2021 Books

I am glad I was able to a good mix of fiction and non-fiction this year.

I moved to a hybrid audio and kindle format for most books about partway through the year. Each format has its recommendations. I find kindle better for information uptake generally and often reread passages I listened to beforehand. The addition of a narrator's voice added a great deal to the character of both fiction and non-fiction books. I will continue this method in the future.

Dune by Frank Herbert (audio)

This is a classic book, reread and enjoyed. It is as though parts of the story are etched in stone, or perhaps in memory. A masterwork of worldbuilding and foreshadowing. Although the age has begun to  show, the main themes of strength through struggle, the power of will, and the interaction between humanity and nature ring clearly throughout. The audio version altered certain scenes and added voice actors, and on the whole the dramatization was delightful.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (audio)

This is a wonderful children's book echoing Tolkien but with a didactic charm all its own. I remember it fondly from my childhood and it stands up well. Taran's rashness fades and he and the other characters learn exactly the lesson's the teller would give the reader. Feels like something a grandfather would write for their grandchildren.

Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen

Though I agree with some of his criticisms of modern society (we need stronger communities), this book was a little hard to get through. Full review here.

The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Heinrich

Absolutely fascinating book on how psychology, culture, and human institutions interact. Full review here.

Red Rising

Golden Sun

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

What a roller-coaster! These books were absolutely action-packed, very well-crafted and pulling all the right levers. Without drifting too much into spoilers, they remind me of about a dozen series including Dune, Star Wars, and the Ender's Game books. All that, mixed with helping of dystopian class struggle, Roman aesthetics and a little Expanse. It feels so familiar because I think the author and I share such a large number of reference points. The plot is gripping and the large cast of characters are handled skillfully enough to provoke strong emotions. At times the characters can feel a bit stock as the focus shifts ever onward to other happenings parts of the Society. In some places the references can come of a little too plainly, though I admit I enjoyed recognizing some of the memes and Easter eggs. 

What will I take away from these books? An echo of the experience of reading David Eddings as kid, meeting characters I grew to love. Thoughts about how to write plots and plot twists, and especially the art of pacing. There are some interesting themes about the weight of power, love as strength or weakness, costs of greatness, order vs justice, etc. but this is not a thinker. It simply blazes forward pulling you along. Just enjoy the ride!

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass - by Frederick Douglass

Douglass drives home the evils of slavery with astonishing eloquence. Surprisingly short, readable, and a great historical resource, I am a bit surprised I didn't run across this book in school and feel it should be taught more frequently. Douglass, self-taught while still enslaved comes across as both a genius writer and keen observer of the slave experience. He expertly articulates how slavery corrupts slaveholders into brutalizing and dehumanizing slaves as means of justifying the institution. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Raymond Hearn and thought he gave a great performance. One slight disappointment was that the book didn't go into Douglass's escape from slavery or how he met his wife- for good reason: to protect those still enslaved or actively aiding runaways. It may be worth looking into My Bondage and My Freedom to learn more.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

A fantastic book about how people make decisions and some of the common cognitive errors and biases that inform our thinking. This book has something for everyone, from the casual novelty-seeker to students of economics or psychology and even those looking for life advice. The second big book after Heinrich to which I gave a closer read. A full review hopefully to come when time allows.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (audio)

There is something delicious about a mystery. I won't say much about this but that it continually presents the reader with questions to ponder. The narrative is generous and consistent enough that these questions can yield significant answers. The tone of the book is contemplative and yet also somehow effusive and the narration by Chiwetel Ejiofor superlative.