Hi, friend.

As the year draws to a close, many of us are hoping for a more peaceful, just, empathetic, and democratic 2024.

With that hope in mind, I read a lot of books this year — stories and subjects that expanded my horizons and offered fascinating insights into who we are, how we got here, and how we can address the complex challenges of our time.

I hope you’ll consider checking out a few of these titles. Without further ado, here are the best books I read in 2023.

American Nations, by Colin Woodard

An insightful look at the groups who emigrated to North America prior to 1776, whose prejudices, rivalries, & alliances still shape our politics today.

Black AF History, by Michael Harriot
An educational, painful, hilariously funny, and accurate history of the United States from an African American perspective. 

We Are Not One, by Eric Alterman

On the history of US-Israeli relations since 1948; what it means to be Jewish in a world that – outside of Israel – has never been totally safe for Jews. Alterman educates without diving into the political tensions that too often shape our discourse on Israel.

 The World’s Fastest Man, by Michael Kranish

The life of Major Taylor, the first great cyclist, and his experiences being Black, famous, and gifted in 1910 – 1920 America.

 Number Go Up, by Zeke Faux

The single best book that’s been written about the crypto industry. Faux explains block chain, NFTs, and illicit finance in an accessible way.

Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson

A science fiction story: Global warming causes a heat wave that kills 30 million people in India — upending geopolitics and forcing the world to confront climate change.

Deliver Me From Nowhere, by Warren Zanes

A lighter read; this is the tale of one of our greatest living storytellers and greatest living Americans: Bruce Springsteen. 

Why the Bible Began, by Jacob Wright

There was religion before the Old Testament — so who decided to start writing things down, and why? Wright investigates what was unique about that particular time and place, and why it's still relevant.

Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt

Finally, some wonderful escapist fiction recommended to me by a constituent: The story of an aquarium cleaning lady who bonds with an Octopus after losing her son. 

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Yours,
Sean Casten
PAID FOR BY CASTEN FOR CONGRESS
Casten for Congress
P.O. Box 132
Downers Grove, IL 60515-0132
United States
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