A First Time for Everything: Supreme Court Summer Reading List

Do your friends or family members take away your phone and computer when you go on vacation? Do they ban you from watching the news or reading newspapers? Do you have trouble taking a break?

For many lawyers -- especially Supreme Court watchers -- it's hard to disconnect from the office, even when you're supposed to be enjoying your paid time off. So here's a way you can cheat, and get your Supreme Court fix, all under the guise of relaxation.

Ladies and gentleman, we present FindLaw's Inaugural Supreme Court reading list.

Before you start inquiring about the science behind this list, or book bribes from publishers, you need to understand that there is no method to our madness. These are just the SCOTUS-related books that we have enjoyed, or are waiting to read, on our next flight. All of them are available on e-readers, so as not give away the fact that you stink at taking vacation.

1. The Nine. (Jeffrey Toobin) This one is full of dishy Supreme Court stories from the Rehnquist years through the early Roberts years. The Planned Parenthood v. Casey and Bush v. Gore sections are particularly interesting.
2. The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court. (Bob Woodward, Scott Armstrong) A pre-Nine look behind the scenes of the Supreme Court. For an institution known to be tight-lipped, Court insiders were talking a lot during the aughts.
3. The Supreme Court. (William Rehnquist) It’s not the catchiest title, but it’s worth reading for the late Chief Justice’s insight into how cases are selected.
4. Five Chiefs. (John Paul Stephens) We’re in the middle of retired Justice Stephens’ account of the five chief justices that he had the pleasure of meeting/knowing. It’s a little slow, but interesting nonetheless.
5. Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Control of the United States Supreme Court. (Jan Crawford) After Jan Crawford’s scoop on the supposed Roberts’ switch on healthcare, we can’t wait to read this one.

There you have it. If you like our choices, hate them, or think we have no business making vacation book recs because you heard that we once read the Twilight series while traveling, hit up our Facebook page with your comments.

Related Resources:

• FindLaw’s Supreme Court Center (FindLaw)
• Dressed to The Nine: The Verdict on Supreme Court Robes (FindLaw’s Supreme Court Blog)
• FindLaw’s Greedy Associates Blog (FindLaw)