As I was preparing this series of posts, I was shocked when I saw the number of political books I have read in the past few years. I think a certain sub-genre of
political books became very popular during those years! (Hmmm. Maybe they are more current event books than political.)
But first, let me tell you about some other nonfiction books I would recommend:
Working by Studs Terkel – This is an old book, and I read it a long time ago. It was very well-known in its day.
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz – I think almost everyone has probably read this book, which was very trendy for a long time.
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo – When I first heard that a book about tidying up was the bestseller of the year, I couldn’t believe it. Then I read it, and I learned that I shouldn’t be balling up my socks like potatoes because they needed to breathe. I haven’t kept up with Kondo, and I know she has some competition now — but it was an innovative book!
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson – This is a great business book. Fascinating.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – This is a wonderful memoir of growing up in South Africa. Gotta love Noah!
On Writing Well: The Classic guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser – The quintessential guide to writing
Becoming by Michelle Obama – Another great memoir
English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer – Dreyer isn’t dry by any means. Great book.
In Defense of Elitism by Joel Stein – I saw Stein being interviewed about the book, and it intrigued me. Actually, the interview was better than the book itself, although I did identify with much of what he said.
The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation by Sheri Salata – I saw her speak at a virtual conference. I was impressed by what she had to say, and she referred to her book, which was inspirational.
Divergent Mind by Jenera Nerenberg – I heard about the book and then saw the author at a virtual book launch. It is about those of us with divergent minds — autism, hypersensitivity, synesthesia (me) — and how we get along in the world.
Politics/Current Events
I read so many political books in the recent past. Many of us did. Here are some of the ones I read:
A Very Stable Genius by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig – This was a good one.
The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston – This is my favorite Trump book. It shows him from childhood on. Johnston is on television quite a bit (MSNBC) and is, I believe, a tax expert first and foremost.
Too Much and Never Enough by Mary Trump – Bless this woman.
The Book of Gutsy Women by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton – Interesting
Tough Love by Susan Rice – Okay
The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris – Political or memoir? I don’t know, but it made me like her more when I read it.
If We Can Keep It: How the Republic Collapsed and How It Might Be Saved by Michael Tomasky. I think this book needs a sequel right about now.
Unhinged by Omarosa Manigault Newman – I don’t remember much about this one.
Full Disclosure by Stormy Daniels – Meh
Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward – I don’t love his writing, and I didn’t love this book.
Make Trouble by Cecile Richards – Great woman, great book. Her mother was former Texas governor Ann Richards. Cecile is the former president of Planned Parenthood.
The Plot to Hack America by Malcolm Nance – Nance is an impressive guy, and some of us call him Shouty McShoutface. He has predicted a lot of what has gone on, and he is worried about the democracy.
A Colony in a Nation by Chris Hayes of MCNBC – I saw him talk about this book in California. It is a good read.
Al Franken: Giant of the Senate – We need him back. Enough said.
What Happened by Hillary Clinton – Many of us are still asking, “What happened?”
Fire and Fury: Inside the White House by Michael Wolff – This book got a lot of press. I don’t remember much about it.
The Unmaking of the President 2016: How FBI Director James Comey Cost Hillary Clinton the Presidency by Lanny Davis – Oh, yeah, that’s what happened.
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder – This is a wonderful book – and very short.
Dear Madam President by Jennifer Palmieri – Another short but good one.
Trumpocalypse by David Frum – Don’t remember it, but I kind of like Frum. haven’t seen him in a long time.
Rage by Bob Woodward – Still don’t like his writing. Meh.
Disloyal by Michael Cohen – I liked this one.
Persist by Elizabeth Warren – Guess I reached my limit on political reading. I read some of it, and I have left it for a while. It is the type of book that can be read one chapter at a time.
The Violence Inside Us by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy – All about American’s addiction to guns. Good book.
This Country by Chris Matthews – A historical look back from someone who worked in politics. It was due at the library, so I never finished.
Next week I will be visiting family and friends in California. There will be a blog post. It won’t be about my life in books. That is all I can tell you.
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