Compact reviews of some of the books I read this summer. Presented in the order in which I read them:
1) "Illiberal America" by Steven Hahn. An important historical account of illiberalism in the USA throughout the country's history. It holds up a mirror to modern America. If you're like me, you won't like what you see, but maybe it's necessary to come to terms with it. While somewhat dry at times, I found this work to be important as it lays bear the reality of liberalism in America and helps us understand how the reality falls far short of the ideals we hold dear. I recommend this book.
2) "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed" by Eric H Cline. This historical analysis of the ancient Mediteranean, Persia, and Egypt is fascinating and extremely detailed. It needs to be extremely detailed, because it's not easy to discern what happened more than 3000 years ago. There were moments that the details were too academic, being more exhaustive than a lay person needs. That said, the conclusion is well worth it. It is also a good reminder that simple stories of ancient times may be far too simplistic to be realistic. Importantly, it also points to possibly still unknown mechanisms of societal collapse. Something that should keep us all humble in the increasingly complex and interconnected world we live in. While occasionally dry with dense historical facts, I think it's very much worth reading and truly eye opening about civilizations past. I recommend this book.
3) "Battle of the Big Bang" by Niayesh Ashford and Phil Halper. Battle of the Big Bang is a tour de force across numerous competing (and sometimes complementary) theories and models of the Big Bang. It is written for the general public and greatly benefits from the author duo: one is a practicing theoretical physicist working on the bleeding edge of these ideas, the other is a science communicator. Together they create a highly readable and enjoyable text. I can't recommend it enough to anyone interested in what has become a broad field of mind blowing theories. They delve into how and why the field of cosmology became that way as well. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it.
4) "Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn't Solved Brain Disorders - and How We Can Change That" by Nicole C. Rust. This book turned out to be another fascinating deep dive into a scientific field. In this case, neuroscience. The author, Nicole C. Rust (a neuroscientist), takes the reader not only through a brief history of neuroscience and psychiatric medicines, but also provides us with excellent examples of how new drugs get to market (there is more than one path), how fundamental research fits into drug discovery, and ways in which existing paradigms are lacking. In fact, the author builds a case for a new paradigm. I found the whole book fascinating! I recommend it.
5) "Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. This book initially put me off because of its style ('80s scifi/fantasy style cover) and introduction (utopian), but then won me over quickly there after. Much of the book is a look at a series of government projects across the decades from the 1950s to present day. Specifically, they look at policies and actions that impacted the projects, voter polls, and project outcomes. What they find is unsurprising: building things, from housing to transit to energy to internet, has become more difficult in America over time. They make some clear arguments using statistics and comparisons between projects (as well as comparing outcomes with other countries) which strongly suggest they are correct. Unfortunately, they don't offer the same kind of clarity on how to solve the problem. For example, the housing and homelessness crisis does seem correlated with more difficult building regulations and local activism (e.g., lawsuits from local residents), but Klein and Thompson don't offer a clear proposal with specific examples of how to change that. For example, having local residents engaging in political and legal processes seems like a democratic ideal most people support, rather than something that can be easily limited. Or how about California building codes that may be more onerous because of the risks of earthquake and wildfire, not only because of special interests. While they do pay lip service to these types of issues, they never fully come to terms with them. In the end, I recommend this book, because we need to grapple with these issues even if this particular book ultimately falls short of solving them.
6) "Absolution" by Jeff Vandermeer. As you can see from this summer reading list, I read a lot of non-fiction. This is because I'm very picky with my time and I prefer to have a fun learning experience through non-fiction rather than entertainment through fiction. That said, I like challenging fiction, great literature, and sometimes just plain fun fiction. Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach trilogy fits into the challenging and fun categories. In fact, it's my favorite science fiction series of all time, because it deftly combines a creepy and thrilling atmosphere and a fascinating encounter with the unknown. Absolution came as a very welcome surprise to me in 2025: it's the new fourth book in the series. It's a prequel that manages to both stand on it's own and also seamlessly fit into the story line. Easily maintaining the thrilling atmosphere and chills of the unknown, this is a perfect edition to my favorite series. I could hardly put it down! I don't know any other writer who is creating this type of fiction. Something that is rare for me with fiction: it draws me back to it for re-reads. The complex undercover plot and otherworldly mystery delivers ongoing thrills and plenty of new insights on additional reads. I highly recommend this book and the series!
