As a child, my literary diet consisted mainly of fiction. Especially sci-fi. I didn’t rationalize it much at the time, but the allure of immersing myself in countless hours of exploring new and fantastical universes far surpassed the appeal of everyday life.
As the years passed, I gradually shifted away from fiction, replacing it with topics rooted in the real world that I cared deeply about and wanted to understand better. In 2023, for example, those were mostly climate change, energy, and artificial intelligence. Lately, however, I’ve found myself circling back to fiction. I think my kids’ newfound love for Harry Potter and Tolkien might be rubbing off on me.
So, this year, my reading list has a nice balance of fiction and non-fiction. And, for the second year running, the top spot goes to a fiction book.
If you’re on the lookout for something to read, consider adding a few of these to your list. Wishing you happy holidays and happy reading! 📚
It looks like a tale centered around video games, but beware: it’s a trap! Games are just a beautiful backdrop for nuanced a story delving into human relationships, ego, and pain. What resonated with me was the surprising swiftness with which I connected to Sam and Sadie, two characters that might not appear relatable at a first — and possibly, tenth — glance.
Although I enjoyed my fair share of Bestie Boys tunes and watched many hours of their funny yet seemingly nonsensical videos on MTV as a kid, I am by no means a fan. I didn’t know the slightest thing about the individuals and the story behind the band. Disclaimer: done! This book stands out for its exceptional production and humor. It’s an experience best enjoyed through listening rather than reading. Filled with captivating, unexpected, grounded, and humorous stories, told not only through the voices of Mike D and ADROCK but also notable guest readers like Snoop Dogg, Kim Gordon, Jon Stewart, and Bette Midler. It also serves as a profound tribute to Adam Yauch.
70% of female athletes suffer from disordered eating. Lauren Fleshman’s book isn’t just about running; it’s a compelling exploration of how competitive athletics, originally designed by and for men, silently inflicts considerable harm on young women. Through a powerful narrative, it delivers a crucial message, and it makes for a captivating read.
Say and feel what you will about Elon Musk, he is a one-of-a-kind individual and one of the most relevant of our time by most standards. In this book, Walter Isaacson chronicles Musk’s early life and tumultuous connection with his father, his various relationships, and the pivotal moments in the building of such influential companies as Tesla and SpaceX. Isaacson is also able to provide valuable insights into the way Musk thinks and operates, and the complex dynamics of his work and personal life.
Carrie Soto is Back is the story of a talented, ambitious, and highly competitive woman who strives to win even when the odds are massively stacked against her. While Carrie may not be likable, it’s impossible not to admire her and aspire to be like her. Although it may not be the most pressing or profound book I’ve read this year — I admit to have tried not to give it the number one spot — it was so much fun to read.
Selecting just five books is always a challenging task. So here are my other 5-star Goodread books of the year didn’t make the final cut.
- Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown (2012). Failing sucks. It is also an inevitable part of life. In her book, In Daring Greatly, Brené Brown elaborates on failing, and on her own candid battles with perfectionism, the aversion to “messy” emotions, and the looming fear of failure — struggles that resonated with me. Brown skillfully builds on her own personal experiences — her vulnerabilities — to introduce her overarching thesis, grounded in years of research, delving into the true nature of vulnerability. Because our deepest regrets usually come not from what we’ve done, but from what we let slip away because we didn’t think we were good enough.
- Doing Good Better, by William MacAskill (2015). MacAskill addresses the question of how we can make “the most good” for others, grounded in a clear and thoughtful framework. If you aspire to make the world a better place, this is a good starting point.
- I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy (2022). The title serves both as an attention-grabbing hook and a paradoxical conclusion to McCurdy’s story. In her memoir, McCurdy vividly recounts the abuse and the horrors she endured as a child star, with admirable dark humor. Through her storytelling, she also shines a bright light on the broken system that perpectuates such experiences.
- Outlive, by Peter Attia (2023). Peter Attia does a great job of articulating why medicine needs to move on from treating sickness (medicine 2.0) to preventing it (medicine 3.0). Attia argues that prevention is crucial for maximizing a long and healthy life, particularly in preventing conditions such as metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases — the cause of death for a vast majority of people.
- Red Rising, by Pierce Brown (2014). In sagas, I’m more frequently drawn to the book that undertakes the most world-building work, which is usually the first in the series. This is the case of Red Rising, which introduces us to Darrow, the oppressive cast-like society he is a part of, and the hero journey he is embarking on. It’s a compelling page-turner that has inevitably sparked numerous comparisons to Hunger Games for obvious reasons.
- Super Founders, by Ali Tamaseb (2021). Unlike many books focused on the narratives of founding tech startups, Tamaseb stands out by grounding his conclusions in data. He adeptly draws crucial correlations to the primary factors that underpin success, while also challenging numerous factors that, despite their widespread acclaim, seem to be unrelated to the success or failure of an early enterprise.
- The Alignment Problem, by Brian Christian (2020). If you are interested in understanding AI, learning about its history, the (more-or-less) current state of the field, and potential developments and implications, Christian’s book is an excellent place to start.
- The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, by Eric Jorgenson (2020). While Naval Ravikant may come across with a bit of an attitude, once you get past that, the thoughts shared in this almanac are practical, thought-provoking, and useful.
- The Cold Start Problem, by Andrew Chang (2021). In The Cold Start Problem, Andrew Chang thoroughly analyses network effects in software marketplaces and the pivotal role they play in scaling marketplace startups. Leveraging his experience at Uber, Chang enriches his insights with a thoughtful good selection of historical and contemporary examples.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017). I enjoyed Carrie Soto so much that I delved into TJR’s other works, including Evelyn Hugo. From the very first pages, Evelyn Hugo lures you into a captivating trap. You’re fully aware of it, and remarkably, you find yourself loving it as the trap springs shut.
- Tunnel 29, by Helena Merriman (2021). Tunnel 29 chronicles the spectacular true story of the most remarkable tunnel ever dug under the Berlin Wall, highlighting the extraordinary risks people are willing to take when their freedom is at stake.
- Wasteland, by Oliver Franklin-Wallis (2023). This book made me obsess about trash for months and prompted me to change my consumption and disposal habits. If you want to know the harsh truth about what happens to what we throw away, this is a must-read.
- Win Every Argument, by Medhi Hasan (2023). A solid and entertaining primer on the techniques for making effective arguments, Hasan’s work is supported by numerous entertaining anecdotes, interviews, and historical illustrations. After reading, I sincerely hope I never have to engage in a debate with Mehdi Hasan.
Note: re-reading some of the Harry Potter books with my children would have easily taken the number one spot — but I have a strict “no-rereads” policy for this list. 😅
Finally, these are five books on top of my to-read list for 2024:
- Cobalt Red, by Siddharth Kara (2023)
- Iron War, by Matt Fitzgerald (2011)
- Not The End of the World, by Hannah Ritchie (2024)
- Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt (2022)
- The Six, by Loren Grush (2023)
