POLITICS REQUIRES LOTS of reading, whether it’s reports, news articles, or tea leaves.
But in a short attention span world, books remain a staple for many. We asked a variety of people on and off Beacon Hill to share their favorite book, or books, of 2024. The book or books did not have to be published this year, and they could be from any genre.
Gov. Maura Healey named two books, calling them compelling and accessible: There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib, and Wandering Stars, a novel by Tommy Orange, about a survivor of a Colorado massacre of Cheyenne people. They make “you think about society and culture and also our country’s history,” she said.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell said she joined her office-wide book club in reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson, “which details a history all who do the work to advance justice and eliminate disparities need to know.”
Here’s what others in politics, business, and the nonprofit sector said.
Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt
What: The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson.
Why: As a political science and sociology double major, Tibbits-Nutt found the book to be “an unbelievable example of what can happen when there is a radical divide within a nation and when the question of what it means to be an American and what defines a citizen pushes the country to the brink of secession.”
UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco
What: Don Quixote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes, which he re-reads every year.
Why: “It is widely regarded as the first modern novel and arguably the greatest book in the Spanish language. … Don Quixote‘s exploration of themes such as the nature of reality, the power of imagination, and the conflict between idealism and pragmatism resonates with readers across languages, cultures, and generations.”
David Shapiro, CEO of YMCA of Greater Boston
What: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride
Why: “McBride’s storytelling is already a favorite of mine from his past works. This one surrounds the Jewish and Black experience in the ‘20s and ‘30s in Pottstown, PA. The interwoven tale bears all the hallmarks we continually wrestle with: power and identity, the best and worst of our reactions to diverse and intersecting backgrounds, economic status, and experiences. Ultimately, McBride is brilliant in never losing sight of hope, humanity, and the universality of our experience in our flaws, courage, and love.”
Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, the hospitality workers union
What: Paloma Valdivia’s illustrated version of Pablo Neruda’s Book of Questions.
Why: “During our strikes this year I read this book to my son for bedtime as often as I could. The book asks whimsical questions to which there are no answers, sparking imagination and insisting that the Truth lies not in the answer, but the query… It was a joy for my son and an inspiration to me during this year’s tough contract renegotiations. It reminded me [to] think before acting and to question my actions before taking them. It is hard to pick one question that sums up the experience of reading this book to myself and a child, but I always liked, “And do you know which is more difficult, to sow or to reap? / ¿Y sabes lo que es más difícil entre granar y desgranar?”
Amy Carnevale, Mass. GOP chair and government affairs adviser for K&L Gates LLP
What: Politics for People Who Hate Politics: How to Engage without Losing Your Friends or Selling Your Soul, by Denise Gitsham, a friend and former co-worker.
Why: “Denise masterfully teaches how to navigate political conversations with grace, bridging divides while staying true to your values — and keeping your friendships intact. In a world where politics often feels like a minefield, this book offers a refreshing roadmap for thoughtful dialogue that builds understanding instead of walls. It’s a must-read for anyone tired of the toxicity and ready to reclaim the art of meaningful, respectful conversation.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
What: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin.
Why: “It has it all: gaming, love, death — and Cambridge, Massachusetts.”
Senate President Karen Spilka
What: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, and Deacon King Kong, both by James McBride.
Why: “I love a good story. Both books give us some faith that we are all trying to do the right thing. We need more of that.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
What: Knowledge Towns: Colleges and Universities as Talent Magnets by David J. Staley and Dominic D. J. Endicott.
Why: “Knowledge Towns argues that institutions of higher education are drivers of economic growth, and as a state known for our quality of education and as a public higher ed graduate myself, this book connects the dots on the value of higher ed in so many ways. It includes insights on how colleges are good for local economies, how they create jobs — both for graduates themselves and the community at large, and how urban planning for housing can serve as a model for towns to expand their reach.”
House Speaker Ron Mariano
What: The Revolutionary, a Samuel Adams biography by Stacy Schiff.
Why: “As a former history teacher, the Speaker loves reading about history, especially anything related to Massachusetts,” a spokesperson said.
Auditor Diana DiZoglio
What: Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, by Brené Brown.
Why: DiZoglio said she found the book “powerful and motivational,” adding the author “talks about being our authentic self and instead of running away from your vulnerabilities leaning into them.”
Housing Secretary Ed Augustus
What: The Last Charge of the Rough Rider: Theodore Roosevelt’s Final Days, by William Elliott Hazelgrove and On James Baldwin, by Colm Toibin.
Why: Singling out the Roosevelt book, Augustus said, it was “an insightful exploration of a person late in life, dealing with loss, as well as still wanting to be relevant and influence events even though the world had changed.”
Jarred Johnson, TransitMatters executive director
What: The Lost Subways of North America: A Cartographic Guide to the Past, Present, and What Might Have Been, by Jake Berman
Why: The book “offers a fascinating lens through which to view the history of transit planning and missed opportunities across the continent. As the MBTA begins to plan for the next 25 years, this book serves as a reminder of how our aspirations for better transit often fall victim to shortsightedness, funding challenges, and competing priorities. It underscores the importance of not just looking at where we’ve been, but reflecting deeply on where we once believed we’d be by now. These lost subway systems represent more than just unbuilt infrastructure — they embody dreams of cities that are more connected, vibrant, and equitable. Many of these plans envisioned walkable, cyclist-friendly neighborhoods and transit systems that would support affordable housing, reduce car dependency, and create more livable urban environments.”
US Rep. Ayanna Pressley
What: The President’s Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama, by Joshua DuBois
Why: “I’ve read this book every single day for almost eight years. I always glean new insights, timely takeaways, and fortitude from it. I’ve also found great inspiration for speeches from its pages. It is also one of my favorite books to gift.”
Mary Grant, president of Massachusetts College of Art and Design
What: An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Why: “This book/memoir underscored that as a country we have been in challenging, contentious times before and we have worked together to move through them and do better. It was also a reminder about the power of words to inspire a direction and influence change — like [President Lyndon Johnson’s] Great Society speech.”
Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden
What: Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson.
Why: “It’s a fantastic dive into the American justice system by someone who has seen first-hand how flawed the system can be. Reading it I was constantly reminded once again how powerful prosecutors and police and judges are and how people can get hurt when that power is misused.”
Adam Chapdelaine, executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Municipal Association
What: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall
Why: “I decided to read this former bestselling book due to my newly found interest in distance running. While it certainly fit the bill in terms of inspiration regarding my athletic exploits, perhaps even more importantly, it reminded me of how important it is to think critically about the generally accepted orthodoxy of any area of interest. This approach certainly benefited my running pursuits, but it also has helped me as I’ve considered many of the thorny issues that we’re facing as both a Commonwealth and as a nation.”
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney
What: Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI, by Eric Lamarre
Why: “Rewired is an important guide for every business leader as they lead their workforce and company during the AI revolution, offering insights to help leaders harness innovation, quickly adapt to the AI revolution, and reach new levels of success with AI. Boston’s business community, including companies in every industry and every size, are currently navigating AI every day, and Rewired gives a playbook for C-suite leaders as they use AI to strengthen their talent, operating models, technology systems, and data capabilities.”
