So late, it’s not even funny
I usually write these recap posts in January, or maybe February if things are hectic. I can’t really explain why I’m writing this ten months late. There’s no excuse.
2024’s goal was the same as 2023–50 books.
Two years in a row, the goal has been met.
Looking back, the overall quality from 2024 is pretty high. There’s nothing from this batch that I feel was a waste of time, and, there are quite a few gems.
The books I really loved this past year
(in the order I read them)
How to Sell a Poison: The Rise, Fall, and Toxic Return of DDT by Elena Conis
I don’t remember how I stumbled on this book, but it’s amazing. The cover alone, a model drinking a soda and holding a hamburger, in a cloud of DDT, is worth 10,000 words. This book has it all: history, science, corporate greed, short memories, and so much more.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
I read Isabel Wilkerson’s amazing book ‘Caste’ in 2023 so when this popped up, I was confident in my choice. This book, like ‘Caste’, won all the awards, and for damn good reason. It’s a history book, but unlike some dry histories, this weaves the story through the lives of real peeople.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
I saw the movie ‘The Secret of NIMH’ as a kid and loved it. I didn’t understand the movie–I was too young. It also deviates pretty wildly from the book. The book is more sci-fi than fantasy. It was written in 1971, and its really ahead of it’s time.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
I love a good dystopian concept. This one hits all the best notes: darkness, survival, mystery, and a tiny spec of hope.
The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
Maybe you’ve heard of the FIRE movement? Financial Independence Retire Early. This is the guide. It’s way more than that, and its simplicity and clarity are why everyone and their mother is recommending this book. I wish so much that I’d read this in college. I could have avoided so many mistakes.
The Most Fun Thing: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life by Kyle Beachy
Disclaimer: Kyle sent me a copy of his book. This is not why I’m adding it to the best books section. It’s so rare for someone to capture the essence of culture. This book does that for the subculture of skateboarding, which I hold very close. Beyond rolling around on four wheels, ‘The Most Fun Thing’ touches on relationships, loss, again, popular culture, and so much more.
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
If you love hip-hop, punk, post-punk, or basketball, you will immediately feel like you are in a conversation with a friend–the one who knows the backstory of every song and who can read between the lines of every story. Hanif’s range is phenomenal. I didn’t want this book to end.
I’m glad I read these
(in the order I read them)
Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain
I loved ‘Quiet’ and this one is good too.
The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli
I love science books. Science + Time, yes please.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
This book is quite famous for a reason.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
I’m a visual communicator by nature. I can use all the help I can get.
Articulating Design Decisions by Tom Greever
I’ve been working in design for a long time, and we can all learn a few things about how we communicate with the non-design folk.
I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short
This is more than a comedy memoir. It’s very personal, honest, and yes it’s also funny.
The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America by Andrés Reséndez
This book tells the complicated, horrible story of native enslavement in the US.
Design That Scales: Creating a Sustainable Design System Practice by Dan Mall
Disclaimer: I know Dan personally. This book maps out a design system practice that is actionable and realistic.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Breathing is something we all take for granted. I learned a lot from this book.
On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything by Nate Silver
I’m stealing this quote… A guide to our dystopian future.
Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari
Have you heard about AI? I hear that it’s the future. Maybe we should understand it?
Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words by Steve Jobs
I had to read one more to get to 50, and this short, sweet, surprisingly personal book was a nice finish to my year.
As 2025 is getting pretty close to ending, I’m way behind schedule. 50 isn’t happening this year. I’ll be lucky to get to 30.