“I Cannot Live Without Books.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams in 1812.
After the war of 1812 Jefferson sold more than 6,500 books from his personal collection to the federal government. The books began the rebuilding of the Library of Congress. He kept about 1,000 of his favorites, and a few years later he expressed this sentiment… “I cannot live without books.”
I share this sentiment passionately. Books will be an ever-present category of my view… as they have shaped my focus over the years. The book list will have ongoing parts. The 2011 group reflects a more non fiction reading experience than many past years. (The choices may reflect the need we feel to fix things.) The fiction on the 2011 list are noteworthy and I am happy to share what has become a lifetime passion.
Michele
NON-FICTION
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WHAT THE DOG SAW Malcolm Gladwell “Good writing does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else’s head.” Malcolm Gladwell cast light on things we took to be part of the fabric of modern life. And the lighting improves our understanding.
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BLINK Malcolm Gladwell Blink is a book about how we think without thinking… And yes, I have mastered this technique!
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OUTLIERS Malcolm Gladwell Follows the same ah-ha revelations of things we all see. Note-the only book I’ve had stolen from me. Update – My book was returned!
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HALF THE SKY Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn A passionate call to arms against our pervasive human rights violation: the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.
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THREE CUPS OF TEA Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin A mountaineer failed to climb K2. Moved by the kindness shown by the local people, he promised to return and build a school. Mortenson builds fifty-five schools in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. Astonishing campaign. (Recommendation stands with an eye on reports of inaccuracies.)
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STONES INTO SCHOOLS Greg Mortenson The continuing story of Mortenson’s powerful campaign for peace and education. Inspiring! (Recommendation stands with an eye on reports of inaccuracies.)
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SUPERFREAKONOMICS Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner Challenges the way we think with witty and cleaver questions.
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THE UNHEALTHY TRUTH Robyn O’Brien How our food is making us sick and what we can do about it. A must read!
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THE OMNIVORES’S DILEMMA Michael Pollan A history of four meals. Eye-opening account of production marketing and deciding. A must read!
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THE LAST AMERICAN MAN Elizabeth Gilbert. The true story of Eustace Conway. An examination of American masculinity, or the cave-man revisited.
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GAME CHANGE John Heilemann and Mark Halperin WOW! What an interesting behind the scene account of what went on during our last presidential election. My biggest surprise was John McCain…
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BLIND DESCENT James M. Taboe The story of the quest to discover the deepest place on earth. Amazing. Interesting.
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THE TRUMP CARD Ivanka Trump Appealing and smart read. Inspiration. Success. Confidence. Passion. Ivanka received her BA in real estate from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude.
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TONY BLAIR A JOURNEY Tony Blair A book about the nature and uses of political power. One of my favorite books this year! I fell in love with Tony Blair and have rarely seen power handled with such insight and grace. A great read.
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A CATHOLIC NEW DEAL: RELIGION AND REFORM IN DEPRESSION PITTSBURGH Kenneth J. Heineman I am privileged to have known the generation studied in Professor Heineman’s work. An enlightening book to read for all students of business. I suggest reading this book immediately after Ken Follett’s Fall Of Giants.
FICTION
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FALL OF GIANTS Ken Follett A new classic. The first in The Century Trilogy-giving us a powerful account of history. I loved this book and am anxiously awaiting book two. An Epic Tale.
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THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE David Wroblewski Fist allow me to recommend reading this tale in private. I found myself crying on the plane (and not from dealing with the airline personnel, although a case could be made) A beautiful story especially for those of us with a good dog. Edgar Sawtelle is a boy without a voice… the language is of friendship.
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KNOWN TO EVIL Walter Mosley “Rough-edged prose, is totally befitting his character.” –Chicago Sun-Times A mystery. Perfect for a weekend escape.
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THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO Stieg Larsson Book one in the Millenium Series
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THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE Stieg Larsson Book two in the Millenium Series
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THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST Stieg Larsson Book three in the Millenium Series “Wildley suspenseful… an intelligent, ingeniously plotted, utterly engrossing THRILLER.” –The Washington Post Lisbeth Salander is a memorable heroine. I do love a good pay back now and then. A captivating tale!
