I read a ton. Books, mostly, but also my fair share of articles, blogs, and essays. And I wanted to take the chance to share a blurb on some of the best stuff I read in 2024.
Without further ado:
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca
In my slow foray into Stoicism this has been the material I’ve liked the most. I find comfort in the knowledge that people a few thousand years ago were dealing with similar issues. And this reads like it could have been written this year.
Obituary For A Quiet Life by Jeremy B. Jones
a short obituary that I think helps capture the essence of a life. Beautifully written.
The Years of Lyndon B. Johnson by Robert Caro
I just wrote about this. I promise this will be the last you hear from me on these books for some time(Little do people know I just got The Power Broker).
Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
Awesome book that I think most people would enjoy, but I think it should be required reading for many in analytics. Sutherland tells of the cautionary tales of over-optimizing by those who don’t understand what makes something special. There’s a lot of nuance in that, yet I think he’s on to something in discussing people’s desire to be so “logical” with everything.
The pharma industry from Paul Janssen to today by Alex Telford
These are the types of insider-written articles I go crazy over. A wealth of knowledge dispersed over 30 or so pages. I wasn’t even necessarily interested in pharmaceutical development prior to reading this, this might’ve changed things.
Rest of the Books
I originally thought 2024 was a bit of a slower year for books for me. Upon further reflection, the difference wasn’t as great as I thought. Excluding my nostalgia-driven re-reading of some Young Adult fiction last year, the total reading consumption is similar enough.
This year, more than any year I’ve had so far, had a much lower completion rate. I’m unsure exactly how many books I started, got well into, but did not finish. There was one particular book I was reading that I quit with 50 pages to go when I realized I didn’t care how it ended.
To appear below the book has to be good enough to finish, so there is some inherent recommendation present in that. In all, 23 books and about 8900 pages was the final number for books that were finished.
I’m looking forward to reading in 2025 quite a bit. My hope is to tackle at least a few more pieces of classic literature, but we shall see.
Here’s the books I read 2024 in chronological order of when they were finished:
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A friend of mine told me it was the best book he ever read. While I wouldn’t put it in that hallowed territory, it was still enjoyable(If a book that contains this type of content can be labelled as “enjoyable”).
Prisoner’s Dilemma: John Von Neumann, Game Theory, and the Puzzle of the Bomb by William Poundstone
By the end of this I found myself skimming most of the chapters on game theory and reading just the chapters that focused on Von Neumann.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
I like Hemingway, but I’m not sure what I think of this one.
Master of the Senate by Robert Caro
Magisterial. 1000+ pages on the Senate and Johnson’s ability to bend it to his will. Caro’s level of detail and ability to convey senate procedure is incredible.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Weirdly I liked this book a lot as I was reading it, but as time has gone on I’m not really sure how much I actually do like it. Which is sort of the opposite of how I feel about The Sun Also Rises
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
This took me a few attempts to get through. Something about Cormac McCarthy where I’m not super blown away while I’m reading his books, but they really stick with me afterwards.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
I have a strong appreciation for Stoicism and maxims. Advice I heard about this book is to read it as notes to self as opposed to some sort of divine teachings. In terms of the Stoics I’d first recommend On the Shortness of Life by Seneca, which I read this year but which I don’t really count toward this.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
I liked it. Some of the chapters on whales and the whaling profession were pretty interesting. I had hopes the end of the story would have a bit more of a climax but it was good all the same.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
A great book about writing and some advice for it. But there’s much more depth to it, in where I think there’s good advice for life. I really liked it.
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
good enough, but I was hoping for some more insights into Martin’s approach or work ethic.
The Passage of Power by Robert Caro
Very good insight into the relationship between Kennedy and Johnson, and how much Johnson was able to get done following Kennedy’s assassination. One slight disappointment was I was hoping it would cover a bit more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in a similar way he covered the 1957 legislation in Master of the Senate. Rumor has it he goes more in depth in the (hopefully) forthcoming fifth volume.
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Interesting enough. Didn’t know a whole lot about Mormonism and I do like Krakauer. I think he did his best to be objective in his capturing of Mormonism, though at times I think some of his views shine through.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Not sure I have any takeaways
Obvious Adams by Robert Updegraff
super quick read but one I really enjoy. I think at times we are too clever for our own good. This book can be a good reminder of that. Keep it simple stupid.
Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
One of the best reads of the year as stated above.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Not really sure if this genre of book that is for me. Entertaining enough to get through, but not much of it sticks with me.
The Sweet Forever by George Pelecanos
a podcaster I like mentioned this as one of his favorite books. Part of me wonders if I misheard him.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Awesome biography. I’ve long had an appreciation for Jobs and Apple so it was nice to learn about them in more detail. One of the better things I read this year.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
I don’t really remember much from this book. I feel like I’ve consumed most of its lessons before elsewhere. I would still recommend it to people starting to approach personal finance.
The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King
Part of me wants to continue reading this series, part of me already figures it will be a waste of time. I probably need to talk to someone who has read it before.
The Path To Power by Robert Caro
I finished up the Years of Lyndon B. Johnson with the first book, obviously. Very much enjoyed it. The two things that will stick with me the most:
LBJ running to work in Washington
The aside on what life was like in rural Texas before the arrival of electricity.
The Chalice of the Gods
book in the Percy Jackson series. I think I’m probably too old to be reading this.
The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart
a very heavy story about a WWII prisoner of war. The conditions are unfathomable. I find myself having to remember this happened to countless people, most of who will never have their story told.