What men are reading

I figured it out. Here's what 8 real, live men are reading.

There’s a lot of discourse around what men read. Or, rather, what they don’t read.

Do men read at all? Do they read fiction? Why should a grown man read fiction? And is all of this why Trump was elected?

So I asked 8 men what they’re reading right now, what the most impactful book they read in the last year was, and if they’ve reading anything written by women.

Here’s what they said.

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The most impactful books they’ve read:

Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman

While I don't have kids, I apparently have strong views on childrearing, and this book's philosophy is both very close to mine and provides a lot of useful concrete data, anecdata, and practices. Different childrearing practices are a fun lens into adult psychology.

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Outlive by Peter Attia

It gave me a lot of confidence that the company I’m working for right now is the company I want to work for. When I was doing the job search last year, this book gave me really good grounding that what I’m doing is the right thing for humanity.

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The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

It shows a dark time in America that I don’t think many people know about. It shows how awful the dust bowl was for middle America. Also the last chapter left me speechless.

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Long form blogs and internet forums

I feel like this response is Paul Graham coded

Most of the reading that impacts me is long form blogs and internet forums.

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The books they’re reading right now:

The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros

I love history books. Can’t know the future without knowing the past. I now feel like I understand more about the world today. That’s all you can ask a book for.

I legitimately don’t know what to do with this response. This is a fictional book.

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Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Bourdain drives my craving for adventure and exploration. His books scratch that itch for me while giving me a new world view. He's never critical and always accepting.

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Why the Middle Ages Matter

Simplistic explanation of why the Middle Ages matter, not putting progress always in the terms of technological advancements

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5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom

I like it. I don't read a lot of "self help" or "make life better" books but this is a good one so far.

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Have they read anything written by women in the last year?

5 of the 8 have read a book written by a woman in the last year.

Here’s what the read:

Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm.

Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World, The Secret History

I read half of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow but I didn’t finish. That’s it. I just realized I’m sexist :0

Grit by Angela Duckworth, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Bringing Up Bebe (I think that's it)

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I’m dying to discuss these responses. Please let me know what you think.