LaVarr Webb and Frank R. Pignanelli: What politicos will be reading at the beach this summer
Pignanelli & Webb: Happy Memorial Day weekend! This is the traditional, if not the meteorological (we like scientific-sounding words), beginning of warm days and languid evenings (Frank has been working on his tan and LaVarr trying to reduce his girth — so we’ll look good at the beach).
Most people have a list of self-improvement books or beach novels they wish to read while lounging in the sun. Politicians are no different. Through diligent research, we have uncovered the reading list of actual books for many of our beloved politicos. (Note: the books are real. You can guess if anything else is true.)
President Donald Trump: "Self-Defeating Behaviors: Free Yourself from the Habits, Compulsions, Feelings, and Attitudes That Hold You Back" by Milton R. Cudney AND "Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success" by Donald J. Trump.
Congressman Jason Chaffetz: "Leave the Grind Behind: Make More Money, Build Your Legacy, and Quit Your Job" by Justin Gesso.
Jim Bennett and Richard Davis, Founders of Utah United (a new political party): "Good Intentions Are Not Good Enough — A Guidebook for Anyone Who Feels Socially Out of Step with Others" by Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer: "DEFENSIVENESS: 10 Ways to Deal With Difficult People, Stop Overreacting, And Feel Less Stress And Anxiety" by C. Kruse.
Probable Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson: "Simple Steps to Impossible Dreams" by Steven Scott.
Gov. Gary Herbert: "The Least Examined Branch: The Role of Legislatures in the Constitutional State" by Richard W. Bauman.
Sen. Orrin Hatch: "The Longevity Revolution: The Benefits and Challenges of Living a Long Life" by John Mason.
Melania Trump: "Practice Makes Harmony — Dealing with Difficult People, Quality Time Protection, and Conflict Resolution Strategies: Forming habits that rekindle romance and restore marital peace" by C. Kruse.
Sen. Mike Lee: "Becoming a Supreme Court Justice (a student leader’s handbook)" by Barbara M Linde.
Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams: "Find Your Brave: Courage to Stand Strong When the Waves Crash In" by Holly Wagner.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "They Also Ran: The Story of the Men Who Were Defeated for the Presidency" by Irving Stone.
Speaker Paul Ryan: "Party Discipline in the U.S. House of Representatives (Legislative Politics and Policy Making)" by Kathryn Pearson.
Mitt Romney: "Understanding and Dealing with Boredom" by Linda Deal.
Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser: "How Cycling Can Save the World" by Peter Walker.
Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes: "Twelve Rounds to Success: Boxing strategies for the business world" by Walter F. Philbrick.
Congresswoman Mia Love: "Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom's Adventures in Life and Faith" by Susan DiMickele.
Vice President Mike Pence: "A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses" by Gini Graham Scott.
Congressman Rob Bishop: "How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)" by Ann Coulter.
Utah Democrats: "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" By Rick Warren.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox: "Developing the Virtue of Patience" by Christian Olsen.
All those candidates running in the 3rd Congressional District special election: "The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Government and Politics" by Franco Scardino, AND "10 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd: How to Out-Think and Out-Perform the Competition" by Connie Podesta and Jean Gatz.
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski: "No Apologies: Powerful Lessons In Life, Love & Politics" by Alisha Thomas Morgan.
The Trump Cabinet: "Surviving a Toxic Workplace" by Linnda Durre.
Congressman Chris Stewart: "Nice Guys Finish First" by Doug Sandler.
Congressional Democrats: "The Book of No! 250 Ways to Say No – and Mean It" By Susan Newman.
Congressional Republicans: "Coping with Chaos: Seven Simple Tools" by Glenda Eoyang.
Supporters of Count My Vote/SB54: "A Troublemaker’s Handbook – How to Fight Back and Win" by Jane Slaughter.
Supporters of continuing the lawsuit against SB54: "How to Quit Gracefully – 4 Tips for the Consummate Professional" by Jaleh Bisharat (article).
State Sen. Jim Dabakis: "Four Ways to Become More Relevant" by Geoffrey James, AND "Trumpocalypse?: The Liberal’s Guide to Saving the World" by Harry Widdifield.
New Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Anderson: "The Turnaround Manager's Handbook" by Richard S. Sloma, AND "How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt" by Jerrold Mundis.
State Sen. Curt Bramble: "Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In" by Roger Fisher.
All those political wannabees waiting for Hatch to retire: "Overcoming Life’s Disappointments" by Rabbi Harold Kushner.
Third Congressional District Candidate Tanner Ainge: "The Power of Dadhood" by Michael Bryon Smith.
LaVarr Webb: "The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog" (it’s a short book — actually a quote by Mark Twain), AND "Farming for Dummies" by Theresa Husarik.
Frank Pignanelli: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Well" by Laurie Rozakis.