The Psychopath Test: Jon Ronson

Grade: A+

It really wasn't until college that I delved into the world of non-fiction, and it took me a few more years to realize that the genre extended way beyond Kennedy biographies. I'm just going to put it out there - this is one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.

I first stumbled on The Psychopath Test when Jon Ronson was on the Daily Show. He was making the usual author rounds, which included some bits on This American Life, (if you'd like to hear a chapter from this book, I highly recommend checking it out here).

Since reading this book, I've read a good deal of Ronson, but Psychopath is the British journalist at his best. His humor is crisp, and in covering a centralized topic, (some of his other books tend to get a little unfocused), he hones in on the most fascinating aspects of psychopathy. What makes someone a psychopath? How do you spot a psychopath? Do I know one? And of course, the ever-narcissistic question, could I be one? (Don't worry, narcissism is only one characteristic on Robert Hare's Hare Psychopathy Checklist).

Ronson combines history, psychological research, personal interviews, and acute observations to create a book that is a strange combination of delightful and disturbing reading. I will warn you, however: once you start this book, you will begin to analyze everyone around you.

About Book Marks

I'm really trying to keep myself from writing something incredibly cliched about judging a book by its cover. But really, how else have you picked out a book?

Shakespeare & Company in Paris

I used to spend hours browsing shelves in bookstores. If you're a reader, you know how it goes: a certain combination colors and fonts leap out at you, so you pick a book up. You think about the vague/witty/spooky/tacky title, and feel the book's jacket. Maybe it's a page-turning thriller, with a glossy cover and the author's name in raised letters. Maybe it's a story about sisters, with pastel coloring and a smooth, creamy jacket. Whatever it is, you go ahead and read the brief synopsis, maybe you check out the author's bio page, and you make a decision. Yes, no, maybe.

Today, I read almost all my books on my Kindle. Although Amazon has nearly perfected the art of the electronic bookstore, I have a hard time picking out books I really enjoy. The old way was definitely less scientific, but without it, I find myself stuck in bad chick-lit and corny mysteries. I've turned to magazines and public radio for reviews, but even those can lead me astray.

I'd like to dedicate this blog to helping other book fiends find new voices and stories - whether you're reading on a tablet or the old-fashioned way. If you've found your way to this little blog, I hope you enjoy my critiques!