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I've been posting my book reviews in the order I read them this year, but this one felt too prescient to wait. I finished it just last weekend.

After the recent election, I found myself reflecting on how we got here. Trump's sweeping second win and the divisiveness in the country reminded me of Reagan's 1984 landslide victory, where he won 49 of 50 states. Reagan is a polarizing figure—celebrated by some as one of the best Presidents and criticized by others as one of the worst. I picked up "We Should Have Seen It Coming" to learn more about how each presidency and decade influenced the next. I wanted to see the historical dominoes in action and understand how the Republican Party transformed over time. What I learned is that Trump's rise didn't happen in isolation. The populist movement didn't come out of nowhere—it was a slow simmer, building for decades before reaching a boiling point.

Gerald Seib delivers a compelling narrative, tracing the GOP's transformation over four decades. The book opens with Reagan's rise, highlighting his ability to unite economic, national security, and religious conservatives into what Seib calls the "three-legged stool" of the Republican Party. Reagan's optimism and coalition-building set the tone for a new era of conservatism. His pragmatism is encapsulated in his famous quote: "I'd rather get 80 percent of what I want than go over the cliff with my flags flying." But as the years progressed, this ethos of compromise was replaced by an "all or nothing" atmosphere, fueled in part by the Tea Party movement and a growing distrust of traditional political norms.

The book moves through George W. Bush's presidency, a period that signaled cracks forming in the GOP coalition. Seib details how Bush sensed the rise of populist sentiments even within his own party, noting a "trifecta of concerns: isolationism, nativism, and protectionism." These concerns, along with growing dissatisfaction over globalization and foreign conflicts, set the stage for the Republican Party to drift away from its Reagan-era roots. By the end of Bush's second term, the seeds of Trumpism were beginning to sprout.

Barack Obama's presidency accelerated this shift. The Tea Party's emergence during Obama's first term marked a sharp turn toward ideological purity and populism, rejecting Reagan's principle of compromise. By the time of Mitt Romney's candidacy in 2012, traditional conservatism was struggling to find its footing. Republicans were confident that Romney, a stand-up, dyed-in-the-wool conservative, would win the election. When he didn't, it prompted a reckoning within the GOP. Party leaders held conferences and strategy sessions to discuss how to better appeal to Hispanic voters. But just four years later, Trump's campaign took the party in the opposite direction, leaning heavily into hardline rhetoric, lambasting Mexican immigrants, and pledging mass deportations.

One of the most eye-opening sections of the book examines how Trumpism diverged from traditional Republican values, particularly on immigration. Seib writes: "Among other things, many of these new Trump stalwarts had limited appetites for traditional conservative principles. They didn't want to hear that the government programs on which they and their families relied—Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, disability payments—had to be cut in order to chase some ideologue's dream of a balanced budget." Conservative thinkers had historically viewed immigration as a boon to economic growth, but many Trump supporters saw immigrants as "interlopers who took jobs, drove down wages, and diluted their view of what America should be." Above all, they wanted to be "citizens of America, not citizens of the world." This stark shift from pro-immigration policies to nationalist rhetoric encapsulates how much the party changed under Trump's influence.

Seib also examines the fundamental shift in the Republican voter base. Trump's supporters were more aligned with "Main Street" than "Wall Street," distrusting traditional conservative policies like free trade and limited government. Instead, they rallied around Trump's promises to upend the establishment and protect their cultural values. This marked a dramatic departure from Reagan's pro-market conservatism, underscoring the growing tension between populism and traditional Republican ideology.

Ultimately, "We Should Have Seen It Coming" is an insightful, accessible exploration of how the Republican Party's priorities and strategies have evolved—and unraveled—over the last 40 years. Seib underscores the importance of understanding history not as a series of isolated events but as a continuous thread of actions, reactions, and unintended consequences. While I started this book seeking parallels between Reagan and Trump, I walked away with a deeper understanding of their vast differences and the slow, steady rise of a populist movement that reshaped American politics. It's the first library book I've read that I want to purchase for my own collection, so I can continue to reference it.

