Reading list

A list of books I’ve read in reverse chronological order.

Books with an asterisk (*) are ones I liked a lot.

December 2023
Create Dangerously by Albert Camus
Brand Vision by Jim Everhart
*Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

November 2023
Reinventing Comics by Scott McCloud

October 2023
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

February 2023
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

January 2023
This Book Will Teach You How to Write Better by Neville Medhora

November 2022
*Whatcha mean what’s a zine? by Mark Todd and Esther Pearl Watson

October 2022
The Suitcase Clone by Robin Sloan

August 2022
A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Webb Young

July 2022
The Law by Jim Butcher

May 2022
Telepaths by J. Michael Straczynski (graphic novel)

April 2022
*It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeir Hansson (non-fiction, reread)

March 2022
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (non-fiction)

January 2022
Several short sentences about writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg (non-fiction)

December 2021
*Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (non-fiction, reread)

July 2021
Animorphs: The Invasion by K. A. Applegate, Michael Grant, Chris Grine (graphic novel)

April 2021
Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service by the Disney Institute with Theordore Kinni (non-fiction)

February 2021
*Demand-Side Sales 101 by Bob Moesta (non-fiction)

January 2021
Green Lantern Vol. 2: Revenge of the Black Hand by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, and Ethan Van Sciver (graphic novel)

October 2020
*Battle Ground by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)
*I Hope This Helps by Tommy Siegel (comics)

September 2020
*Superman: American Alien by Max Landis (graphic novel, reread)
*Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (non-fiction, reread)

August 2020
*Your Music and People by Derek Sivers (non-fiction)
Flags of our Fathers by Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan (comics)

July 2020
*Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud (comics, non-fiction)
*Annabel Scheme by Robin Sloan (science fiction, novella)
*Peace Talks by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)
*Annabel Scheme and the Adventure of the New Golden Gate by Robin Sloan (science fiction, novella)
*Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers (non-fiction)

June 2020
*The Wicked Day by Mary Stewart (fantasy)
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers (non-fiction)

April 2020
*Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (non-fiction)
*Green Lantern Vol. 1: Sinestro by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke (comics)

January 2020
*Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (graphic novel)

December 2019
*Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (YA)
*Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle (graphic novel)
*Just Enough Research by Erika Hall (non-fiction)

November 2019
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (urban fantasy)

September 2019
*Batman: The Court of Owls – Volume 1 by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, and Jonathan Glapion (comics)
Dark Nights Metal: Dark Knights Rising by Snyder, et al. (comics)
*The Nordstrom Way by Robert Spector and Patrick D. McCarthy (non-fiction)

August 2019
The Magic Order by Mark Miller and Olivier Coipel (graphic novel)
*The Magicians: Alice’s Story by Lev Grossman, Lilah Sturges, and Pius Bak (graphic novel)

July 2019
*Shape Up by Ryan Singer (non-fiction)
The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman (graphic novel)

June 2019
*The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks (graphic novel, reread)
Dirk Gentley: A Spoon Too Short by David, Kyriazis, and Kirchoff (graphic novel)

April 2019
*Keep Going by Austin Kleon (non-fiction)

March 2019
*Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day by Nikki Giovanni (poetry)

February 2019
*DC Universe: Rebirth by Geoff Johns, etc. (comics)

January 2019
Silk: Sinister by Robbie Thompson (comics)

December 2018
X-Men: Blue: Strangest by Cullen Bunn (comics)
*Astonishing X-Men #13-24 by Joss Whedon (comics)
Captain Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Hero by Kelly Sue DeConnick with Christopher Sebela (comics)
Jean Grey: Nightmare Fuel by Dennis Hopeless (comics)

November 2018
Skyheart: The Search for the Star Seed by Jake Parker (graphic novel)
The Amazing Spider-Man: Dying Wish by Slott, Ramos, and Elson (comics)

October 2018
*Dog Men by Jim Butcher and Mark Powers (graphic novel)
*It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeir Hansson (non-fiction)

September 2018
*Supergirl: Red Daughter of Krypton by Tony Bedard, Yildiray Cinar, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Ray McCarthy (graphic novel)
Radical Candor Kim Scott
*Astonishing X-Men #1-12 by Joss Whedon (graphic novel)

August 2018
*Brief Cases by Jim Butcher (short stories)
*The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman (fantasy)
Superman New 52: Volume 2 – Secrets and Lies by Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen and Jesús Merino (graphic novel)

June 2018
*Superman: American Alien by Max Landis (graphic novel)
Superman for All Seasons by Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale and Bjarne Hansen (graphic novel; reread)

May 2018
The Magician King by Lev Grossman (fantasy)

March 2018
Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni (business)

February 2018
Superman: Last Son of Krypton by Geoff Johns and Richard Donnor (graphic novel)

January 2018
The Dresden Files: Down Town by Jim Butcher (graphic novel, urban fantasy)

December 2017
*Backup by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files novelette, urban fantasy, reread)
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 1 (comics)

November 2017
*An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Col. Chris Hadfield (non-fiction)
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (science fiction)

September 2017
*Flashpoint by Geoff Johns (graphic novel)

August 2017
*Deep Work by Cal Newport (non-fiction)

July 2017
*Everyone’s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun (graphic novel)
*Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher (graphic novel)
Green Lantern: No Fear by Geoff Johns (graphic novel)

June 2017
*Spider-Man Blue by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (graphic novel)

May 2017
*So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport (non-fiction)

March 2017
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (fiction)

January 2017
Green Lantern: The Wrath of the First Lantern by Geoff Johns (graphic novel)
The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker (mystery)

December 2016
Green Lantern: Secret Origin by Geoff Johns (graphic novel)

September 2016
100 Essays I Don’t Have Time to Write by Sarah Ruhl (essays)

August 2016
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino (fiction)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (graphic novel)
The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond, Second Edition by Jesse James Garrett (non-fiction)

July 2016
*A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (fantasy)
*Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne (fantasy)

June 2016
daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá (graphic novel)

May 2016
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke (science fiction, reread)

April 2016
*Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited by Steve Krug (non-fiction)

March 2016
*Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod (non-fiction)

February 2016
*Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (non-fiction, reread)

December 2015
*Remote: Office Not Required by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (non-fiction)

November 2015
If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him! The Pilgrimage of Psychotherapy Patients by Sheldon B. Kopp (non-fiction, 1976)
It’s Superman! by Tom De Haven (fiction)

September 2015
All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin (non-fiction)

August 2015
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (fiction)

July 2015
*Screenwriting 101 by FilmCritHulk (non-fiction)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (fiction)
*Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (non-fiction, reread)

June 2015
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (fiction)
Everybody Writes by Ann Handley (non-fiction)

May 2015
*Newspaper Blackout by Austin Kleon (poetry)
*Daredevil issue #227: Apocalypse by Frank Miller (comics)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 8 #1-8 by Joss Whedon (comics)
*Skin Game by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

April 2015
*The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (fantasy)
*The Sculptor by Scott McCloud (graphic novel)

March 2015
*Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon (non-fiction, reread)

February 2015
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (fiction)

January 2015
*This Book is Full of Spiders by David Wong (fiction)
Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman (fiction)

December 2014
*Cold Days by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

November 2014
*I Wear the Black Hat by Chuck Klosterman (cultural essays)

October 2014
*Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (fiction)

August 2014
*Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

July 2014
It’s Too Late to Say I’m Sorry by Joey Comeau (short stories)
*Fray by Joss Whedon (comic book series)

June 2014
*John Dies at the End by David Wong (fiction)

May 2014
*Insurgent by Veronica Roth (fiction)
*Allegiant by Veronica Roth (fiction)
*Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (non-fiction)

April 2014
*Divergent by Veronica Roth (fiction)

March 2014
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
*It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini (fiction)

January 2014
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (science fiction)

December 2013
*Side Jobs by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

November 2013
The Magicians by Lev Grossman (fantasy)

October 2013
*Changes by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

September 2013
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (fantasy)
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (fantasy)

June 2013
*Feed by M.T. Anderson (science fiction)
Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon (fiction)
*Turn Coat by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

May 2013
Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer (non-fiction)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Final Problem”

April 2013
*Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (non-fiction)
*Small Favor by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)
Phoenix by Chuck Palahniuk (short story)
Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman (“short fictions and illusions”)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Naval Treaty”

