Books I Read in 2024
· 6 min read
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English Books
Abroad in Japan
Chris Broad
I discovered Abroad in Japan nearly a year after my visit to Japan. While some videos seemed a bit too YouTubey for my taste, I found many to be genuinely entertaining and decided to give Chris Broad’s recent book a try. I didn’t expect much from a book by a YouTuber, but it turned out to be a delightful, light-hearted, and genuinely entertaining read. To be honest, I enjoyed it even more than Jonathan Clements’ A Brief History of Japan, which I read in preparation for my trip a year ago. I believe it’s worth a read even if you’ve never been to Japan or don’t plan to visit. The book is filled with humorous anecdotes, making it an effortless read that introduced me to a country and society that were completely foreign to me as a German. It manages to be both light-hearted and informative.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Who We Are and How We Got Here
David Reich
I think I came across the author via a podcast or the Johannes Krause books from Books I Read in 2023. Either way, this book is my third on the (ancient) history of humans, as told by ancient DNA. Fascinating!
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m a Stranger Here Myself
Bill Bryson
Published in 1998, this book compiles articles written by Bill Bryson for The Mail on Sunday’s Night and Day magazine. My relationship with Bryson’s works has been somewhat on-and-off, but I genuinely enjoyed this collection. The articles are concise, frequently humorous, and provide a light-hearted journey back to the decade of my birth.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
The Lost Continent
Bill Bryson
This Bryson book didn’t quite resonate with me. He rattles off the many states and places he visits on his extensive road trip so quickly that I found them hard to follow or distinguish. Additionally, the humor didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭕⭕
The Dictator’s Handbook
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Alastair Smith
This book serves as the foundation for CGP Grey’s outstanding video, The Rules for Rulers. It’s a fascinating read with a unique idea that feels almost inevitable once understood, offering explanations for various phenomena. The book sheds light on many aspects and implications of the hypothesis, using examples for clarification. While I don’t always agree, it’s still a book worth reading. Despite its moderate length, I believe a longer essay would have sufficed, as the core idea is graspable even from the CGP Grey video.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Immune
Philipp Dettmer
Many might be familiar with the Kurzgesagt channel, founded by Philipp Dettmer. In the channel’s well-known style, the book breaks down the fascinating and incredibly complex workings of the immune system, making it understandable for laypeople. Supported by numerous illustrations and drawings, it simplifies the subject without losing its essence. However, these necessary simplifications offer only a glimpse into the topic, and I can’t claim to have fully grasped or remembered all the elements (which is not a shortcoming of the book but inherent to the subject matter).
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals
Steve Brusatte
The book is the second installment of The Rise and Fall series. While the first part focuses on dinosaurs (and who doesn’t find dinosaurs fascinating?), this book delves into the origins and evolution of mammals, including humans. The author is clearly knowledgeable in this field and guides readers through this prehistoric journey in an engaging manner.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Calling Bullshit
Carl T. Bergstrom, Jevin D. West
My rating
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1491
Charles C. Mann
Not quite as enthralling as The Wizard and the Prophet. Still worth a read.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Against the Grain
James C. Scott
I don’t know if this alternative take on human history has any scientific foundation. But I found the new perspective interesting and refreshing.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Hunt for Red October
Tom Clancy
Well, the movie definitely would’ve been shorter. Still, this Clancy book was light and enjoyable entertainment while I was traveling the world. Not the most surprising plot, though.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir
While I really loved Weir’s The Martian back when it was released, I didn’t care much for his follow-up, Artemis. Project Hail Mary is much closer to The Martian: it’s entertaining and takes engineering and science concepts seriously instead of relying on a hand-wavy approach. This one also was the perfect entertainment during my travels.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Road to Little Dribbling
Bill Bryson
As I said before, Bryson is hit-or-miss for me. And I can’t really say why I keep coming back to his books. Maybe because they’re a sort of palate cleanser and quite different from the topics I tend to gravitate to.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Made in America
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Love Triangle
Matt Parker
As always, Matt Parker knows how to make a book both educational and entertaining. And who doesn’t love a good triangle?
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nexus
Yuval Noah Harari
I think I’m kind of over Harari. I really did enjoy Sapiens and, to some extent, Homo Deus. I really did not care for 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, and this one I liked even less. So much so that I didn’t actually finish. I think what annoys me is that it’s easier to tell a riveting story about something I know basically nothing about (like the distant past) than about times I experienced myself (the present) or times no one knows anything about (the future).
My rating
⭐⭐⭕⭕⭕
German Books
Das einzige Buch, das du über Finanzen lesen solltest
Thomas Kehl, Mona Linke
Compared to the Gerd Kommer books I read in 2023, this book is significantly less technical but more accessible and easier to digest. The core concept is straightforward: reduce debt, save, and invest. It recommends a passive investment strategy through ETFs. This book is particularly suitable for individuals who have yet to engage with their finances and retirement planning, making it a commendable choice for this audience.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭕
Machtübernahme
Arne Semsrott
Well, this book is on the depressing topic of the far-right (hypothetically? 🤞😵💫) taking power in Germany.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭕⭕
Brüssel sehen und sterben
Nico Semsrott
Nico is actually Arne’s brother. Not much less depressing, though much more entertaining.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fake Facts
Katharina Nocun
I really didn’t care for this one.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭕⭕
Das große Buch für Babys erstes Jahr
Stephan Heinrich Nolte
Okay, I reeeeally didn’t care for this one. It started off weak. But then it got more annoying. After it treated some alternative medicine quackery as legitimate, I had to stop reading.
My rating
⭐⭕⭕⭕⭕
#DerApotheker für alle Fälle
#DerApotheker
As with his first book, I found this one quite interesting and entertaining. Still weird that he (or she?) only publishes under a pseudonym, though.
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Die Wahrheit über unsere Drogen
My rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