Turning the Page

In which Alex breaks his silence and re-awakens Context & Content.

Hey everyone, welcome back, and Happy New Year. It’s been a while. The last time I wrote, I was in the thick of my campaign for Greenville County Council. That didn’t turn out the way I had hoped (more on that later), but for now, I thought I would pick back up here with a summary of the reading that I did over the course of 2024 and how it shaped my thinking.

If you’d like to support my work here, consider becoming a paid subscriber. In 2025, I intend to write more here and am excited to return to our considerations of context, content, media, culture, and society.

As an overview. of 2024…

• Earlier in the year, there was a mix of the carry-over of what I had started late in 2023. As the campaign ramped up, especially from March through June, little “high-minded” reading was happening.

• After the primary, I found myself “free-floating” for the first time in a few years. My attention, which had been so consumed by what felt like the tyranny of the moment, was released, and that sudden break caused a bit of whiplash. It was an interesting thing to have pursued something with such fervor and have it come up short. I found myself longing for a story of a hard pursuit, which led me to pick up The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien. I had been meaning to re-read for a while but finally found myself drawn to it.

• Shortly after the primary ended, Jonah Goldberg’s podcast The Remnant featured an interview with author Luke Burgis (Apple | Spotify | Web). I had never heard of Burgis, but coming out of the primary season, his thoughts derived from the work of René Girard and the contagiousness of desires resonated with me. Learning more about Burgis, I came across this interview where he called Don Quixote “the greatest book ever written,” which made me very curious, given my wandering mental state at the time. I remember reading excerpts of it in high school, and there was something about a windmill, but I didn’t know the plot. I picked up a copy and dove in.

• If you want to trigger some cognitive dissonance, read Don Quixote and The Fellowship of the Ring simultaneously. In one, a “nobody” living in obscurity becomes pivotal to the world's fate and reluctantly acts accordingly. In the other, a “nobody” living in obscurity imagines himself as pivotal to the fate of the world (or at least ancient Spain) and enthusiastically acts accordingly. That invites the question: which situation do we find ourselves in?

• Later in the fall, Burgis released a “Philosophy for Creators and Entrepreneurs” reading list (you can get it here). A core idea I’ve absorbed from Bugis that goes with the themes of my writing here is that our desires are shaped by the ideas around us, so if we want better desires, we need to surround ourselves with better ideas. This isn’t uniquely profound, but sometimes that feels fresh in my current season of life. As I finished Part 1 of Don Quixote, I found myself diving into Homer's Odyssey, and I’ve picked up a copy of Augustine’s Confessions as I’m working into the new year.

• Not reflected in my list of reading because I didn’t finish any of the books yet is all of the reading about the history of Greenville County and South Carolina I’ve been doing for another project (more to come later).

Below, find a complete list of all the books I finished in 2024 and a (transparently AI-written) summary of each book. While my interests tend to meander from subject to subject, I hope you find some titles in here. I’ll add some of my own notes about the titles that stood out to me as well to highlight my favorites

1. The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta (Non-Fiction)
   A deep dive into the intersection of faith and politics in modern America, this book explores how evangelical Christianity has shaped, and been shaped by, political power. Alberta provides a nuanced look at the tensions and transformations within these communities.

2. A Preserving Grace: Protestants, Catholics, and Natural Law (Edited by Michael Cromartie, Non-Fiction)
   A compelling collection of essays exploring the interplay between Protestant and Catholic perspectives on natural law, this book examines its role in shaping Christian ethics and public policy, fostering ecumenical dialogue on shared moral foundations.

3. Escape into Meaning by Evan Puschak (Non-Fiction)
   A collection of essays exploring pop culture, philosophy, and everyday life, this book connects seemingly mundane topics like Superman and public benches to larger existential questions.

4. Liberty for All by Andrew T. Walker (Non-Fiction)
   A compelling argument for religious freedom as a cornerstone of pluralistic society, Walker emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of all faiths, not just one's own. - I found this book helpful in thinking about a coherent Christian and Conservative approach to pluralism.

5. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Fiction)
   A heartfelt story about creativity, friendship, and ambition, this novel follows two friends who create video games while navigating their evolving personal and professional relationships.

6. Trust the Plan by Will Sommer (Non-Fiction)
   An investigative look at the QAnon movement, this book traces its origins, growth, and cultural impact, offering insight into why such ideas resonate with so many.

7. Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French (Non-Fiction)
   A poignant memoir weaving together personal loss and broader reflections on identity and belonging, French's narrative is both intimate and thought-provoking.

8. Exiles by Preston Sprinkle (Non-Fiction)
   Examining the tension between faith and culture, Sprinkle invites Christians to live faithfully as "exiles" in a society that often opposes their values.

9. Bullies and Saints by John Dickson (Non-Fiction)
   An honest look at the Church’s history, this book balances its moral failures with the good it has brought to the world, urging readers to confront the truth about its legacy. - I really enjoyed this retelling of Christian history and picked up a lot of primary sources that I may go back and engage with.

10. The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack (Non-Fiction)
    An accessible and entertaining guide to the end of the universe, astrophysicist Mack explains the scientific theories behind how the cosmos might eventually cease to exist.

11. Learning to Disagree by John Inazu (Non-Fiction)
    A practical guide to navigating disagreements with empathy and respect, this book emphasizes the importance of humility and understanding in a divided world. - This was a recommendation that came from a summer episode of Advisory Opinions that I absolutely loved. (Apple | Spotify | Web)

12. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis (Fiction/Allegory)
    A thought-provoking allegory about heaven and hell, Lewis explores themes of free will, redemption, and the choices that shape our eternal destinies. - A short read classic by Lewis

13. A Non-Anxious Presence by Mark Sayers (Non-Fiction)
    Sayers offers strategies for leading effectively in a world marked by anxiety and complexity, calling for Christian leaders to be calm and steady in turbulent times.

14. The After Party by Curtis Chang and Nancy French (Non-Fiction)
    A critique of partisanship in Christian politics, this book advocates for a renewed vision of public engagement rooted in faith and unity.

15. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fiction/Fantasy)
    The first part of Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, this novel follows Frodo Baggins as he embarks on a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring.

16. An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage (Non-Fiction)
    A fascinating exploration of how food has shaped human history, Standage examines the cultural, political, and technological implications of what we eat. - I got this from another episode of The Remnant and really enjoyed it. (Apple | Spotify | Web)

17. The Flourishing Family by David and Amanda Erickson (Non-Fiction)
    A guide to Christ-centered parenting, this book offers practical advice for nurturing purpose and resilience in a culture often at odds with family values.

18. Suicide of the West by Jonah Goldberg (Non-Fiction)
    A sweeping analysis of Western civilization’s decline, Goldberg argues that tribalism, populism, and identity politics threaten democracy’s foundational principles.

19. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (Non-Fiction)
    This book addresses the anxiety epidemic among children and teens, offering insights for parents to foster resilience and emotional health in a hyper-connected world.

20. Wanting by Luke Burgis (Non-Fiction)
    Drawing on the concept of mimetic desire, Burgis examines how our wants are shaped by others and offers strategies for understanding and reshaping these influences. - This is Luke Burgis own book on memetic desires, and I found it really a great encapsulation of his ideas.

21. Don Quixote, Part 1 by Miguel de Cervantes (Fiction/Classic)
    A comedic yet profound tale of a delusional knight and his faithful squire, this classic explores themes of idealism, reality, and the human condition.

22. The Odyssey by Homer (Fiction/Classic Epic)
    This ancient Greek epic recounts the adventures of Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of resilience, cunning, and homecoming.

23. Love Does by Bob Goff (Non-Fiction)
    A collection of whimsical, heartfelt stories, Goff shares his experiences to encourage readers to embrace a life of love, adventure, and generosity.

24. Over Ruled by Neil Gorsuch (Non-Fiction)
    Gorsuch critiques modern judicial activism and argues for a return to the constitutional principles that prioritize the rule of law and individual liberties.

25. Table for Two by Amor Towles (Fiction)
    A charming collection of romantic stories centered around shared meals, Towles celebrates the connections formed over good food and conversation. - I have loved every book by Amor Towles, and this was no exception. I think I listened to this whole audio book in about three days.

26. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fiction/Fantasy)
    The second installment of The Lord of the Rings, this novel deepens the journey of Frodo and his companions as they face new challenges in the battle against Sauron.

I hope you found this helpful. Moving into 2025, I aim to get back to writing here more. Thanks for reading today, and see you again soon!