2024 has been one of the years I’ve read the most long texts. In previous years, I spent a lot of time reading tweets, blog posts, and newsletters. At the end of 2023, I decided to quit scrolling social media after dinner. Instead, I started picking up books.
At first, I focused heavily on non-fiction. It was amazing because I was learning new concepts I could apply directly to my role. It also sparked ideas about improving my management skills. The problem: it felt like consuming a high dose of caffeine. Instead of relaxing me for sleep, it often had the opposite effect. I became alert and anxious to jot down all the new ideas flooding in.
So, I adjusted my reading routine. I now start my bedtime reading with a non-fiction book and then switch to fiction. Most nights, I transition when I start to feel drowsy, though sometimes a particularly engaging book keeps me hooked for longer. On those occasions, I found myself struggling to fall asleep or dreaming about work, which left me feeling tired the next morning. Switching to fiction just before sleeping turned out to be a game-changer, it made falling asleep easier and brought me back to enjoying novels.
Let me share the complete list of books I read in 2024, along with very short summaries:
Non-Fiction Books
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An Elegant Puzzle: Systems of Engineering Management by Will Larson
Drawing from his extensive experience at tech companies like Digg, Uber, and Stripe, Will Larson provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of engineering management. The book delves into strategies for effective team structuring, managing technical debt, and planning for leadership succession. Larson emphasizes the importance of balancing human factors with systemic approaches to build resilient and high-performing engineering teams. -
Thinking in Systems, A primer, Donella H. Meadows by Chelsea Green
This foundational text introduces readers to the concept of systems thinking, a holistic approach to understanding complex systems in nature, society, and technology. Meadows explains how systems operate, the behaviors they exhibit, and how to identify leverage points for effective problem-solving. The book is filled with clear explanations and practical examples, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned practitioners interested in systemic change. -
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell Tony Fadell, the creator of the iPod and co-creator of the iPhone, shares his insights into product design, entrepreneurship, and the creative process. The book offers candid advice on building products that matter, fostering innovation, and navigating the challenges of leading creative teams. Fadell’s unorthodox approach provides a behind-the-scenes look at the successes and failures that have shaped his career, offering valuable lessons for aspiring innovators.
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The Manual of Design Fiction by Julian Bleecker, Nick Foster, Fabien Girardin and Nicolas Nova. The book introduces the concept of design fiction, a practice that uses speculative scenarios to explore and critique the implications of emerging technologies. I recently shared a short summary on this post.
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Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt This book chronicles the leadership principles of Bill Campbell, a mentor to Silicon Valley executives like Steve Jobs and Larry Page. It explores Campbell’s humanistic approach to leadership, emphasizing trust, respect, and the power of mentorship. The authors share personal anecdotes and lessons learned, illustrating how Campbell’s guidance contributed to the growth of companies.
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Presented as a business fable, Lencioni identifies five common pitfalls that teams encounter: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Through an engaging narrative, he offers a model and actionable steps to overcome these dysfunctions, aiming to help teams achieve cohesiveness and high performance. -
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp Developed at Google Ventures, this book introduces the “Sprint” process, a five-day method for solving complex problems and testing new ideas. It provides a step-by-step guide to conducting sprints, from setting the stage on Monday to testing prototypes with customers on Friday. The methodology aims to accelerate decision-making and innovation in teams.
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Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan The author shares his expertise in product management, focusing on building tech products that resonate with customers. The book covers topics such as understanding customer needs, creating a strong product culture, and effective product leadership. Cagan emphasizes the importance of continuous discovery and delivery to create products that delight users and drive business success.
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Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek This one explores the qualities that make leaders effective, arguing that great leaders prioritize the well-being of their teams. He introduces the concept of the “Circle of Safety,” where trust and collaboration are fostered, leading to increased team cohesion and performance. Through real-world examples, Sinek illustrates how empathetic leadership can create environments where people feel valued and motivated.
