With no further delay, here’s my 2017 reading list. Fiction and biographies dominate the list this year. At my job, I read a lot of dense legal materials, and reading is an escape for me. So lately, I’ve really liked to focus on stories. Biographies are the more “acceptable” forms of storytelling (some people think that reading fiction is a waste), but sometimes biographies are more dramatic and spellbinding than fiction.  After all, truth is stranger than fiction. Note this list is in order of how much I enjoyed them. Individual experiences may vary:

1. Independent People–Haldor Laxness (a classic for my all-time great list; simply stunning although a bit slow on the uptake)
2. Clouds of Glory–Michael Korda (in a year where Americans tore down, defaced, and desecrated statues of Confederates all across the nation, this book solidified Robert E. Lee in my mind as, however flawed, one of the finest men out nation has ever produced)
3. Gates of Fire–Steven Pressfield (a classic story of the Spartan 300 as told to Xerxes; a must-read for lower level leaders in the trenches with their subordinates)
4. Napoleon: A Life–Andrew Roberts (a wonderful, informing read–highly recommended for the Napoleonic newbie)
5. The Martian–Andy Weir (a good story of perseverance; just a bit too much 2017 snark for my liking)
6. The Hobbit–JRR Tolkien (a bit of a let down, but a good warm-up for the the trilogy in 2018) 
7. In the Lake of the Woods–Tim O’Brien (a husband-wife murder story in northern Minnesota that will keep you guessing)
8. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress–Robert Heinlein (fun story with an anti-government bend)
9. Think and Grow Rich–Napoleon Hill (a classic that reinforced the need for perseverance, vision, and grit to become successful)
10. I am Legend–Richard Matheson (a wonderful, protracted build up followed by a rushed finish)
11. The Spy Who came in From the Cold–John Le Carre (great edge of your seat story–perfect for a day or two at the beach)
12. The Godfather–Mario Puzo (only time I can think of where the movie is better than the book; obscene, unnecessary focus on sex stole from the story)
13. Shotgun Lovesongs–Nickolas Butler (do not read this book; I only read it because my mom bought it and it takes place in a town not too far from where I live)

The best book of the bunch is Independent People. I plan to do a longer review of this wonderful story in the months to come, but suffice it to say this book is a wonderful story of a stubborn man and his battles with his daughter. Who knew my favorite book of the year 2017 would be the tale of an Icelandic farmer who believed in owing no man any favor? If you take my advice and try to read the book, please stick with it. A law school professor and Swift Boat (Vietnam) captain I grew close to recommended this book to me in 2014 or ’15. I started it then but lacked the wherewithal to make it deep enough in the story to appreciate what I was reading. I picked it up again this year and finished it in a few short weeks once I got going. The reward was immense; an all-time favorite. And the ending made me tear up. Be warned that you might feel aggravated at times. The story may remind you of the feelings you get watching a Coen brothers movie’s main character make awful decision after awful decision. Stick with it. You will be rewarded.

In 2018, I plan to continue my tour de generals. I have a working theory that every general has a character flaw that leads to his downfall: MacArthur his bravado and ego. Napoleon his unadulterated ambition and decision to press forward into the Russian winter. Lee his sometimes ambiguous orders and gentlemanly inability to confront subordinate generals–even in the most dire of circumstances. Obviously my theory is not unique; by definition a flawless general would never lose, but I’d like to continue to develop this line of thought. It helps in my life. When I am doing well, remember modestly (unlike MacArthur) and don’t forget to question your ambition (Napoleon). When a subordinate fails you, rebuke him with force and fairness, but let there be no doubt in his mind that he failed you (Lee).

I recently realized that I know very little about Winston Churchill and will remedy that this year. I hope to learn more about Alexander the Great and Ulysses S. Grant. I also think I will finally–and don’t make fun of me–read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I may also tackle some Catholic Church history.

Given all the other changes in my life in 2017, I am happy with my reading list. I think a book per month is very doable for anyone. I hope to read more in 2018, but I will be very happy with another 12 books this coming year. This is especially true because four of the 2017 books were vast and took a lot of time.