Recommendations you can check.
Writer and artist, author of Steal Like an Artist; publishes a weekly newsletter and an annual list of the books he read.
18 things
Story of A PoemBook Matthew Zapruder
Could a book be more up my alley? The way he unpacks his feelings about giftedness, overachieving, language, disability, and difference really spoke to me.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Four QuartetsBook T.S. Eliot
A re-read of one of my favorite books of poetry, and an excellent traveling companion
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
MuybridgeBook Guy Delisle
I think this book is a contemporary masterpiece? A cartoonist at the top of his game, a perfect meeting of subject and medium, and beautiful book design by Drawn and Quarterly.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
War and PeaceBook Leo Tolstoy
While reading War and Peace, I marveled over and over again at how something written so long ago can be so applicable to our times while still being very much of its own time.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Anna KareninaBook Leo Tolstoy
I love Tolstoy because you get a third of a way into his book about a lady having an affair and the best chapter is about a dude experiencing a state of "flow" while mowing a field with his country peasants.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Tolstoy: A BiographyBook A.N. Wilson
A.N. Wilson's Tolstoy: A Biography is excellent.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
The Grammar of Fantasy: An Introduction to the Art of Inventing StoriesBook Gianni Rodari
One of the most gorgeously-produced books I read, with illustrations by Matthew Forsythe.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Train DreamsBook Denis Johnson
It's as sad and beautiful as I remembered, but also funnier.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the SixtiesBook Ian MacDonald
I think the absolute best book I've ever read about The Beatles is Ian MacDonald's Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
The Hedgehog and The FoxBook Isaiah Berlin
Probably the most illuminating thing I read about Tolstoy was Isaiah Berlin's long essay, The Hedgehog and The Fox.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Written LivesBook Javier Marías
I had a lot of fun reading it, thanks to Elisa Gabbert's annual year-end list of every book she read.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
BrothersBook Alex Van Halen
Alex Van Halen's memoir Brothers is the 3rd good book I've read about Van Halen.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Processing: 100 Comics That Got Me Through ItBook Tara Booth
Booth's formally trained (and her grandparents are watercolor artists!) but her use of color is just so free and unexpected, it makes you want to experiment yourself and join along in the fun.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
On Conan DoyleBook Michael Dirda
I also read critic Michael Dirda's On Conan Doyle, a lovely short book I'd never heard of that I spotted on the shelf at the library — hooray for the serendipity of the stacks!
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s NebraskaBook Warren Zanes
I love the beginning of the book when Zane just lists the stuff that Springsteen was into while he was making Nebraska
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
A Great and Glorious Game: Baseball Writings of A. Bartlett GiamattiBook A. Bartlett Giamatti
That's the opening of "The Green Fields of the Mind," collected in this slim, wonderful volume. Recommended if you like thinking about America, baseball, and The Odyssey.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Art Work: On The Creative LifeBook Sally Mann
This book has more of a DGAF tone than Hold Still, I think, and it works best for me when Mann is telling stories instead of trying to extract a lesson for the reader.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
Love is a Mix TapeBook Rob Sheffield
Several people recommended this memoir to me after learning about my monthly mixtape project.
His annual "my reading year" post, an unranked chronological list of the 2025 books worth noting to him; the site discloses it participates in the Amazon Affiliates program.
2026-01-14·austinkleon.com ↗
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