The reading list for February 2025

Book recommendations from David Pakman

This month I read some terrific books, both fiction and non-fiction. Check them out and if any look interesting, consider checking them out.

The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America by Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis

Hyrum and Verlan Lewis argue that our standard left-right framework isn’t just misleading—it actively distorts our understanding of politics. This book lays out why ideology is more about shifting tribal identities than a coherent set of principles. A must-read if you want to break free from the false binaries that dominate American discourse.

Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope by Sarah Bakewell

If you’re sick of the cynicism and despair that dominate so much of our culture, Sarah Bakewell’s deep dive into the history of humanist thought is the antidote. She walks through centuries of radical, free-thinking voices who pushed back against dogma and embraced reason, progress, and compassion. Whether you’re already a humanist or just curious, this book is a fascinating read.

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts Hardcover by Oliver Burkeman

This is a four-week guide to accepting the limits of time, letting go of the productivity trap, and focusing on what actually matters. It sounds like a self help or time management book, but it's really a philosophy book. If you ever feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel of endless to-do lists, this book is a wake-up call.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

A psychological thriller that pulls you in and refuses to let go, Shutter Island is packed with paranoia, deception, and a mind-bending plot that will keep you guessing until the last page. If you love a good mystery with a disturbing edge, this one’s for you. I will be reading more by Lehane.

If you aren't in the habit of reading, it's very easy to get started: Get an interesting book and commit to reading just one page per day, which takes about one minute. Over time, just read a bit more.

You can also pre-order my forthcoming book The Echo Machine anywhere that books, e-books, or audiobooks are sold, and at http://www.davidpakman.com/echo