#12: Best reads of 2019 (So far...); The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
I am reading Lonesome Dove like it’s my job but it’s so long that I haven’t finished it yet. I love it though and I know it’s going to be one of my favorites from this year. I did a "soft" start of Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. Since I haven't finished anything this week I thought I'd do a list of my favorite reads of 2019 up to this point (plus a children’s book recommendation at the end). And here we go!
5) Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks - Matt Dicks is a professional storyteller who was on the Art of Manliness podcast last year. His book contains advice on how to tell a memorable story. I particularly liked his suggestion to find storyworthy moments in everyday life. He pairs his tips and suggestions with examples from his own award-winning stories, points out pitfalls to avoid, and outlines when it's okay to alter the facts to keep the narrative focused and the audience engaged. Excellent read.
4) A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School by Carlotta Walls LaNier - Mrs. LaNier lives in Colorado and was kind enough to come to my place of employment to tell her story and speak about diversity and inclusion. She was one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated into an all-white high school in 1957 and '58. I loved hearing her speak, reading her book, and learning more about this time in history. I told my oldest son the story and for several days after he wanted to hear about "Carlotta and the bullies."
3) Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown - I rank this high on my list because the reading experience was good for me, but I'm not sure much has stuck. It certainly isn't memorable and I feel like it's one of those books that could have been a long essay. It's also a book that needs to be used as a manual as you strip away non-essential things in life.
2) 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson - I had a long commute for several months and who kept me company? Jordan Peterson. He reads the audio version and brings his flair to the text. I've said before that this book seems to drop wisdom left and right. I even purchased the hardcover so I could highlight passages. It merits multiple revisits. Now, I'm not saying I 100% agree with everything he says, but the overall message of personal responsibility is one I can get behind.
1) Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides - That commute I mentioned was so long that I also listened to this during those months. It was so entertaining. Kudos to Kristoffer Tabori's narration! This book is a multi-generational work of fiction that jumps back and forth between past and present. Major cultural events weave in and out of the storytelling as a young man and woman from Greece migrate to the United States, ultimately ending up in Detroit. It deals with transgender issues in a compassionate way, although the protagonist is a hermaphrodite, so I use transgender somewhat loosely. I felt compassion and understanding for people who have been historically viewed as “freaks.”
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
This is my children’s book recommendation for the week. We picked up the book and the audio CD so that my son can follow along in the car and turn the pages at the sound of the beep. So fun! This is about Philippe Petit and his high wire stunt between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. It was appropriate for remembering the towers and 9/11 and I could explain why the towers aren’t there anymore. I love that Monsieur Petit did this stunt and this children’s book left me wanting more information. There’s a doc about it (Man on Wire) and a major Hollywood film by Robert Zemeckis starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Walk, which now I wish I had seen in IMAX). The act itself took guts - the towers stood over 1,300 feet tall - but the logistics and planning were also noteworthy. Hanging the wire required shooting an arrow from one rooftop to another! Fascinating.
Thanks for reading! Please give me feedback on my writing or tell me how I can improve. I find joy in recommending things that others can enjoy and find value in, but I know my writing could be more compelling to achieve that end.
I also love getting recommendations so please send some my way!
Kyle