I've definitely nerded out on the Civil War since a kid & am happy to have set aside the time to read McPherson's seminal tome on the subject. Yes, the book is dense but his writing flows so elegantly and he tells events in a narrative-like format, which contributes highly to its readability. This book isn't just battles either! There is plenty on the politics and political posturing of both the Confederacy and the Lincoln admin. Awesome read!

8 years ago, I attempted to write an honors thesis on Welt am Draht, a 2 part German Tele-Play, whose inspiration was Galouye's Simulacron 3. My thesis went to shit but the Fassbinder film always made me curious about the book. Having now read it, I really appreciate Galouye's imagination and faculty in illustrating a counterfeit world. If you enjoy sci-fi & can bear the existential dread surrounding Hall's discovery, check it out.

Raekwon's "From Staircase to Stage" is both an autobiography & a memoir of his time with the Wu-Tang Clan. The Chef tells the story of how he escaped the housing projects of Staten Island and came to join one of rap's most beloved groups. If you like WTC & want to know more about its founding from the perspective of one of its illest MCs, read this book.

I probably learned more from this book than I did during the entirety of my 7th grade mandatory TX History course. It brings attention to Tejano leaders in the fight for TX independence, who too often get overshadowed by Travis, Bowie, and Crockett. The book recognizes historical relativism but also doesn't shy away from the less savory motivation for TX independence i.e. slavery. It criticizes history as hero worship, which I absolutely love.