized, arguing that differences and distances are…
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Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
The Sisters Brothers is a Western novel set in the American West in 1851. The story follows the notorious assassin…
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Booty Capitalism by Paul Hutchcroft
Booty Capitalism is a book that examines the relationship between the state and oligarchical families in the banking sector of…
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Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
Dark Star Safari is a travel book that takes readers on an epic journey through Africa, from Cairo to Cape…
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Deep South by Paul Theroux
Deep South is a travel memoir by Paul Theroux, where he recounts his road trips taken in Mississippi, South Carolina,…
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Ghost Train To The Eastern Star by Paul Theroux
Ghost Train to the Eastern Star is a travelogue by Paul Theroux, in which he retraces his epic journey of…
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Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
The Great Railway Bazaar is a travelogue by American novelist Paul Theroux, first published in 1975. It recounts Theroux’s four-month…
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On The Plain of Snakes by Paul Theroux
On The Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey is a travel memoir by renowned travel writer Paul Theroux. In this…
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Salmon Fishing in Yemen by Paul Torday
Salmon Fishing in Yemen is a debut comedy novel written by Paul Torday and published in 2007. The story revolves…
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Parrot and Olivier by Peter Carey
Parrot and Olivier in America is a historical novel by Peter Carey that explores the lives of two very different…
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Eastern Forests by Petersen Guides
Eastern Forests by Peterson Guides is an informative and comprehensive field guide that focuses on the diverse flora and fauna…
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We Wish To Inform You by Philip Gourevitch
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families is a non-fiction book by Philip…
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Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman Book Review
The Amber Spyglass is the third and final book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials fantasy series (after The Subtle…
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Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Golden Compass is a science fiction/fantasy novel that tells the story of 11-year-old Lyra, who embarks on a quest to…
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Lyra’s Oxford by Philip Pullman
Lyra’s Oxford is a novella set in the world of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The story follows Lyra…
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Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman
Once Upon A Time In The North is a prequel to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The story is…
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Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
The Subtle Knife is the second book in the His Dark Materials trilogy, a young-adult fantasy novel published in 1997…
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The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
The Secret Commonwealth is a fantasy novel and the second volume of Philip Pullman’s planned trilogy, The Book of Dust….
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The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage is the first book in a new trilogy by Philip Pullman and…
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American Rust by Philipp Meyer
American Rust is a novel that explores the decline of the American middle class and well-paying manufacturing jobs, and the…
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Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel
The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel takes on the myths and misunderstandings behind procrastination and motivation. The book shows us…
