10 must-read books

A good book is for life, not just Christmas

Here’s a list of ten nonfiction books that I think will provide you with pleasure for a long time. They are all eminently readable, dip-in-able, and informative.

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The books I’ve chosen have given me enormous pleasure, and continue to do so. Some have been within easy reach of my bookshelf for years, while others are relatively recent acquisitions.

Please note: this is not a “best of 2024” list: it’s rather less ephemeral than that. I’ve written about them in the order in which they are currently piled on my desk, which is to say no particular order at all.