Required reading list for blog followers…

Ok, so we’re now a few posts into the new blog and I can sense that everyone is thinking the same thing, “how can I be as cool, hip, and insightful as this guy?” The truthful answer is…you probably can’t. However, as not to dash anyone’s dreams, I will tell you that a strong reading base is a crucial starting point. Because nothing says cool and hip like reading books on Friday and Saturday nights.

Without further ado, here are the top books I have read so far this calendar year (happily, this selection criterion, versus…say…considering only books published this year, makes it more about me). Unfortunately, I read several truly outstanding books (mentioned at the bottom of this post) in November and December of 2009 and those didn’t make the cut due to my arbitrary deadline. I hope they won’t be too disappointed.


1. The Millennium trilogy (Stieg Larsson) – Full disclosure, this one actually consists of three books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest), which is patently unfair because 3 books will beat 1 book any day, right? Oh wait, I forgot about Twilight. Anyway, I’m getting off track…the important thing is that Mr. Larsson has left us with a set of very solid and infinitely readable Swedish thrillers. These books have a little bit of something for everyone. First and foremost, if you enjoy seriously kick-arse, punk girls with short black hair, lots of piercings, lots of tattoos, limited social skills, sick computer hacking skills, and a penchant for revenge…these are the books for you. (I’ll now wait until Phat gets back from the bookstore…). Ok, on top of that these books feature, among other things, a take no prisoners journalist who has to keep two sticks handy to beat the ladies off (think me back in my single days). And as one final bonus, you are sure to become intimately acquainted with the street names of Stockholm. In sum, I highly recommend. Plus, there’s a Swedish movie version out on DVD of the first book that is pretty decent. After you read the series, check out this entertaining spoof.

2. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman (Jon Krakauer) – Ok, on to something a lot more serious. Krakauer is about as good a non-fiction writer is you’ll find out there today and this book is no exception. You probably all remember the Pat Tillman story from several years back. Not surprisingly, much of the original reporting at the time was highly superficial, misleading, and plain inaccurate, as this book chronicles. Overall, a very compelling and important human interest story.

3. A Long Way Gone (Ishmael Beah) – If you’re not sufficiently depressed after reading #2, then this is the book for you. This is a true life chronicle written by a former child soldier from Sierra Leone. What could possibly be more depressing than child soldiers? I can’t think of anything off the top of my head, so this list has certainly reached its depression apogee. While there have been some questions about the veracity of some details in the book, I’m not too bothered. I suspect enough of it is true to sufficiently horrify all but the most hardened reader.

4. Born to Run (Christopher McDougall) – A surprising little book that may also leave you depressed (if, like me, that’s one of your main criteria for a good read) at how physically lazy you are compared to the Mexican tribe of super runners and the maniacal ultra-marathoners chronicled within. I have to say though…it did motivate me to get back into running (for about a week at least) and I even tried barefoot running once (not as painful as you might expect).

5. Too Big to Fail (Andrew Ross Sorkin) – The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up this book is that it is very fat (not to be confused with phat) and reading it cover to cover will involve a substantial time commitment (but what else is there to do in August anyway…well before Project Runway starts at least?). While not what I would call a page turner, it is fairly readable. For those interested in the near collapse of the financial system in 2008, this is an even-handed and comprehensive account incorporating perspectives from most of the key players from both the corporate and government side.


6. Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective (Ha-Joon Chang) – For those of us with an insatiable passion for the minutiae of international development, this is the book we’ve been waiting for. Definitely helps dispel several misconceptions of how the developed world got to be that way and what it all means for developing countries today.

Missed cut due to arbitrary deadline:

• Open (Andre Agassi) – Infinitely readable and entertaining for tennis fans and non-tennis fans alike.
• Stones into Schools (Greg Mortenson) – Inspiring story of one man making a difference in the lives of many Afghan children. Follow up to Three Cups of Tea. This guy is probably my second favorite nurse.
• Eating Animals (Jonathan Safran Foer) – One of my favorite young writers taking on one of my favorite topics. Eye opening. Especially if you are a cow, pig, or chicken.