2025 Book List

Rating: 4/5

Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun

Chris Broad

I purchased this book for my mother for Christmas a few years ago. I have been a fan of Chris Broad's YouTube channel, Abroad in Japan, and my mother was studying Japanese and planning multiple trips to visit the country. At the start of this year, I found myself sitting in her office doing some work and picked up the book to read through the stories of Broad's last 10 years in Japan. His humor and love for the country, so apparent in his YouTube videos, also came through in his writing. I felt as though the book was filled with stories, travels, and genuine friendships; it sped by. By the time I had finished, I wanted more!

Rating: 5/5

Interior Chinatown

Charles Yu

This book was this year's book exchange book. Charles Yu depicts the realities and extremes of Hollywood's portrayal of Asian people. Told through the medium of a screenplay, the book captures both aspects of the American dream and also the superficial characterizations of Hollywood. Balancing the need to market stories and films to audiences, Yu argues that Hollywood, by design, puts everyone into a box while selling the illusion of heroics and the possibility of stardom and mobility. Also, for people who have no knowledge or awareness of how targeted legislation and laws within the USA were towards immigrants from Asia, it is a book worth reading. Yu cites great sources and presents the realities of not-so-distant history before us.

Rating: 4/5

My Man Jeeves

P.G. Wodehouse

Another attempt to listen to an audiobook. This time, my gym audio was English comedic stories featuring Wooster and his many-talented butler, Jeeves. The short stories were amusing and easy to listen to. Jeeves certainly paints the picture of the overqualified staff working tirelessly in support of an incompetent upper class in both Europe and the USA.

Rating: 4/5

A Public History of Goa

ed. Savio Abreu, Anthony Da Silva, Rinald D'Souza

This anthology of speeches and lectures was given to me by the mother of my close friend Reuben. After visiting them, she shared these stories and histories of Goa, gathered by scholars of religion, history, arts, journalism, and culture. Through each lecture and written account, a reader learns a little more about Goa's internal perspectives on historical events such as the Portuguese Inquisition, Indian independence, and integration of Goa into the Indian state. Very informative, and each lecture is short and digestible.

Rating: 5/5

Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma

Claire Dederer

When I first saw this book in Blackwells during my thesis, I was unsure whether it would aid the conversations I was having around art and computer science. Having finally purchased it after my thesis defense and reading through it I can say it does a wonderful job grappling with the question of what to do with art made by horrible people. Not only does the book go into depth on the usual suspects, it also tackles the question of who is allowed to horrible and how is genius and horrible behavior reserved for male artists while horrible behavior among female artists is judged differently. While the author does not come to a conclusion for herself, she raises questions and challenges the reader to confront the questions as well. The dialogue around the word "we" being used for a critical text or philosophical argument I found particularly interesting. She flips this narratives and says that "we" is inappropriate what she is actually asking is what "I" would do, and more importantly asking the reader what "you" would do. Where is your own moral line in the sand when it comes to people and their immoral behavior?

Rating: 3/5

But What if we were wrong?

Chuck Klosterman

Klosterman spends the book questioning the assumption that what we already know is only evidence we have for now, but does not dictate what will happen in the future. Overall, the lesson of humility in making assumptions and predictions is important and a key part of being an informed member of society. However, I did consider the book more a narrative of assumptions, with little admission or consideration of the scientific method and statistics. It was by no means a rigorous discussion of how data can reveal patterns, but it also addresses the probability of different events.

Rating: 4/5

The Women in the Castle

Jessica Shattuck

A timely story of survival during and after the fall of Nazi Germany. Shattuck's story is told from the perspectives of multiple women who saw the horrors and intoxication of mass nationalism and hatred spread through a nation. The story reflects on gender roles and how identities can easily be defined by others on our behalf. I most enjoyed the constant grappling with the ideals and the practicality needed for survival during a period that drew out the worst in people. There is also a resounding emphasis on not letting the uncomfortable parts of history and our lives go unspoken. They exist, they are real, and they are a part of our history that needs to be addressed, reviewed, and grappled with repeatedly.

Rating: 3/5

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

I finally got to read one of the most famous books on my TBR! The Alchemist is a delightfully quick read with memorable mottos and takeaways. It is this relatable set of mottos and guidance to follow a personal legend or dream that seems to attract so many readers. While I found the book sweet, enjoyable, yet slightly shallow, it was the reviews and comments of other readers that truly made it memorable. Many people love the book and its message of going out into the world to pursue their dreams and passions. Others found this unrealistic and the statements/lessons mere platitudes irrelevant to the real world. I believe the passion of readers on both ends drives the discussion of the book further. Some see it as an introduction to self-help with a sprinkle of fantasy, while others see it as an enjoyable fable from which to draw meaningful lessons. Both sides are valid, and the conversation between them leads to better outcomes for all readers.

