Thomas Jefferson once said, "I cannot live without books." I wholeheartedly agree—but I find more and more that I can live with many unread and unfinished ones.
2024 was a rough year for my reading habits. I found myself starting many books, only to abandon them midway, either because the story meandered or, more likely because I—like many others—succumbed to the endless vortex of distracted, digital scrolling. Or maybe I'm just jaded and not as easily impressed anymore.
In any case, here are my top reads for the year. To be honest, some of these made the list simply because the pickings were slim.
"The Overstory" by Richard Powers (Fiction)
At 612 pages of poetic prose, The Overstory is no easy read. But if you stick with it, it has the potential to be life-changing. I’m not surprised it won a Pulitzer.
Not even ten pages in, my first thought was, "I can't write a sentence like that," and here’s Powers, filling 612 pages with lyrical brilliance.
Nothing I’ve seen, read, or listened to about environmentalism has resonated with me as deeply as this book—and that’s saying a lot. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to read it, though I did hear it’s being made into a TV series. I can’t help but wonder how you could possibly do justice to a book like this on screen.
Go read it—you’ll never look at a tree the same way again.
Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman (Non-Fiction)
Okay, I’m biased—I’ll read anything written by Oliver Burkeman (and Steven Pressfield, who you’ll find later in this post).
The Guardian praised the book's "snackable" format, noting its suitability for readers with attention challenges. I guess that should make it appealing to those who prefer to “watch” books on Netflix (just sayin’).
Following his previous book, Four Thousand Weeks, which, let's be honest, really drives home how short our time here on earth is, Burkeman now offers reflections and guidance on how to face our mortality while still staying motivated to do meaningful work. His writing is direct yet as comforting as a bowl of warm soup on a cold day—and that’s exactly why I keep returning to his content.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (Fiction)
I stumbled upon this two-decade-old gem of a book and am so glad I did. Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto is a beautiful, gripping, lyrical story about how art can help us embrace our shared humanity. Unsurprisingly, it’s won all sorts of awards, including the Orange Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.
Oh, and yes, it was made into a movie. But really, that’s beside the point.
Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg (Non-Fiction)
Well, honestly, Duhigg must have been in an unenviable position. After writing The Power of Habit, which has almost reached cult status in the world of self-help and productivity books, coming up with another equally engaging book had to be a tough task.
Supercommunicators offers practical strategies, but I’ll admit, some of them felt a bit too try-hard for my taste. For example, repeating what someone else is saying first—comes across as way too PowerPoint-y and corporate, like something only self-absorbed narcissists would do. That said, the book is still an interesting read, and I’m sure there are bits and pieces in there that will resonate with readers.
Private Equity by Carrie Sun (Memoir)
I deviated from my usual picks when I picked up Private Equity by Carrie Sun. The book is a memoir of sorts, recounting the author’s experience in the world of high finance and offering a peek into the workings of unfettered capitalism. I will say that the book lacks deep reflections, but it’s still an interesting read if you’re curious about some inside truths of the hedge fund industry.
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport (Non-Fiction)
When I heard about Slow Productivity's release earlier in the year, I was really looking forward to it. Yes, the book’s premise is squarely within my echo chamber, and I wasn’t expecting any startling new insights. Even so, the book felt like it overlapped a lot with the author’s previous work.
That said, it’s still a good book—don’t get me wrong, especially if you haven’t already read every word Newport has written (like I have). I suppose that’s because the message the author is trying to convey about productivity is worth repeating: "Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Focus on quality over quantity."
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (Fiction)
I was visiting New Zealand at the beginning of the year and decided I should read a local author. And I’m so glad I did. Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood is fire and has won numerous awards, as it rightly deserves.
Birnam Wood is an incredible whodunit—an absolute page-turner with intricate plotting and a gripping thrill. What’s not to love about this book? Almost a year later, the fact that I still remember parts of the plot (I famously have the memory of a firefly) speaks volumes about this fantastic novel.
The Creative Act By: Rick Rubin (Memoir)
Honestly, I picked up this book based on the reviews rather than the author’s credentials. I’m an ignoramus when it comes to rock music and had no real appreciation for Rick Rubin’s (the music producer) genius or body of work.
It didn’t take long for me to start appreciating the mindset of an artist like Rubin and getting a glimpse into the world of artistic creativity. Rubin’s musings on the spiritual aspects of creativity left me feeling like I was reading a philosopher’s work. The book is truly inspiring for anyone looking to strengthen their creative practices.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton (Fiction)
The real fun in my reading this year came from the British author’s works—Ghosts and Good Material. I love reading really funny writing, and Alderton did not disappoint.
Hilarious and tender at the same time, Alderton’s portrayals of thirty-somethings are spot-on. And even though I’m well past that hill, I can still appreciate the humor and the writing without finding it childish.
The Daily Pressfield by Steven Pressfield (Non-Fiction)
Finally, I end with a favorite author. Steven Pressfield offers an antidote to the disease of “can’t read a whole page without getting distracted by my phone.” The Daily Pressfield offers 365 daily insights to inspire and motivate readers throughout the year. It is daily super-packed, bite-sized wisdom—like a small battery but packed with enough power to light up a city.
That’s it for this year. See you again next! Happy Reading!
"A good book is an event in my life." – Stendhal.