Feature Jun 25, 2025

Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List

The official start of Summer is almost here, and Stephen Richer, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy and former elected Maricopa County Recorder, shares his summer reading list with a range of books focused on his work of democracy and elections, as well as his personal favorites.

By:

Programs

Reimagining Democracy Program

Issues

Democratic Reform

A collection of books curated by Stephen Richer.

As an Ash Center Democracy Fellow, summer offers a unique opportunity to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with the ideas that shape our civic life. This curated reading list brings together thought-provoking works on the foundations, challenges, and evolution of democracy, alongside a selection of personal favorites. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of democratic theory, explore the lived experiences of communities grappling with change, or simply enjoy a compelling story, these books and articles offer both insight and enjoyment for the season ahead.

The Doors of Stone

Patrick Rothfuss

The third book in one of the greatest fantasy series ever written (The Kingkiller Chronicle). Fourteen years in progress. I’m trying to will it into existence. IYKYK.

Jonah Goldberg Articles

All new articles written by Jonah Goldberg. Because real conservatism still matters. So too does serious thinking. So does humor. Jonah’s got it all.

The Chicago Canon

Tony Banout and Tom Ginsburg

University of Chicago has been the voice of sanity on campus speech. This book explains a lot of the university’s thinking.

Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen

I reread it every summer. Because real literature still matters. The game has changed a bit. But the players are still basically the same. Although, ironically, I’m not sure the opening line is one of those everlasting truths (“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune…”)

Inherit The Wind

Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

Rereading in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial, and in light of the newly-proposed Oklahoma student curriculum regarding the 2020 election. Truth matters. Man is a rational creature.

Three Shattered Souls

Mai Corland

Third book in “The Broken Blades” fantasy series. I read a lot of fantasy, and this is one of the more enjoyable ones I’ve picked up lately. A bunch of flawed characters who get thrown together in a complicated alliance as they have very different motives to complete the same quest.

Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy

Jonathan Rauch

Jon is a friend, a Brookings scholar, a writer for The Atlantic, and consistently one of the most insightful social commentators in the country. He argues, to the surprise of his younger self, that a healthy Christianity is critical to American democracy. And we don’t currently have a healthy practice of Christianity.

The Art of Winning

Bill Belichick

When one is in the land of the Patriots, one must do as the Patriots do (did). BB+JH 4EVER.

The Purposeful Warrior

Front cover of "The Purposeful Warrior"

Jocelyn Benson

Jocelyn is a friend, a fellow election administration person, and has collected a lot of interesting stories as Secretary of State of Michigan these past six years.