MY READING YEAR, 2008

11 good books I read this year:

What It Is
by Lynda Barry

What more can I say about this book? It’s collage, it’s a writing textbook, it’s a memoir…it’s everything. It’s big. It’s hardcover. It’s awesome.

 

Ways of Seeing
by John Berger

Fantastic book based on a 1972 BBC miniseries. Amazing how much the contents remain valid in the age of the internet. My map of the book.

 

Thoreau At Walden
By John Porcellino

Porcellino’s simple, zen lines are perfect for adapting Thoreau into comics.

 

Born Standing Up
By Steve Martin

A book that moved quick and didn’t bullshit. Great writing, very subtle and smart jokes. My map of the book.

 

Don’t Make Me Think
By Steve Krug

A classic book about web design.

My notes on the book.

 

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

A wonderful book about the psychology behind creativity.

My notes.

 

The Power of Myth
By Joseph Campbell

A series of interview with Campbell, accompanied by lots of images. My map of the book.

 

And Then There Were None
By Agatha Christie

My wife’s favorite author. Great, classic read.

 

The Gift
By Lewis Hyde

On art and commerce. Terrific read.

My map of the book

 

Moneyball
by Michael Lewis

My review of the book.

 

The Cheese Monkeys
By Chip Kidd

A very funny and quick read. Since so much of the action takes place in the classroom, it sort of functions as a wacky introduction to graphic design.