The reading list for July 2025

Book recommendations from David Pakman

I read some great books this month, both fiction and non-fiction. If any look interesting, consider checking them out. Also my book is out and it instantly made The New York Times Bestseller list, and subsequently made the list two more times! If you haven't yet ordered it, please do. If you have already received it, please review it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads! The book is available here: http://www.davidpakman.com/echo

Here are this month's books:

Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison―Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took to Get Me Out by Jason Rezaian

This is one of the most infuriating and compelling true stories I’ve read, and particularly timely given the recent situation in Iran. Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter, was kidnapped by the Iranian regime, thrown in prison for over a year, and used as a political pawn. What follows is a mix of Kafka, international diplomacy, and psychological endurance. It’s not just about Iran—it’s about how authoritarian regimes work, how journalism is threatened, and how the U.S. government navigates hostage diplomacy. Terrifying stuff.

Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter by Juliet Schor

A really interesting look at the movement for a four-day workweek, which we've talked about on the show for a long time. Juliet Schor doesn’t just make the case for the four-day week—she shows how it’s already working for companies right now. Less burnout, same productivity, happier workers. It’s data-driven and practical. Worth reading and understanding in political contexts, but also sociocultural.

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography by Laurie Woolever

This isn’t your typical biography, it's told through the commentary of people who knew Anthony Bourdain, including chefs, producers, and ex-wives. This is a really fragmented but powerful portrait of a man who changed food, travel, and media forever. If you ever found yourself bingeing Parts Unknown and wondering what made Bourdain tick, this is the book.

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