Currently on the shelf for reading are:
Augustus, The Life of Rome’s First Emperor – I loved the author’s book on Cicero three years ago.
Watchmen – I read this book 20 years ago, borrowing the individual comics from my college roommate. It’s funny how many of the plotlines and elements of this early graphic novel have ended up in other places; most recently with large parts of the primary plot stolen wholesale by the Heroes TV show. Clearly, a much more powerful work than I’d given it credit for years ago.
Caesar and Christ: The Story of Civilization Part 3 – I’ve read the first two books of Will and Ariel Durant’s Civilization series. It does suffer from age, and I find myself checking details constantly on Wikipedia to see how archeology and current research has changed since these books were written. But I’m always struck by the sheer audacity of someone devoting their life to creating single body of work to encompass the whole of human history. And to do so in a lively, well-written way.
On a weekly basis, I also read the following:
The Economist – While I have read some recent complaints, the Economist is still my premiere source of news and opinions. It’s far-from-the-scene views of American politics and culture are normally spot-on.
The Wall Street Journal – Great writing, interesting stories; though I find myself reading carefully for how the newspaper wants to influence its readers.
Marginal Revolution – The best economics website on the internet.
Whatever – John Scalzi is the best new science fiction author since Orson Scott Card, and he (amazingly) keeps a daily blog.
The Dilbert Blog – Scott Adam’s, speaking directly to his audience. Usually trying to incite his audience, actually.
Slashdot – Just what are the propeller-heads thinking these days? Oh, I’m one of them?
The Handley Sail logs – A retired couple from the executive suites at NPR take off on a round-the-world sailing trip. One of these days, I’ll do the same thing. It’s fun to read their daily posts from the Pacific and see the troubles they encounter.
Brad deLong – Professor of Economics at Berkeley, famous for saying that he once had to choose between becoming a professor or a professional player of Sid Meier’s Civilization.