Reclaiming my Literacy: 2024 Reading List Check-in
My son wasn’t reading, and it was my fault.
I didn’t read. Or, at least, it never looked like I was reading. I’d sit on the couch and I’d be staring at a phone, tablet, or computer. And so it didn’t really matter if I was reading an article or a message board thread or a grand debate on social media.
I was on my device.
How can I expect a 4th grader to sit down for 30 minutes of independent reading every day if I’m not reading, ever? If I don’t model it, why would he?
I decided this year that I’d change that by reading 20 books in 2024, which is 20 more than I read in 2023.
I decided that I’d only read paper books, both so I wouldn’t be tempted by distractions on a device and so it would be clear to my son that I am reading.
And I decided that I’d start a new habit, reading 30 minutes alongside my son every single day, with no devices or distractions.
I’m now halfway to my goal, ten books in, and I thought I’d reflect on the experience so far.
First off, my son is reading! Success! Sometimes it’s chapter books, other times it’s manga, other times still it’s books about video games. He may still grumble about having to participate sometimes, but other times he’s totally into it. It’s part of his routine.
Second, I feel better, mentally. I’ve found myself looking forward to “Quiet Reading Time” every day as an escape from screens, notifications, and always-on connection. I’ve found that my ability to focus and take in information has improved noticeably. It’s part of my routine.
Finally, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to dive deeper into topics or stories. I’d long held the attitude that most books work better as a blog post, but I’m happy to be learning how wrong that mindset was. I’m getting to know people, characters, topics, and authors better than ever, and I’m better off for it.
So with that all said, here are the ten books I’ve finished so far, along with some quick thoughts on each. (Also, follow me at StoryGraph!)
Breaking Twitter by Ben Mezrich (finished Jan 11) - this was a fabulous hate-read about Elon Musk and the chaos that ensued when he took over Twitter. The author wrote a similar book about the early days at Facebook that ultimately became the movie The Social Network. Perhaps this was extra cathartic to read for me given all of the copy-cut behavior at other tech companies that impacted my time at Meta.
60 Songs That Explain the 90s by Rob Harvilla (finished Jan 26) - I’d gotten really into the podcast that inspired this book during the pandemic, and this is a wonderful companion book. I was expecting more of a reference guide, but Harvilla weaves a narrative that connects songs based on what they personally meant to him rather than a simpler grouping by genre. This works to the book’s benefit, as several sections, especially the final chapter, really got me feeling my feels.
How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius by Nick Greene (finished Feb 13) - I think this book definitely oversells its ability to really transform how you watch basketball, but I did find it to be a unique look at the history of basketball and the NBA. Its biggest selling point is connecting basketball concepts to non-basketball concepts, such as mapmaking or wine pairing.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (finished Feb 25) - this and 1984 were the only two novels assigned in high school that I liked enough to actually read. I decided that I’d revisit both of them this year, given the state of <gestures around me> all of this. Brave New World held up and, more than anything, reminded me that fiction exists. I’ve ignored the existence of fiction for basically 20 years, and I have a lot of catching up to do.
When the Game Was War by Rich Cohen (finished Mar 13) - this book is about the 1988 NBA season that saw the intersection of Magic Johnson’ Lakers, Larry Bird’ Celtics, Isiah Thomas’s Pistons, and Michael Jordan’s Bulls, four all time great teams. I found Cohen’s tangent-filled writing style irritating at times, but this is ultimately a definitive chronicle of one of the most fascinating NBA seasons in history.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry (finished Mar 28) - Matthew Perry meant a lot to me. We share a birthday, and I always identified with his Friends character Chandler based on our dispositions, approach to humor, and even our jobs. I was struck by how much of Perry that was represented in Chandler - in many ways, Chandler was the best version of Perry. I was devastated by how much anxiety and addiction ruined Perry’s life. He never found peace.
Unguarded by Scottie Pippen (finished Apr 7) - Pippen was one of my all time favorite NBA players to watch, and that made this a sad read. He comes off incredibly bitter in this book, particularly in the introduction when he rails against Michael Jordan and The Last Dance documentary that came out in 2020. It’s unfortunate, considering how much he achieved, but he spent most of his career feeling undervalued and unfulfilled. I hope he finds what he’s looking for.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (finished May 2) - this may honestly be a more harrowing read than Brave New World, but I’m glad I did it. I think Haidt makes a convincing case that smartphones and social media are causing - and not just correlated with - a mental health crisis for our youth. Thankfully, his recommendations on how we solve this problem feel achievable and could not be more relevant for me with a son right in that gray area age range.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (finished May 4) - yep, I read this one in two days. I don’t think I’ve done that with any book before, ever. Vonnegut’s storytelling style and structure definitely helped pull my momentum forward and I literally couldn’t put this one down. While it seemed to hurtle a bit out of control at the conclusion, I suppose that’s the point. I’ll be checking out more Vonnegut in the future.
Dear Black Girls by A’ja Wilson (finished May 11) - so, this is the first book on my list written by a woman. That’s not good, and I will do better. A’ja Wilson is one of the superstars in the WNBA, and I loved this 27-years-in memoir. Written as a series of letters, Wilson is so charming and approachable that I felt like we were friends by the end. My only issue with the book is that I want more! But she has decades left to write the rest of the story.
Total pages read this year: 2,823
And there we have it! Onto the back half. Happy reading, everyone.