Realized I'd never read SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut, so that. Incredible piece of literature. Finished NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO by Annie Jacobsen in February, as well. Disturbing, thorough. Real cheerful month.
I've actually only read PLAYER PIANO by Vonnegut, but I loved it so I should probably read more. And I recently read NUCLEAR WAR as well — nightmare material for sure.
Considering how prominently he figures in 20th century American history, I really need to get around to reading Gage’s book on Hoover. Glad to hear you liked it. February picks:
If you count books begun previously but finished in February, then The Impending Crisis by David Potter was the best for me. I believe I picked up because of your recommendation actually, so thanks for that! It was the best history read I've read in a long time.
For a book that I began and finished in February, I would choose Night by Elie Wiesel. It was devastating, and I would suggest everybody read it to get a glimpse of the horror of the real history of the holocaust.
Oh I’d also like to add that I read Frederick Douglass’s autobiography that you recommended recently! I read it right after The Impending Crisis which was perfect, because it did so much to humanize “the slavery issue”, which of course The Impending Crisis documents from a pure political standpoint. The political context combines with the human suffering and hardship to build a terrific picture of the period.
Old Friends and Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder. Old Friends, about people in a nursing home, was written in the early 1990’s but is still relevant today. Rough Sleepers, about Dr. Jim O’Connell and working with the homeless in Boston, was published in 2023. You realize reading both of these books that there are so many problems in society that aren’t always fixable. These two books will stay with me like Gender Queer and Fun Home.
Carnality by Lina Wolff. The story of a Swedish woman who goes to Spain on a fellowship and ends up taking in a man trying to escape from human organ harvesters set upon him by an aged nun. Sounds insane, but it’s quite good.
I read What Is Life by Addy Pross after hearing him on Sean Carrol’s podcast. Ordered the book and finally got around to it.
I love to read this way through accidental connections. I heard Phillip Ball on Tyler Cowan. Ordered his book How Life Works. Suddenly I spend February reading about biological complexity. Never would have planned it.
Always waiting for the universe to give me my next assignment.
Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee. Lee writes about the current state of cultural cuisine in parts of the US. He follows from the point of immigration to development or fusion with different ingredients to the current dishes. He writes about the experiences of the people cooking these dishes. My only complaint is the descriptions of eating the food can be a bit much. I enjoy this genre of books, writing about food as part of culture, with authors like Claudia Roden and Paula Wolfert.
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson - similar to her previous title Black Cake, which explores a family's secrets and history; Goodreads' short summary is "The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom."
My mum bought me a copy of 'Man with a Blue Scarf' by Martin Gayford, which is about the author's (a well-known art critic) experience sitting for a portrait by Lucian Freud. The process lasts over a year and its fascinating looking at the artistic process from someone who is very familiar with the art world but not necessarily the artistic process, at least not intimately. Lovely read, insightful and well-written
There were two books read that really caught my attention. They are two older books.
The first was The Big Short, by Michael Lewis. Good story about the 2008 financial meltdown. It seems we as a nation still have not learned the lesson.
The second was The Mold in Dr Florey’s Coat by Eric Lax which described the different people who discovered penicillin. Amazing story of dedication and ingenuity by researchers who just kept working despite incredible odds.
I had two favorites during February and both were by authors I discovered through Substack. In Judgement of Others by Eleanor Anstruther was exceptional. She serialized it on her publication and then published it recently. The other was Exogenesis by Peco Gaskovski. Really good and I will be doing a review of the book and interview with the author in the coming months.
Realized I'd never read SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut, so that. Incredible piece of literature. Finished NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO by Annie Jacobsen in February, as well. Disturbing, thorough. Real cheerful month.
I've actually only read PLAYER PIANO by Vonnegut, but I loved it so I should probably read more. And I recently read NUCLEAR WAR as well — nightmare material for sure.
Considering how prominently he figures in 20th century American history, I really need to get around to reading Gage’s book on Hoover. Glad to hear you liked it. February picks:
Nonfiction- Personal History by Katharine Graham
Fiction—Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler
Yeah the Hoover book was just great. A true microcosm of American history in the middle decades of the 20th century.
Personal History was a great one; I've not read Parable, but I love Octavia Butler.
If you count books begun previously but finished in February, then The Impending Crisis by David Potter was the best for me. I believe I picked up because of your recommendation actually, so thanks for that! It was the best history read I've read in a long time.
