What to read January ‘25
A curated list of books that don't just fill your shelves—the kind of books that sit with you long after you’ve turned the last page
‘What to read’ is my mid-end-of-the-month recommendation and round-up of the books I read last month, which I think you would enjoy during your coffee breaks.
It is a short, curated list of books that don't just fill your shelves—the kind of books that sit with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
These could be the books which provoked:
The ideas that changed my mind unexpectedly (and could do the same for you)
The reflections that inspired me to see the world a little differently
Curiosity. You should know that curiosity not only boosts creativity but also helps you live longer, according to recent research...”1
What to read is also my (and yours if you have it) accountability ally or progress post, if you will. I’m ashamed to say it, but I don’t read as much as I would like or need to. Hopefully, what-to-read editions will fix that; otherwise, there’s a danger I will share a blank newsletter with you.
Luckily, I turned some pages this month so that I can share the following two books with you with joy and a pinch of pride.
Best discoveries from January ‘25
The Gray Lady Winked: How the New York Times's Misreporting, Distortions and Fabrications Radically Alter History by Ashley Rindsberg
With the name and reputation comes influence. How you use this influence says a lot about you and your moral compass. Would you disagree?
Least to say, I am fascinated by the stories of lies, deception, scandal of any sorts. My curiosity is endless when it comes to history as we know it and the truth.
The Gray Lady Winked is hitting all the right spot with me, perhaps that is the reason I am reading 15 minutes of a few pages each morning to stretch the book for as long as I can.
presents an essential look at the tangled relationship between media, power and politics. Most importantly, he demonstrates the consequences of abandoning truth for self-interest and ideology, impacting our future as much as our past.Here's how The Gray Lady Winked is described on the Amazon sale's page: “As a leading name in American news media, the New York Times stands out as one of the most influential news outlets in the world. With a dedicated team of thousands of reporters covering stories from every corner of the globe, the Times has a remarkable ability to impact everything from wars and revolutions to economies and cultural shifts. Rather than simply reporting the news, it actively helps to shape it!”
The Gray Lady Winked offers 10 gripping chapters that shook me and changed the way I look at NYT.
Read this if:
You’re interested in media and how journalism impacts historical and political events.
You want to explore how major institutions shape public opinion and influence narratives.
You’re curious about investigative critiques of mainstream media and its role in society.
You, in general, enjoy a great piece of writing.
In a very long time, I was genuinely sad when I got to the last chapter. It’s one of those books I did not want to end. I’m still sad about it.
First-Person Journalism: A Guide to Writing Personal Nonfiction with Real Impact by Martha Nichols
The next book I want to share with you today was mentioned during one of Sarah Fay’s workshops on the W@W publication Opinion Posts in Polarized Times, and I am so glad it was.2
As someone who aspired to become a journalist but never actually pursued studying it (for one reason or another), I write. And with writing comes responsibility. There's a bit more to writing than placing random words on the paper in a desirable fashion until they make sense.
There are structures to be followed! If you don't know what these structures are and how to apply them to your writing, this book will certainly help.
First-Person Journalism provides practical, step-by-step instructions for writing first-person features, essays, opinion pieces, and classical how-to articles.
Nichols teaches us how to balance personal voice with factual accuracy to engage audiences.
In her book, she explores nine key elements of first-person journalism: the importance of passion, self-reporting, finding your stance, keen observation, proper attribution, considering counterpoints, the concept of time travel, blending different styles, and understanding the overall impact.
The book features examples from a variety of nonfiction writers and journalists, including Ta-Nehisi Coates, Joan Didion, Helen Garner, Alex Tizon, and James Baldwin. It offers a fresh perspective on the craft of nonfiction and provides essential advice on writing with style, authority, and a distinct point of view.
Read this if:
You’re a writer—whether just starting out or already established—who loves mixing personal stories with journalistic insights.
You’re eager to learn how to craft engaging personal essays or memoirs.
You’re on the lookout for practical tips to help you create nonfiction pieces that truly resonate with your readers.
This is one of those books I’ll keep coming back to. It’s always on my desk, open; it has highlights and bookmarks from start to finish. What a great teaching resource for non-educated writer.
Have you read any of these books? If so, let’s have a mini-book club discussion in the comments.
Both sound fascinating in their own ways - thank you for sharing! 📚
The gray lady winked sounds fascinating, I will definitely have to give it a try. I do love a scandal, but often find myself watching documentaries about them rather than reading. This seems like a good chance to give reading one a go!