Author: rlhorner52
The English and Their History by Robert Tombs
I am a bit over halfway into the 29 hour read/audio of Jill Lepore’s These Truths, and this evening while listening to , Conversations with Tyler, he mentioned The English and Their History by Robert Tombs as being his top nonfiction read and considers it top of the decade, a must read. Having lived…
The Widow by John Grisham
John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name. Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his…
Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 by Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright doesn’t just write as a former Secretary of State analyzing the geopolitical shifts of WWII; she writes as a daughter discovering her own family’s hidden secrets. It is a profound exploration of moral choices—how ordinary people and world leaders alike decided what was right in a world gone mad. If you want to…
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak I read The Book Thief some ten or fifteen years ago. I remember it was a very good book but can not remember enough to recommend it, so I am going to put it on the list of books to read, again. It is a widely read book, any thoughts about it? The…
Before I Forget – Love, Hope, Help and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s by B. Smith & Dan Gasby
While many books about Alzheimer’s focus only on the science or the tragedy, B. Smith and Dan Gasby provide a 360-degree view that includes the medical reality, the day-to-day caregiving struggle, and the enduring power of love. If you appreciate memoirs that serve a dual purpose—telling a compelling story while offering a “survival guide” for…
Know My Name – A Memoir by Chanel Miller
Know My Name is perhaps one of the most significant memoirs of the 21st century. It is a book that demands to be heard, offering a masterclass in reclaiming a narrative that the world tried to simplify. Know My Name for its extraordinary writing and transformative power. While the subject matter is heavy, Chanel…
The Soul of America, The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham
I have not started The Soul of America, but I may put others aside so that I can. You should read The Soul of America if you find yourself overwhelmed by the “partisan fury” of modern news and want a dose of evidence-based hope. Jon Meacham uses his expertise as a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer to…
Mississippi Mud by Edward Humes
You should read Mississippi Mud for its relentless pursuit of justice. It isn’t just a “whodunnit”; it’s a “how-did-they-get-away-with-it.” If you are fascinated by the intersection of politics, organized crime, and the legal system—specifically how a grieving daughter took on the corruption of an entire city to solve her parents’ murders—this book is gripping. It…
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I started this book because of the praise I read and heard, and largely because it was narrated by Julia Whelan, who I enjoy. I did not understand it was a love story, not a genre I normally read. Wow, sitting in my office listening to the final chapters, I was in tears. Take a…
A Discovery of Witches – Series
One of my all-time favorite series.Unlike many supernatural stories, the magic here is deeply rooted in history, alchemy, and genetics. Deborah Harkness is a real-life history professor, and she brings a staggering level of detail to the world—from the specific smell of 15th-century parchment to the molecular science of vampire DNA. If you enjoy “learning…