7) "We Are Eating the Earth" by Michael Grunwald. This book disappointed me greatly. I heard the author on a podcast I respect (Talking Biotech with Kevin Folta) and the discussion there was very interesting. The premise is that the science is clear: we need new agricultural practices and technologies in order to reduce our impact on the environment, including reducing CO2 emissions. What I expected from the book was a sober, careful review of the history and evidence. What I got, after stopping at around page 80, was only the biography of one independently wealthy environmental lawyer and page after page of quotes, anecdotes, and hearsay regarding him. I value my time so I flipped ahead in the book, but I couldn't find tables, graphs, statistics, or reviews of scientific literature. At that point I stopped reading and returned the book to the library. I don't recommend this book!
8) "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk. This book surprised me. I heard it recommended on a podcast that I respect (Rational Security from Lawfare) and looked it up at my library. It sounded like it could be a fun murder mystery, but it was also described as have elements of fantastical realism. I wasn't sure what to expect, except that this book had won some awards and apparently the author was well respected. That intrigued me and so did the fact that the book's main character as well as the author are Polish. The book really delivered! I found it hard to put down. At times it was thrilling and mysterious, but mostly it is beautifully written. The main character is captivating despite being what some might stereotype as boring and this is thanks to the stunning inner monolog of a thoughtful, interesting, and lived in main character. The location and side characters are also beautifully brought to life: in some sense I feel as though I personally spent time in a cabin in the mountains on the border of Poland and the Czech Republic. The murder mystery itself I felt was well done. The author balanced reasonable and realistic clues with the ineffable and unknown. I recommend this book!
1) "Illiberal America" by Steven Hahn. An important historical account of illiberalism in the USA throughout the country's history. It holds up a mirror to modern America. If you're like me, you won't like what you see, but maybe it's necessary to come to terms with it. While somewhat dry at times, I found this work to be important as it lays bear the reality of liberalism in America and helps us understand how the reality falls far short of the ideals we hold dear. I recommend this book.
2) "1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed" by Eric H Cline. This historical analysis of the ancient Mediteranean, Persia, and Egypt is fascinating and extremely detailed. It needs to be extremely detailed, because it's not easy to discern what happened more than 3000 years ago. There were moments that the details were too academic, being more exhaustive than a lay person needs. That said, the conclusion is well worth it. It is also a good reminder that simple stories of ancient times may be far too simplistic to be realistic. Importantly, it also points to possibly still unknown mechanisms of societal collapse. Something that should keep us all humble in the increasingly complex and interconnected world we live in. While occasionally dry with dense historical facts, I think it's very much worth reading and truly eye opening about civilizations past. I recommend this book.
3) "Battle of the Big Bang" by Niayesh Ashford and Phil Halper. Battle of the Big Bang is a tour de force across numerous competing (and sometimes complementary) theories and models of the Big Bang. It is written for the general public and greatly benefits from the author duo: one is a practicing theoretical physicist working on the bleeding edge of these ideas, the other is a science communicator. Together they create a highly readable and enjoyable text. I can't recommend it enough to anyone interested in what has become a broad field of mind blowing theories. They delve into how and why the field of cosmology became that way as well. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it.
4) "Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn't Solved Brain Disorders - and How We Can Change That" by Nicole C. Rust. This book turned out to be another fascinating deep dive into a scientific field. In this case, neuroscience. The author, Nicole C. Rust (a neuroscientist), takes the reader not only through a brief history of neuroscience and psychiatric medicines, but also provides us with excellent examples of how new drugs get to market (there is more than one path), how fundamental research fits into drug discovery, and ways in which existing paradigms are lacking. In fact, the author builds a case for a new paradigm. I found the whole book fascinating! I recommend it.
