This behemoth of a novel is a fictional telling of the murders of women in Juarez, Mexico. But it is so much more. Cop drama, academic treatise on art, love story — it’s all there. This is a book for those that love high literature but also love a good quick read. Both are represented in parts of this book.

Having slept through many a history class (remember that smart kid who was just too lazy to do anything with himself?), I didn’t really know much about the first or second world war. This exhaustive account told me everything I needed to know, and a lot more that was just really interesting.

David Foster Wallace’s mind had so much going on that everything I’ve read of his was fascinating, partially because I never know what will come next. These essays, about the Illinois State Fair, tennis, and cruise ships (among other topics) are a great example.

Kudos to Mr. Chernow for making financial history (such a dry topic) so readable. He makes it a story about the characters that made up the Morgan Dynasty in banking. Essential reading for anyone that is curious about how our financial system got to where it is today.

This was the last book I read that just blew me away with the quality of the writing. There is a new edition that just came out. Both are recommended reading for, well, everyone.