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Designing Machine Learning Systems: An Iterative Process for Production-Ready Applications by Chip Huyen
Chip Huyen provides a comprehensive guide to designing and deploying machine learning systems in production. The book covers best practices for building scalable and reliable ML systems, emphasizing an iterative approach to development. Huyen discusses topics such as data engineering, model deployment, and monitoring, offering practical insights for practitioners aiming to bring ML models from prototype to production. I am looking forward to reading her new book, AI Engineering. -
Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building by Claire Hughes Johnson Drawing from her experience at leading tech companies, Claire Hughes Johnson offers strategies for scaling teams and building effective organizations. The book covers topics such as hiring, team development, and organizational design, providing practical advice for managers facing the challenges of rapid growth. Johnson emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership and clear communication in building successful companies. I really enjoyed this one.
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Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco
This classic text examines the human aspects of software development, arguing that the major issues are often sociological rather than technological (Oh surprise!) . DeMarco and Lister discuss topics such as team dynamics, workspace design, and organizational culture, emphasizing the importance of a productive work environment. The book advocates for management practices that prioritize people to achieve successful project outcomes. -
Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything by Charles Conn This book presents a structured framework for tackling complex challenges in various industries. It introduces a seven-step problem-solving approach, emphasizing clarity, hypothesis-driven thinking, and iterative testing. Through case studies and practical advice, the authors demonstrate how to apply these methods to both professional and personal decision-making, making the book a valuable tool for managers, entrepreneurs, and consultants.
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Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell Malcolm Gladwell explores the challenges of understanding and communicating with strangers, analyzing cases where misinterpretations have led to significant consequences. He examines the tools and strategies people use to make sense of others, highlighting their limitations and the potential for error. Through compelling stories, Gladwell encourages readers to reconsider their assumptions and approaches to interacting with unfamiliar individuals. I didn’t really enjoy it.
Fiction Books
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
This novel follows the lives of Sam Masur and Sadie Green, who reconnect during their college years and collaborate to create innovative video games. Their partnership explores themes of creativity, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships over several decades. If you are in tech, and especially developing video games, you will enjoy how it presents creative sparks, getting in the flow, and becoming obsessed with programming. - Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver This contemporary reimagining of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield is set in the Appalachian Mountains. It follows a boy born into poverty and hardship, navigating foster care, addiction, and systemic challenges. Kingsolver brings a fresh perspective to this classic tale, highlighting themes of resilience and survival in modern times.
- Los nombres propios by Marta Jiménez Serrano Marta Jiménez Serrano was the greatest discovery of fiction authors in 2024. I really enjoyed this book and also the next one, No todo el mundo. In Los nombres propios we follow Marta since she was a kid enjoying summer in her village with her invisible friend Belaundia Fú till she is a grown-up and still relies on that inner voice to make decisions. A beautiful novel.
- No todo el mundo by Marta Jiménez Serrano No todo el mundo explores love in modern society with a very fresh and easy to read style.
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles This historical novel tells the story of a Russian count sentenced to house arrest in a grand hotel, offering a rich exploration of Russian history and culture.
- Manna by Marshall Brain A speculative look at the future impact of automation on society, exploring potential utopian and dystopian outcomes.
- The Trial by Franz Kafka Despite having heard a lot of references to the Kafkaesque Trial, I had never read this classic novel. It depicts a man arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessible authority, exploring themes of bureaucracy and existential anxiety.
- Querida Theresa by Sara Torres 5 female authors explore the photographic archive of Theresa Parker, an unknown photographer, speculating about her life and the lives of her friends and relatives.
- La Conejera by Tess Gunty The novel explores themes of isolation and connection, centering on the inhabitants of a dilapidated apartment building nicknamed “The Rabbit Hutch.” The story weaves together the lives of its residents, delving into their secrets, struggles, and unexpected intersections.
- La tierra oculta by Manuel Rivas This collection of stories by Manuel Rivas delves into Galicia’s culture and history, blending magical realism with poignant narratives. Each tale offers a glimpse into the region’s traditions, struggles, and enduring spirit. I barely remember having read this one.
- Baumgartner by Paul Auster An introspective novel follows the life of a retired philosophy professor reflecting on his past relationships and intellectual pursuits. Through Baumgartner’s musings, the book examines themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time. Not among my favs of Auster.