These are the books I read in February 2020 with a rating reflecting my opinion on them. I am leaving books not in English out for your convenience. At the bottom I will be sharing some recommendations that fall under the category fiction, non-fiction or non-fiction political. These recommendations are books I have not read myself, so proceed with caution as I cannot speak to their actual quality.
Read
30-second Philosophies by Barry Loewer (editor)
A short overview of various different philosophical theories and personalities. Interesting, yet varied in its quality from one topic to the next as they are written by different authors. Some are great for beginners, others require extensive knowledge to truly understand.
The Testament by John Grisham
A multi-faceted story about wills, lawyers, heirs, money, adventure and finding god. Very interesting and enjoyable, if a bit dated.
Idlewind by Mark Lawson
What if JFK and Marilyn Monroe survived their respective demises and grew old? This book is set in the 90s and you can often tell that it does, but for politically or historically interested people as well as those interested in conspiracies, this book is a true gem.
Elevation by Stephen King
A man rapidly looses weight while the effects remain largely invisible. This short novella is much more about small town America than anything else. The story doesn’t have quite enough time to truly shine and is a bit heavy handed at times.
Caffeine by Michael Pollan
The first audiobook to be included on this list, this title is a wonderful glimpse into the fascinating history and culture of caffeine.
Mister God, This is Anna by Fynn
A story about a Findling named Anna who asks the big questions in 1930s London. It’s age is very evident, being released over 40 years ago, but for those who are curious and spiritually minded, this is an interesting, historical read!
Recommendations
Fiction
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
“Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance.”
A Time to Kill by John Grisham
“The life of a ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. Until her black father acquires an assault rifle and takes matters into his hands.For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client’s life…and then his own.”
Nonfiction
Sapiens: A History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
“100,000 years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens.How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations and human rights; to trust money, books and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come?”
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
“What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.”
Political
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt
“Why can’t our political leaders work together as threats loom and problems mount? Why do people so readily assume the worst about the motives of their fellow citizens? In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of our divisions and points the way forward to mutual understanding.
Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System from Crisis — and Themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin
“Andrew Ross Sorkin delivers the first true behind-the-scenes, moment-by-moment account of how the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression developed into a global tsunami. From inside the corner office at Lehman Brothers to secret meetings in South Korea, and the corridors of Washington, Too Big to Fail is the definitive story of the most powerful men and women in finance and politics grappling with success and failure, ego and greed, and, ultimately, the fate of the world’s economy.”
The Congressional Report 