As summer wraps up, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors took a refreshing break, with each member utilizing the month of August differently.
While District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio was busy preparing for the upcoming recall vote on September 16, his colleagues found themselves exploring various activities beyond the confines of political duties.
From matrimonial celebrations to comedic performances, the supervisors also took time to indulge in books, podcasts, and shows that resonated with their personal or professional interests.
District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey crafted a thematic reading list centered on improving government efficiency.
Among his selections was Marc J. Dunkelman’s “Why Nothing Works,” which discusses the inefficiencies of the American government, emphasizing the burden of excessive checks and dispersed power.
He also highlighted “Recoding America” by Jennifer Pahlka, filled with anecdotes explaining the struggles of government programs.
Dorsey’s list included “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, proposing a need to dismantle regulations that hinder housing, clean energy projects, and infrastructure development.
While he has been listening to the “Why Nothing Works” audiobook during workouts, he managed to finish “Abundance.”
In his reflections, Dorsey disagrees with critics who label it as neoliberal, suggesting instead that it embodies a rejuvenated version of classical American liberalism, advocating for the potential of effective governance.
Over in District 8, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman immersed himself in thought-provoking reads this summer, starting with “The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson.
The novel, set in the near future, focuses on a United Nations agency grappling with climate challenges, a theme he found rather grim.
In addition to fiction, Mandelman tuned into The Bulwark Podcast, where Tim Miller and guests, all former Republicans, dissect current political news and events.
He admires their courageous decision to leave a party he believes has lost its moral compass.
Supervisor Myrna Melgar from District 7 chose to delve into housing issues, a central concern of hers.
She read Jerusalem Demsas’ “On the Housing Crisis: Land, Development, Democracy,” a book analyzing how local governance has exacerbated the housing crisis.
Yet, staying true to her summer tradition, Melgar also picked up “Hunter’s Heart Ridge” by Sarah Stewart Taylor, a fictional mystery set during the Vietnam War.
Her media consumption included the Korean series “Delightfully Deceitful,” which follows a con artist and a defense attorney on a quest for revenge.
For some fun, she became remarkably absorbed in the choreography of Gap’s Katseye advertisement featuring members of a girl group dancing to Kelis’ “Milkshake.”
District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan dedicated her time to understanding housing better.
During her recess, she actively reviewed the mayor’s upzoning plan and visited local bookstores, including Richmond’s Green Apple Books.
Her reading list included several influential memoirs, such as Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” and Nancy Pelosi’s “The Art of Power.”
There was also “Careless People” by Sarah Wynn-William, which critically examines the reckless wielding of power by Meta’s leaders.
A special highlight was receiving a signed preview copy of “Ausländer,” a memoir by venture capitalist Michael Moritz, set to be released in 2026.
District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton remained engrossed in current events throughout the summer.
He expressed grave concerns about ongoing attacks on democracy both nationally and locally in San Francisco, focusing on immigration, issues of racial representation, homelessness, and gerrymandering—all while keeping up with news about the 49ers.
In District 3, Supervisor Danny Sauter engaged with both personal and political narratives in his reading journey.
He read “A Different Kind of Power,” a memoir by Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, alongside a team gift: “Trespassers at the Golden Gate” by Gary Krist, detailing a scandalous Gilded Age murder in San Francisco.
For light-hearted moments, he read “Bunnies on the Bus” by Philip Ardagh to his 6-month-old daughter, who enjoyed the giggles it provided.
Family themes also influenced the reading habits of District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood.
He delved into “From Beginning to End: The Rituals of Our Lives” by Robert Fulghum, a book recommended by the officiant at his recent wedding.
Mahmood shared fond memories of proposing to his wife near Mount Fuji during winter and subsequently marrying her this August at the Conservatory of Flowers, where Sauter was a groomsman.
Reflecting on the book, he concluded that it poignantly stressed the value of authenticity and the need to keep calm amid life’s uncertainties.
Meanwhile, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill’s eclectic reading list featured well-loved children’s literature alongside philosophical classics.
He read “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl with his children before tackling Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha,” a narrative exploration of spiritual fulfillment.
His reading journey continued with “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg, aiming to enhance communication skills, and “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs, a critical examination of urban planning.
Sherrill’s interest in Jacobs’ work echoed in the pursuits of Ned Segal, the Mayor’s policy chief on housing and economic development, who also engaged with Jacobs to understand urban planning history better.
Kunal Modi, the Mayor’s policy chief of health, homelessness, and family services, sought to understand pressing social challenges through media.
He listened to the impactful three-part podcast series “No Easy Fix” by the Atlantic, addressing the homelessness and behavioral health crisis in San Francisco, and described it as both sobering and motivating.
In addition, Modi watched “The Pitt,” an HBO drama centered on the workings of an emergency room, and read “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir, which tells the story of an amnesiac astronaut on a mission to save humanity.
Alicia John-Baptiste, the policy chief for infrastructure, climate, and mobility, opted for fiction, immersing herself in “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride, a narrative about immigrant Jews and African Americans.
She also enjoyed Dolly Alderton’s romantic comedy, “Good Material,” which she fortuitously discovered in the public library’s Lucky Day section, a place for popular books with short wait times.
John-Baptiste also caught the 2025 film remake of “The Wedding Banquet,” which she described as a joyful celebration of love in all its various forms.
Public Defender Mano Raju recommended Paula Ioanide’s “The Emotional Politics of Racism,” which explores how fear has been manipulated in American society to justify oppressive policies.
He and his son bonded over episodes of “Squid Game,” a Korean series depicting dire circumstances faced by those in financial distress.
While the series critiques harsh economic systems, Raju appreciated its exploration of human relationships amidst chaos, although he found some violence distressing.
City Attorney David Chiu engaged with a prominent historical perspective in Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny,” reflecting on how democracies can regress into authoritarianism, a theme he found strikingly relevant today.
Chiu watched “Butterfly,” an action thriller centered on a tormented spy in South Korea, as well as “Andor,” a prequel series to “Star Wars.”
As a devoted “Star Wars” fan, Chiu remarked on the parallels between “Andor” and modern political issues, noting the importance of truth and community in the face of oppressive governance.
image source from：missionlocal