For a book that I began and finished in February, I would choose Night by Elie Wiesel. It was devastating, and I would suggest everybody read it to get a glimpse of the horror of the real history of the holocaust.
Both of those are classics! Great picks.
Oh I’d also like to add that I read Frederick Douglass’s autobiography that you recommended recently! I read it right after The Impending Crisis which was perfect, because it did so much to humanize “the slavery issue”, which of course The Impending Crisis documents from a pure political standpoint. The political context combines with the human suffering and hardship to build a terrific picture of the period.
Oh awesome, yeah that's a great companion to any history of the mid 19th century.
Potter’s book was my book of the month in January and will certainly be one of my books of the year. A fantastic pick.
Old Friends and Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder. Old Friends, about people in a nursing home, was written in the early 1990’s but is still relevant today. Rough Sleepers, about Dr. Jim O’Connell and working with the homeless in Boston, was published in 2023. You realize reading both of these books that there are so many problems in society that aren’t always fixable. These two books will stay with me like Gender Queer and Fun Home.
I've read a couple of his books, but not those! Thanks for the recs. :)
My book group read Rough Sleepers last year. Sad but compelling!
Carnality by Lina Wolff. The story of a Swedish woman who goes to Spain on a fellowship and ends up taking in a man trying to escape from human organ harvesters set upon him by an aged nun. Sounds insane, but it’s quite good.
Interesting — haven't heard of that one! I'll look it up.
I read What Is Life by Addy Pross after hearing him on Sean Carrol’s podcast. Ordered the book and finally got around to it.
I love to read this way through accidental connections. I heard Phillip Ball on Tyler Cowan. Ordered his book How Life Works. Suddenly I spend February reading about biological complexity. Never would have planned it.
Always waiting for the universe to give me my next assignment.
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up by James Hollis!
I enjoy James Hollis! Haven’t read that one, but I for sure will someday.
Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee. Lee writes about the current state of cultural cuisine in parts of the US. He follows from the point of immigration to development or fusion with different ingredients to the current dishes. He writes about the experiences of the people cooking these dishes. My only complaint is the descriptions of eating the food can be a bit much. I enjoy this genre of books, writing about food as part of culture, with authors like Claudia Roden and Paula Wolfert.
The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
I'm on a looong hold list for the audiobook. :)
In the Heart of the Sea had me in its vortex from page one. I always admire authors that can write captivating history.
Have you read Batavia’ Graveyard by Mike Dash? Akin to Lord of the Flies, only it’s nonfiction.
Haven't heard of that one!
Such a great book. Philbrick writes top notch narrative history.
GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson - similar to her previous title Black Cake, which explores a family's secrets and history; Goodreads' short summary is "The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom."
Glad to hear it's a good one! My wife loved Black Cake.
My mum bought me a copy of 'Man with a Blue Scarf' by Martin Gayford, which is about the author's (a well-known art critic) experience sitting for a portrait by Lucian Freud. The process lasts over a year and its fascinating looking at the artistic process from someone who is very familiar with the art world but not necessarily the artistic process, at least not intimately. Lovely read, insightful and well-written
Haven't heard of that one, but sounds great. Thanks!
I really need to get to Louise Erdrich! My favorite was a re-read of one of my favorite murder mysteries-- In the Woods by Tana French.
I've been meaning to re-read that whole series. So so good.
There were two books read that really caught my attention. They are two older books.
The first was The Big Short, by Michael Lewis. Good story about the 2008 financial meltdown. It seems we as a nation still have not learned the lesson.
The second was The Mold in Dr Florey’s Coat by Eric Lax which described the different people who discovered penicillin. Amazing story of dedication and ingenuity by researchers who just kept working despite incredible odds.
Highly recommend both books.
I've not read The Big Short — I'll have to one of these days. And that other one sounds really interesting too!
I had two favorites during February and both were by authors I discovered through Substack. In Judgement of Others by Eleanor Anstruther was exceptional. She serialized it on her publication and then published it recently. The other was Exogenesis by Peco Gaskovski. Really good and I will be doing a review of the book and interview with the author in the coming months.
Peco's book is high on my list! Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Day by Michael Cunningham. It’ll stay with me forever…
I have that one and The Hours high on my list.