“In Praise of Slowness” by Carl Honoré (ep. 009)
But it’s loaded with data on surveys about things most people already recognize, like working less reduces stress, and eating better is…better. No one needs a study to tell them that.
“Out of Office” by Charlie Warzel and Anne Helen Petersen (ep. 008)
You’ll like this book if you’re interested in history of work, urban planning, technology, and hard truths about focusing on our lives and not just our work.
A podcast on books and writing
I know, another white guy with a podcast. But if you wanted to get some off-the-cuff thoughts about books I’m reading in about half an hour to an hour, this might be your jam.
“The Secret Life of Groceries” by Benjamin Lorr (ep. 007)
I thought this book was going to be about things I already knew about groceries—how they’re arranged, how terrible the animal rights violations are, etc. But it was so much more than that. Well-researched, clearly from lived experiences, and excellent writing bring this otherwise everyday topic to life.
“Mediocre” by Ijeoma Oluo (ep. 006)
If you think starting a conversation by saying liberals are snobs, weak, idiots, etc. is a poor way of making an argument, then you have the inverse of how this book starts.
If you think starting a conversation by saying conservatives are racist, ignorant, mean, etc. is a poor way of making an argument, then you have some of the premise of this book.