OT: Book Suggestions
I know these posts come up from time to time, so I tried to add some content for anyone who might be interested.
I am looking for something good to read. Any suggestions? I hate reading about current politics. I think fiction is cool, but If I haven't seen a movie on it or if it is not something I am really into, I have a hard time staying interested. I know that probably sounds crazy to some of you fantasy readers. I guess my imagination is not great. I like non-fiction. I am really over sports right now, so not really looking for anything in that genre. Anything about dogs, history, crimes and mystery seem to perk my interest. Below is the last 5 books I have read in the last month or so.
Left to tell by Immacul'ee Ilibagiza. This is an unreal true survival story of the Rwandan Genocide. I love Survival stories, so if you do. I highly recommend.
Hot Sex: Over 200 Things You Can Try Tonight by Emily Morse (UM Grad). Title kinda gives away what this is about. She is a great person to learn about Sex from.
Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers by Brian Kilmeade. Great look at the battle in Texas before and after the Alamo. Just 1 chapter on that actual battle.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read and gave me a fresh perspective on life. It is told from a dog's perspective and if you like dogs it is a must read.
Without a Trace: The Disappearance of Amy Billig- A Mother's Search for Justice by Greg Aunapa and Susan Billig. This book was crazy! It was scary as hell and super sad. If you like mysteries, this is for you. I will cover this story at some point in TULEW, but if you can't wait until then, check it out.
I look forward to your suggestions for me and others. Merry Christmas everyone and happy reading!
December 19th, 2019 at 8:57 PM ^
The Art of The Deal
December 19th, 2019 at 8:59 PM ^
much too many great novels out there...
Ted Chiang's Stories of Your Life and Others (a collection of short stories, one of which was what the movie Arrival was based on)
Animal Farm/1984... personally feel that if any writer was considered to be prescient, its Orwell...
the Topeka School - haven't read this one, but it sounds amazing and is on multiple top 2019 lists
December 19th, 2019 at 9:10 PM ^
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. The book covers the discoveries that led up to the Manhattan Project and the men and women who fought to complete it by war’s end.
December 19th, 2019 at 9:14 PM ^
I like the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child
If you really want to be scared, read Helter Skelter or The Onion Field. Helter Skelter, of course, is the Manson family story. The Onion Field is another true story that will scare the crap out of you. Scary because it's true that there are people that evil out there in the world.
December 19th, 2019 at 9:52 PM ^
Educated -- Tara Westover. Best book -- actually did audiobook
Red Notice -- Bill Browder
Talking to Strangers -- Malcolm Gladwell.-- did audiobook.
December 19th, 2019 at 10:48 PM ^
OP said he likes non-fiction. I haven't seen anyone mention Steven Pinker. Any of his are great; the early ones for psychology and epistemology and the later ones for things like why the Enlightenment is great and how society is becoming less and less violent.
Also haven't seen anyone mention Tyler Cowen. Interesting throughout his career.
I'm surprised to see so many Atlas Shrugged recommendations on here. But the OP did say he doesn't get into fiction too much, so maybe the people recommending Rand should recommend her Virtue of Selfishness instead?
December 19th, 2019 at 10:58 PM ^
Of the hundreds of books I've read so far, this is the short list of those that gave me the most-useful tools in business and life and which are most important in my opinion:
How to Win Friends and Influence People, Carnegie (title says it all -- extremely useful in business and life)
The Power of Habit, by Duhigg (how to program your habits to your benefit)
You Can Negotiate Anything, by Cohen (how to negotiate)
Never Split the Difference, by Voss (very interesting tips on negotiation by FBI hostage negotiator)
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, by Adams (how to use systems and other techniques instead of goals)
Influence, by Cialdini (what techniques increase odds of persuading people)
Drive, by Pink (what motivates people -- all managers and business leaders should read)
Basic Economics, by Sowell (if everyone read this, the world would be far better)
A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bryson (great history of all science, hilariously told)
Life in Half a Second, by Michalewicz (good point of view on getting going with your life)
Civilization, by Furguson (good perspective of development of civilization)
With the Old Breed, by Sledge (if you read one book on war, this should be it. brilliantly written.)
The High Frontier, by O'Neill (man's destiny to colonize space -- think big! :))
December 19th, 2019 at 11:06 PM ^
Bad Blood, about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. Fascinating and hard to put down.
December 19th, 2019 at 11:41 PM ^
In similar vein, American Kingpin, by Bilton. Story of the Silk Road website on the dark web, its founder, and his demise. Very, very interesting story.
December 20th, 2019 at 1:57 AM ^
Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer.
December 20th, 2019 at 6:29 AM ^
I just finished Devil in the Grove about Thurgood Marshall and the Groveland Boys. It was fascinating and horrifying.
I would tell everyone to give The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. a try, even if you aren't a huge fiction reader. Totally worth it.
December 20th, 2019 at 6:45 AM ^
Mark Twains the prince&the pauper.
The Art Of War, i was very surprised what this book was.
I don't want to read all fiction so i also lije history. Recently read a biography about George Washington Carver.
Also Justice On Trial, about the bret Kavanaugh confirmation. But half it is about the confirmation process and eisenhowers 5.
December 20th, 2019 at 7:33 AM ^
I knew there was another I wanted to recommend but forgot. The Imjin War by Samuel Hawley. It's about the Japanese invasions of Korea at the end of the 16th century. It's a huge war involving Korea, Japan, and China and is really the first that Japan tries to extend beyond their islands just after full unification for the first time. Hugely devastating for Korea and Ming China falls like 20 years later. This one is told from the Korean perspective mostly. It's crazy it's basically an unknown war in the West.