As I reflect on my reading journey from 2019 through 2022, I am excited to share the evolution of my literary exploration. Over these years, my reading lists have ranged from discovering signed copies of Virginius Dabney's works on Richmond's history, to embarking on a competition with my wife to read and listen to as many books as possible. Each year brought new themes and insights, such as delving into the Founding Fathers' reading habits to understand their influence on our government, which in turn led me to uncover many remarkable authors and expand my grasp of epistemology. Through these diverse literary experiences, I’ve gained a richer perspective on various topics and enjoyed countless stimulating conversations. Below, you’ll find the compilation of my reading lists from these years, showcasing the breadth and depth of my literary adventures.
January
The Story of Civilization | The Age of Napoleon, by Will Durant
In Plain Sight, by Ross Coulthart
Dreams, Henri Bergson
February
The Devils Chessboard, by David Talbot
The Measure of a Man, by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas: An American Slave, by Frederick Douglass
Hidden Figures, by Margot Shetterly
The Love Song of D.E.W. Du Bois, by Honoree Jeffers
Up from Slavery, by Booker T. Washington
The Orchard Thief, by Susan Orlean
Lessons from Russia’s Operation in Crimea, by Michae Kofman, Katya Migacheva, Jenny Oberholtzer, Brian Nichiporuk, Andrew Radin, and Tkacheva
Dark Water, by W.E.B. Du Bois
March
The Economics and Politics of Race, by Thomas Sowell
Unspeakable, by Chris Hedges and David Talbot
Vitamin N, by Richard Lou
The Widow Clicquot, by Tilar Mazzeo
The Greatest Evil is War, by Chris Hedges
A Libertarian Walks into a Bear, by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling
1619, by James Horn
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
Crome Yellow, by Aldous Huxley
Taste, Stanley Tucci
The Pioneers, by David McCullough
Where Law Ends | Inside the Muller Investigation, by Andrew Weissmann
War, by Sebastian Junger
April
A Very Punchable Face, Colin Jost
Yearbook, by Seth Rogan
Coming to my Senses, by Alice Waters
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen, by Joanna Faber
The Night Agent by Matthew Quirk
May
I’ll Show Myself Out, by Jessi Klein
June
What Unites Us, by Dan Rather
The Trump Tapes, by Bob Woodward
Cork Dorks, by Bianca Bosker
July
Wicked River, by Lee Sandlin
The Feather Thief, by Kirk Johnson
August
Julia Child, Laura Shapiro
September
Potty Training, by Jennifer Smith
The Unexpected Spy, by Tracy Walder
Epictetus: The Enchiridion and Discourse, by Hayward Morse
October
Eat a Peach, by David Chang
Is Reality Optional, by Thomas Sowell
The End of the World is just the Beginning, by Peter Zeihan
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, Noa Tishby
USA: The Ruthless Empire, by Daniele Ganser
The Jewish State, by Theodor Herzl
The Future of War, by Lawrence Freedman
November
The Secret War with Iran, by Ronen Bergman
The next 100 years, by George Friedman
December
The Strategy of Denial, by Eldridge Colby
Rise and Kill First, by Ronen Bergman
Americas Secret War, by George Friedman
A Voyage for Madmen, by Peter Nichols
8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World and The Future Faces of War: Population and National Security, by Jennifer D. Sciubba
Every Nation for Itself, by Ian Bremmer