📖 10 Book Recommendations from 2024 (and 2023)

Hi Lovely People,

Welcome to 2025! I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season. I know I had the time to be with my friends, family, to take some naps, and to eat to the point where my calorie count is now for sure net positive not only for December, but for the whole last year. A great holiday overall!

As we step into the new year, I wanted to revive a “tradition” I skipped last year: sharing some book recommendations. These are novels and stories that left a mark on me from 2024—books I think many of you will enjoy.

This time, there are two changes. First, I’ve included some 2023 reads. This year you will see I read some longer series, and wouldn't have enough individual book recs. I also wanted to honor the ones missed last year. They’re too good to overlook.

Second, I’ve had a little help with this. For the first time, I have a ghostwriter—or maybe more of a ghosteditor—in the form of ChatGPT. If there are content mistakes, blame me. If there are grammar hiccups… take it up with Sam Altman and the rest of the AI guys!

Thanks, happy new year, and happy reading!

Best,
Toto

2024 Nominees

1) Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI 🌐 (By Yuval Noah Harari)

We walked in bookstore with my sister, and stumbled upon a signed copy of Nexus. When we asked if it was for sale, they said yes—and now we have a book signed by Yuval Harari himself!

I’ve always admired Harari’s work. He’s not only an expert historian and thinker but also a master at synthesizing complex ideas to its core. Sapiens is a book I can always pick up, re-read and discover something new. With that being said, to me Nexus felt like one of his densest works so far.

In Nexus, Harari tackles weighty but relevant topics, starting with information technologies and its impact on human society and politics. To me it was interesting to look at democractic and totalitarian systems from the lens of information flow and processing. He also explores institutions like the Christian Church, the soviet dictatorship, and academic publishing - highlighting the importance of institutional trust, "bureaucracy", and self-correcting mechanisms. Harari then connects these themes to the rise of AI—not from a technical angle, but as a powerful information processor, an alien intelligence, and a decision-making entity.

Admittedly, parts of the book can feel dry, but raises important questions and at parts alarms about the future of society, politics, and AI. Highly recommended for anyone curious about the forces shaping our world.

2) Breaking Through: My Life in Science 🧫 (By Katalin Kariko)

Breaking Through was one of my favorite reads of 2024, resonating on many levels. Coming from a biology background, I truly appreciated the grit and determination it took to develop mRNA technology and bring the COVID-19 vaccine to fruition. Dr. Karikó doesn’t shy away from detailing the uncertainty, academic challenges, and sacrifices behind these groundbreaking advancements. She demonstrates her curiosity and critical thinking through the RNA case studies as well as outstanding leadership in shaping these technologies.

The recurring theme of hard work also hit close to home. Growing up in a poor family in suburban Hungary, Karikó fought her way into one of the country’s top universities. As a Hungarian immigrant in America, she faced immense challenges, but her relentless effort defined her journey. This ethic extended to her role as a parent, where she raised an Olympic champion.

Yet, Karikó also emphasizes the importance of equal opportunity: access to education, quality childcare, and opportunities to demonstrate talent. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it’s personal. As someone who also grew up in Hungary and whose parents benefitted from educational opportunities in the communist system, Breaking Through felt like a reflection of home.

Shout-out to A. L. for the recommendation

3) Norwegian Wood 🎸 (by Haruki Murakami)

This was my first time reading Murakami—or any Japanese literature, for that matter. I went in with no expectations, which might be why it turned out to be a pleasant a memorable reading experiences. And by “memorable,” I don’t mean light or easy. The themes of Norwegian Wood—love, loss, and trauma—are often heavy and heartbreakingly raw. Yet, the warmth and humanity in Murakami’s nostalgic tone and vivid storytelling make it unforgettable.

What stuck with me most was the vulnerability. Murakami’s characters share deeply personal. The intimate stories that draw you in, making their joys and sorrows feel like your own. Combined with the Beatles-inspired soundtrack, the nostalgic narrative combined with the Japanese student life, it’s a story that completely immersed me.

