Let’s face it. Presidential primary debates can be boring. You know it, and I know it. But for some reason it feels like we’re shucking our duties as citizens when we flip the channel from the debate to Modern Family. Now I love television comedies as much as the rest of humanity, but I still want to know what the potential republican presidential nominees have to say.

So, I’ve devised a plan. Instead of sitting through several hours of political fencing, you can get the scoop the old school way, reading books by the candidates. It’s not judging a book by its cover; it’s judging the politician by his book.

You can read these books while you’re in the gym, having breakfast or during Modern Family commercial breaks and still feel like a knowledgeable voter.

The books on the following list, should you chose to read them, could qualify you to be a new political pundit on CNN, if that’s something you’re into.

Ron Paul – Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom By Ron Paul

In Liberty Defined, Ron Paul expresses his concern that America has strayed away from the  ideas of our founding fathers and advocates for us to return to what the Constitution  outlines. Publisher’s Weekly calls Paul an “equal opportunity critic,” ready to pounce on  politicians on both sides of the aisle to defend his ideas.

Mitt Romney- No Apology: Believe in America

While Mitt Romney is now quite a wealthy man, his upbringing was as humble as any. No Apology explains Romney’s background story and his political ideology. For all those  unfamiliar with Romney, this is the book to read.

Newt Gingrich – A Nation like No Other: Why American Exceptionalism Matters by Newt Gingrich

As an historian and former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich has every reason to believe in the exceptionalism of American. A Nation Like No Other blends both his political ideas with his insight as a historian.

Rick Santorum- It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good By Rick Santorum

Fresh off of an unexpected three state primary win on Feb. 7, Rick Santorum is gaining big momentum among republican Americans. It Takes a Family lays out Santorum’s message, both politically and socially, and could explain what led to his new popularity surge.

Happy reading!