(Originally posted to Google+)
I was recently delighted to realize that finishing college means I now
have time to indulge all the academic interests that I have been
neglected for the past four years. This coincides nicely with my goal of
developing a robust library, so I’ve been seeking suggestions for a
2012 reading list.
Here is my reading list as it stands today:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao_aanlnxR-0dDZFWDBCYXQza0pBWVh2aWtXb3RlMkE
(The next tab in the googledoc lists all the books I’ve read since August, 2008)
The
areas I’m most interested in exploring are historical analysis,
social/political commentary, and classic science fiction. I’ve recently
(over the past year or so) become very interested in global politics and
current events and, to a lesser extent, American politics. As I listen
to NPR and read the BBC, however, I’ve started to realize how much
background I’m missing. Consequently, I’m looking for broad historical
analysis of motivations, turning points, and trends, as well as
predictions for the future, in order to build a context for the news I
follow today.
I am currently seeking recommendations for books on:
-
The (preferably reasonably neutral and balanced) history of the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict (or else 2 books, one from an Israeli point
of view and one from a Palestinian)
- The cultural legacy of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
- The rise and fall of the Soviet Union
- The rise and fall of European colonialism, particularly the rise of Asia after colonialism
In
addition, I realize that I have, so far, missed out on many of the
classic science fiction and fantasy books and authors, so I would also
like recommendations for the best sci-fi/fantasy.
My plan is to
have one fiction and one non-fiction book in progress at all times
throughout the year. So far, I've finished reading "The Swerve" on the
non-fiction side (amazing book; review to come), and am half-way through
"Dune" on the fiction side. "A Concise History of the Middle East, 9th
Edition" is next for the non-fiction.
Finally, I have notions
about trying to establish a reading group, so if that idea and any of my
reading list sounds interesting, do let me know. I have a rather cozy
little library, and I’m nurturing a growing fantasy of having tea and
book discussions there, perhaps once a month. I think it would be a
particularly nice way of spending time with my close friends and perhaps
developing some new friendships.
