Books Read 2023
In alignment with tradition, I've listed the books I read in 2023 so anyone interested in a particular title can pick it up on their own accord. As always, the content of these books doesn't always reflect my personal opinions as I attempt to expose myself to a variety of differing perspectives. Enjoy!
Psychology/Philosophy/Self-Help
Soul Mates: Honoring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship (1994) by Thomas Moore
A psychotherapist looks at relationships and their mysterious nature through a Jungian lens.
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again (2022) by Johann Hari
Hari makes the case for staying off our phones and away from social media as a way to reconnect with others and the world around us.
Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media (1988) by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky
Mass Media is viewed as a system of control as the industry selectively elevates stories and calculates when to be critical to influence the public.
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Habits and Break Bad Ones (2018) by James Clear
The blogger-turned-author outlines multiple strategies for making meaningful changes in one's life.
Unwrapped: Integrative Therapy With Gay Men…the Gift of Presence (2014) by Rick Miller
Psychotherapist/hypnotherapist discusses his private practice in working with gay men and common issues that are prevalent with his clientele.
Open Versus Closed: Personality, Identity, and the Politics of Redistribution (2017) by Christopher D. Johnston, Howard G. Levine, and Christopher M. Federico
This academic read discusses how personality traits can lead one toward political identities.
Handbook of Affirmative Psychotherapy with Lesbians and Gay Men (2002) by Kathleen Y. Ritter and Anthony I. Terndrup
A clinical guide for psychotherapists looking to work with lesbians and gay men that includes best practices as well as relevant theoretical guidance.
Straight Jacket: Overcoming Society's Legacy of Gay Shame (2012) by Matthew Todd
Editor of UK magazine Attitude discusses the impact that shame has on gay men's lives and offers practical solutions for living a healthier and more authentic life.
The Trouble with Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life (1999) by Michael Warner
Radical Michael Warner argues against same-sex marriage and for public sex venues in this "hot take." Warner believes that queers are being normalized to fit into rigid roles in society.
Love Between Men: Enhancing Intimacy and Resolving Conflicts in Gay Relationships (2020) by Rick Isensee
This psychotherapist discusses the romantic relationships of gay men and how to navigate difficulties that might emerge.
Existential Psychotherapy (1980) by Irvin Yalom
Existential psychologist examines death anxiety and the various ways we guard against a harsh truth we must all live with.
The Case Against the Sexual Revolution (2022) by Louise Perry
Perhaps not as provocative of a read as the title might suggest, Perry discusses the sexual mores of today, stemming from the sexual revolution and argues that they may not be conducive to living a meaningful life and are potentially harmful to women in particular.
Man to Man: Gay Couples in America (1981) Dr. Charles Silverstein
A New York psychotherapist conducts 100s of interviews with gay men and documents some commonalities that he has observed.
The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning (2021) by Paul Bloom
Professor at Yale and the University of Toronto looks at humanity's relationship to suffering and discusses the satisfaction one can derive from going through a challenging experience only to find success and growth as a result.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999) by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. And Nan Silver
Gottman discusses his research on how couples can have long-lasting and happy marriages.
Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World (2005) by Alan Downs
A reread for me as I prepare to write my own book about several similar topics, the Velvet Rage discusses the role that shame plays in the life of gay men and how it manifests itself.
Queer in America: Sex, Media, and the Closets of Power (1993) by Michelangelo Signorile
Signorile provides his rationalization for the outing of public figures who are closeted yet supportive of anti-gay policy.
Non-Fiction
The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name (2020) by Brian Muraresku
The eucharist and its origins are unknown; Muraresku examines its history and speculates its psychedelic origins.
Happy-Go-Lucky (2022) by David Sedaris
As much a curmudgeon as he has ever been, essayist and humorist David Sedaris discusses family, COVID, and all of the irksome details of his life in between.
Bad Gays: A Homosexual History (2022) by Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller
We've all heard about the Harvey Milks, Alan Turings, and Oscar Wildes of gay history, but what about some of the gays who have a less-than-flattering reputation?
Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground (1998) by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind
An oral history that documents the early history of Norwegian black metal and the narcissism/true crime elements that followed.
Out on a Limb: Selected Writing, 1989-2021 (2021) by Andrew Sullivan
Journalist who has written for The Advocate, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The New Republic, and more shares works he has published throughout the years.
And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic (1987) by Randy Shilts
A year-by-year account of the unfolding of the AIDS crisis.
Business
Post Corona: From Crisis to Opportunity (2020) by Scott Galloway
A marketing professor at NYU tells us what to expect in the world beyond the immediate economic impact of COVID-19.
The Art of Startup Fundraising (2016) by Alejandro Cremades
A step-by-step tutorial on the phases of raising capital for your business, as well as strategies for how to obtain financing
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (1966) by Peter F. Drucker
Management consultant discusses several key ideas with regard to what he believes can help an executive focus and successfully manage their constituents.
Fiction
Dancer From the Dance (1978) by Andrew Holland
A poetically written classic of gay literature about searching for love and acceptance in the NYC nightlife.
Annihilation (2014) by Jeff Vandermeer
The first book in the Southern Reach Trilogy tells the story of four women tasked with investigating a mysterious quarantine area only known as Area X.
Valley of the Dolls (1966) by Jacqueline Susann
One of the greatest-selling novels of all time, perhaps the 50 Shades of Grey of its era, Dolls tells the story of a bored small-town girl named Anne who moves to NYC. Sprawling in scope, it delves into women's issues of that time period.
Klara and the Sun (2021) by Kazuo Ishiguro
Told from the perspective of an "Artificial Friend," Klara and the Sun is a sensitively written novel that meditates on the loneliness of everyday people.
Giovanni's Room (1956) by James Baldwin
An American man living in Paris battles his internalized homophobia while integrating himself with other gay men.
Moby Dick (1851) by Herman Melville
The 20th-century classic American novel about obsession, the whaling industry, and fate…amongst many other themes.