My Book List 2024-2025
A dive into my reading from the past 18 months, featuring highlights across science, history, philosophy, and fiction.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been exploring a diverse collection of books and audiobooks. I created a short note for each one.
Science and Technology
I’ve particularly enjoyed diving into the history of scientific and technological developments:
I like books like this, where they try to give you an overview of various fields but from their own personal framework of beliefs.
This book has an agenda, but it’s so full of historical information about chip manufacturing - and its geopolitical implications - that you must read it if you’re interested in the topic.
Went fairly deeply into the world of cybersecurity and how these firms actually work, very interesting stuff.
It isn’t the best of the group of computing history books I’ve read, but it is worth the time if you’re deep into the subject.
The early computer age is fascinating, and this is a well-written book detailing many of the people and institutions involved.
History and Society
Understanding our past helps illuminate our present:
I really like this book until about 2/3 of the way in, when he began interviewing someone who is trying to implement some of the ideas of the book in his business, and some of the claims seemed a bit handwavy to me. I stopped reading eventually.
Fascinating stories spanning decades. I felt a mixture of awe at the bravery and daring of these men, as well as a sense of anger and confusion at their arrogance and foolish decision making.
This was highly recommended by other history buffs, and it didn’t disappoint. Horrifying details mixed with much historical information about Chicago, and the US, during this period.
Those poor men! What a story. Well told, one of the best survival stories I’d read.
Philosophy and Psychology
Exploring the human mind and our ways of thinking:
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanRating: 3/5
I read it, mostly because so many people recommend it. It seems like a useful framework, but the author is reaching in some places. I’d read it only if you specifically want to understand this popular idea.
Hard read! Not something you can approach lightly. When I took the time, I found it rewarding. Very thought provoking.
I listened to this on audiobook, and it was poor audio quality. At first I was interested, but it eventually got a bit banal and it wasn’t enough to overcome the annoying audio, so I stopped.
Health and Longevity
Fascinating insights into human health and optimization:
This felt like less of a stretch than lifespan, Attia is more focused on practical methods and lessons. Definitely worth a read for fitness people.
Our individual and societal beliefs and habits about learning are often wrong. The illusion of competence is commonplace. Reading without trying to recall is the default practice, even though it’s extremely inefficient. Almost no one even knows about Spaced Repetition Learning.
I’ve heard this has become a seminal text on psychedelics in a short time, and I understand why. Pollan talks to a lot of people, in depth, and gives us an excellent picture of this subject. He’s open about a slight bias in favor of psychedelics, but it seems fairly even-handed. I knew a fair bit about this subject already and I learned from this book.
Literature and Writing
Learning from master storytellers and writing guides:
I bought this more out of respect for my mother than anything else; she considered this the last word on the subject.
Listen to the audiobook, Fry’s voice is worth it alone. They are classic myths, and Fry is unabashed about trying to present them in a compelling way.
Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami collects essays about writing and the author’s approach to his craft.
Science Fiction
Some of the most thought-provoking ideas come through speculative fiction:
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha WellsRating: 5/5
So much fun to read. If you want some science fiction that doesn’t take itself too seriously, I highly recommend.
The Dark Forest by Cixin LiuRating: 2/5
I loved the first book but didn’t get far into this one. I should give it another try but I got Alien fatigue.
I’m planning to continue expanding this collection and will update with new favorites in the future. What books / audiobooks have you enjoyed recently? I’m always looking for recommendations.