My Top 9 Reads of 2024
The nine books that I enjoyed most last year (and why reading matters!)
Hello, and happy 2025!
English essayist and poet Joseph Addison once said, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” By this measure, I have spent the past two years rigorously training my brain by consuming a lot of books.
In 2023, I decided to prioritize reading as a habit. Before then, I read approximately 10-15 books per year. That year, I finished 53 of them. In 2024, I was determined to beat that number. At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to finish 60. On December 31st, as we were winding down the year, I finished my 79th book.
Reading has made me a better learner, a better thinker, and a better person. Sometimes, I kick myself for not prioritizing this habit earlier in life. At the same time, I’m grateful that I started when I did. Better late than never, as they say.
For my first post of the new year, I decided to share my favorite books I read in 2024. You can click here for a complete list of all 79 I read throughout the year.
Below are the nine books I enjoyed and recommend the most (posted in the order I read them). If you do end up reading any of these, I hope they have the same impact on you as they did on me.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays translation)
I opened Meditations for the first time on January 1, 2023. I recently became interested in Stoicism and decided the best way to learn more was to start with one of its most famous works. That simple act profoundly impacted my life and set me on the course of positive self-improvement that has led me to where I am today. I decided to kick off 2024 by rereading this masterpiece.
Meditations was written by Marcus Aurelius — the emperor of Rome from 161-180 AD. This book is unique in that it was never meant for publication. It was Aurelius’s private journal, containing aphorisms, words of wisdom, and reminders to himself to live a purposeful life. One of its earlier Greek titles was Ta eis heuton, which translates to the (probably) more aptly named To Himself. It wasn’t until 1559 that the work was published under its current name.
Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations toward the end of his life, likely jotting down these notes to himself while on the front lines of war. As the emperor of Rome, he was the most powerful man in the world. Many others who held his position — such as Nero or Aurelius’s son, Commodus — were awful people and abused their power immensely with zero repercussions. But Marcus Aurelius was different. He actively worked on being a good person. He was devoted to the four Stoic virtues: courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. Following in the footsteps of other great Stoics, such as Seneca and Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius considered his life’s work the daily struggle of living according to these virtues. Many of the issues he discusses — dealing with unruly people, seeing the positive in life, striving to be the best person one can be, and staying focused on the things one can control — are all still relevant to us today over 1800 years later.
Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man.” I’ve read this masterpiece three times (it was the first book I read again this year) and picked up something different each time. It’s one of my favorite books and one that I’ll undoubtedly read over and over in the future.
Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Colonel Roosevelt is the final part of Edmund Morris's three-part biography about Theodore Roosevelt. I purchased the first book of this series, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, in 2008 based on the recommendations of a web article about must-read books. I was intimidated to start, the text totaling over 750 pages, so the book sat unopened on my shelf for the next 15 years. But at the end of 2023, I finally got the courage to pick it up and read it. After ripping through the book in about 10 days, I ordered and read the remaining two installments in early 2024.
Theodore Roosevelt was a remarkable man, and this trilogy explores his entire life throughout 2000 pages. The first book covered his early life, from his battles with overcoming his health issues. It followed his adventures in the Badlands of North Dakota, his political ascent in the New York Republican party, his military leadership of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War, and his roles as the Governor of New York and the Vice President of the United States. The second book, Theodore Rex, focused on both terms of Roosevelt’s presidency. This third book picks up after he left office and details his life throughout his post-presidential years, from 1909 until he died in 1919.
While most former presidents retreat into privacy after leaving office, Roosevelt was not one to embrace a quiet life. Instead, his post-presidency was filled with excitement. He ventures into the safari of Africa and the Amazon rainforest in South America, demonstrating the exploration genes in his blood. He also tries to jump back into the political arena, forming a new political party and attempting to seek the presidency again. It’s hard not to see him as somewhat of a tragic character as he tries to hold onto power toward the end of his days.
Before reading these books, I knew little about Theodore Roosevelt. After reading them, he vaulted up to the top of my list of favorite Presidents. I believe he is one of the most interesting men ever. The first book was my favorite of the three, but this final volume was a close second. Colonel Roosevelt was a fitting end to a fantastic trilogy about a great man.
