A reading list for 2024

And a look back at 2023

I thought I’d touch on some of the better books I read in the past year, just in case it helps in creating a reading list for 2024. A quick heads up though: I usually have 4-5 books open simultaneously. I'm all about exploring ideas, not always reaching the last page. It's a bit of a journey—I'll delve into an idea, dive into Google, and suddenly, I'm onto another book exploring that very concept. You see how this leads, down a rabbit hole, right? Anyhow, here's a glimpse.

The world for sale: Jack Farchy and Javier Blas - When you hear 'commodity trading,' it's easy to picture people glued to screens, but 'The World for Sale' by Jack Farchy and Javier Blas paints a different picture. This book offers an insider's view, diving into the lives of a few individuals who reshaped the world by supplying essential resources like oil, metals, and more. Imagine flying into a country amidst civil war, providing resources to a party to carry out the conflict. Like I said, it isn’t about sitting and trading behind the screen.

Order of time by Carlo Rovelli - Physics always felt like this big, looming monster, but after diving into “Order of Time,” it's become this fascinating, wonderous creature. And the best part? No more tests! It's all about the fun now. This book left me with this incredible sense of wonder about something as fundamental as time.

"Seeking Wisdom from Darwin to Munger" holds a special place in my reading list—it's one of those books that transformed how I perceive investing and, honestly, the world itself. It's become a yearly ritual for me to revisit part of the book and each time, I find new insights that challenge and reshape my thinking. If you're into investing or simply exploring the depths of human cognition, this book is an absolute must-read.

On Love by Alan De Botton - 'On Love' by Alain de Botton is a delightful, wisdom-packed story. It’s not your typical romance novel; it’s this blend of psychology and philosophy woven into tales of love's craziness. De Botton made me laugh, sigh, and nod knowingly as he went through the messy, stupid, beautiful thing that we call “love”.

Norwegian Wood by Murakami - I struggle with novels. They often lose me, and I stick to short stories for that reason. But 'Norwegian Wood' was different. It traces Toru Watanabe's journey through relationships, grief, and the complexities of human connection. Murakami's narrative is beautifully melancholic, vividly portraying inner struggles and societal shifts. It's a stunningly heart-breaking story. Yes tears were shed.

What's Our Problem? - As a Tim Urban fan, I was eagerly awaiting 'What's Our Problem?' It did not disappoint. In his typical humorous fashion, Urban delves into the core issues affecting humanity. He covers a lot of ground, providing an intriguing framework for contemplating these challenges. Plus, the abundance of cartoons never hurts.

Determine by Robert Saposky - I am currently immersed in Robert Sapolsky's 'Determined.' It's a captivating exploration that questions the very notions of free will. While I haven't finished it yet, being a huge fan of Sapolsky's work, my expectations are already sky high. If you're not familiar with his writing, check out his book 'Behave'—it's a mind-blowing journey into understanding human behavior."

I could go on with what I read, but I recently have been asking friends and colleagues a simple question. - “What’s the best book you read this year?”

Here’s a list of 26 of them.

1. Skippy Dies

2. The Mistress of Bhatia House

3. Dune

5. Goddesses in Everywoman

6. A Thousand Splendid Suns

7. Smoke and Ashes

8. The Covenant of Water

9. The Disappearing Spoon

10. Working (Robert Caro)

11. Against the Loveless World

12. Barbarians at the Gate

13. The Book of Why

14. Slaughterhouse-Five

15. A Swim in the Pond in the Rain

16. Born a Crime

17. Chip War

18. We Learn Nothing - Essays and Cartoons

19. Alchemy

20. The Love Hypothesis

21. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big

22. The Rational Optimist

23. The Midnight Library

24. Material World

25. Atomic Habits

26. Catch-22

Hope you have a lovely 2024.