Looking Back at 2007 Reading
I read 62 books in 2007. This is down from 83 in 2006 and 99 in 2005. (Here are all the books I've read from June '04 - Dec '07.) I don't like the downward trend! One big reason is starting college, which has proven to be a time drain. Reading is a big part of college, but weirdly, I feel like I was reading more when I was on my own.
In any event, it's about quality not quantity. Here were my favorite books from 2007:
Frank McCourt: Teacher Man: A Memoir
Beautiful story about teaching and life. Must-read for any teacher.
Orhan Pamuk: Snow
Complex, sad, beautiful. A wonderful novel by this Nobel prize winning Turkish writer.
Samuel P. Huntington: Who Are We: The Challenges to America's National Identity
An excellent, provocative read on Americanism and immigration. See my formal book review.
Susan Shapiro: Only as Good as Your Word: Writing Lessons from My Favorite Literary Gurus
Excellent memoir on writing and mentors. See my quick review.
Tobias Wolff: Old School
An awesome novel, particularly for those interested in books and reading. Here's my review.
Ethan Watters: Urban Tribes: Are Friends the New Family?
An interesting quasi-memoir, quasi-anthropological sketch. See my formal book review.
Francine Prose: Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them (P.S.)
A fun, instructive guide for writers. Uses tons of excerpts and close reading to make its points.
Nando Parrado: Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home
Stunning, inspiring, beautiful. See my review.
Jessica Livingston: Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days
A good archive of first-person accounts from entrepreneurs. Buy with my book and save on Amazon!
Po Bronson: "Why Do I Love These People?": Understanding, Surviving, and Creating Your Own Family
An excellent collection of stories about families who have overcome challenges. See my quick write up.
Michael Lewis: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game
An excellent storytelling job by Lewis. Highly recommended. See quick post.
Lauren Weisberger: The Devil Wears Prada
A solid work of chick lit and good lesson for any recent college grad. See my brief review.
David McCullough: John Adams
Wonderful look at this fascinating man. See my brief review.
Neil Strauss: The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
Fascinating and provocative book inside a world I didn't know existed. Here's my review.
Gene O'Kelly: Chasing Daylight
Truly extraordinary. A must-read. See my review.
Walter Isaacson: Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
A fantastic biography of one of history's most extraordinary people. See my review / notes
David McCullough: 1776
Awesome telling of that fateful year - my review.
Marci Alboher: One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success
A good guide to building a customized career around the "slash". See my brief review.
Jeremy Blachman: Anonymous Lawyer: A Novel
Hilarious satire of a big L.A. law firm written in the form of blog entries. Must read for anyone in a law firm or considering that path.
Geeta Anand: The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--And Bucked the Medical Establishment--In a Quest to Save His Children
Inspiring book about how far a parent will go to save his children. See my post.
David Shenk: The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Art, Science and the Human Brain
An awesome book on chess -- some history, some strategy, and some humor too. My brief review.
Ian Mcewan: Saturday
An excellent novel by one of Britain's leading writers. See my short review.
