My Top 5 Books of 2024

Edit: I may hold the record for the latest 2024 book recap on the internet — I drafted this back in January and only just realized I never hit “publish.” I hope you still find some intriguing titles to add to your reading queue. Enjoy!

My Top 5 Books of 2024

Welcome back to my annual reading reflection! As 2024 winds down, I’m excited to share the top 5 books (and 3 honorable mentions) that made this year a standout for learning and discovery. This year’s selections span memoir, technology, history, and psychology, each offering unique insights and profoundly shaping my perspective. Whether you’re searching for your next great read or just curious about what resonated with me, I hope this list offers inspiration for your reading adventures.

My Top 5 Reads of 2025

1. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

• Trevor Noah’s memoir about growing up mixed-race during the final years of South African apartheid and the tumultuous period that followed is simply extraordinary. It’s a story told with incredible humor, warmth, and sharp intelligence, while being very human and touching.
• What struck me most was Noah’s ability to weave together hilarious anecdotes with poignant social commentary and reflections on identity, poverty, and resilience. His perspective as an outsider-insider provides a unique lens on a critical period of history. It’s more than just a memoir; it’s a masterclass in storytelling and a powerful testament to the bond between a mother and son.

2. Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller

• Given my interest in technology and its evolution (similar to why I enjoyed Homo Deus and the Steve Jobs biography), Chip War was a revelation. Miller meticulously details the history of the semiconductor and explains why control over this tiny piece of technology is perhaps the most critical geopolitical issue of our time.
• This book brilliantly connects technological innovation with global power dynamics, economics, and national security. It explained so much about the current tech landscape and supply chain vulnerabilities. For anyone interested in understanding the forces shaping our modern world and future, this is an essential, eye-opening read.

3. Educated by Tara Westover

• Tara Westover’s memoir is a breathtaking account of her journey from growing up in a radical, isolationist survivalist family in rural Idaho, with no formal schooling, to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University.
• This book was profoundly moving. It’s a powerful exploration of the transformative power of education, the complexities of family loyalty, and the courage it takes to define your path and self. Westover’s resilience and determination are incredibly inspiring, and her story offers a stark, unforgettable perspective on worlds vastly different from my own.

4. A Promised Land by Barack Obama

• Barack Obama’s presidential memoirs offers a deeply personal and reflective look at his improbable journey to the White House and his experiences during his first term.
• I appreciated the candid insights into the immense pressures and complex decisions inherent in the presidency. Obama provides context for key historical moments and delves into the challenges of leadership on a global scale. It’s a fascinating look at modern history from a unique vantage point, filled with reflections on democracy, progress, and the weight of responsibility.

5. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant

• Following my interest in self-improvement and effective thinking (like Poor Charlie’s Almanack and So Good They Can’t Ignore You), Adam Grant’s Think Again felt incredibly relevant. He argues that the ability to rethink and unlearn in a rapidly changing world is more crucial than raw intelligence.
• This book provided practical frameworks and compelling anecdotes about the importance of intellectual humility, curiosity, and the courage to question our own firmly held beliefs. It challenged me to embrace being wrong and to see disagreements not as threats, but as opportunities to learn. It’s a vital read for personal growth and navigating complexity in any field.

Honorable Mentions

1. Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes — But Some Do by Matthew Syed

• This book was recommended to me by a manager of mine. It makes a compelling case for changing our attitude towards failure, drawing lessons from industries like aviation that have mastered learning from errors. Syed’s analysis of feedback loops and marginal gains resonated deeply, offering practical insights applicable to both professional and personal life. It’s a great companion to books focused on continuous improvement.

2. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

• This book was genuinely eye-opening. Walker, a neuroscientist, dives deep into the science of sleep, explaining its critical importance for literally every aspect of our physical and mental health. Reading this has fundamentally changed how I prioritize sleep — it’s less a popular science book and more of a public health manifesto.

3. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

• Despite the controversy surrounding Musk, having enjoyed Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, I was keen to read his take on another complex and controversial tech titan. This biography provides an unflinching look at Musk’s relentless drive, his visionary ambitions across multiple industries (SpaceX, Tesla), and his often-volatile personality. It’s a fascinating, if sometimes unsettling, portrait of a figure shaping our modern world.

Thank you for reading through my 2024 list! Here’s to another great year of reading in 2025! Follow me on https://jackyangzzh.medium.com/ for more content!