Rating: 4/5

The House is on Fire

Rachel Beanland

Another audiobook. Beanland's retelling of the Richmond Theater fire was deeply engaging. The four core perspectives wove a narrative of panic, despair, hope, and survival. I found myself often pulling up articles and other records of the theater fire to pair with the historical fiction narrative. Ultimately, it is another story of power, assumptions, and the dangers of a society built on the belief that white men are the epitome of moral authority.

Rating: 4/5

Night Angel Nemesis

Brent Weeks

The original Night Angel Trilogy was one of my first experiences with adult fantasy. I loved the dark, gritty world and how Weeks did not pull any punches when establishing the stakes the characters are dealing with. One tangential book series later, Weeks is back with a new story in the saga. Taking place after the events of the original trilogy, we see that in the world of Kylar Stern, even beating the big bad does not mean you get a happy ending. The main character speaks directly to the reader, sharing their thoughts, pain, and semi-unfiltered opinions on violence and wish fulfillment. If you are looking for the cool, suave assassin from years ago, you'll be disappointed. I think that is why many of the top reviews of this novel were so negative. However, as a big fan of an unreliable and flawed narrator, I enjoyed myself through this page-turner.

Rating: 4/5

The Winter of The Witch

Katherine Arden

I really enjoyed how this trilogy concluded. We saw the return of many of the heavy hitters, including interesting folklore figures from Slavic and Russian fairy tales. I also enjoyed the dedication to historical accuracy in the events of early Russian history, which grounded the story and characters in key moments of a nation's history. I would have liked a bit more involvement of the smaller folklore creatures that made the first two books so wholesome. Nonetheless, I was really happy with this final book.

Rating: 4/5

The Year of Magical Thinking

Joan Didion

Everyone sings the praises of Didion to the point that she is even the face of my favorite literary website, Lit Hub, and their support tote bags. To my shame, I have not read any of her books. While staying with my parents, I picked one up off their shelves to read. Lucky me, I chose the one in which Didion is writing through her grief and processing of her dear husband's passing. Certainly not the cheeriest of topics with which to experience her writing for the first time, yet undeniably enjoyable. Her writing deserves all the praise it receives. Even on such a difficult topic, she makes the book wonderfully hopeful and kind, looking back on a life partner who truly brought her happiness, a happiness made even more concrete by their absence. I look forward to reading more from her (hopefully on lighter topics, too).

Rating: 4/5

You Cannot Kill a Man Because of the Books He Reads

Brad Snyder

This was the first time I had ever heard of Angelo Herndon. Snyder does an incredible job pulling readers through a heavy historical period in the USA. He is able to craft a story around the legal drama surrounding the Supreme Court case that reinforced freedom of speech and assembly in the face of Georgia's racist insurrection laws in the 1930s. For anyone who enjoys reading books that explore different perspectives, especially in this day and age, the book's core message should resonate. The books we read are essential to establishing and maintaining a successful, free society. The story highlights how books pave the way for millions of people to imagine better lives, to question the limitations of their current society, and to strive for something better. The lawyers and judges of the Supreme Court case for Herndon knew this and ensured it was available to many Americans.

Rating: 4/5

The Golem and the Jinni

Helene Wecker

Wecker brought the immigrant experience in New York City during the Gilded and Tenement Ages to life through a fantastical story about two mythical creatures grounded in cultural history and tradition. I loved seeing the temperaments of Chava and Ahmad as they meet, reflect on their origins, and decide what kind of new life they want in NYC. The book offers readers a delightful slow burn as the characters develop a platonic relationship that may grow into more. A fun take on supernatural stories.

Rating: 4/5

Evenings and Weekends

Oisin McKenna

I enjoy watching Jack Edwards on YouTube. His videos and book reviews have always been particularly interesting and thought-provoking. I joined his book club on Fable, and this was the first book. I found it while I was in the UK over the summer and absolutely devoured this contemporary English story about the young people of London. The characters were great, and their stories felt grounded in a realism that was at times devastating. Ultimately, the book has an undercurrent of optimism among the downturns, and it is not going to pull any punches.

Rating: 3/5

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith

Deemed a classic, this story is a love letter to America's immigrant past in and around NYC. There are occasional problematic statements, but the way it highlights the value of education, family, and responsible perseverance is refreshing. For a book written by someone who grew up in the tenements of NYC, there are quite a few major winks towards far more modern feminist arguments and philosophy. I recommend the book if you are interested in something truly timely.

