I’ve noticed that I often bring up in conversation one or more of the fascinating books I’ve been reading lately, only to fail utterly at recalling titles or authors’ names. I’ll take this opportunity to at least have a handy reference available for anyone who cares to follow up on something I’ve said.

Just check my blog!

Non-Fiction

Economics, history & politics

The true believer : thoughts on the nature of mass movements by Hoffer, Eric

Poor economics : a radical rethinking of the way to fight global poverty by Banerjee, Abhijit V.

The white man’s burden : why the West’s efforts to aid the rest have done so much ill and so little good by Easterly, William

Why nations fail : the origins of power, prosperity, and poverty by Acemoglu, Daron

Language

German I by Pimsleur Language Programs (audio CD)

Starting out in German by Living Language (audio CD)

Math & technology

Gödel, Escher, Bach : an eternal golden braid by Hofstadter, Douglas R.

Biography & memoir

The Egg & I by MacDonald, Betty

Fiction

Gone camping : a novel in verse by Wissinger, Tamera Will

Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher

Reading Notes:

I can’t remember the last time I took so many notes as I’ve done this week from Hoffer’s The True Believer. His words are resonating in discussions I’ve had lately about politics, economics, and taking creative action. I found the following sections particularly compelling: 12, 18, 29, 30, 47, 56, 91, 93, and 98.

Regarding the same title, I’m bumping up against the one negative to borrowing books from the library: someone else wants Hoffer’s book, and I can’t renew it again! I would have enjoyed a few more days with it. I’ve been reading slowly and carefully with this one, but have had to devote extra time to it today so I can get the book back before its due date.