Since opening an independent bookstore on Long Island, I've often been asked by former colleagues in Congress for book recommendations. At the beginning of each new year, I survey my members about their preferences.
Here's the latest answer: Best books of 2024 or titles on your bookshelf to read in 2025.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana): “I started listening to George Will songs.”conservative sensibilities” It was announced in late December, and we are about halfway to 2025. Of course, very well written and thought provoking. I find it interesting and surprising that he strongly opposes conservatives like Robert Bork and Anthony Scalia. He further increased my respect for Abraham Lincoln, but as much as I respected Lincoln, I never thought that was possible. I have read many thoughts in his columns, but others are better developed here without the constraints of column space. It's a very good listen. ”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): “Belatedly, I am reading a book by my now former colleague Sherrod Brown.”desk 88” – about eight senators who previously occupied his desk in the Senate chamber. Sherrod and Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and I all sat in the same row for years. I think it's a good time not only to read this book in their honor, but also to prepare for the important role the Senate will play in the years ahead. ”
Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.): “I just finished listening.”And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and America's StruggleWritten and read by Jon Meacham. I have always thought of Lincoln as one of the most interesting figures in our history. He is poor, self-taught, empathetic, poetic, melancholic, compassionate, strong and good. This deeply personal biography reveals him to be more of a real person than a historical figure. Despite his willingness to compromise and political acumen, he was always guided by strong moral convictions and love of country. An avid consumer of theater and a reader of Shakespeare, he expressed himself in such beautiful words. I found his story uniquely inspirational and uplifting during these difficult times. ”
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.): “”the last gunfightWritten by Jeff Ginn. This is a true story about the people behind the infamous shooting at the OK Corral. It goes into politics and the situation that led to the shootout. ”
Congressman Mike Lawler (New York): “After meeting Luke Russert earlier this year, I became interested in reading his memoir.”look for me there. ”I lost my father when I was 26 years old, so I could relate to his experience of losing his father and his subsequent life journey. Most importantly, he appreciated the deep feelings of love and admiration he had for his father and the mark his father had left on him. I look forward to reading “'' in 2025.Gleenight lightWritten by Matthew McConaughey. ”
Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Calif.): “”4th wing' and 'iron flameWritten by Rebecca Yaros are two of the best fantasy books I've ever read, especially if you like dragons with attitude. The third book in the series “onyx storm' will be released the day after the presidential inauguration on January 21, 2025, at which point we may all be unable to tell the difference between reality and fantasy. ”
Congressman Rick Larsen (D-Washington): “It's hard to focus on one or two new books, but several books will become must-reads in 2025. For nonfiction, read Atossa Abrahamian's book, 'hidden globe” promises a view of the global economy that provides another data point showing that the laws of economics favor the wealthy. As for fiction, I just finished reading “'' by Tana French.hunter” is the sequel.searcher. ” But looking to the future, I’m looking forward to reading Frances Spafford’s .cahokia jazza kind of noir novel set in the past, but somewhere in another world. ”
Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-Pennsylvania): “”World history seen through 12 shipwrecks” is a fun and entertaining story of human history written by archaeologist David Gibbins.
Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts): “Candice Millard's”the fate of the republic' is a beautiful account of the tragedy of President Garfield's assassination, and it resonates today as the battle for control of Washington's political bureaucracy rages on. Now, with the forces of good and evil battling the same as in American politics at the time, this story offers a lesson that new evil extremists should not be forgotten and undone, and the reforms that were made. It's a reminder. ”
Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-Massachusetts): “”real romanceThis case by Bobby Azarian is an honest-to-goodness case that supports progress and opposes moral relativism. ”
Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.): “After visiting Dublin and Belfast this summer, I knew I had to read Patrick Radden Keefe’s book. “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland”. ”I made the right choice. This book is a masterpiece of Irish history, a murder mystery, the anguish of orphaned children, and the painful process of building peace. It's nonfiction at its best. The violence of the Northern Ireland unrest may have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, but the ghosts of this horrific era remain. Keefe's masterful prose draws the reader into it all and keeps them there until the last page. There are many similarities with conflicts occurring around the world today. ”
Congressman Richard Torres (New York): “I'm reading.”AgamemnonA work by Aeschylus, the father of Greek tragedy. Ancient Greek insights about the human condition resonate as powerfully in the 21st century as they did 2,500 years ago. ”
And I will vote for the most heartfelt submission.
Congressman Patrick Ryan (New York): “I started 2024 with an ambitious reading list, but to be honest, the only books I finished were the ones I read with my sons, ages 3 and 5. The book includes “lorax“”Don't let pigeons drive the bus!“”good night moon' and 'this little president”
steve israel He served eight terms in the New York State House of Representatives and served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2011 to 2015.
