@dagill2 - don’t want to derail @anna_5588’s log, so:
If you just want to understand something of her philosophy, The Virtue of Selfishness is a collection of essays in a Q&A-type format, most of which are written by Rand herself and each of which provides some clarity on a particular topic.
Of her fiction, We the Living or Anthem are relatively quick reads, and Fountainhead is a classic. You could always start with Atlas Shrugged, but I’ve been trying to finish that for—no joke—something like 25 years. (I’m stuck in Galt’s monologue, which is perhaps the definitive statement of Rand’s philosophy, even if not the most succinct.)
And though I don’t really want to derail my log either, I’ll just say: I’m no Rand-ophile, but I do identify with aspects of her system and I find her work offers opportunities for deep self-reflection, given my faith and Jesus’ others-first teaching. In that respect then, I think I can at least appreciate that conflicts might arise given your “lefty liberal tendencies.”
Anyway, that’s that. Let’s get back to lifting! (And waffles. Can’t forget all of the new and interesting ways to eat waffles!)