Rating: 4/5

The Black Bird Oracle

Deborah Harkness

I really like the Discovery of Witches series by Harkness. This latest book in the series was an absolute pleasure to read. It was also the perfect primer for autumn with the borderline cosy fantasy vibes it gave with the supernatural family adventure across Ipswich and other New England towns. A great story is also unfolding and I look forward to reading more.

Rating: 4/5

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Mohsin Hamid

This is the second book by Hamid that I've had the chance to read. I enjoyed it even more than the first one. In particular, I am a big fan of how he uses the storyteller's voice to create a tale that is reflective and occupies two parallel timelines. I found the messages particularly interesting. One of my favorite lines was "I was, in four and a half years, never an American; I was immediately [it.] a New Yorker." I appreciated how the author tackled a complicated relationship with a nation.

Rating: 3/5

Same Bed Different Dreams

Ed Park

Since I've switched to Fable, I have been able to give books partial start ratings. This one was a 3.75 overall. Park does a great job weaving together three narratives in different tenses, time periods, and perspectives into a coherent story. I enjoyed finding the links and patterns in one narrative that would later become relevant in the others. Park also reveals interesting insights into the history of North and South Korea and their relationships with Japan and the USA. One piece of the story I wanted to learn more about was the intention and goal of the KPG Park created. The goal of their organization was the betterment and, potentially, reunification of Korea, but that goal was unclear, as the other narratives mostly explored Korean-American experiences in the USA. Nonetheless, an intriguing book that is incredibly well written.

Rating: 3/5

Mysteries

Knut Hamsun

When I travel, I like to get a book by a local author that is also set in the place I am travelling. In this case, I was in Norway. Stopping by a bookstore, I looked up some of the most famous authors in Norway. Naturally, the 1920 Nobel Prize in Literature winner Knut Hamsun shows up on the list, and the local bookstore had a selection of his novels. I went with Mysteries because aspects of the back cover reminded me of Dostoevsky's The Idiot. I was not wrong; there are many parallels and similarities in their approaches to telling the story of a strange visitor to a tight-knit community. Hamsun's story was, in many ways, darker than The Idiot. However, the overall tale was far shorter, with more direct delivery of the chaos and a deeper dive into the protagonist's delirium. Now, those who know Hamsun and some global history might wonder why I have mentioned an important detail, yet. Well, because that was rather unfortunate for me to discover. In my brief research of famous Norwegian authors, I only looked up information about the books they wrote. I did not research the authors themselves. Lo and behold, my shock when I was sitting on the plane leaving Norway, when I opened the book to read the introduction and learn that after his successful career as a novelist, the aging Hamsun became a major fan of the Nazi party and welcomed their occupation of Norway and their growing conflict with England. The lesson is quite clear: remember to research the authors and the novels to avoid future surprises!

Rating: 4/5

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie and The Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie

Years after I'd gotten this book, I finally got to read Carnegie's words. As an alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, some of our founder's words are unavoidable, but getting to fully dive into his prose years after being a student there and a resident of Pittsburgh was refreshing. I learned an aspect of my former home's history that I had not previously enjoyed. I was also pleased by how fluid Carnegie's writing was. Frankly, I was surprised by his optimism and joyous view of life. I guess the media has a way of portraying the robber baron as stoic and shrewd. Naturally, it is worth admitting that the book is from his perspective, that the words are his own, and that he gets to paint himself however he likes. As a result, some of the darker moments of his life and his employees' lives are told only from his perspective, and he comes across mostly as a benevolent and kind steward of the working class. A reader should simultaneously read about the strikes and the workers who put in the effort to confront unjust labor laws and challenge the expectations of industry leaders like Carnegie. These mixed perspectives offer insight into the complexities of human nature and the realities of working conditions.

Rating: 3/5

Lucky Jim

Kingsley Amis

Based on what I could find about this book, it is meant to serve as a comedic commentary on the shifting realities of class and higher education in the UK following WWII. One challenge of comedic commentary is that it relies on the narratives, language, references, and expectations of the time period in which it is written. I struggled to get much of the humor until the end of the book, where the chaotic love triangle (rectangle?) leads to more timeless exchanges between the characters. Nonetheless, I was interested in the book's unspoken weight. At the time of release, it reflected the fact that many young men were suddenly given government support to attend universities across the UK (and in the USA as well, through programs like the GI Bill). As a result, the universities that had previously been the realm of religious scholars and the upper classes were suddenly mixed with people of complex backgrounds and the emotional baggage of having gone through a world war. There were scandals, and the book was considered part of this scandalous time, but nowadays, as an outsider, there is little in the book that I'd consider markedly shocking about the lives or realities of the characters portrayed.