September 2023 Reading List
Yes, okay, I realize it is the end of October and. I am first publishing my September reading list, but it’s been a hectic month. From the end of the WGA Writer’s strike in Hollywood, to my daughter having surgery, to the horrific events we witnessed in Israel the past few weeks, all of it put me behind schedule. I intend to publish the October reading list at the top of next week, which will be a special “Scary Books for Halloween” list. In the meantime, here is what I read in September:
If you've been keeping up with my blog, you know I'm hooked on Jack Carr's "James Reece" series. Finding a new author—or better yet, a character you love as much as the author—is a reader's jackpot. For me, that list has included Nelson DeMille's John Corey and Elmore Leonard's characters like Ernest “Stick” Stickley Jr (see the next entry) and United States Marshall Raylan Givens. These days, I'm all about Jack Carr's ex-Navy SEAL avenger, James Reece.
In this fourth installment, Reece is tasked with eliminating a secret hit list of 9/11 co-conspirators. And get this—the list comes straight from the President, a man seeking retribution for the love he lost in the Twin Towers attack. But as always, things aren't so straightforward. Reece finds himself shadowed by mercenaries in cahoots with a U.S. Senator. Meanwhile, an Arab terrorist is ticking off his own to-do list, which chillingly outlines how to weaponize a virus for an attack on U.S. soil. It's a high-stakes, deadly game, and the players are three men, each driven by revenge, and it's unfolding across America.
If that sounds like your kind of story, check out the book on Amazon, and of course the TV series on Amazon which is returning for Season 2 soon!
(Just so you know, As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases when you click on links to various merchants on this page and make a purchase, this can result in me earning a small commission.)
If Jack Carr is a new obsession the. Elmore Leonard is to me, a timeless one. I can still remember being 14 years old, down in Florida, in Boca Raton visiting my grandparents who I adore, and going into a book store that was a few shops down from the well know restaurant and bar, “Wilt chamberlain’s” owned by the famous bball player. At the book store my grandma handed me my first Elmore Leonard novel, which was not “Stick” but another Leonard book that featured the car thief, armed robber, Ernest Stickley Jr. that book was called “Swag” later reissued as “Ryan’s Rules”. I’m not sure my grandmother knew what the book was about when she suggested it to me, but it features Ernest Stickley Jr., a car thief and a car dealer as they transition into armed robbery in Southern Florida taking down coffee shops and bars and grocery stores in the Southern Florida. The iconic Pulp Fiction coffee shop heist conversation between Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer owes much to “Swag's” narrative.
"Stick," a quasi-sequel, rejoins Stickley post-jail as he navigates his way to Miami to reunite with his daughter. However, a detour to meet an old friend in Palm Beach ensnares him in a botched hit, killing his friend and nearly him. A self-styled gangster with a trust fund, a cunning financial analyst who captivates Stick, and a drug dealer, all stand in the way of Stick making it to see his daughter.
Leonard's crime writing is unparalleled, with "Stick" solidifying his status as perhaps the greatest crime novelist. His sharp-witted, swiftly-speaking tough guys like Stick, are gems, making revisiting this book a delight. And remember, anyone who deems re-reading books a waste of time should be disregarded.
The Polish Officer by Alan Furst
Alan Furst's "The Polish Officer" is an espionage thriller that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. Set in the dark days of World War II, the novel follows Captain Alexander de Milja, a Polish intelligence officer, as he navigates the dangerous and morally complex world of wartime Europe. It's not just a story of survival but also a tale of resistance, heroism, and, dare I say, love amidst tragedy.
As Poland falls to the Nazi onslaught, de Milja is entrusted with the nation's gold reserves, spiriting them away to safety. But that's just the first act in a saga that takes him from Poland to France, and eventually into the shadowy corridors of espionage. Whether he's operating undercover in the snow-swept streets of Warsaw, orchestrating sabotage in the heart of Nazi-occupied France, or smuggling crucial information across borders, de Milja is a man on a mission.
The book dives deep into the internal and external battles he faces: the delicate balancing act of loyalties, the moral compromises, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Furst does an exceptional job painting a picture of a Europe on the brink, where the stakes are high and the players are willing to risk it all. At its core, "The Polish Officer" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Furst masterfully combines historical accuracy with compelling storytelling, making you feel as if you're right there alongside de Milja, decoding messages, dodging enemy agents, and making heart-wrenching decisions.
In summary, if you're a fan of espionage novels rich in historical context, "The Polish Officer" is a riveting read that combines suspense, romance, and moral complexity into one unforgettable package.
The October Country by Ray Bradbury
A collection of Bradbury’s short stories. A couple of months ago I read the collection, “The Illustrated Man.” I’ve been on a Bradbury kick since I stumbled across his speech on YouTube, “An Evening With Ray Bradbury”
I’ve yet to live up to the challenge that Bradbury proposes that evening which is to write a short story every week. I’ve come close, but even when I kept pace, I’ve not felt that most were worthy of being published. For some continued inspiration, and of course, because he is a master of the craft, I’ve been reading Bradbury’s own short story collections. I’d read some of his novels growing up, among them “Something Wicked This Way Comes” but had incredibly missed his short stories until now. There are several great stories in this collection.