This book made me eager to explore more of Murakami’s work. After experiencing Norwegian Wood, it’s easy to see why he’s regarded as one of Japan’s greatest contemporary authors. I'll be curious to read more of his books in the future.

Shout-out to K.G., T.H. for the recommendation

4) Models 🗣️(By Mark Manson)

When I picked up Models (2015), I expected typical “how to find love” type of dating advice. What I got instead was one of the best books I’ve read about masculinity and identity. Mark Manson outright rejects the superficiality of “pick-up lines” and the "neediness" that drives some people to act like someone who they are not. He argues that meaningful relationships can’t be built on deceit or gimmicks. Instead, he pushes the values of honesty and vulnerability—being true to ourselves, putting in the work to improve, and reframing rejection as a positive sign.

Manson’s ideas aren’t groundbreaking. He presents them with clarity, humor, and a practical framework. For me, that was the game-changer, helping me better understand my identity, my relationship with being single, and how to become a better “man”. I’ll admit, his tone might not resonate with everyone, but as a long-time fan of his work, I found it enjoyable.

Despite being nearly a decade old, Models feels evergreen and relevant—and it reached me at a time when I needed it.

5) The Stormlight Archive: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer ✨ (By Brandon Sanderson)

In recent years, I’ve trying to make a more conscious effort to read more fiction. I used to read virtually only non-fiction  for years, but after working in consulting and having demanding work hours, reading for relaxation became more important —and I discovered my love for fantasy. That’s when I found Brandon Sanderson, who became my favorite fantasy author.

The Stormlight Archive is another of Sanderson’s masterpieces, and one word sums it up: epic. It has all the elements of great fantasy—a unique magic system blending natural resources with individual abilities, intricate political and societal structures, and multiple parallel plotlines driven by well-developed characters into whom we get more and more emotionally invested over time.

The series is immersive, though it can feel heavy and dense at times, and the shifts between plotlines occasionally left me a bit disoriented. Some threads felt less developed than others, but overall, the depth and complexity kept me hooked. If you’re a fantasy enthusiast, especially if you’ve enjoyed series like Game of Thrones or Dune, The Stormlight Archive is a must-read. If you're new to fantasy, I would suggest starting either with this or the Mistborn series from Sanderson, some of my favourite works of all time.

Shout out to P. S., C. V, T. G, for the recommendations

 6) Finding Your Comic Genius 🎤 (By Adam Bloom)

This one’s for the comedy nerds. I do stand-up comedy in my free time and have been on the hunt for a book to help me improve—but it hasn’t been easy. Comedy isn’t something you can systematize or engineer. Sure, there are foundational lessons—set-up/punchline structures, the rule of three, and so on—but finding something technical and actionable is rare.

I first saw Adam Bloom perform in Hungary a few years ago. He was energetic, quick, and hilarious. Now I’ve found out he’s also a huge comedy nerd. In this book, Bloom dives deep into the craft, exploring the importance of identifying your comedy persona—who you are on stage—and offering insights into writing techniques, linguistic nuances, and even the musicality of stand-up. Getting right into the nitty-gritty, providing examples based on decades of experience. Exactly something a comedy nerd like myself would enjoy.

If you’re interested in the art of stand-up, this book is a good source of techniques and ideas. Recommended for anyone looking to sharpen their skills or simply better understand the craft.

2024 Nominees

7) Yellowface ✍️ (by R. F. Kuang)

If you’re looking for a shorter, thought-provoking read that tackles societal issues like Asian representation and cultural appropriation - Yellowface is for you. Kuang masterfully weaves these complex topics into a unique story and fictional narrative. The plot follows a white author determined to achieve success by publishing stories from a fellow deceased Asian author. Now this premise raises several questions: to what extent could a caucasian writer effectively bring these stories of Asian origin to life? What is the level of editing that is acceptable? Where is the line of ownership i.e., if you rewrite a promise that is not yours - do you own the story? A chaotic and fascinating set-up for the story to unfold.