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
I picked up Fooled by Randomness for the second time last summer. My first read was in 2023 — my introduction to Nassim Nicholas Taleb. I was blown away by the book and spent the next month reading the rest of his Incerto series (The Black Swan, Antifragile, The Bed of Procrustes, and Skin in the Game).
The general premise of Fooled by Randomness is that the world is much more random than we think. Although a wide range of possible distributions of things could have happened, our ingrained human biases lead us to retroactively try to develop a narrative to explain the one timeline that did happen. This underestimation of the role of chance leads people to misinterpret random events as patterns or trends, resulting in overconfidence and flawed decision-making.
As a (former) poker player, I am familiar with the concepts of luck, variance, and randomness. These are topics that have fascinated me for years. There are a few cohorts of people — poker players, traders, and gamblers, to name a few — who experience large samples within their professions and understand that the long run can potentially be long. Even if one were on the right side of the odds, outcomes could take a lifetime to align with expectations. I was at the World Series of Poker last year, grabbing a coffee with another poker player, Andrew Barber, and we discussed this book. Barber insightfully quipped, “It’s funny that perhaps the best poker book of all time has nothing to do with poker.”
Taleb wrote this book from his perspective as a former trader and masterfully delved into the cognitive biases and logical fallacies contributing to these misunderstandings. Some topics he discusses include survivorship bias and an overestimating causality. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limits of our knowledge and the unpredictability of complex systems, advocating for humility in the face of uncertainty and strategies that are robust to randomness — excellent advice for those looking to guard against ruin. Fooled by Randomness is one of my favorite books and has dramatically influenced how I view the world.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
I had heard much about the legend of Joan Didion but had no prior experience with her writing. After hearing her name for the umpteenth time on a podcast last year, I ordered this book to see what the big deal was about. After reading it continuously over three days, I finally understood.
The only significant experience I’ve had with grief and loss was during college when my best friend and my cousin both died in car accidents 15 months apart from one another. I’m sure I probably didn’t handle things well — college into my early 20s is a bit of a blur, or “mudgy”, as Didion would say. But after moving past those years, I blocked the thought of dying from my day-to-day thoughts.
A few years ago, I started to think about death more frequently. I realize now that it’s normal and sort of happens to some people when they reach their 40s, but at the time, it freaked me out. The idea of something happening to my girls, my wife, or me led to panic attacks and sleepless nights. I’ve since reached a better place — practicing Stoicism has helped me significantly. Seneca would say, “We are dying every day,” and ideas such as that have helped me come to peace with its inevitability. As a result, I was in a healthier frame of mind about the topic as I sat down to read this book.
The Year of Magical Thinking is a memoir of 2004 — a transformative year in Didion’s life. She delves into the profound grief she experienced following the death of her husband and the sudden severe illness of her daughter. Didion has an incredible ability to process and articulate all of the thoughts associated with her grieving. She vividly describes the “vortex” her mind goes into, connecting other points in her life to her experiences throughout the year. She explores the different turns she could have taken or things she could have done to change things, ultimately realizing how little control we have in life.
I know that death is somewhat of a third rail — many people don’t want to think or talk about it. But I’ve come to believe it’s better to work through and process its inevitability. I find this healthy and freeing; books like this make it easier. This book will help you better understand how to process death and manage grief. I loved it and am eager to read more of Joan Didion’s works in the future.
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Last September, I wrote a whole post about Grit. The book impacted me so much that after reading it, I finally shut down my former poker business, Solver School — a decision I had been waffling over for the better part of a year.
Duckworth explores the role of grit — a term she defines as a combination of passion and perseverance — in achieving long-term goals. She argues that while talent is important, grit is a more reliable predictor of one’s success. As she eloquently puts it in Chapter 3, “effort counts twice.” She presents the formula below to illustrate its role in achievement.
Duckworth masterfully explores grit and why it matters in achieving goals. She outlines how we can cultivate more of it in ourselves or others (such as our kids). Throughout the book, she balances details from her research with real-world anecdotes from various fields, including education, business, sports, and art, demonstrating the role that sustained effort and commitment play in the journeys of high-achieving individuals.