5) "Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. This book initially put me off because of its style ('80s scifi/fantasy style cover) and introduction (utopian), but then won me over quickly there after. Much of the book is a look at a series of government projects across the decades from the 1950s to present day. Specifically, they look at policies and actions that impacted the projects, voter polls, and project outcomes. What they find is unsurprising: building things, from housing to transit to energy to internet, has become more difficult in America over time. They make some clear arguments using statistics and comparisons between projects (as well as comparing outcomes with other countries) which strongly suggest they are correct. Unfortunately, they don't offer the same kind of clarity on how to solve the problem. For example, the housing and homelessness crisis does seem correlated with more difficult building regulations and local activism (e.g., lawsuits from local residents), but Klein and Thompson don't offer a clear proposal with specific examples of how to change that. For example, having local residents engaging in political and legal processes seems like a democratic ideal most people support, rather than something that can be easily limited. Or how about California building codes that may be more onerous because of the risks of earthquake and wildfire, not only because of special interests. While they do pay lip service to these types of issues, they never fully come to terms with them. In the end, I recommend this book, because we need to grapple with these issues even if this particular book ultimately falls short of solving them.
6) "Absolution" by Jeff Vandermeer. As you can see from this summer reading list, I read a lot of non-fiction. This is because I'm very picky with my time and I prefer to have a fun learning experience through non-fiction rather than entertainment through fiction. That said, I like challenging fiction, great literature, and sometimes just plain fun fiction. Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach trilogy fits into the challenging and fun categories. In fact, it's my favorite science fiction series of all time, because it deftly combines a creepy and thrilling atmosphere and a fascinating encounter with the unknown. Absolution came as a very welcome surprise to me in 2025: it's the new fourth book in the series. It's a prequel that manages to both stand on it's own and also seamlessly fit into the story line. Easily maintaining the thrilling atmosphere and chills of the unknown, this is a perfect edition to my favorite series. I could hardly put it down! I don't know any other writer who is creating this type of fiction. Something that is rare for me with fiction: it draws me back to it for re-reads. The complex undercover plot and otherworldly mystery delivers ongoing thrills and plenty of new insights on additional reads. I highly recommend this book and the series!
7) "We Are Eating the Earth" by Michael Grunwald. This book disappointed me greatly. I heard the author on a podcast I respect (Talking Biotech with Kevin Folta) and the discussion there was very interesting. The premise is that the science is clear: we need new agricultural practices and technologies in order to reduce our impact on the environment, including reducing CO2 emissions. What I expected from the book was a sober, careful review of the history and evidence. What I got, after stopping at around page 80, was only the biography of one independently wealthy environmental lawyer and page after page of quotes, anecdotes, and hearsay regarding him. I value my time so I flipped ahead in the book, but I couldn't find tables, graphs, statistics, or reviews of scientific literature. At that point I stopped reading and returned the book to the library. I don't recommend this book!
8) "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk. This book surprised me. I heard it recommended on a podcast that I respect (Rational Security from Lawfare) and looked it up at my library. It sounded like it could be a fun murder mystery, but it was also described as have elements of fantastical realism. I wasn't sure what to expect, except that this book had won some awards and apparently the author was well respected. That intrigued me and so did the fact that the book's main character as well as the author are Polish. The book really delivered! I found it hard to put down. At times it was thrilling and mysterious, but mostly it is beautifully written. The main character is captivating despite being what some might stereotype as boring and this is thanks to the stunning inner monolog of a thoughtful, interesting, and lived in main character. The location and side characters are also beautifully brought to life: in some sense I feel as though I personally spent time in a cabin in the mountains on the border of Poland and the Czech Republic. The murder mystery itself I felt was well done. The author balanced reasonable and realistic clues with the ineffable and unknown. I recommend this book!