2024 in books: exploring ideas and remarkable reads
from the hidden systems and materials shaping our world to uncovering timeless lessons from science, history, and innovation
As 2024 draws to a close, I wanted to share some of my favorite reads from the year—books that expanded my understanding of the world, challenged my perspectives, and offered new insights. whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge, or simply a great story, I highly recommend the below.
Material World by Ed Conway
while I consider myself a curious human, I was genuinely caught off guard by how much I didn’t know—and hadn’t even thought to question—about the materials and processes that shape our daily lives. Conway’s writing brings these complex processes to life in a way that’s both insightful and humbling.
this book isn’t just about science; it’s a celebration of human ingenuity and the unseen work behind the objects and infrastructure we often take for granted. at the same time, it’s a sobering read, highlighting how our systems were designed without considering planetary boundaries. the resilience of these systems is both remarkable and troubling. to change them, we first need to understand them, and Conway’s book is a journey well worth taking.
Magnificent Rebels: The First Romantics and the Invention of the Self by Andrea Wulf
through Andrea Wulf, I first discovered Alexander von Humboldt. in magnificent rebels, she once again opened my world to great minds. while Humboldt’s views on nature remain unparalleled, this book is also highly recommendable. it’s an exploration of the first romantics and their revolutionary ideas about the self, creativity, and freedom.
The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut
this is the second book I’ve read by Benjamin Labatut, following the extraordinary When we cease to understand the world. While The Maniac didn’t quite reach the same heights for me, it remains an excellent read. Labatut has a way of blending science, history, and philosophy into something uniquely compelling.
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli
Rovelli has a gift for making the complex beautiful and comprehensible. this book reminded me that there is still so much to learn about the universe, and Rovelli teaches it with grace and clarity.
Empusion by Olga Tokarczuk
before diving into this novel, I read Olga Tokarczuk’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech, where she highlighted the importance of imagination. she argued that the first step to improving our world is to imagine it differently. her writing lives up to this vision. Empusion captivated me so thoroughly that I ended up reading three of her novels in a row.
The Fragile Earth: writing from The New Yorker
few write about climate change as engagingly and insightfully as The New Yorker. this collection of essays is a testament to their long history of excellence in this area. it’s a great tour de force of our climate change history and the challenges we face.
Invention and Innovation by Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil is another author I returned to this year. while I thoroughly enjoyed his previous work, how the world really works (despite it being quite a challenging read at times), I found invention and innovation even more fascinating. understanding how innovation happens and how it successfully moves from niche to norm is a key curiosity of mine, and smil’s exploration of these topics is both thorough and engaging.
Adam Smith: what he thought and why it matters
I don’t agree with everything Adam Smith wrote, but I do believe his ideas hold important lessons for us today. if we all reread Adam Smith and acted based on a clearer understanding of his work rather than the current misconceptions, I think our society would find itself in better balance. this book is a thought-provoking exploration of his legacy.
as the year ends, I hope these recommendations inspire your reading list. each of these books brought me something invaluable this year—a fresh perspective, a deeper understanding, or simply the joy of great writing. here’s to more discoveries in 2025! please share your favorite books so I can fill my reading list for the year ahead.
Best
Ditte
