Good Reads & Listens Vol. 5
Good Reads and Listens Fall 2026 vol.5
Going Down by Jennifer Belle
I am only halfway through this and I simply cannot put it down! Over the top funny, well written and smart and engaging. It's about sex work, it's about life and it creates levity in potentially dark and disastrous situations. It ranks up there with Indecent by Sarah Lewis. More of a story than anecdotal but similar. Enjoy!
The 25th Hour by David Benioff
I picked this up because his other book City of Thieves ranks high up on my favorites list. This book is very well written, readable and the author knows how to paint a picture. It's dark and personally I didn't feel much different when I finished it then when I finished Steven King's The Long Walk. The Long Walk pissed me off a lot more, but this has similar vibes. And like King, Benioff is a great writter that keeps you turning the pages. Ugh, make it stop!
So if you go into it not expecting a City of Thieves type story and dystopian like novels are your thing then you will enjoy this book.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This was a delightful listen. It's about a woman who has virtually nothing(her opinion) going on in her life. She nearly dies and is transported to The Midnight Library to see where her her life would have gone had she made other decisions. Like getting to see the entire butterfly effect in real time.
It's very cool and makes for a fast, hard to put down story. Haig is a solid writer and story teller. This was thoughtfully written and it's definitely on the lighter feel good side of things.
Thirst by Heather “Anish” Anderson
You know when you feel like you're struggling with the main character or in this case the only major character in the book? This is a book about struggle, suffering and sort of redemption to put it lightly. It's specifically about Anish's FKT(Fastest Known Time) hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013.
It's raw and unfiltered and a little frustrating. Who doesn't want to see the charater succeed, yes, you'll be rooting for her and it's definatly a page turner. On the other hand, I felt myself feeling sorry for her. For the fact that she refused to take better care of herself. She speaks of having absolutely minimal food and that made me scratch my head. Why not take better care of yourself? Had she been properly fuled, I believe that her storey would have been much better and a more inspiring example for others considering a similar undertaking. The title in this case is encompassing and maybe should have been called, Thirst, Starvation and the art of surviving on nothing. Think Sidhartha but walking instead of sitting without the realization at the end that her body needed fule to find enlightenment.
2000 Miles Together Ben Crawford
Hmm...this is one that I might not have picked up if Audible hadn't thrown it in my face. It piqued my curiosity and I listened to the preview and realized that it was right up my alley.
This was a story that I was not familiar with. A family of 8, 2 adults and 6 kids aged 2 -17 hike the Apalachain Trail in 2018.
Oh man, what a cool story! I've read a lot of trail books but never one about a family and a gaggle of kids. This story is very cool. The author(Ben mostly) is quite analytical and if you're into stats and details you will appreciate this. It's told very mater of factly. The audio version is cool and includes interviews with all of the kids in between the chapters. There is a little repetition at times, but there is enough solid meat that it's worth it.
There is also a documentary on Youtube and they did a fantastic job documenting the trip. I found it to be inspiring in so many ways. And maybe a little envious that my childhood wasn't a little more like that one.
This is one where all of the charaters will garner appreciation. It's very in the moment, like a trail journal with a story arc. Well done Crawfords, I hope your story inspires the world!
Oh and I just learned that 4 of them from the story just finished the PCT last week. I am sure there's a new book on the horizon.