Recent Books -- Philosophical Devices, The Lyrics, Search for Meaning, Cult of Creativity, I Cheerfully Refuse, Safecracker, Born a Crime, Things Become Other Things, The Wide Wide Sea, Small Mercies

01 August 2025

Philosophical Devices by David Papineau. I probably would have loved this at a younger age, but a little too “angels on the head of a pin” for me now.
The Lyrics by Paul McCartney. We may never get an autobiography from him, but this is pretty dang close. Stories about the songs and where he was in his life when he wrote them.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. A classic, and a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with the meaning of life. I am motivated to read more on logotherapy.
The Cult of Creativity by Samuel Weil Franklin. Interesting history on how recently the idea of creativity has entered our thinking, and what a strong corporate background it has. Kind of ran out of steam, and but worth a quick read.
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. Great tale of loss, adventure, and reawakening. I also love anything set in the Great Lakes region.
Safecracker by Jesse DeRoy. A solid thriller about a safecracker who gets sucked into a spiraling series of events.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Wow, what an upbringing. How Noah managed to climb from these beginnings is an amazing story. And somehow still maintains his humor and positivity.
Things Become Other Things by Craig Mod. A travelogue, observations on the changes in a beautiful part of Japan, and a reflection on a long lost friend. Interesting juxtaposition – admirable.
The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides. The tale of Captain Cook’s final voyage. Entertaining, and a good look at life on a ship in the 1700s.
Small Mercies] by Dennis Lehane. A gritty, hard-boiled detective story set in Boston in the 1970s. Lehane has gotten even better over time, this is an excellent read.