Among the standout stories, you have "The Dwarf," a poignant exploration of human cruelty and insecurity set against a carnival backdrop. Then there's "The Jar," a chilling story about the allure of the grotesque, and the price one pays for obsession. And let's not forget "The Small Assassin," which delves into the deepest fears of parenthood in a way that's both terrifying and oddly relatable.
But one of the absolute gems has to be "Homecoming." This story offers an intriguing twist on the theme of familial love and acceptance, all through the eyes of a young boy who feels like an outsider in his own supernatural family.
In short, "The October Country" (click here to check it out) is a must-read, a collection where each story is a hauntingly beautiful world unto itself. Bradbury's mastery of the short story form is on full display here, making it a compelling read from cover to cover.
The Chosen Wars by Steven R Weisman
An enlightening read that traces the evolution of American Judaism through its fragmentation into three main factions: Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative. It introduces readers to influential rabbinic figures like Rabbi Isaac Meyer Wise, a founder of the Reform movement, and Rabbi Isaac Leeser, a pioneer of the Jewish pulpit in America and an Orthodox traditionalist.
Leeser (1806-68) was a pioneering Orthodox rabbi, author, and editor who fundamentally shaped American Judaism. He founded the country's Jewish press and penned its first English translation of the Bible. Beyond translation work, he also developed the first congregational union, Hebrew Day Schools, Hebrew college, and Jewish publication society in America. His newspaper, The Occident, garnered national and international acclaim. As president of Maimonides College, he laid the groundwork for future Jewish higher education in the U.S. He served as the rabbi for Philadelphia's Spanish and Portuguese synagogue and was a staunch traditionalist, vigorously opposed by Reformers.
Wise, born "Weis," was the trailblazing founder of North American Reform Judaism. He's celebrated for issuing the Reform Siddur in 1857, creating the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1873, and establishing Hebrew Union College in 1875. In 1889, he also founded the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which evolved into the primary voice for Reform Judaism in the U.S. Wise's liberal theology steered the movement away from traditional Torah law. He championed a universalist view of God, rejected the Oral Law, and dismissed long-standing Jewish beliefs, such as the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah.
The book provides a deeper understanding of each faction's origins, their unique interpretations of Judaism, and their evolution spurred by inter-factional responses. In light of recent events, such as the political divisions in Israel and America, this historical account of Judaism's development takes on a poignant relevance.
"Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson
This is the third Musk biography I've delved into, following Ashley Vance's "Elon Musk" and Eric Berger's "Liftoff," which hones in on Space X's early days. Musk strikes me as an intriguing figure, possessing a once-in-a-generation mind that surpasses even Steve Jobs.
In today's climate, Musk is a polarizing character, with perceptions of him intertwined with his ambitious, corporate, electric, and galactic aspirations, and his perceived politics. Thankfully, most of these biographies circumvent this, although Isaacson does delve into it later.
I'm more interested in deciphering what makes a man like Musk tick. By examining his life and business operations, I aim to glean lessons on what to emulate and avoid, and to understand his general 'best practices.'
Unlike many books about corporate titans and tech geniuses who have sought to revolutionize the world, Musk's narrative is uniquely open-ended. Still relatively young and actively pursuing his life mission to reach Mars, his story is ongoing, lacking a defined ending. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Musk's tale remains utterly captivating.
Never Finished by David Goggins.
David Goggins, the epitome of grit in "endurance athlete," returns with a sequel to his bestselling memoir, "Can't Hurt Me." I first discovered Goggins in Jesse Itzler's eye-opening memoir, "Living With A SEAL," long before Goggins skyrocketed to internet fame as a motivational powerhouse. His initial autobiography, "Can't Hurt Me," charted his transformation from a 300-pound underachiever to a Navy SEAL and eventually an ultra-athlete icon. "Never Finished" picks up where we left off, diving deep into his early years. The book includes candid interviews with his mom and other key figures from his past.
Just like its predecessor—which I devoured as an audiobook—this one weaves in podcast-style conversations between Goggins and co-author Adam Skolnick, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible tales in the book. Simply put, it's an anthology of almost unbelievable stories from a man whose dedication to his life's mission is nothing short of ironclad.
Hey, listen, whatever book on that list grabs your attention, just dive in, will ya? Don't care if you snag it from Amazon right this second or stumble upon it in some indie bookstore half a year from now; it's the reading that counts. Got questions or wanna chew the fat about what you've read? Shoot me an email. Know a killer book that should be on my radar? Don't hold out on me—share the wealth. And if any of these books really resonate with you, do the world a favor and pass the recommendation along.