Going Dark: Summer Reading, 2024
By Randy Kaufman
with research assistance from Dustin Lowman
As someone with Russian heritage, I’ve never been partial to summer, beach days, or beachy books. I’m a fall girl: Days shorten, winds chill, and I joyfully anticipate the invigorating cold and snow. My husband, David, thrives on steamy, sweltering summer days; the appeal still eludes this fair-skinned girl, but sailing — where the temperature is usually 10 degrees cooler — has brought us both much summer happiness over the years (read about why I sail here).
As I dislike summer, I also dislike “light summer reading.” Why go light when you can go deep and dark? I read for many reasons, none of which seem to be represented in the “good beachy novels” lists I get pelted with this time of year. So far, 2024 has brought me back to nonfiction — dark and foreboding nonfiction at that.
That may not be your thing. But if you follow me, it just might be. Please consider trying a few of these — and if you do, let me know your thoughts.
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson.
A must-read. You may be struck as I was that in reality, the Civil War was not that long ago, and sadly, it may not be that far in the future either.
Tunnel 29: The Trust Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall by Helena Merriman. A tale of true grit, and a great lesson in the history of postwar Berlin.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. I didn’t have the heart to see the movie — it seemed too dark, even for me. But, I was able to read the book and it’s grim enough, but enlightening. It chronicles a very sad time in this country, the birth of the FBI, and most importantly, the abominable way in which Native Americans were treated throughout much of our history.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. Riveting — a must-read for the history buffs and sailors among us.
Ghost Town Living: Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley by Brent Underwood. I had no expectations for this one. And I loved it every step of the way. Read it and you’ll learn a gritty and fascinating true story of a man who chased his dreams — what it cost him, and what he gained. I thank the author, philosopher, book marketer, and entrepreneur Ryan Holiday for this recommendation among many others. You can see his book list here: https://ryanholiday.net/the-reading-list. @ryanholiday.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Perhaps the lightest one of the group. A classic McCullough, who always shines.
Paris by Edward Rutherfurd. The story of Paris through the centuries. Most fascinating to me was the story of the building of the Eiffel Tower, but it was all interesting.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Randy Kaufman, formerly a corporate tax attorney and investment banker, is now a wealth advisor who prides herself on focusing on what matters most: clients’ peace of mind, family dynamics, and getting enough, not more. Randy is a passionate student of impact investing, strategic philanthropy, and behavioral psychology (while not a psychologist, she occasionally plays one in the boardroom). She is dedicated to helping the underprivileged and is a proud member of global venture fund Acumen's advisory board. A thinker, learner, and pursuer of overarching truths, she is always eager to discuss big ideas about money, and its off-and-on associate, happiness.