I took a night ride to my favorite place last night, Barnes and Noble.

I stocked up on some good shit.

Here’s my reading material for the next 2 months.

1. The Books of Magic - Neil Gaiman

I have no idea what this book is about. All I know is that when I see Neil Gaiman on a book cover, I stop to buy it.

How have I not heard of this graphic novel before? It was published in 1990. This is the book / graphic novel I am starting with. I’ll probably finish it today.

2. Across That Bridge - John Lewis

I never used to be into autobiographical books, but ever since I read Shoedog, my thinking has changed.

I’m very excited to read this. John Lewis made the world a better place. His strength and conviction inspires me every day. I’m very much looking forward to this.

3. The Laws of Human Nature - Robert Greene

I have a real love / hate relationship with Robert Greene.

The research he conducts to write his books blows my mind. How can one person stuff so much information into one page? And then write a book that’s 600 pages of dense, thought provoking content?

I’m looking forward to the read, but I’m not looking forward to actually reading it. lol.

48 Laws of Power made me see the world from an entirely different lens. I pull information from that book almost every day. Maybe I’ll have the same experience with this one.

4. The Umbrella Academy - Gerard Way & Gabriel Ba. (Art work by Dave Stewart, lettering by Nate Piekos)

I was on my way out the door when I saw this on a shelf. I have absolutely no idea what it’s about. I never heard of it, which is rare for me and graphic novels. I usually know about all of them, even before they are released.

So I opened it up and this was the opening line.

“In an explicable, worldwide event, 43 extraordinary children were spontaneously born by women who’d shown no signs of pregnancy. Millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of the children. When asked why, his only explanation was “the save the world.””

Fuck yeah. Sounds awesome.

5. The War that Ended Peace - Margaret MacMillan

Okay full disclosure, I’ve read this book already, but I stopped reading it with about 150 pages left. At the time, the most recent issue of Saga (issue 9) was released. When new Saga comes out, I stop everything I’m doing and read Saga.

After that, I got on a graphic novel kick and I read through the entire series of The Boys and then Locke and Key.

So I’m starting over from the beginning.

This book is remarkable. Margaret MacMillan is the best historical author I’ve ever read. I think she’s even better than David McCullough.

Sometimes, history books can be a little dry, but MacMillan writes in a way that is simple and beautiful and easy to understand.

WWI is one of my favorite subjects. I’m always surprised at how little Americans know about this war. It was the dumbest, most violent, most miserable, and most pointless war you can imagine.

There was no reason for it other than a group of about 7 men all looked at each other and said “well, I guess we need to fight over this.”

WWI has fascinating characters. Kaiser Willhelm, Nicolas the I, Rasputin, Helmuth von Moltke, Queen Victoria and Teddy Roosevelt are some of my favorites.

However, no one is more fascinating than Gavrilo Princip.

He was a no body. He was a loser. He was just a regular joe.

It can be argued that he is the single most significant figure in modern history.

The Blank Page

My Reading List for the Next 2 Months