Books I'm Reading, Have Read, May or May Not Read

As I'm sure you're aware, I get tons of books sent to me. Publishers want me to review their books and offer me new options almost every day. I refuse most titles and select only those that I think I'll have a good chance of reading and enjoying. Even with that, I don't guarantee anyone that I will actually write a review on this blog.

But I thought I would at least mention a few books I have on my desk -- in various states of being read -- and let you add your thoughts to the ones I have. Here we go:

• A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future -- I saw the author speak a year or so ago and he was fascinating, as is this book. Similar to Freakonomics in my opinion.

• Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life -- I have wanted to read this for some time, but it keeps getting replaced by other titles. I LOVE Bogle, but don't know if I'll ever get to it. Anyone else read it yet?

• Rich Brother Rich Sister -- Not sure why I agreed to get a copy of this book -- it looks as wacky as the title suggests.

• Blog Blazers -- Good book on the basics of blogging from people who know (top bloggers.) Keys to success: great content, keep posting, write good titles, and promote your work. Pretty basic, but good to hear nonetheless.

• The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America -- My wife actually read this and wrote the following review for me:

"This book has daily articles reflecting on significant events, people, documents, and literature connected with the foundation of the United States of America.  I’ve heard and read things by William Bennett before and I enjoy his perspective on our national heritage.  So I was intrigued to investigate this newest book.

I like the cover and the design of the book.  The daily articles are short and informative.  The introduction was inspiring and I agree it is important for our children to understand our national roots.  I read a few sections to my children (ages 12 and 10) and they seemed interested in the material.  In addition to the daily read-alouds, the various articles regarding flags, documents, literature, and a variety of helpful information makes this book a useful resource.  We just finished reading Johnny Tremain and they had a reference to the liberty tree.  We discovered from the Almanac not only what these trees were, but when the last tree died.

I want my children to be good citizens as well as good Christians.  We’ll use this book as part of our curriculum on American history and keep it handy as a reference source as well."

I'll add that the book is VERY cool for anyone interested in American history at all. It has some very fascinating pieces of trivial in it.

And in case any of you are wondering what I do with all these books, I either keep them (if I like them) or donate them to the local library.

So, any thoughts on any of these? I'd appreciate hearing your opinions.

Comments

[Tarah]

I'm glad you included a patriotic book. I think patriotism is undervalued right now in America, except maybe in country music.

[Dave]

How about Paperbackswap.com?

[Wise Finish]

The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America sounds interesting. Strangely enough, I just created a list of all of the books I have in my "to read" list this morning. I love to read. Finding the time to read is difficult...

[Fine-Tuned Finances]

Good suggestions. I'm reading "No More Monday's" by Dan Miller right now, it's given me a lot of 'food for thought' about turning my part-time small business into a full-time small business. I also have "a whole new mind" on my reading list..that should be good!

[rwh]

I'm currently reading "Little Pink House" by Jeff Benedict, about Kelo vs. New London, CT, a very ill-advised supreme court decision on eminent domain.

I just finished Sashenka by Simon Montefiore, an historical novel that brings to life what a horrible place Russia was to live in the 20th century.

Before that I read Liar's Poker by Micheal Lewis, a book that gives great insight into how credit default swaps and the entire secondary mortgage market came to be.

I recommend all of these books as a way to gain historical perspective and a better understanding of the role of government to either help or hurt.