The Art of Manliness

#493: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die

Mar 25, 2019

James Mustich, a seasoned book industry veteran, dives into his creation, "1,000 Books to Read Before You Die." He passionately discusses the importance of book lists while encouraging personal preferences. Mustich highlights surprising genres, including sci-fi and children's literature, showcasing titles that resonate across ages. He also explores the joys of diverse reading and reflects on how literature can fulfill emotional needs, ultimately sharing a tailored list of essential reads for men that emphasizes personal growth and resilience.

47:50

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Episode guests

James Mustich

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Quick takeaways

Curating book lists should not be restrictive but rather serve as inspiration for diverse reading exploration.

The selection of books to read before one dies should encompass various genres to cater to different reading tastes.

Deep dives

Creating the Ultimate Book List

Jim Mustick, a seasoned figure in the book industry, shares his philosophy behind curating the ultimate book list in his publication, '1000 Books to Read Before You Die'. The list is crafted to emulate a leisurely bookstore browse, allowing readers the freedom to explore varied genres and discover books tailored to different reading preferences and appetites.

Intro

2min

From Bookstore to Author: A Literature Journey

19min

Exploring the Spectrum of Reading Preferences

2min

The Joy of Diverse Reading

5min

The Art of Memoir: What Makes a Good Story

3min

The Power of Reflective Reading

6min

Essential Reads for Men

12min

There are over a hundred million books in existence. And the average person only has 8 decades in which to read them. So which books should you choose to read over others before you croak?

It's a question that's launched scores of lists and many an argument, and my guest today has fired his own missive in the debate.

His name is James Mustich, he’s been in the book business for over 30 years as a book seller, reviewer, and editor, and he's created the ultimate book list in his book 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die. Today on the show, James explains his guiding philosophy on the books he decided to include in his list, and how he designed the book to have the feel of browsing through an ideal bookshop. James then makes the case for why book lists are helpful, but should never be seen as strictly prescriptive. We then dig into the surprising genres of books that James includes in his list, including science fiction, detective novels, and children’s books, and one or two of his very top recommendations in each category. At the end of our conversation, James makes a list just for the AoM audience of books every man should read before he dies.

Get the show notes, including Jim's list of books for men, at aom.is/1000books.

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