As I do every year, here are the books I read and enjoyed this year.
Non-fiction.
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Adler. This is probably not the most ‘fun’ book I read for the year, but it is the one that is likely to have the biggest impact on me in the long-term. I read this book because this book was highly recommended and I thought ‘how could a book about how to read a book be good?’. It was! Highly recommended for those who want to learn how to read to gain knowledge. We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care by Liran Einav and Amy Finkelstein. Health economists often critique aspects of the current health care system and are well known for saying ‘on the one hand’. What would health economists actually recommend for reforming the US healthcare system. Einav and Finkelstein give their perspective. Risky Business: Why Insurance Markets Fail and What to Do About It by Liran Einav, Amy Finkelstein, Ray Fisman. One of the best books on adverse selection I have read. However, I feel like could have been a lot shorter as the examples are repetitive. I’d recommend reading ‘We’ve Got You Covered’ for most readers over this book. Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better by by Coby Lefkowitz. Interesting book on an important topic. The first 100 pages just talks about what is currently wrong. This could have been much shorter. We know what’s wrong, what are the solutions? The rest of the book is very interesting. The very end of the book gives too many examples for me but would be interesting for architecture/city planning experts. However, provides an interesting vision for redesigning our cities. Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday. A book about revenge, the media, the courts and, of course, how one specific conspiracy came together. The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant. A tiger kills a man. Why? A book about tigers, eastern Russia, rural community, and animal conservation. Very interesting. The most ‘fun’ non-fiction book I read this year.
Fiction.
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami. My favorite fiction book I read this year. I love Murakami, his ability to create mystical worlds, and to consider big philosophical questions. Not my favorite Murakami but still very good!Borges and the Eternal Orangutans by Luis Fernando Verissimo. Strange but fun book. Short read. Definitely recommended for fans of Jorge Luis Borges. James by Percival Everett. A re-imagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. A bit over-rated in the media but still very good. La tía Julia y el escribidor by Mario Vargas Llosa. Creative but not my favorite book. The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss. This novella is part of the Kingskiller series. I love the series, but this novella is a bit of a tease for a forthcoming (hopefully!) next novel in the series.
Running/Exercise books.
Today We Die a Little!: The Inimitable Emil Zátopek, the Greatest Olympic Runner of All Time by Richard Askwidth. Great book even for non-runners. Talks about running, communism, family and freedom. Run Elite by Andrew Snow. Good book on running plans. Strong On! by Pat Flynn. Good book kettlebell training for those interested in kettlebells. Some basic tips, integrated with YouTube links and a ‘Choose your own adventure’ style format for picking workouts.
P.S. Check out Peter Neumann’s list of best books of 2025. Always high quality!
