This is a running list of books I’ve read in 2024, IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. I would love any recommendations you might have. First, here’s a link to our firm’s book club list (which goes back to 2011): St. Louis Trust Book Club List.
50. Echo of Worlds, by M.R. Carey. M.R. Carey has quietly become one of my favorite authors and this was the fifth book of his I read in 2024. He’s a Sci-Fi author with a great imagination, who develops great characters in books with strong plots. This book is the sequel to “Infinity Gate,” which I read a few months prior. It continues the tale of a few main characters as they traverse different Earths in the multi-verse. In this book, the characters try to stop the destruction of millions of worlds that is about to result due to a war between organic life and machines. Great book.
49. Lose Weight Now The Easy Way, by Allen Carr. The author is a well-known smoking cessation expert in the UK who has written a series of “Easyway” books that help people make changes in their lives. I’ve been wanting to lose about 10 pounds for years, so I decided to see what Mr. Carr has to say about weight loss. It was a quick read, and it makes common-sense points. Basically, he says that we shouldn’t weigh ourselves all the time or obsess over food. Instead, train your taste buds to like healthy foods, eat as much of them when you’re hungry, but pay attention to when you’re full and then stop. It’s easier said than done, but there’s no doubt that what Carr suggests is a good strategy. I will try to eat more slowly, savor my food, and pay attention to hunger and satiation cues in 2025. We’ll see!
48. Piranesi, by Susannah Clarke. Piranesi is a mesmerizing and enigmatic novel set in an endless labyrinth of halls filled with statues and tides, inhabited by the protagonist, Piranesi, and the enigmatic “Other.” The writing is lyrical and haunting, weaving a surreal atmosphere that feels both intimate and immense. The plot unfolds like a puzzle, revealing strange truths about the world and Piranesi himself as he navigates the beauty and peril of his unique existence. Clarke’s prose is hypnotic, drawing readers into a story that is as much about isolation and discovery as it is about the labyrinthine nature of memory and identity. A deeply strange and unforgettable reading experience. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
47. The Slate, by Matthew FitzSimmons. This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author, and I always enjoy his novels as they are fast-paced and have good character development. This book is a political thriller featuring Agatha Cardiff, a former congressional chief of staff who, after covering up a scandal two decades earlier, is drawn back into Washington’s treacherous political landscape. As her past resurfaces, she confronts corruption, blackmail, and deception, seeking redemption amid capital chaos.
46. Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author, by Lucinda Halpern. I’m writing my second book, and I’m interested in going the traditional publishing route this time (for my first book, I used a hybrid publisher). This book is by a successful literary agent that lays out the elements an author needs to have to get signed by an agent and published by a traditional publisher. This book was super informative and well-written, and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in publishing a book.
45. Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution, R.F. Kuang. In 1828, Robin Swift, orphaned in Canton, is brought to London by Professor Lovell and trained in languages to join Oxford’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—known as Babel. Babel, the world’s hub for translation and magic, wields enchanted silver to fuel the British Empire’s power and colonization efforts.
For Robin, Babel is initially a utopia, but he soon realizes its ties to oppression, forcing him to confront his identity as a Chinese boy in Britain. Torn between loyalty to Babel and the rebellious Hermes Society opposing imperialism, Robin faces a critical choice when Britain sparks a war with China over silver and opium. I enjoyed this book.
44. Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life, by Orvin Kimbrough. All I can say is—wow. What a story. Orv’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, and his accomplishments are deeply inspiring, especially given the immense challenges he faced growing up.
The book is beautifully written, and Orv’s raw vulnerability pulls you in from the first page. His storytelling is so compelling that I found myself flying through it. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a window into the obstacles that circumstance and society place in the paths of so many. This book helped me step out of my bubble and better appreciate those challenges, making it a transformative read on multiple levels. Prepare to be moved and inspired.
43. Portrait of Sebastian Khan, by Aatif Rashid. I loved this book even though I didn’t love the main character. But it was his flaws that made him come to life. The issues he dealt with—aging, growing up, and relationships—are universal. His struggles with his own identity as a non-white person in a majority-white country were revealing. Great book!
42. The Ministry of Time: A Novel, by Kaliane Bradley. This was a fun book with an interesting premise: the main character works for a secret British government agency with a time travel machine. Her job is to be a companion and guide for a 19th-century explorer named Commander Graham Gore who was brought to the 21st Century. The novel follows their blossoming relationship in the midst of finding out what the “Ministry” really does.
41. The Cynical Writer’s Guide to the Publishing Industry, by Naomi Kanakia. I’m interested in publishing my second book through a traditional publisher (my first book was with a hybrid publisher). This book is by a novelist who has run the gauntlet of the traditional publishing industry multiple times. She provides a great perspective on how hard it is to get published and how much rejection an author must endure before finding success. The book is written with a direct and engaging tone, and I’m sure its advice will be invaluable.
40. Infinity Gate, by M.R. Carey. This was a great Sci-Fi read, and M.R. Carey has become one of my favorite Sci-Fi writers. This book was mind-expanding. It is set in the Pandominion, a vast multiverse of countless alternate realities connected through advanced technology. The story centers on Hadiz Tambuwal, a brilliant scientist from a near-apocalyptic Earth who discovers the means to travel between these realities. As Hadiz ventures into the multiverse, she becomes entangled in a brewing conflict between the Pandominion and a rising AI faction that threatens the balance of existence. Through vivid characters, including sentient AIs and diverse beings from alternate Earths, Carey crafts a compelling narrative that questions the cost of progress and the nature of humanity. Infinity Gate is the first book in a series, setting the stage for a high-stakes exploration of power and interconnected worlds.
39. All Fours: A Novel, by Miranda July. I enjoyed this book and appreciated its perspective. The novel explores the midlife crisis of a 45-year-old female artist and writer living in Los Angeles. The protagonist embarks on a cross-country road trip, intending to travel to New York, but abruptly changes course, checking into a motel in Monrovia, California. There, she meets a young man named Davey, and the encounter sparks a profound romantic and sexual awakening. This novel delves into themes of desire, aging, and self-discovery, particularly within the context of the narrator’s experiences of perimenopause and the complexities of her marriage and sexuality.
38. Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, by Anderson Cooper. The author is a star reporter for CNN and also a Vanderbilt. His mother was the famous fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt. This is an engaging book that traces the history, through stories, of the Vanderbilt family, once the wealthiest in the country. I enjoyed all the stories and the insights into the Gilded Age.
37. Service Model, by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This sci-fi book is told from the perspective of a valet-unit robot who kills its human master and then goes on a journey of self-exploration. He lives in a world where machines have gradually taken over, but everything is falling apart. The book explores the concepts of free will and takes a counterintuitive approach to exploring what it means to be human.
36. The Raw Shark Texts, by Steven Hall. This novel is a mind-bending thriller that follows the story of Eric Sanderson, who wakes up with no memory of his past life. He soon discovers cryptic letters from his former self, warning him about a conceptual predator—a “Ludovician”—that feeds on his memories. As Eric embarks on a surreal and dangerous journey to reclaim his identity, he navigates a world where ideas, language, and reality blur together in unexpected ways.
35. Later, by Stephen King. This was a fun page-turner. The main character is a young boy named Jamie who can see and talk to dead people. The story starts when he was six and goes through his early teen years. Here’s the Amazon description: The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin, just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine – as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave. Good book.
34. The Obelisk Gate, by N.K. Jemisin. This book is the second installment in the Broken Earth trilogy, picking up where The Fifth Season left off. Essun, a powerful orogene, continues her quest to master her abilities while navigating a world in the midst of a catastrophic seismic disaster. As she learns more about the mysterious obelisks and their connection to her power, she must confront old allies, new enemies, and her estranged daughter Nassun, who is developing dangerous abilities of her own. As the world teeters on the brink of collapse, Essun faces impossible choices that will determine the fate of humanity and the Earth itself.
33. Real Americans, by Rachel Khong. This was a book club selection at work. I thought it was pretty good. The book is in three parts, one about Lily, then the next part is about her son Nick, and the final section is the story of Mae, Lily’s mother and Nick’s grandmother. It explored themes of class, wealth, and racial identity. I learned a decent amount about China’s cultural revolution.
32. Tender is the Flesh, by Agustina Bazterrica. I didn’t want to read this book, but my daughter Audrey pressured me into it. She said that (1) it’s good, and (2) it will be a book that I remember for a long time. I think she’s correct on both counts. Here’s what the book is about: In a dystopian future where animal meat is no longer consumable due to a virus, humans are farmed and consumed as livestock. The novel follows Marcos, a worker at a human meat processing plant, as he grapples with the moral implications of this horrifying reality. It’s a chilling exploration of dehumanization, power, and survival.
31. How to Know a Person, The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, by David Brooks. This was a book club selection at work. I enjoyed this book and found it thought-provoking. In it, Brooks delves into the importance of truly understanding others and forming meaningful connections. He offers practical advice on how to listen, observe, and engage with empathy. Through stories and psychological insights, Brooks highlights how deep connections can transform relationships and foster personal growth, both in everyday interactions and in life’s most important relationships.
30. The Fifth Season, by N.K. Jemisin. This is the first book of a trilogy that is widely considered one of the greatest fantasy series of all time. And I agree. This book does not disappoint. This gripping, award-winning novel is set in a world plagued by catastrophic earthquakes. It follows Essun, a woman with the power to control seismic activity, as she searches for her missing daughter in a land on the brink of collapse. The story weaves themes of survival, oppression, and the bonds of family in a richly imagined, geologically unstable world.
29. Long Island Compromise, by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. This was a fun read. It followed the Fletcher family, a wealthy Jewish family who lived in an exclusive community on Long Island. The story primarily focuses on the three kids, Nathan, Beamer, and Jenny, as they grow up in the face of massive wealth. A pivotal point in their lives is when their father, Carl, was kidnapped in 1980. A theme of the book is the difficulties of growing up in a wealthy family. Working in wealth management myself, I thought the author dealt with some issues around wealth quite well but was way off the mark on others.
28. The Peacock and the Sparrow, by I.S. Berry. The author is a former CIA agent, so this book crackles with authenticity. It focuses on Shane Collins, an experienced CIA operative nearing retirement, stationed in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. It’s a decent book.
27. The Year of the Locust, by Terry Hayes. I loved the author’s first book, “I am Pilgrim,” and so was excited to dig into “The Year of the Locust.” However, I was somewhat disappointed. It is a decent book but not in the same league as “I am Pilgrim.” It follows “Kane,” a denied access area CIA spy, through missions culminating in a race against the clock to save humanity. Still worth the read, though.
26. Ikigai-Kan: Feel A Life Worth Living, by Nicholas Kemp. I’ve read a few books on the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This one does a great job of digging in and explaining what Ikigai is and what it is not. The author takes on some common misconceptions about Ikigai and does a great job educating the reader about how to find Ikigai.
25. The Next Patient: The Incredible World of Emergency Medicine, by Dr. J. Thomas Grant. This book was super interesting. An emergency room doctor wrote it and shared compelling stories of patients he has treated. Through these narratives, he reflects on the lessons learned from each case, providing insights into the human side of medicine and the complexities of emergency care. It’s a great book offering a profound look into the life of an ER physician.
24. The Lessons of History, by Will and Ariel Durant. This book was published in 1968 by two of our most respected historians and thinkers. In it, the Durants distill key insights from their extensive study of history. The Durants explore recurring themes such as the impact of geography, economics, and politics on civilizations and the interplay of progress and decline. They emphasize the cyclical nature of history, offering wisdom on human nature, societal trends, and the enduring patterns of human behavior.
23. The Social Leap: The New Evolutionary Science of Who We Are, Where We Come From, and What Makes Us Happy, by William von Hippel. This fascinating book delves into how our evolutionary journey as social primates has profoundly shaped human behavior, intelligence, and society. Von Hippel examines pivotal evolutionary events, such as the move from forests to savannas, that drove the development of cooperation, innovation, and complex problem-solving. These adaptations helped humans navigate social challenges and have left a lasting impact on our modern psychology, influencing everything from our relationships to our pursuit of happiness.
22. The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. This classic work follows Edmond Dantès, a young sailor wrongfully imprisoned due to the jealousy and betrayal of his friends. After escaping from prison and discovering a hidden treasure on the Isle of Monte Cristo, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo. Dantès uses his newfound wealth and influence to meticulously seek revenge against those who conspired against him, ultimately finding justice and reconciliation. It was a super long book — over 1,000 pages — but very enjoyable.
21. The Fall of Koli, by M.R. Carey. This is the third book of the Koli Trilogy, and it may be the best of the three. I loved this Sci-Fi series. The character development was fantastic, and the concepts were unique. I recommend this series to any Sci-Fi fan!
20. The Trials of Koli, by M.R. Carey. This is the second book of the Koli trilogy. The story continues to be fantastic as we follow Koli as he leaves his village and faces the challenges of the wild environment and other rogue humans. We also learn what is happening back in Mythen Rood through the eyes of Spinner. Great book.
19. The Book of Koli, by M.R. Carey. I loved “The Girl With All the Gifts” by this author, and I might like this book even better. In a post-apocalyptic world where nature has turned against humanity, Koli, a young man from a small village, discovers a powerful relic from the past. His discovery leads him on a journey beyond the confines of his village, facing the dangers of the hostile environment and uncovering long-hidden truths.
18. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, by David Grann. This book recounts the incredible tale of a British naval ship that wrecked on a desolate island in 1741. The crew’s harrowing struggle for survival, their shocking descent into mutiny and murder, and the captain’s relentless quest for justice make for a gripping and haunting true story. I thought it was pretty good.
17. Wellness: A Novel, by Nathan Hill. This long book (624 pages) is about Jack and Elizabeth and their marriage. I thought this novel was a worthwhile read, given its discussion of the morality of the placebo effect, the disastrous effects of social media on our society, and the ups and downs of a marriage. Yet, I didn’t really like any of the characters. Mr. Hill’s writing kept me moving along in this book and left me both glad I read it, and also not wanting to recommend it.
16. Transcend: the New Science of Self-Actualization, by Scott Barry Kaufman. This was a pretty interesting book about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Maslow himself. I learned that much of what we know about Maslow’s famous hierarchy is incorrect. For example, he didn’t display the needs in a pyramid format — a management consulting firm created it — which leads one to think that you must conquer the lower levels before proceeding higher. That’s not what Maslow thought. He recognized that you could move back and forth through the levels as your circumstances change. In later work, Maslow recognized that there were levels beyond self-actualization, the primary one being transcendence.
8 – 15. The Murderbot Diaries Series, by Martha Wells. The Murderbot Diaries is a seven-book series that follows the adventures of a self-aware security robot torn between its programming and growing humanization. With a wry, sarcastic narrative voice, Murderbot solves mysteries and protects humans, all while binge-watching media and avoiding social interaction whenever possible. AppleTV recently announced that they are turning the Muderbot books into a TV series. I can’t wait!
7. The Cartographers: A Novel, by Peng Shepherd. When a rare and potentially world-altering map is stolen, cartographer Nell Young finds herself embroiled in a high-stakes adventure spanning centuries. She must unravel the map’s secrets and confront her own painful past to stop malevolent forces from reshaping the world.
6. The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton. Published in 1905, this book is about Lily Bart, a beautiful but impoverished woman who struggles to maintain her aristocratic lifestyle in elite New York society. Her quest for a wealthy husband leads her down a path of tragic decisions and moral compromises, ultimately exposing the ruthlessness and hypocrisy of the monied class. I liked the plot and the book’s flow but found it a slog to read as I felt the book could be about half as long.
5. The Plot: A Novel, by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I loved this book! When a writing teacher is entrusted with an ingenious book idea from a late student, he passes it off as his own work to achieve literary success. But as his novel becomes a bestseller, the dead student’s friend uncovers his deception, leading to a cat-and-mouse game over the origins of the stolen plot.
4. Big Swiss: A Novel, by Jen Beagin. This captivating novel centers around the life of a transcriptionist working for a therapist in a rural New York town. As she listens to the therapy sessions of various patients, she becomes particularly fascinated with one patient’s complex life and issues. This obsession leads her into a web of personal involvement and emotional entanglement with a woman whom she dubs “Big Swiss.” The story unfolds with sharp wit and dark humor, exploring themes of voyeurism, identity, and the quest for personal transformation.
3. Ergodicity: Definition, Examples, And Implications, As Simple As Possible, by Luca Dellanna. This is a short, engaging read about how knowing about the concept of ergodicity can help your decision-making. What is ergodicity? Dellanna defines it as a system where “for all its components, the lifetime outcome corresponds to the population outcome.” For example, one person playing Russian Roulette ten times is a very different proposition than ten people playing it one time. The key to determining whether a system is ergodic vs. non-ergodic is whether there are irreversible consequences. Interesting stuff!
2. The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. This is the second time I’ve read The Secret History, the first being shortly after it was published in 2011. It’s one of my all-time favorite books, and it didn’t disappoint on a second reading (and enough time had passed that I had forgotten most of the details). The book is about six friends at a small liberal arts college in Vermont. Five of them conspire to kill one of the friends. Really great character development and a wonderful, building plot. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
1. Titanium Noir: A Novel, by Nick Harkaway. This a futuristic murder mystery. The protagonist, Cal Sounder, is a detective called into a murder by the police. The victim is a “Titan” – a human treated with T7, which adds decades to life and makes them huge (usually over 7 feet tall). It’s unusual to for Titans to die of any cause, let alone be murdered. I thought this was a fun, well-written novel with an exciting plot. It’s the third novel I’ve read by Nick Harkaway.
