By Jim Heffernan
I take it as point of pride that I’m promiscuous. Not that way. I’m very proud of 58 years as a faithful husband, but I am promiscuous for books. Always have been. Sometimes the day job got in the way, but not anymore. I can’t even be true to one book at a time. I may be reading two or three different books at a time and if another strikes my fancy, I’m lost.
It’s time for another list. I always start out by wondering if I have enough books to make a list and end up trimming it down; I’m sure I’m failing to mention beautiful books I have known. Most of these are serious books I sought out in the futile hope of solving the problems of the world, but some are just for fun. If I have written a review for the Pioneer, the link follows the listing.
20 22 Best Books of 2024
- “The Power of Strangers –The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World” by Joe Keohane — I rated this the top book because it really changed me. What a better world it would be if we got out of our screens and talked to one another. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-power-of-strangers-the-benefits-of-connecting-in-a-suspicious-world-by-joe-keohane/
- “Civil Unity–A Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives and Our World” by Shola Richards Great book for fostering critical thinking and intellectual humility. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-civil-unity-a-radical-path-to-transform-our-discourse-our-lives-and-our-world/
- “Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy” by Eric Liu 19 “sermons” on “civic religion”. Given between Nov 8, 2016 and Aug 10, 2018. Perfect echo for today, https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-become-america-by-eric-liu
- “The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living” by Russ Harris Maybe I haven’t reviewed this because it’s a self-help book and I’m embarrassed. Look for a review real soon now.
- “Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life” by Nicholas D. Kristof Well-written memoir by a man who grew up in Yamhill, OR and became prominent NYT columnist and author. He ran for Oregon governor.
- “Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop—The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America” by Lee Drutman — I’m still reading this, but review will come soon.
- “Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism” by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchison — Deals with a favorite subject of mine and includes a European slant we don’t often see. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-invisible-doctrine-the-secret-history-of-neoliberalism-by-george-monbiot-peter-hutchison/
- “Meet Me at the Library : A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy” by Shamichael Hallman — If we used the library as much as our screens we’d be better off.
- “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents “ by Julia Alvarez –This is the book Tillamook School Board thought was too mature for 10th Grade Honors English class. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-how-the-garcia-girls-lost-their-accents-by-julia-alvarez/
- “The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers” by Zeke Hernandez — A clear-eyed case for what immigrants really bring us. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-truth-about-immigration-by-zeke-hernandez/
- “Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net” by Jessica McCrory Calarco — How the US lets women and families down, leaving them to do all the hard work of care with no money or support.
- “The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen” by Jacques Pepin — Just for fun, memoir of my favorite “food porn” star. I have a half-finished review from last July, but must have been distracted by another beautiful book.
- “The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government” by Brody Mullins and Luke Mullins — Well written look into how big money has perverted our politics and damaged our nation.
- “Yes, Chef” by Marcus Samuelsson — Just for fun but a great read https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-yes-chef-a-memoir-marcus-samuelsson/
- “Words That Work—It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear” by Dr. Frank Luntz I often though of him as Newt Gingrinch stooge, but I was very wrong, https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-yes-chef-a-memoir-marcus-samuelsson/
- “You’re More Powerful than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen” by Eric Liu Well-written and inspiring https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-youre-more-powerful-than-you-think-a-citizens-guide-to-making-change-happen/
- Our Malady—Lessons in Liberty From a Hospital Diary by Timothy Snyder Account of his terrifying bout of sepsis and a illuminating comparison of U.S. commercial medicine and European government-supported medicine. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-our-malady-lessons-in-liberty-from-a-hospital-diary-by-timothy-snyder/
- The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America” by Timothy Snyder — Close examination of recent Putin/U.S./Europe/Ukraine history. Author concludes “In the end, though, freedom depends upon citizens who are able to make a distinction between what is true and what they want to hear.”
- “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson — Two Nobel Prize economists explore why some countries prosper and others don’t. They conclude poor countries are poor because those who have power make choices that create poverty.
- “Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure That AI Works for Us” by Gary F. Marcus — A good writer and looks at AI (Artificial Intelligence) as an insider and examines the case for AI as “doom” or as “salvation”.
- “Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir” by Ina Garten — Food porn I couldn’t leave out.
- The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell — Included because I love the author’s sprightly take on history.
Hall of Fame Books: Books I Consider Essential Reads
- Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation by David French https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-divided-we-fall-by-david-french/
- Constitution of Knowledge – A Defense of the Truth by Jonathan Rauch
https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-constitution-of-knowledge-a-defense-of-the-truth/
- Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America by Chris Stirewalt
https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/broken-news-why-the-media-rage-machine-divides-america/
- The Warmth of Other Suns—The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/join-a-book-club-the-warmth-of-other-suns-book-review/
- Dark Money—The Hidden History of the Billionaire Behind the Rise of the Radical Right https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-dark-money-by-jane-mayer/
- Humankind – A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-humankind-a-hopeful-history/
- Listen, Liberal: or Whatever Happened to the Party of the People? by Thomas Frank https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-listen-liberal-or-whatever-happened-to-the-party-of-the-people/
- Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochshcild https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-strangers-in-their-own-land/
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer comment https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-braiding-sweetgrass-by-robin-wall-kimmerer/
- A Gentle Answer – Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-a-gentle-answer-our-secret-weapon-in-an-age-of-us-against-them/
- “The Politics Industry” by Porter and Katharine Gehl https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-politics-industry/
- Tuesday Night Massacre – Four Senate Elections and the Radicalization of the Republican Party by Marc C. Johnson https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-tuesday-night-massacre-four-senate-elections-and-the-radicalization-of-the-republican-party/
- “Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think” (2021) by Andy Norman
- “Saving Grace” – Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts by Kirtsen Powers https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-saving-grace-speak-your-truth-stay-centered-and-learn-to-coexist-with-people-who-drive-you-nuts/
I hope this romp among books gives you some proportion of the pleasure they have given me. Closing for now, I’m ravished.
As always, discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com