This year, I've been exploring books on perfectionism, including "The Pursuit of Perfect" by Tal Ben-Shahar. I took a lot of notes while reading, and revisiting them reminded me of just how much the book offered, even if some ideas were more common sense than groundbreaking.

The central message of the book is clear: striving for perfection often leads to dissatisfaction, while embracing imperfection helps foster resilience and joy. The author distinguishes between perfectionism and "optimalism," the latter being acceptance of ourselves as we are while striving for growth. As psychologist Carl Rogers put it: "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."

The book also dives into relationships and the importance of balancing conflict with kindness. Ben-Shahar emphasizes that little to no conflict might indicate avoidance, while healthy relationships require a mix of positivity and occasional challenges. I particularly loved his idea of a "beautiful enemy"—someone who respects and loves us enough to challenge us constructively while accepting us unconditionally.

Another key takeaway was the PRP process for dealing with failure: Permission to be human, Reconstructing the situation, and gaining a wider Perspective. This simple framework felt actionable and relatable, especially for folks who tend to overanalyze every mistake. Not that I know anyone like that...

Not all of the book's content felt equally impactful though. While the advice about asking for help and practicing vulnerability was valuable, some parts felt repetitive or overly focused on exercises. While the practical strategies are helpful, I sometimes found myself wanting less homework and more room to reflect.

One of the most poignant sections addressed the societal pressure to project unbroken happiness, especially on social media. Ben-Shahar critiques the "clown mask" many of us wear, hiding our struggles behind forced smiles. It's a reminder that embracing our humanity—and the full range of emotions that come with it—is essential for true well-being.

Ultimately, "The Pursuit of Perfect" offers practical insights and strategies for anyone looking to let go of perfectionism. While not all ideas were revolutionary, the book's compassionate tone and actionable advice made it a worthwhile read.

Yada, yada, yada, something something, "book by its cover." However, when I saw this one sitting on the bargain table at a bookstore, I couldn't resist. I love creative works that are "meta" or self-referential. So this was a quick buy for me.

"Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers" follows 11-year-old Tilly Pages, who lives with her grandparents above their cozy bookshop. Tilly has always loved stories, but her life changes when she discovers she can "bookwander," stepping into the pages of her favorite books and interacting with beloved characters.

As Tilly explores this magical ability, she encounters characters like Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland. Tilly also uncovers secrets about her mother, who disappeared years ago, and learns about the danger that comes with bookwandering. Like in any good story, there are villains to face, and Tilly’s journey is as much about bravery as it is about the magic of books.

I enjoy anything that puts a twist on classic, well-known tales. "Remix" stories require a special skill in writing, because there's a fine line between "respectful yet captivating reference" and "corny, money-grabbing namedrop."

Full disclosure, this is a book written with kids in mind, making it a quick read. However, I found it absolutely charming, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. I can't wait to see what other stories Tilly wanders through.

I read "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" in March, and it was easily one of the best books I've read this year. One of the standout characters in that book was Tiny Cooper, the larger-than-life best friend of one of the Will Graysons. Tiny's sole mission in Will Grayson, Will Grayson is to produce his autobiographical musical, Hold Me Closer, and readers get a few hilarious snippets of it in the story. At the time, I told my book club that I wanted to see Tiny's musical, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. Imagine my surprise when I found out… it exists!

"Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story" is a companion book to "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" and dives headfirst into the world of Tiny Cooper. Instead of a traditional narrative, the book is written as the musical script Tiny is directing in the earlier novel, complete with songs, monologues, and stage directions.

The format is as campy and over-the-top as you'd expect from Tiny, but that's what makes it so much fun. Beneath the humor and theatrics, though, are some thoughtful themes about being openly gay in high school, navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, and learning to embrace your individuality. Tiny's voice is unapologetic and full of heart, making this a delightful read.

It's a quick, light book—I finished it within a week—and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who hasn't read "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" first. That context is crucial to really appreciating Tiny's story and the humor of this musical-turned-book.

"Fade to black. Or whatever color you like. If you can find a way to fade to pink or purple, please do."