2010 in reading

To recap my reading in 2010, in a word: lackluster. I only read 18 books, which is probably my lowest total since sometime in high school. In this number I did not include several books for the heaviest of my grad classes that required several separate books as text. 10 fiction, 7 non-fiction, and one autobiography (of sorts). Additionally I re-read the 7th Harry Potter book in English and Spanish to prepare for the final editions of the film series.

The biggest new trend was that I attempted to get a basic primer in classic 20th century science fiction. Some of the modern science fiction movies are based novels that are quite good and I took a stab at a few of them. I enjoyed them and plan to read more of the seminal works in science fiction.

Everyone should read: Red Families V. Blue Families, Naomi Cahn and June Carbone

Everyone should read this...red...blue...those well-educated...those less-educated. I warn that those less-educated my be offended by some of the premises of the the "red" family model. Hell, everyone will probably point out that they don't fit the models laid out, but I figure that well-educated folks will understand how statistically you can differ from a model, but the model is still sound and you fit into it somewhere. This book has good research then a decent dose of throwing ideas out there that the research does tend to support.

The authors propose that much of American political "tension" and much of opposing American cultures are shaped by two family cultures. "Red" families marry early and often, have children early and often, and have lower levels of education (especially investment in education of 'girls'). "Blue" families postpone marriage and childbirth, but are more educated when they do marry and start families. The book digs into the kind of values each culture has that is related to the kind of families they tend to have. If sex MUST be in a marriage and marriage is for procreation, then it makes sense that "red" families don't really see the needed for marriage equality. "Blue" families may not understand why abstinence education is important to the culture of "red" families because "blue" families view avoiding unplanned pregnancy as a far more important goal than preventing unwed sex. This book does a good job of covering MANY reasons why these cultures differentiate and addresses how assumptions of these groups are sometimes wrong. African American families may vote blue in this case, but much of their family culture is "red" for instance. Good book. Every person should read.

Biggest Disappointment: Green Metropolis, David Owen
Though the main thesis is pretty sound, it is presented with a sense of moral superiority. Living in dense, efficient cities is "greener" than living in the suburban or exurban greenscapes, but someone from a big city telling those of us with few other choices that we must change is just annoying. Good theory, weak on strategies for transitioning and implementing policies to encourage efficient city living en masse.

Best Read, Fiction: Have Spacesuit - Will Travel, Robert Heinlein
This is a shorter novel by one of the seminal sci-fi authors. It's simple, straight forward and amazingly enjoyable. Readers who have seen the film of Starship Troopers will enjoy Heinlein's book by the same title, but this novel tells a simpler story and one likely to interest young readers.

Best Read, Non-fiction: 538 Ways to Live Work and Play like a Liberal, Justin Krebs
How is this one "best read" not in my highly recommended? Because not everyone wants to be or support liberal causes, though I imagine they would still like half of the daily activities in this book. This is the kind of book you have in the bathroom or kitchen or on your night stand or in your purse for times when you have 5 minutes to read. A little bit at a time, you read about things that philosophically or practically line up with what modern American liberalism (progressivism) espouses. I made a mental list of habits I ought to adopt because they build the kind of community that supports good policy. It may be as simple as planning shared rides or inviting neighbors over for a BBQ, but these things are what makes us build links with the world instead of walling ourselves away. (I also like it because I met the guy who wrote it and got to talk to him!)

The reading list. Those bolded I highly recommend

The Map That Changed the World Simon Winchester

Skeleton Coast Clive Cussler

Primary Colors Anonymous

Starship Troopers Robert Heinlein

Plague Ship Cliver Cussler

I, Robot Isaac Asimov

Contact Carl Sagan

The Chase Clive Cussler

Green Metropolis David Owen

The Color Purple Alice Walker

The Case Against Hillary Clinton Peggy Noonan

The Blueprint: How the Democrats Won Colorado Adam Schrager, Rob Witmer

Girl, Interrupted Susanna Kaysen

Red Families V. Blue Families Naomi Cahn and June Carbone

The Squandering of America Robert Kuttner

Have Space Suit - Will Travel Robert Heinlein

Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez

538 Ways to Live Work and Play like a Liberal Justin Krebs