In "My Blue Heaven," he has the following books (among others I can't make out) on his desk: The Last Tycoon - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pretty Maids in a Row - Marilyn Campbell
Words by Heart - Ouida Sebestyen
Social Problems in America - Harry Bredemeier (?)
Murder by Family - Kent Whitaker
Daily Zen - Charlie Ambler
Spanish/English Dictionary
The books I can make out in "My Blue Heaven" are as follows: The Last Tycoon - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pretty Maids in a Row - Marilyn Campbell
Words by Heart - Ouida Sebestyen
Social Problems in America - Harry Bredemeier (?)
Murder by Family - Kent Whitaker
Daily Zen - Charlie Ambler
Spanish/English Dictionary
There is a list on PJ's bio page of other books he has read over the course of the series.
I know nothing about this book... but here is one: https://www.amazon.com/Mentalist-Code-Search-Red-John/dp/1495942228
I think this episode wants us to realize that, even after knowing all the intricacies and the mysteriousness of Red John's character, Red John is still *just a man.* He knows he does not have any higher power. He knows he very possibly is about to die. And, he does not want to die. Despite the way his persona has been hyped up in this universe, he is just another guy with frailties, flaws, and fears (i.e: birds, death). Even when he tries to tell Jane that he got his list because he had real psychic powers, he clearly is speaking from a place of fear and weakness, grasping at straws. Jane isn't going to bite. He's done. He's ready. And it just simply doesn't matter. RJ may be brilliant, he may be powerful, but he is neither infallible nor is he exempt from the human condition that all people inhabit and experience.
As he is writing the letter to Lisbon during "My Blue Heaven, what are the books on Jane's desk?" I can make out some, but not all.
The Last Tycoon - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pretty Maids in a Row - Marilyn Campbell
Words by Heart - Ouida Sebestyen
Social Problems in America - Harry Bredemeier (?)
Murder by Family - Kent Whitaker
Daily Zen - Charlie Ambler
Spanish/English Dictionary