I have always been skeptical of self-help books. I figured they all just told you to do basic things like eat right, exercise, make your bed, etc. I must admit, I was wrong about at least two I’ve read so far—especially this one. I don’t know why I’m surprised. The 7...
Jail Journal
Explore my journey through incarceration with a unique collection of daily journals and in-depth book reports. Each entry offers a raw, personal perspective, transforming moments of confinement into reflections of growth and resilience.
BR: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a timeless sci-fi classic, first published in 1872. I always wanted to read it because it’s considered one of the first science fiction novels—but I was intimidated by its size. At around 500 pages, it’s no quick read. But what else do...
BR: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary is an awesome story! This book was sent to me by Doug Hardmnn—thank you, Doug! You’ve really reignited my love for science fiction. I seriously couldn’t put this one down. It was written by the same guy who wrote The Martian, which I also read early...
The Characters of Camp: Stories from the Inside
You might assume that life at a prison camp is mild compared to higher security facilities—and you’d be right, to a degree. There are no fences here, and most of us are considered “low risk.” But what I didn’t expect was the diversity—not just in background or race,...
BR: The Vagus Nerve by Kevin Jobson
I found this book in the prison library and the title caught my eye. I remembered reading about the vagus nerve in another book and being fascinated—especially how it’s linked to that "sick to your stomach" feeling during heartbreak. I’ve come to call it the...
BR: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book is a true classic. Even though I had read it once or twice back in school, it’s been many, many years. Thank you Karen, for sending this for me to read again. Harper Lee first published it in 1960, though it’s set in the 1930s in rural Alabama. The timing is...
The Bus Comes, the Bus Goes: Life in a Revolving-Door Prison Camp
When I imagined prison, I pictured long, unchanging days with the same people. What I didn’t see coming was the nonstop shuffle of inmates in and out—especially at a camp like this one. Why Camps Empty Out So Fast Short sentences or final stop. Camps house non-violent...
BR: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
I have to say—I give a ton of f*cks about this book. I think this is my favorite self-help book I’ve ever read. And funnily enough, it wasn’t even on my prison book list. It was sent to me for my birthday by my good friend Jaymi. Thank you, Jaymi—I freaking loved it....
BR: Minority Report and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick
This is another great book sent to me by my longtime friend Killyn. He must know I love science fiction. This collection includes 14 short stories written by Philip K. Dick between 1954 and 1964. The most well-known one is Minority Report, which was the inspiration...
BR: The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
This story is a time-honored classic written by one of the fathers of science fiction, H.G. Wells. It was recently sent to me by a longtime friend who shares my love for sci-fi — thank you, Killyn! The War of the Worlds was the first major publication to center around...