Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (9/10)
Amazing and raw account of Nike's early days by founder Phil Knight. I highly recommend the audiobook version in which the forward is read by the author himself.
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (9/10)
Beautiful story about a young woman trying to make a name for herself New York in the 1930s. This was a must-read after finishing A Gentleman in Moscow, one of my favorite books of all time, in 2016.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (8/10)
I may have enjoyed it so much as someone who thinks of the South as home, but there is something for everyone in this story about an underprivileged kid from Kentucky who eventually makes a life for himself in DC.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (8/10)
Well-written an authentic story about slavery in America, the lesson being that humans can endure unimaginable suffering and still believe in a better future.
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (8/10)
I really don't know why I enjoyed this book so much, but I did. Its such a simple but beautiful story about a family told over many decades, filled with both hilarious and heartbreaking moments.
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood (8/10)
I am a slow reader but finished this in a single day at the beach this summer. A strange story about a girl who grows up in rural Oklahoma with a drug dealer father and addict mother, it will make you uneasy while reading it but ultimately satisfied by the end.
American War by Omar El Akkad (8/10)
I love apocalyptic tales, especially ones set in the future. This dark portrayal of a future America in which the North and South threaten to destroy each other will make you think about how possible such a scenario might be if we continue on our current path.
Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles (8/10)
This is a beach read, but the entire Penn Cage series is great. The final installment, this wraps up any open questions about the Double Eagle white supremacist group and Penn's fathers involvement in the murder of his former nurse.