BOOK REVIEWS: Jim Heffernan’s Top 20 (22) Books for 2024

By Jim Heffernan

I take it as point of pride that I’m promiscuous. Not that way. I’m very proud of 58 years as a faithful husband, but I am promiscuous for books. Always have been. Sometimes the day job got in the way, but not anymore. I can’t even be true to one book at a time. I may be reading two or three different books at a time and if another strikes my fancy, I’m lost.

It’s time for another list. I always start out by wondering if I have enough books to make a list and end up trimming it down; I’m sure I’m failing to mention beautiful books I have known. Most of these are serious books I sought out in the futile hope of solving the problems of the world, but some are just for fun. If I have written a review for the Pioneer, the link follows the listing.

20 22 Best Books of 2024

“The Power of Strangers –The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World” by Joe Keohane — I rated this the top book because it really changed me. What a better world it would be if we got out of our screens and talked to one another. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-power-of-strangers-the-benefits-of-connecting-in-a-suspicious-world-by-joe-keohane/
“Civil Unity–A Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives and Our World” by Shola Richards Great book for fostering critical thinking and intellectual humility. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-civil-unity-a-radical-path-to-transform-our-discourse-our-lives-and-our-world/
“Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy” by Eric Liu 19 “sermons” on “civic religion”. Given between Nov 8, 2016 and Aug 10, 2018. Perfect echo for today, https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-become-america-by-eric-liu
“The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living” by Russ Harris Maybe I haven’t reviewed this because it’s a self-help book and I’m embarrassed. Look for a review real soon now.
“Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life” by Nicholas D. Kristof Well-written memoir by a man who grew up in Yamhill, OR and became prominent NYT columnist and author. He ran for Oregon governor.
“Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop—The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America” by Lee Drutman — I’m still reading this, but review will come soon.
“Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism” by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchison — Deals with a favorite subject of mine and includes a European slant we don’t often see. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-invisible-doctrine-the-secret-history-of-neoliberalism-by-george-monbiot-peter-hutchison/

“Meet Me at the Library : A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy” by Shamichael Hallman — If we used the library as much as our screens we’d be better off.
“How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents “ by Julia Alvarez –This is the book Tillamook School Board thought was too mature for 10^th Grade Honors English class. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-how-the-garcia-girls-lost-their-accents-by-julia-alvarez/
“The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers” by Zeke Hernandez — A clear-eyed case for what immigrants really bring us. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-truth-about-immigration-by-zeke-hernandez/
“Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net” by Jessica McCrory Calarco — How the US lets women and families down, leaving them to do all the hard work of care with no money or support.

“The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen” by Jacques Pepin — Just for fun, memoir of my favorite “food porn” star. I have a half-finished review from last July, but must have been distracted by another beautiful book.
“The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government” by Brody Mullins and Luke Mullins — Well written look into how big money has perverted our politics and damaged our nation.
“Yes, Chef” by Marcus Samuelsson — Just for fun but a great read https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-yes-chef-a-memoir-marcus-samuelsson/
“Words That Work—It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear” by Dr. Frank Luntz I often though of him as Newt Gingrinch stooge, but I was very wrong, https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-yes-chef-a-memoir-marcus-samuelsson/
“You’re More Powerful than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen” by Eric Liu Well-written and inspiring https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-youre-more-powerful-than-you-think-a-citizens-guide-to-making-change-happen/
Our Malady—Lessons in Liberty From a Hospital Diary by Timothy Snyder Account of his terrifying bout of sepsis and a illuminating comparison of U.S. commercial medicine and European government-supported medicine. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-our-malady-lessons-in-liberty-from-a-hospital-diary-by-timothy-snyder/
The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America” by Timothy Snyder — Close examination of recent Putin/U.S./Europe/Ukraine history. Author concludes “In the end, though, freedom depends upon citizens who are able to make a distinction between what is true and what they want to hear.”
“Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson — Two Nobel Prize economists explore why some countries prosper and others don’t. They conclude poor countries are poor because those who have power make choices that create poverty.
“Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure That AI Works for Us” by Gary F. Marcus — A good writer and looks at AI (Artificial Intelligence) as an insider and examines the case for AI as “doom” or as “salvation”.
“Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir” by Ina Garten — Food porn I couldn’t leave out.
The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell — Included because I love the author’s sprightly take on history.

Hall of Fame Books: Books I Consider Essential Reads

Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation by David French https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-divided-we-fall-by-david-french/
Constitution of Knowledge – A Defense of the Truth by Jonathan Rauch

https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-constitution-of-knowledge-a-defense-of-the-truth/