Welcome to The Bookshelf!

Hi, I’m Chris. I love books.

I was going to say I love reading books, but I own far too many that I haven’t yet read, so maybe the first statement is more accurate.

I’ve been keeping track of my reading through various means since 2007. At various times I’ve used my blog, Goodreads, and iOS apps, and never been 100% happy with any of them. I’m sure I won’t be 100% happy with this site, either, but it’s my favorite so far!

Dig around here and you can find

• the books I’ve read,
• which books I want to read,
• useless statistics

If you’re really interested in what I’m reading, you can subscribe to the feed (feed with only reviews here).

Thanks for the inspiration (and a lot of the code!) for this site go to Rixx.

Here are a few of the books I’ve read recently:

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss · published 2016 · read 2024-12-19

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I'm not usually a business book guy, and I intensely dislike negotiating. But one of my leaders at work suggested I'd benefit from this, and I think I have. Will be interesting to try some of the basic tactics when the situation arises.

Shadow of Doubt

by Brad Thor · published 2024 · read 2024-12-14

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Every once in a while I read one of these to remember why I don't usually waste my time. Adventure novels have gotten so thin and repetitive these days.

Debt

by David Graeber · published 2011 · read 2024-12-12

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Insightful exploration of the history of the concept of debt. Maybe Adam Smith didn't have it all right?

Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America

by Michael Harriot · published 2023 · read 2024-11-30

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Harriot tells the hard truths of American history from a black perspective. Employing a deft sense of humor paired with a justified outrage, Black AF History provides an unfamiliar view to those of us who grew up learning the whitewashed version. A must-read for white Americans, really.

2054

by Elliot Ackerman · published 2024 · read 2024-11-23

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

It wanted to be smart and futurist but ended up being thin and weak. Disappointing.