In 2024, I read 47 books, totaling 4.9 million words. While this marks a sharp decline in quantity from my previous reading levels, the quality of learning remained high. You can follow me on Goodreads to see every book I read, but here are a few of my favorites:
The Power Broker by Robert Caro
I’ve read many biographies, but this might be the best yet. Robert Caro’s first masterpiece took him seven years to complete, and you can feel the effort he invested in uncovering a story that had never truly been told before.
Robert Moses was never elected to any public office, yet he became one of the most powerful figures in New York’s history. Initially a bright-eyed reformer, he spent decades amassing and using power to push through nearly every major construction project in New York City and State. Mayors and governors alike respected and feared him—understanding that getting things done in the city often meant working with Moses.
The book details not only how he built that power, but also how he wielded it to reward those he favored and punish those he didn’t. By the end of his career, Moses is portrayed almost as a villain of comic-book proportions. If it weren’t for ego driven mistakes and a clash with Governor Nelson Rockefeller (when Moses was 75) he may have held onto power for life.
The Power Broker is likely the longest book I’ve ever read (except for the Bible). Reading it was an experience—it felt like taking an in-depth class on 20th-century New York politics. Despite its length and detail, the book is incredibly enjoyable and almost reads like a page-turner. A truly remarkable achievement for a 1,200-page book that dives into the minutiae of road construction financing in the 1900s.
Deep Work and So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
This year, I read almost all of Cal Newport’s work, and I can honestly say these two books have changed how I approach work and time management more than any others I can remember.
Deep Work is all about how to work with focus and intention. Like many people, I’ve been guilty of jumping from task to task without a clear focus. Newport argues that to be truly productive, you need to dedicate uninterrupted blocks of time to the most important projects. Focus matters more than busyness, and intentionality is more valuable than merely checking off items on a to-do list. This is especially true if your work involves creation.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You
tackles the myth of following your passion. Newport debunks the typical “find your passion” advice that often circulates in commencement speeches and Youtube rants. Instead, he advocates for developing rare and valuable skills—skills that make you so good at what you do that people can’t afford to ignore you. How you work matters far more than what you work on.
The biggest takeaway from these books for me was something they only touched on tangentially: time-blocking. Scheduling my tasks for the next day each night—rather than simply maintaining a list—has been a game changer for my productivity. It’s a simple but powerful habit.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
This is an essential read on one of the most pressing issues of our time: the rise in mental health issues among children and young adults. There are many theories about why this is happening, but one of the most consistently cited culprits is the widespread use of smartphones and social media.
In The Anxious Generation, Haidt presents compelling evidence supporting the idea that smartphones and social media are the primary drivers of this mental health crisis, particularly among young people. He argues that the shift from a childhood focused on play and physical activity to one dominated by screen time is the key change to reverse. His proposed four-step solution is simple yet powerful:
- No smartphones before high school.
- No social media until age 16.
- Phone-free schools (with devices locked away during the school day).
- Increased independence, play, and responsibility in the real world.
Of course, the simplest plans are often the hardest to implement. Policy changes to make this happen face opposition from various quarters, including many parents. However, I’ve been encouraged by many local school districts here in Idaho that have recently implemented phone-free school policies, and I hope this trend continues.
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
I’ve read a biography of George Washington before, and I’ve read plenty of other books about that era, but Ron Chernow’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography kept me thoroughly engaged. It’s an exceptional, in-depth study of the man who deserves the title “founding father” more than anyone else.
Washington spent eight and a half years leading America’s military during the Revolution. He could have used his popularity to seize absolute power. Instead, he retired to Mount Vernon. Later, he served as the first president of the United States. Despite a divisive political environment, he was still widely popular, and many wanted him to serve for life. Once again, he voluntarily stepped down after two terms. This set the precedent for future presidents and showed the world that a republic could thrive without falling into a monarchy.
2022 and 2023:
I took a couple of years off from these posts (see 2019, 2020 and 2021), but I definitely didn’t stop reading during those years. Here are a few favorites from the last couple of years:
What’s Our Problem? A Self Help Book for Societies
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within