Last year, I set a personal record by reading 23 books. But in 2024, I deliberately scaled back, choosing to be more selective about what I read and make time for other pursuits. This year’s total? Just 9 books. In this post, I will share the ones that had the biggest impact on me, so you can decide if they are worth reading too.

In 2023, I shared my top 5 books of the year. But with only 9 books on my list this year, picking five would feel like including almost all of them! So, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 3 reads of 2024.

Interestingly, while death and living was a recurring theme in my 2023 reading, 2024 took a different turn. Most of the books I read this year focused on business and self-development, especially health. I also read only one book for professional development (let’s keep that a secret from my boss).

My top 3 favorite books of 2024

Here is an image showing all the books I read this year. It’s a mix of fascinating subjects that kept me curious and engaged.

All the books read in 2024

All the books read in 2024

I have also written posts about what I learned from each one, so feel free to check those out if you are interested.

Unlike last year, when I avoided ranking the books and listed them in the order I read them, this year I am taking a bolder approach. I am ranking my favorites, starting with the third-place pick and building up to my absolute favorite of the year.

3. I Don’t Want To Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression

I Don’t Want To Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression

I Don’t Want To Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression

Third place was a tough choice. I went back and forth between The Comfort Crisis and I Don’t Want To Talk About It. What ultimately tipped the scale was the impact this book had on my life.

While The Comfort Crisis was an interesting read, many of its ideas felt familiar to me. I enjoyed it, but that might have been because it reinforced beliefs I already held.

In contrast, I Don’t Want To Talk About It fundamentally shifted how I see myself. It gave me a new perspective on my upbringing and explained patterns I observed while growing up. The book helped me understand my father’s actions and brought more clarity to my own relationship with myself.

One quote that stayed with me captures the generational nature of unspoken struggles:

“As other fathers have done to their sons, my father — through the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice, the quality of his touch — passed the depression he did not know he had on to me just as surely as his father had passed it on to him — a chain of pain, linking parent to child across generations, a toxic legacy.”

This book left a lasting impression and gave me tools to approach self-awareness in a deeper way.

2. Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results

Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results

Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results

I absolutely loved Clear Thinking. Shane Parrish has been a role model for me as a thinker, problem solver, and curious person. I regularly listen to his podcast, The Knowledge Project, which was my second most-listened-to podcast in 2023 and ranked third in 2024.

What stood out most in the book was the concept of our mental defaults, especially the ego default. Parrish explains how understanding our default state of mind is essential for making better decisions. It is not just about analyzing the factors influencing our choices but also about examining our mindset at the moment of decision-making.

One of my favorite quotes from the book perfectly captures this idea:

“The ego default urges us to feel right at the expense of being right. Few things feel better than being right – so much so that we will unconsciously rearrange the world into arbitrary hierarchies to maintain our beliefs and feel better about ourselves.”

This book challenged me to reflect on how I approach decisions and inspired me to adopt practices that promote clearer and more objective thinking.

1. Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity

Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity

Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity

Outlive was by far the best book I read this year, not just because of its excellent content but also because of the impact it had on my life.

After reading this book, I made a significant change by incorporating strength training into my routine. Before this, I focused only on cardio and avoided strength training because I simply didn’t enjoy it. Inspired by the book, I decided to give it a try, and now, after almost seven months, I’ve started to really enjoy it. I can already see the transformation in my body, which has been incredibly rewarding.

This book stands out as the best for me because it pushed me to prioritize strength training and take better care of my overall health. It wasn’t just about learning; it was about action and real results.

One quote from the book that resonated deeply with me was:

“Exercise is by far the most potent longevity “drug.” No other intervention does nearly as much to prolong our lifespan and preserve our cognitive and physical function. But most people don’t do nearly enough – and exercising the wrong way can do as much harm as good.”

This message stuck with me and motivated me to build habits that will support my health for years to come.

Conclusion

2024’s reading journey was a bit shorter but no less impactful. Each book I selected brought something valuable to my life, whether it was a shift in perspective, a new habit, or a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

From I Don’t Want To Talk About It, which helped me understand my own history and relationship with my father, to Clear Thinking, which gave me practical tools for better decision-making, and finally to Outlive, which inspired me to make lasting changes to my health – each book left a mark.

If you’re looking for books that not only entertain but also challenge and inspire you, I highly recommend these three. They helped me grow and hopefully will help you do the same.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s list and the new books that will shape my life in 2025. Until then, happy reading!