
Philosophy
The Art of Living — Just got this for Christmas, and have already started it, so technically this is a 2019–2020 reading list, but who ever only starts books on the first of the year?
On the Nature of Things — I have already started this as well, but this will make me feel more productive if I can put it on another list.
Art of War — My husband got this for me at Costco actually, because he noticed how much I was staring at it. Sun Tzu is delightfully commonsensical and concise so far. I wish politicians would read him. It would save so much time on C-span.
Democracy in America — Seems a good time to read, now that democracy appears to be on its deathbed.
Common Sense — Also need a reminder of what this is. I have not seen any examples for approximately 3.7 months.
Creators — Rereading for the history and the thoughtfulness Boorstin puts into all his work, although I disagree with him sometimes.
Happiness is a Serious Problem — Because I will not be considered a true American citizen unless I read at least one self-help book in my lifetime.
Amusing Ourselves to Death — Rereading again. I hope my time on Facebook wouldn’t be viewed disparagingly by Postman.
Presence of the Past — Another Christmas present, no pun intended. Should I start this in the future or the present? I will probably also read the Structure of Scientific Revolutions, as Sheldrake appears to be the new scientific revolutionary, and it would be interesting to contrast them.
Language
Inferno in Italian — I found this at a delightful used bookstore a year or so ago, and have not had time to read it since. The left page is in Italian and the right page is in English, so I can read the left page and then check it with the right.
Don Quijote in Spanish — A friend gave this to me for Christmas, and I was so happy! I had been waiting to read Don Quijote til I could find it in Spanish and had had no luck so far.
Harry Potter #3 in French — Of course I have already read Harry, but it will be fun in French. Plus I should be reading the third Harry with my kids sometime this year, so that will be fun. (In English with them, though.)
Conciencia Intelectual — Another find at a used bookstore. This one is an anthology of essays written by Central and South American authors. I have read some of the essays already, and they are mostly on the growth of education and the history of politics in the region. Mostly reading to broaden my higher-level Spanish vocabulary, as this is written by professors, etc.. as I may be doing some written translating later this year and would like to be prepared.
Ministry
When Helping Hurts — I am hoping this will be especially useful, as I am on the ministry team at my church that reaches out to the local community.
Ministering Cross-Culturally — Reading this for similar reasons, as our community is culturally extremely varied. Learning Arabic for that reason.

Fiction
Hunchback of Notre Dame — Because I need to read something depressing.
Les Mis — Just in case the Hunchback isn’t depressing enough.
Legend of Sigurd — This is a story of Tolkien’s, published posthumously by his son Christopher. I read the Children of Hurin, and it was horrifically depressing. Hoping this is better.
House of the Dead — I was going to read The Brothers Karamazov again, but this was another present! Haven’t read this Dostoyevsky yet.
The Dean’s Watch — Rereading because in this book Elizabeth Goudge is able to capture light with words.
The Citadel — I rarely see A.J. Cronin’s work anymore, but it should be more widely read. He is a great author.
Persuasion — All right, I already started this, but if I put it on this list, I can cross it off.
Plays
Man for all Seasons — I can’t remember how many times I have read it, but I never get tired of it. Bolt has so many layers through this book, but it is so concise.
Much Ado About Nothing — Because it never hurt anyone to read Much Ado About Nothing.
Merchant of Venice — Same.
Works of Moliere — So far, I’ve just read the Misanthrope and it was one of the best plays I’ve read in a while! Will now read all of them.
Culture
Koran — This will be a dull read. Have you ever started Thus Spoke Zarathustra or the Book of Mormon? Then you know what I’m talking about. You seriously get the sense that the author is insane. There is no coherency or logical flow; in fact, there have been multiple contradictions so far in the first five pages. But I guess I should suck it up and read it.
Bookseller of Kabul — Reading because I am interested in the cultural background of the region the book was written in. I may pick up some other books along the same lines if I find them throughout the year as well.
To-do
Developing Story Ideas — Because I just really need to read something else and I am obsessive-compulsive about books?
How to Write a Play (Raymond Hull) — Not like I’m actually going to or like I have enough time.
Normally I won’t bore you with my personal life, but I figured that everyone is going to be posting New Year’s resolutions, and I definitely won’t be doing that, so this is a substitute, (and a better one, if I do say so myself). Feel free to throw me a line on any questions on the afore-mentioned books, or if you need ideas for next year’s reading list! Happy to oblige! 🙂
