Books I Read In 2024

As 2024 comes to a close , I thought I’d reflect on the books I’ve read or listened to this year.

*This isn’t a marketing or advertising post*— I’m sharing them in case they spark curiosity or new ideas for others, just as they did for me. Below is a brief introduction to each, along with a short description. I’ll add my personal reflections and takeaways for each.

As the year unfolded, my reading list took me through a diverse range of topics, from creativity and decision-making to psychology, culture, and performance. Each book offered valuable insights, challenging my thinking and deepening my understanding of various subjects.

Art & Fear

by David Bayles & Ted Orland

Art & Fear, is a thoughtful exploration of the challenges artists and creative people face, delving into the psychological obstacles that often hold creators back. The book discusses fear of failure, self-doubt, and the struggle for originality while emphasising that the creative process is messy but essential. It’s a great read for anyone pursuing artistic endeavours or creative work in any field!

I May Be Wrong

by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad

A deeply reflective and philosophical book, I May Be Wrong shares the insights of former Buddhist monk Björn Natthiko Lindeblad. Through his personal experiences, he explores themes of uncertainty, mindfulness, and acceptance, offering wisdom on how to navigate life with humility and grace. His perspective is a reminder that embracing doubt and impermanence can lead to deeper peace and understanding.

Measure What Matters

by John Doerr

John Doerr introduces the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a goal-setting framework used by some of the world’s most successful companies. Through case studies from Google, Intel, and other organisations, the book explains how setting clear, measurable objectives can drive progress and accountability in both business and personal life. I’ve heard a lot companies adapt this method so I wanted to learn about it.

I’m Okay, You’re Okay

by Thomas A. Harris

A classic in psychology and self-help, I’m Okay, You’re Okay explores transactional analysis—a theory that explains human behaviour through interactions between our inner “Parent,” “Adult,” and “Child.” It’s a practical guide to understanding ourselves and improving our relationships by recognising the patterns we unconsciously repeat. A deep dive and highly useful book to reflect on interaction at work and in our lives.

The Culture Map

by Erin Meyer

An insightful guide to understanding cultural differences in communication, leadership, and collaboration, The Culture Map is particularly useful for those working in global teams. Meyer provides a framework for navigating cross-cultural interactions, helping readers understand how people from different backgrounds approach topics like feedback, decision-making, and trust.

Think In Systems

Donella Meadows

This book introduces systems thinking as a way to understand complex problems and find sustainable solutions. Donella Meadows explains how everything—businesses, economies, societies—operates within interconnected systems, and she provides strategies for making better decisions by considering long-term consequences rather than quick fixes.

The Sports Gene

David Epstein

This fascinating book explores the science behind athletic performance, questioning whether elite athletes are born or made. Epstein examines the role of genetics, training, and environment in shaping sports success, offering a compelling look at how biology and culture influence human potential.

Personal Reflections

As all 7 books are very different, I won’t choose a favourite per-se. However I will highlight how readable and enjoyable Art & Fear was, in terms of the insights and style of writing. The Culture Map led me on to discover the interactive website in which you can map different cultures against the measures outlined in the book, which is really cool – link here.

And the last reflection is what the OKR method is really powerful. Since reading the book early last year and reflecting on the principles, I can see why it’s been adopted so widely. I will also say that the book is detailed and complex, but the principles are very straight forward to apply. It’s just having the discipline to impliemt a new systems that takes the effort.

Let me know if you’ve read any of them or have books to recommend.

~ Andy