I set aside one post per month to highlight my reading life. Books of Titans is a reading project aimed at seeking the ancient paths by reading The Immortal Books by 200 authors chronologically over the next 15 years. Thank you for following my journey.
September Reading Recap
During September 2025, I read the following works by Plato: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo.
Since 2017, I’ve been counting the number of books I’ve read for this project. I don’t put much stock into that number, but it does allow me to see progress that simply would not exist without this reading project.
This past month was the point in which that number became utterly meaningless. Take the photo above. I’m working my way through the big volume on the bottom. I’ve read four dialogues by Plato so far, and for each one, I’ve sought other translations to help me better understand each work. But I did not fully read any of the books on top of the big one. They were used for reference either for their introduction, translation, or notes.
I’ve moved into the area of purchasing some books just for a few pages of content or for a different translation. These books have become more of reference guides than works to read from start to finish. I like this approach. It has the feel of a university program.
If you noticed the “one of these things is not like the other” above, that’s because I covered Aristotle’s Poetics in my Short Great Books Reading Group during September.
I also collect Loeb Classical Library books whenever I see them. I was pleasantly surprised to see I had the Plato collection for Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo. I mostly consulted the notes in that version.
A few days ago, someone on X asked me “Are you saying that you’re yet to understand the arguments after two books [readings]?” Yes. I notice that when I switch genres, in this case from Greek Tragedies & Comedies to Philosophy, it takes my brain some time to adjust. I had to read each of these initial works a few times to grasp the arguments, understand the flow, and become accustomed to the style. I know that work will pay off as I continue with Plato.
October Reading Plan
For October, I’ll be continuing with my Plato Project of attempting to read the Complete Works of Plato. I’ll also be leading a reading group covering Man’s Search for Meaning. I’d love for you to join (see below for details).
Here is the full list of Plato’s works that I plan to read. I’ve only completed the first line so far 😂:
Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, trans. G. M. A. Grube
Cratylus, trans. C. D. C. Reeve
Theaetetus, trans. M. J. Levett, rev. M. Burnyeat
Sophist, trans. N. White
Statesman, trans. C. J. Rowe
Parmenides, trans. M. L. Gill and P. Ryan
Philebus, trans. D. Frede
Symposium, Phaedrus, trans. A. Nehamas and P. Woodruff
Alcibiades, trans. D. S. Hutchinson
Second Alcibiades, trans. A. Kenny
Hipparchus, trans. N. Smith
Rival Lovers, trans. J. Mitscherling
Theages, trans. N. D. Smith
Charmides, Laches, trans. R. K. Sprague
Lysis, trans. S. Lombardo
Euthydemus, trans. R. K. Sprague
Protagoras, trans. S. Lombardo and K. Bell
Gorgias, trans. D. J. Zeyl
Meno, trans. G. M. A. Grube
Greater Hippias, trans. P. Woodruff
Lesser Hippias, trans. N. J. Smith
Ion, trans. P. Woodruff
Menexenus, trans. P. Ryan
Clitophon, trans. F. J. Gonzalez
Republic, trans. G. M. A. Grube, rev. C. D. C. Reeve
Timaeus, trans. D. J. Zeyl
Critias, trans. D. Clay
Minos, trans. M. Schofield
Laws, trans. T. Saunders
Epinomis, trans. R. D. McKirahan, Jr
Letters, trans. G. R. Morrow
Definitions, trans. D. S. Hutchinson
On Justice, trans. A. S. Becker
On Virtue, trans. M. Reuter
Demodocus, trans. J. Barnes
Sisyphus, trans. D. Gallop
Halcyon, trans. B. Inwood
Eryxias, trans. M. Joyal
Axiochus, trans. J. P. Hershbell
Epigrams, trans. J. M. Edmonds, rev. J. M. Cooper
October Reading Group
Would you like to join me in discussing Man’s Search for Meaning this month? Simply become a paid member of this Substack and I’ll send Zoom call details. Alternatively, if you happen to live in the Nashville area, we’ll be meeting in person at Landmark Booksellers on Monday, October 13th. More details here.
September Bookish Adventures
September was full of exciting author events and a delightful trip to the United Kingdom where I visited 10+ bookshops.
UK Trip
My wife Stephanie is a singer/songwriter who tours yearly in Scotland and England. During September, we spent a week in each country where I visited bookstores across Edinburgh and London. I highlighted some of those London visits in last week’s article:
Allen Levi
The highlight of September was interviewing Allen Levi, author of Theo of Golden, not once but twice on Saturday, September 6th at the historic Franklin Theatre. You can watch or listen to each interview below:
Amanda Hope Haley
We had an author event at Landmark Booksellers on Sept 24th with Amanda Hope Haley, author of Stones Still Speak: How Biblical Archaeology Illuminates the Stories You Thought You Knew. I learned a ton during her talk and you can watch the event right here.
Photos
Here are some fun book-related photos from September:
