It seems a bit late for summer reading list but since Josh posted his I thought I would tell you what I plan to read for the next few months.
I am a very ecclectic reader. I read everything from science fiction, fantasy, and spy thrillers to classical literature, history, and theology. I have a hard time focusing on a particular genre or subject. This can be helpful – I can read across a lot of subjects – but I end up being shallow in my knowledge rather than deep. To try and combat this somewhat, I am going to try to read in some common themes for the next few weeks working in history, literature, etc. In other words, read books that touch on the same subject or time period – at least a couple books in a row that are related. So here is a list of books I hope to read in the coming weeks:
I am currently reading Martin Amis’ Koba the Dread and this will provide the first theme: communism.
– Next I plan to read Richard Pipes Communism.
– Then Nabakov’s great autobiography Speak Memory.
My next theme will deal with the broad theme of “civilization” or works that speak to the West as a whole.
– The first book in this group will be John Lukacs’ At the End of an Age.
– Next will be Hans Kung’s short history of the Catholic Church.
The next theme – which is related and intertwined with the first two – will deal with revolution and war:
– Starting with Gordon S. Woods The American Revolution.
– Followed by Max Boot’s The Savage Wars of Peace.
– Spice it up with Joseph Heller’s Cathc-22.
– Last, Mark Mazower’s The Balkans.
If I get through these I should have a good graspe of some of the bigger events and ideas of the last couple of centuries. It is a start anyway – and an ambitious one at that – I will report on my progress and pass along any inspirational thoughts I have as well.
