May Reading List
If you like reading books I read a lot of books this month. Books in self-help, historical fiction, and autobiographies. Dan Crenshaw wrote Fortitude, a book about political outrage and letting your emotions get the better of you. Its a book on mental fortitude and being able to be still for yourself, your community, and your country. Being still is the ability to detach and solve a problem. I read “Master and Commander”, a historical fiction novel about Jack Aubrey by Patrick O’Brian, a navy captain that was bestowed The Sophie, a brig in the naval fleet. Lastly, I read “Endurance,” a book wrote by Scott Kelly, a NASA astronaut who went into space for a year-long mission on the ISS.
Fortitude is about becoming a more mentally strong person. Not overreacting or responding badly to a situation. In a world where the victim mentality is praised and reacting calmly is less commonplace he talks about the benefits of being a stronger person for those around you. He uses examples he learned from his time in soccer and in the SEAL teams. He is now a Texas congressman after getting blown up by an IED.
Patrick O’Brian wrote Master and Commander in a four-book series. In this book, we follow Jack Aubrey’s adventures around the seas and his friend the doctor. If you like reading about historical boats and events along with seafaring terms then this is the book for you. They take on frigates, fight off Spanish and French naval forces, and play sonnets and quartets in their free time. There is a lot of people building and drama build up if that is something you enjoy.
Scott writes about his journey to becoming an astronaut and a test pilot. His challenges in school to flying jets across the world on ships. His time on the ISS is put down in detail, everything from fixing the toilet to an ammonia leak on the outside of the station. It's an incredible look into life at NASA and an in-depth dive into life on a space station.
