The Volokh Conspiracy
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This Year's Book Recommendations
As is our annual tradition (here was last year's), the University of Chicago Law School has posted a list of books our faculty are reading and recommend this year. Here are the two I highlighted:
The Scout Mindset, by Julia Galef
A book about how and why to be rational–that is, to try to see the world as it is even if it isn't what we wish. (A "soldier mindset" is committed to fighting back against beliefs we don't currently hold; a "scout mindset" is committed to learning the truth about what's out there, even if it's bad news.) The book also demonstrates great sympathy for the emotional urges that make it hard for us to think clearly, using stories and examples ranging from the Dreyfuss Affair to the author's own love life. Important and maybe life-changing.
I tried to write that blurb without using the word "rationalism" for fear that the people who would most benefit from reading it would be put off by the "ism." I trust that isn't as true of Volokh readers.
As for fiction, I picked A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine
A palace intrigue set in an interplanetary empire. The protagonist heads from her far-flung homeworld to the imperial capital armed with the technologically implanted memories of her dead predecessor, a too-tempting love of imperial culture, and yet a stubborn loyalty to her home planet. A page-turning and haunting story ensues. The best science fiction book I've read in a long time, and the sequel (A Desolation Called Peace) is just as good.
There was no question that Julia's book was going to be my non-fiction recommendation for the year (and you can listen to my appearance on her podcast earlier this year if you want to know more about why). But I've read a lot of science fiction and fantasy this year so there was more competition there. I also really enjoyed the Goblin Emperor and its quasi-sequel by Katherine Addison; The Daevabad Trilogy (City of Brass, etc.) by S. A Chakraborty; the newest Penric books by Lois McMaster Bujold; The Scholomance books by Naomi Novik; Hail Mary by Andy Weir; and the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.
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One of the main reasons (or, maybe, the most enduring reason) why I come here is for the occasional book recommendations. I’ve found, over the years, that even people I disagree with strongly on social issues often recommend books that I’ve really enjoyed. [I can’t imagine Josh Blackman recommending good books, but that’s just based on the countless moronic posts he’s made here on substantive legal topics. I promise to check out even Blackman Book Recommendations…if they are ever to come. Maybe his execrable taste in politics and writing are balanced out by superb literary taste re books.]
Katherine Addison also has a fantasy book, “The Angel of the Crows,” which is the best alternative Sherlock Holmes I’ve seen in a novel. She retells the stories, but the Holmesian character is an Angel (which poses certain challenges, like he has to tell the truth), the Watsonian character is, well that’s a spoiler, and there are werewolves, vampires, hellhounds, fallen angels and haemophages (much less pleasant than mere vampires). But “A Memory Called Empire” is a masterpiece.
I liked A Memory Called Empire quite a bit, and also The Goblin Emperor and Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison.
There seems to be congruence in our genre tastes at least.
The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare is The Trial but from the point of view of the judiciary in that system.
American Hippo by Sarah Gailey is an alternative US where the Hippo Bill passed. Hippos rule the Mississippi, and cowboys ride hippos in swamps now.
Gailey had several stories set in that world, so it’s likely a fix-up. “River of Teeth” was one of them and was up for awards.
‘American Hippo’ includes 3 of those stories. I would not be surprised if there were more.
These were really good fiction recommendations. Enjoying several of them.
It’s really cool that you can learn about such wonderful and interesting books here together with you. I love literature, especially changing genres of writing. When I was still studying, I used to use literature review writing help, which quite clearly and deeply shaped my interest in literature. In general, I can add that literature makes people think better. And the works you have added to the list are truly the best in their genre. Therefore, it was very interesting and useful for me to find out what I consider to be the best.