November Books

2016 list is here. Don't think any of these will make the Top 5. But I enjoyed them all, especially the Lawrence book.

Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly, and the Making of the Modern Middle East

by Scott Anderson

Very readable account of what TE Lawrence actually did in the Middle East, which was, in reality, much more bureaucratic than the movie version. And he was apparently a bit of an odd duck--very unlike the Peter O'Toole version. Excellent insight into the birth of the Sykes Picot agreement, which has been much discussed of late.

The Crocodile

by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 

Not used to Dostoyevsky writing satire. And exactly what he was satirizing was unclear to me. Quick and enjoyable, though. See for yourself.

Born Liars: Why We Can't Live without Deceit

by Ian Leslie

Not much new in here--except the revelation that those who seem shifty and uncomfortable are least likely to be prevaricating--but interesting throughout

The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers

by Daniel L. Schacter

Memory is fleeting and often unreliable; yet we rely on it so heavily. I think that was my takeaway.

October Books

Comfortably past my goal of 50 books for the year, but last year's number looks unattainable. The burden of office will do that to a reader. No top 5 candidates this month, but only one title that I wouldn't recommend.




The Burden of Office: Agamemnon and Other Losers 
by Joseph Tussman 

Readable look at classic dilemmas (Creon, Lear) from a political standpoint. The present will shrink to littleness if you but assign its boundaries.

Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension

by Samuel Arbesman

Book not unlike the topic.

Global Economic History: A Very Short Introduction 

by Robert C. Allen

Very nice synopsis of trade and economic growth through history. Admirably concise, but I learned quite a bit.

How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind Over Muscle

by Matt Fitzgerald

Gift from Worldwide. Somewhat anecdotal, but generally entertaining look at the psychology of athletic performance. Perception of effort is a key ingredient of performance, and the brain is a poor, and somewhat corrupt, judge.

The Most Human Human: What Artificial Intelligence Teaches Us About Being Alive

by Brian Christian 

Entertaining look at the development of artificial intelligence and the interaction between humans and computers.

September Books

A mixed bag. But Possession is a candidate for this year's Top 5. It was singularly clever and like nothing I can remember reading; and a good story to boot!

Possession

by A.S. Byatt

Sometimes an author or a book makes you wonder how they did it--how someone can be so lyrical, inventive, whatever. Something that seems beyond what a person is capable of. This is one of those books. Not perfect, but I couldn't put it down, and was moved by the end. 

War and Peace and War: The Rise and Fall of Empires

by Peter Turchin

Interesting look at how and why empires end--largely due to an erosion of the power for collective action. Learned a lot of post Rome, pre-Renaissance history that was new to me. Dragged at times, and stretched to prove the theory, but worth the effort.

The Shock of the Old: Technology and Global History Since 1900

by David Edgerton

Things move slower than we think. Could have made that point in an article. Interesting point, ponderously made.

You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself

by David McRaney

Short essays explaining the many ways that can interfere with thinking clearly about things. Nothing new, but good to be reminded.

Essays of E.B. White

by E.B. White

Of a time. Sometimes the essays run together, but they are all well written and mostly interesting. The timeframe (1920s-1970s) shows a dramatically changing society.

August Books

Nice to see the titles I'd impulsively ordered over the last four months waiting for me at home. They filled up the better part of a duffel bag. Sadly, I've forgotten why many of them stirred me to action, but, hopefully, that's something to be rediscovered. 

Quizzically, a long period of vacation did not spur me to read more than usual. I spent my time visiting friends and family, weeding my herb garden and helping the Gs get ready for school.

The Damned Yard and Other Stories

by Ivo Andrić, Celia Hawkesworth (Editor)

Birthday gift from colleagues. Beautifully written stories with a touch of the absurd that accentuates the challenges of life.

Stubborn Attachments: A  Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals

by Tyler Cowen

Inchoate thoughts about government and society from my favorite economist. This work-in-progress was a throw-in as an incentive for pre-ordering his new book, which is out in February. Always interesting, if not quite yet coherent.

Conversation with Goya

by Ivo Andrić

Birthday gift. Part of anthology of three stories, the third of which, Signs by the Roadside, was a collection of short thoughts about life, the universe and everything. This should have been the lead, as it was far better than the story for which the book is titled, which I found a little too cute, in a Field of Dreams sort of way.

The Age of Innocence

by Edith Wharton,

From local bookstore. Heart-wrenching story set in a very interesting time for NYC that is of considerable interest to me. The insights into proper behavior are perfect on many levels.

Ragtime

by E.L. Doctorow

Picked this off the shelf at the cottage to reread after the OG told me about the musical. Didn't enjoy it as much as the first time (though that was decades ago, so who knows) but the interspersed historical characters enliven the story, and the time period is of particular interest to me lately.

Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human

by Richard W. Wrangham

Fascinating analysis of how decreasing the effort required to consume and process food led to quantum leaps in human development. And of course, subsequently, obesity. Believable hypothesis, credibly argued.

July Books

Something for everyone this month. Social science, fitness, British and Japanese fiction. Cannot wait to get home and rediscover the books I've ordered over the last eight months.



Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging 
by Sebastian Junger

Recommended by Tyler Cowen. Fascinating look about how social interaction shapes who we are. A pet theory that the author researched thoroughly and developed into an excellent book.

Strong Medicine: How to Conquer Chronic Disease and Achieve Your Full Athletic Potential

by Chris Hardy, Marty Gallagher

Straight dope science-based advice from a military doctor and my first strength coach (via the Washington Post). I e-mailed Marty to ask what he thought about my current regimen of bodyweight exercises. He responded, as always, promptly and succinctly: "Need weights."

The Remains of the Day

by Kazuo Ishiguro

From the local bookstore. Beautiful book about Britain and the end of an era. Enjoyed nearly every word.

The Silent Cry by Kenzaburō Ōe,  Birthday gift from colleague. Reminiscent of Dostoyevsky at times, but without that Russian passion, and the actions of certain characters perplexed me. But I know nothing of Japan. A Book About Love by Jonah Lehrer Recommended by David Brooks. A good writer strives for redemption by collecting his thoughts and research on a subject of interest to all. Enjoyed it.

June Books

Good month. Exactly the kind of balance I'm looking for. Kapuscinski is the discovery of the year so far, and I thank Pat for that.

Imperium

by Ryszard Kapuściński,

From Amazon. Not as good as I'd hoped, but after Shah of Shahs, I had set the bar exceptionally high. The long view, after Gorbacev, at the end, is one of the best I've read, and the story of crossing into the USSR at the border with China in  is amazing.

Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking

by Richard E. Nisbett

From Farnam Street recommendation. Nice summary of useful approaches to help in problem solving. Not a lot was new to me, but it was concise and well written, and I did learn a few things.

Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio

by Amara Lakhous

From G Lo. Colorful cross-section of today's Rome, but the characters were cardboard and the protagonist beloved by all struck me as a little too perfectly drawn.

American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers

by Nancy Jo Sales

From NYT Review. Social media turns girls into insecure approval seekers, and the consequences won't be known for awhile. But the stories are horrifying for parents.

Specialization and Trade: A Re-introduction to Economics

by Arnold Kling

Regular reader of his blog. Clear writing from my favorite curmudgeon. Convinced me that a lot of the science underpinning current economic thinking is bunk.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

by James Thurber

From Delfi, the bookstore near my office, which has a couple of hundred titles, mostly classics and pulp.. Enjoyed these very much. Great stories, economically written in a distinctive voice. Of a time.

Raging Bull: My Story

by Jake LaMotta, Peter Savage, Joseph Carter

From the used bookstore down the street. Great story of a sad, wonderful life and a flawed but remarkable man.

Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne

From the used bookstore down the street. Ripping yarn about the derring-do of an implacable Englishman. Had never read it, and am glad to put that in the past tense now. Fun read, although some of the stunds strech the bounds of credulity.

June Books

Good month. Exactly the kind of balance I'm looking for. Kapuscinski is the discovery of the year so far, and I thank Pat for that.

Imperium

by Ryszard Kapuściński,

From Amazon. Not as good as I'd hoped, but after Shah of Shahs, I had set the bar exceptionally high. The long view, after Gorbacev, at the end, is one of the best I've read, and the story of crossing into the USSR at the border with China in  is amazing.

Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking

by Richard E. Nisbett

From Farnam Street recommendation. Nice summary of useful approaches to help in problem solving. Not a lot was new to me, but it was concise and well written, and I did learn a few things.

Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio

by Amara Lakhous

From G Lo. Colorful cross-section of today's Rome, but the characters were cardboard and the protagonist beloved by all struck me as a little too perfectly drawn.

American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers

by Nancy Jo Sales

From NYT Review. Social media turns girls into insecure approval seekers, and the consequences won't be known for awhile. But the stories are horrifying for parents.

Specialization and Trade: A Re-introduction to Economics

by Arnold Kling

Regular reader of his blog. Clear writing from my favorite curmudgeon. Convinced me that a lot of the science underpinning current economic thinking is bunk.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

by James Thurber

From Delfi, the bookstore near my office, which has a couple of hundred titles, mostly classics and pulp.. Enjoyed these very much. Great stories, economically written in a distinctive voice. Of a time.

Raging Bull: My Story

by Jake LaMotta, Peter Savage, Joseph Carter

From the used bookstore down the street. Great story of a sad, wonderful life and a flawed but remarkable man.

Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne

From the used bookstore down the street. Ripping yarn about the derring-do of an implacable Englishman. Had never read it, and am glad to put that in the past tense now. Fun read, although some of the stunds strech the bounds of credulity.