Heads-up: I couldn’t stand the protagonist. Her entitlement and selfishness were infuriating at times. This combined with the pressure of the publishing industry and business led to me feeling angry. Yet, I never felt disconnected from the story. Watching her navigate the consequences of her actions—and seeing the world through her sometimes flawed perspective—was captivating.

What also set Yellowface apart is its unique style, blending traditional literature with the meta-reality of tweets, blogposts, and other modern communication methods. The result is a story that’s dark, sharp, and often funny. It’s no surprise this became one of 2023’s most talked-about books.

8) The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World 📜 (By Jonathan Freedland)

The Holocaust has always been a difficult topic for me — the level of horror and cruelty humanity can be capable of is something I am slowly working through to comprehend. That's why it was important for me to confront and learn from this dark chapter of history. The Escape Artist profoundly shaped my understanding of the Holocaust and pushed me to visit Auschwitz after reading it.

The book tells the extraordinary story of Rudolf Vrba—a name that deserves to be as well-known as Anne Frank or Primo Levi. Vrba was one of the few Jewish prisoners to escape Auschwitz, alongside Fred Wetzler. Their daring journey included days of hiding, swimming through rivers, and crossing borders to freedom - one of the few people managing to do so. But Vrba’s mission didn’t end with escape—he dedicated his life to exposing the horrors of the Holocaust. He prepared detailed reports, distributing them globally to sound the alarm. Though these reports reached leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt, these were not actioned to the extent that they could have been.

Some chapters describe the final stages of the Holocaust, detailing Hungary’s involvement in the system. As my home country, this particularly resonated with me. Among the lives Vrba saved were relatives of friends I grew up with—a realization that hit close to home.

Still, Vrba’s heroism saved hundreds of thousands of lives. His story is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and Jonathan Freedland captures it with clarity and depth.

Shout-out to A. M. for the recommendation

9) The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking 🏦 (By Saifedean Ammous)

After the Bitcoin boom, I couldn't help but become a bit more curious about this topic. But I wasn’t looking for a technical manual, a sales pitch, or to read through a pnzi scheme that promisses me to get rich from Bitcoin in the next two days. What I wanted was an understanding of Bitcoin’s history and its fundamental value: why do some believe it could replace money as we know it?

Ammous delivers exactly that. Rather than starting with blockchain, he begins by exploring the concept of money itself, defining the principles of sound money and why they matter. Through historical examples, he demonstrates how different forms of money shaped societies and political systems. Only then does he transition to Bitcoin, explaining the technology and envisioning possible futures: its potential to replace national central banks, the hurdles it faces, and the scenarios for its adoption.

This book was informative, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the importance of sound money, future of financial systems, and the role Bitcoin might play in it.

10) The Gene: An Intimate History 🧬 (By Siddhartha Mukherjee)

If you’ve followed my annual book recommendations, you know I’m a big fan of Siddhartha Mukherjee. His ability to distill complex scientific ideas into engaging, human-centered storytelling is unmatched. After The Emperor of All Maladies, where he tackled cancer, Mukherjee shifts his focus to genetics in The Gene.

Mukherjee uses one of the most timeless storytelling methods: a chronological journey. He guides us through key breakthroughs in genetics, from the philosophical musings of Pythagoras and Mendel’s pea plants to the revolutionary discoveries of Crick, Watson, and Franklin. His talent for illuminating the genius behind these milestones—and their profound impact on how we understand life today —is unparalleled.

For me, the most thought-provoking parts explored the future of genetics. The ethics of gene therapy, the implications of pooling genetic data, and the controversial possibilities of CRISPR babies are topics that both fascinate and challenge me. While I don’t have answers (or even a clear stance), Mukherjee’s exploration of these possibilities left me deep in thought.