Grit is a book that perfectly encapsulates how I want to live my life and the lessons I hope to impart to my daughters. It highlights the importance of doing hard things, getting back up after you fall, and continuing to push forward, even when things are challenging. Especially when things are challenging. As Duckworth says, talent only gets you so far. It’s perseverance towards your goals that makes you great. My grit has developed over time. While I wish I cultivated it much earlier in life, I’m grateful that I eventually found the right path.
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
I first learned about the voyage of the Endurance in 2018. I attended a two-day leadership retreat while working at a prior employer. The agenda was centered around its story, charting the men's decisions throughout its ordeal. At that time, I was at a different place in my life and was more cynical toward work functions, so the specifics didn’t leave a significant impression on me. However, after hearing about the tale again on a podcast last year, I decided to give the book a chance. I’m glad I did.
Endurance is a true story about the adventures of Ernest Shackleton and the crew of his ship, the Endurance. In 1914, Shackleton and 28 men set sail from England to attempt to become the first to cross Antarctica by land. However, the crew never actually reached the southern continent. During its voyage, the ship became trapped in pack ice within the Weddell Sea, leaving Shackleton and his team stranded and at the mercy of a giant floating hunk of ice.
For the next 15 months, Shackleton and crew drifted on ice floes throughout the Antarctic Ocean. They were forced to abandon the ice and navigate the dangerous waters of the Antarctic Ocean for six days before finally reaching the desolate Elephant Island. After recuperating their strength, Shackleton and five men embarked on a journey to find rescue. They covered 800 miles aboard a small lifeboat, battling hurricane-force winds, massive waves, and freezing conditions before landing in South Georgia 17 days later. After five months, Shackleton finally returned to Elephant Island to rescue his remaining crew members, ensuring that all 29 men survived the harrowing ordeal.
This is a book about resilience. It’s about leadership. It’s about brotherhood. It’s about men defying the odds to survive in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. The fact that some made it home is impressive enough. Doing it without losing a single crew member is incredible. After reading this book, I talked about it for weeks to anybody who would listen to me. If you enjoy tales of adventure, this one is as good as they come.
On Writing by Stephen King
Before reading this book, I had only read two of King’s works — The Shining and The Mist. It’s not that I had anything against him. I simply don’t read much fiction in my day-to-day life. But after deciding to become more serious about writing, I looked for books about the craft, and this one was most recommended.
On Writing can be broken up into two parts. In the first, King reflects on the life experiences that shaped his writing journey, sharing personal anecdotes and challenges. The second pivots to provide practical writing advice. King discusses the nature of writing and the tools every writer should possess in their “toolbox,” detailing the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style. He covers topics such as the writing process, character development, dialogue, and the importance of reading widely.
King is so insightful. So personable. So funny. And so open about the craft of writing. I wrote down so many great lines from the book. Some of my favorites include:
“If you write, someone will try to make you feel lousy about it.”
“Stopping a piece of work just because it’s hard, either emotionally or imaginatively, is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don’t feel like it, and sometimes you’re doing good work when it feels like all you’re managing is to shovel shit from a sitting position.”
“I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs.”
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
“Some people don’t want to hear the truth, of course, but that’s not your problem.”
King is honest about what it takes to write consistently and the limitations that many writers — himself included — have upon themselves. He believes that bad writers cannot become good or even competent and that good writers cannot become great. However, competent writers can become good with enough hard work and effort. I don’t plan to write fiction, but I want to become a good writer. I may not use all of the advice from this book — particularly the parts about developing character and story — but there’s so much here that’s valuable nonetheless.
One final note about Stephen King — my good friend Andy has suggested I read The Stand for several months. After his initial recommendation, I added it to my book list but expected it might take me a long time to eventually get around to it. After reading On Writing, my opinion of King skyrocketed, and I bumped it to the top of my list. I’m currently enjoying the audiobook — a format that I am slowly opening up to, particularly for fiction — on my daily walks with my dog.
The Algebra of Happiness by Scott Galloway
I first heard of Scott Galloway last year while walking and listening to an episode of the Daily Stoic podcast. Much of what he said resonated with me. After returning home, I visited his blog, No Mercy, No Malice, and downloaded a few episodes of his podcast, The ProfG Pod. I quickly became a fan, subscribed to his newsletter and podcast, and purchased this book.