March 2013
*Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)
*The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks (graphic novel)
Let’s Write a Short Story! by Joe Bunting (non-fiction)
Schooled by Dalton Jackson (non-fiction)
The Dip by Seth Godin (non-fiction)
*Limitless by Alan Glynn (science fiction)
Smarter, Faster, Cheaper: Non-boring, Fluff-free Strategies for Marketing and Promoting Your Business by David Siteman Garland (non-ficiton)
*White Night by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

February 2013
*Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury (non-fiction)
*Darkride by Laura Bradley Rede (fantasy)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Greek Interpreter”

January 2013
Wool Omnibus Edition (Wool 1-5) by Hugh Howey (science fiction); skimmed
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard (non-fiction)
The Resume Is Dead by Nelson Wang (non-fiction)
Disrupt: Think the Unthinkable to Spark Transformation in Your Business by Luke Williams (non-ficiton)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Resident Patient”
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (fiction)

December 2012
*Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and Email Overload by Mark Hurst (non-fiction)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Reigate Puzzle”
– “The Crooked Man”
A Hidden Witch by Debra Geary (modern fantasy)

November 2012
*The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (fiction)
Why Good People Can’t Get Jobs: The Skills Gap and What Companies Can Do About It by Peter Cappelli (non-fiction)

October 2012
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (fantasy)
*A Modern Witch by Debora Geary (modern fantasy)
Blogging Tips: Confessions of a Six Figure Blogger by Zac Johnson (non-fiction); skimmed
Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott (non-fiction); skimmed

September 2012
*Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon (non-fiction)
*The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart (fantasy)
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Musgrave Ritural”

August 2012
From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
– “The Stock-broker’s Clerk” (mystery)
– “The ‘Gloria Scott'” (mystery)

July 2012
Dead Beat by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)
*Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength by Laurie A. Helgoe (non-fiction)

June 2012
*The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon (fiction)
Sandman Volume 2: The Doll’s House by Neil Gaiman (graphic novel)
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss (non-fiction)
*Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (fiction, reread)
“The Yellow Face” from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
*Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (science fiction)
*Start a Freedom Business by Colin Wright (non-fiction)

May 2012
After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn (superhero fiction)
*”Silver Blaze” from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
Linchpin by Seth Godin (non-fiction)

April 2012

“Embroidery” by Ray Bradbury (science fiction/fantasy)
*A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (fantasy)
“The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
*Stop Stealing Dreams by Seth Godin (non-fiction)
“The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
“The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
“The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (urban fantasy)
“The Adventure of the Copper Beeches” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

March 2012
On Writing Well by William Zinsser (non-fiction)
“The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

February 2012
Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business and More by Entrepreneur Press and George Sheldon (non-fiction)
“The Red-headed League” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
Short stories by Ray Bradbury (science fiction/fantasy)
– *”The Flying Machine”
– *”The Murderer”
– “The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind”
“A Case of Identity” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
“The Boscombe Valley Mystery” (mystery)
“The Five Orange Pips” (mystery)
“The Man With the Twisted Lip” (mystery)

January 2012
Heart of Stone by C.E. Murphy (urban fantasy)
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (science fiction)
*The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (fiction)
*The Constant Art of Being a Writer by N.M. Kelby (non-fiction)
Short stories by Ray Bradbury (science fiction/fantasy)
– *”The Fog Horn”
– “The April Witch”
– “The Wilderness”
– “The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl”
The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
“A Scandal in Bohemia” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
*Sandman Volume 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman (graphic novel)

December 2011
Stardust by Neil Gaiman (fiction)
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

October 2011
Social Media for Social Good by Heather Mansfield (non-fiction)
Writers and Their Notebooks edited by Diana M. Raab (non-fiction)

September 2011
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (sci-fi)
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (theology)

August 2011
Creating Characters: How to Build Story People by Dwight V. Swain (non-fiction)
Blood Rites by Jim Butcher (urban fantasy)

July 2011
*The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White (non-fiction)

June 2011

The Big Picture by William Goldman (non-fiction)
Living By Fiction by Annie Dillard (non-fiction)

May 2011
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (fiction/humor)

April 2011
[Course readings took up all my reading time.]

March 2011
*A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (science fiction/fantasy, reread)
*Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman (cultural criticism)

February 2011
*First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson on the Creative Process by Robert D. Richardson (non-fiction)

January 2011
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman (superheroes)
*Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (fiction)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (science fiction)

(This page was inspired by Matthew Elmslie.)

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