The reading list for January 2025

Book recommendations from David Pakman

This month I read some great non-fiction books I had been meaning to read, and also an excellent fiction book by one of my favorite British authors. Check them out and if any look interesting, consider picking them up.

Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust by Diana Henriques

This book is not just about how Madoff pulled off the biggest Ponzi scheme ever, but how the entire system let him get away with it for so long. It’s the kind of thing where you’re shaking your head the whole time, but you can’t stop reading. A great look at how greed and trust can go horribly wrong.

Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health by Dr. Marty Makary

This book is about the stuff doctors get wrong, or used to get wrong, and how those mistakes can have huge consequences for patients. It’s not an attack on medicine, but more of a wake-up call about what’s broken and how we can do better. Definitely worth picking up if you care about healthcare.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

This one’s intense, especially thinking about how it will be Trump and his appointees handling a real life version of the nuclear war scenario that Jacobsen lays out. It’s not just about the weapons but how governments think about and plan for these scenarios. If you’re into geopolitics or just want to freak yourself out a little, give it a read.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

This one’s heavy, but it’s so good. It starts as this quiet story about friendship and love, but then it hits you with this dystopian twist that’s just devastating. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’re done. Definitely worth the read.

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