Scott Galloway is an entrepreneur, podcast host, and professor of marketing at the NYU Stern School of Business. The Algebra of Happiness was born out of a lecture within his Brand Strategy course in the MBA program at Stern. After learning about the time value of money, business strategy, and consumer behavior, Galloway wrapped up the semester with a three-hour lecture titled “The Algebra of Happiness.” In that session, he discussed success, love, and his definition of a life well-lived. It quickly became the most popular lecture of the course. In May 2018, he uploaded an abridged version of it to YouTube, where it achieved one million views in its first ten days. From there, Galloway codified it into this book.
The Algebra of Happiness is a collection of Galloway's thoughts on life and meaning. While Galloway can sometimes be provocative and direct, he seems to have a good grasp of what’s important in life: Be good to other people. Do hard things, both in your career and for your betterment. Love your family. Live presently and savor your time with your friends and loved ones. The lessons in this book spoke to me on a deep level.
I am a sucker for these types of books. I enjoy reading about the playbooks that have helped successful people to live meaningful lives. As I move into my mid-40s (gasp!) and start to see the close of my current professional career on the (hopefully not too distant) horizon, I am beginning to start thinking about what my “Second Mountain” looks like, to steal a phrase from David Brooks. While I don’t agree with everything Galloway prescribes, you could do far worse than following the framework he lays out. The Algebra of Happiness is an excellent read, particularly for 40-somethings who want to live a life of joy and purpose.
The Wager by David Grann
After never reading a book about a shipwreck before 2024, who would have thought that both of the ones I read would have made my list of favorites? The Wager was the final book I read in 2024. At a work happy hour in September, I raved about Endurance to a colleague. He then recommended this book as another one I should check out.
Like Endurance, The Wager is a book about a crew of British sailors shipwrecked in brutal conditions while venturing into the Southern Hemisphere. However, the tales could not have been more different. While Endurance is about how a crew can come together when facing adversity, The Wager is about how much things can fall apart under similar circumstances.
The Wager was part of a fleet of seven ships that departed England in 1740. The country was at war with Spain and was determined to disrupt their presence in the New World. The fleet planned to commandeer Spanish ships carrying silver and other treasures. However, the mission took a turn for the worse while attempting to round South America through Drake’s Passage. Battling massive waves and rough waters, the ship struck rocks in early 1741, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel and seek shelter on the barren Wager Island in western Patagonia off the coast of Chile.
The crew lived on the island, battling harsh conditions for five months. While the men of The Endurance banded together and relied on each other to survive, the men of The Wager devolved into tribes, an experience reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. Many of the men mutinied, abandoning the captain and 19 others on the island. They used a modified longboat to attempt passage through the Strait of Magellan en route to neutral Brazil, eventually finding rescue despite losing many of the men who initially made the voyage. The captain and others were later rescued from Wager Island by indigenous people who guided them to a Spanish settlement and imprisonment. After two years, they were eventually freed and returned to England. This led to a confrontation among the survivors that captured the country's attention as both sides gave conflicting stories about the events.
The Wager is a gripping tale about what can go wrong when people are pushed to the limit and faced with death. Martin Scorcese is currently making this book into a movie starring Leo Dicaprio. I don’t often make it to the movies anymore, but after reading this excellent book, I will surely see it when it is released.
And that does it for my favorite books of 2024. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Reading is the habit that has impacted my life most positively. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” As I age into my 40s, I continue to push myself to be the best version of myself that I can be. I owe that to my daughters, as they take their cues about life from me. But I also owe that to myself.
I decided not to set a goal for the number of books to read in 2025. This year, I’m trying to focus more on my processes and systems than on reaching particular milestones. I will continue to read broadly to expand my mind and learn new things without worrying about hitting a specific target.
If you’ve read any books that changed your perspective, I’d love to hear about them. Reply to this email or comment below.
If you like what you read today and want these posts sent directly to your inbox, please subscribe to my mailing list. Future posts will vary in focus — you can read more about the topics I write about here. My 2025 plan is to publish something approximately twice monthly.
I hope you have started the year on the right foot. I’ll be back in your inbox with another post around the end of the month.
All the best,
Lukich