Book recommendations from the Biblioracle

John Warner tells you what to read based on the last five books you’ve read.

1. “Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic” by David Frum

2. “Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire — A 500-Year History” by Kurt Andersen

3. “Fascism: A Warning” by Madeleine Albright

4. “The Fifth Risk” by Michael Lewis

5. “Grit” by Angela Duckworth

— Dan M., Hillside

It’s easy to see what’s been on Dan’s mind based on this list. I want to recommend some fiction as a change of pace, but when a list has no fiction on it, I start to worry I have a reader who likes to focus on true stories. That’s going to take me to one of my favorite nonfiction books of the last year: “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup” by John Carreyrou.

1. “The Ninth Hour” by Alice McDermott

2. “City of Endless Night” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

3. “Here and Gone” by Haylen Beck

4. “Artemis” by Andy Weir

5. “Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks” by Stephen Davis

— Michael B., Forest Park

This request is from March, so clearly Michael has read some books since then, but I’m trying to end the year by making up for some lists I either overlooked or didn’t have the space to get to at the time. I’m recommending Michael Faber’s “The Book of Strange New Things.”

1. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

2. “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” Lisa See

3. “The Henna House” by Nomi Eve

4. “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance

5. “Defending Jacob” by William Landay

— Jan P., Naperville

Another one from March, and a book club request no less. If it’s monthly, that means they’ve read at least eight more books since this list. I feel shame. I’m going back a ways for this one, but I think it’s a good book club book: “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving.