Best books I read in 2024

I read over 40 books in 2024, and I wanted to share my favorites.

Biology & AI

A Brief History of Intelligence: Evolution, AI, and the Five Breakthroughs That Made Our Brains – Max Bennett

I couldn’t recommend this book more highly if you’re interested in the evolution of humanity, the nature of intelligence, or the similarities and differences between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.

Immune: A Journey Into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive – Philipp Dettmer

Obviously COVID brought a lot of attention to immunology, but at a pretty surface level. I found this book illuminating and hugely educational in understanding what’s going on inside our bodies, particularly when we get sick.

Fiction

Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt

Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin

Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn (Yes, I know this is over 10 years old, but I still enjoyed it – the book is better than the film.)

General Non-Fiction

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI – David Grann

This book was fascinating, troubling, and much more. I really recommend it.

Flying Blind: The 737 MAX Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing – Peter Robison

This book was written before the door blew off a 737 MAX, but that just emphasizes the validity of this book. It’s a real cautionary tale for any company.

The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis – George Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey

I was a little wary of this book, but each chapter focused on a President and a specific story of the White House Situation Room and that person. What I found fascinating is just how… unsophisticated the tools and technology was for so long!

Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions – John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

The criminal justice system gets things wrong – this book focuses on ten stories that are absolutely horrific. It’s a must-read.