From Clint and Marianne Orr in Forest, IN:
“We had a house fire and while no one was hurt our house and the books contained within were a total loss. My wife and I both love to read and were hoping that you might have a list of your favorite books from your published reviews or otherwise that we could use to get us a jumpstart on replacing what we have lost.”
First, I’m sorry for your loss. One reason I have used an e-reader for years is my careless book losses have been solved. But I still have cherished dead-tree versions in my library that hold a place in my heart. This e-mail is a crossover from my book reviews in Top Producer magazine, but I thought some of my viewers might be interested. By now, you may be through your reading list.
These are my Top 10 from the last few years in no particular order.
• The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton – the best place to begin thinking about Modern Monetary Theory.
• The Nexus Trilogy by Ramez Nam – maybe the best science fiction/thriller crossover series of books I have read. Remarkably predictive as well.
• Grant by Ron Chernow – a superb biography of a vastly underestimated President and American hero.
• Longitude by Dava Sobel – how international navigation was made possible by the persistence of a master clock maker.
• Sourdough by Robin Sloan – a hard to classify but easy to read novel about the overlapping worlds of serious breadmaking and computer coding.
• You Look Like a Thing and I Love You by Janelle Shane – a readable introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) that anyone can gain from.
• Prairie Patrimony by Sonja Salomon – out-of-print, but the best book I have ever read to understand the enduring cultural roots and differences of Midwestern farms.
• She Has Her Mother’s Laugh by Karl Zimmer – one of our best science writers clearly explains what we know about heredity and what we think we know that’s isn’t so.
• Good Clean Fun by Nick Offerman – a gentle introduction into woodworking by a beloved actor and skilled expert.
• In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson – a hilarious and instructive Australia travel narrative from my favorite travel writer.
I sure hope this helps, but please send an address for a couple of mugs, including the nearly extinct white version as my token of sympathy.
2021 Book List
Books for 2021
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