2024 Reading List
January
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
A philosophical examination of technology’s role in our lives, exploring mindful approaches to digital tool usage and the value of solitude in an always-connected world.
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
Classic sci-fi exploring anarchist utopia versus capitalist worlds, examining property, power, and social structures through masterful world-building.
February
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
A realistic approach to time management that accepts human limitations and mortality, offering a more meaningful way to think about how we spend our finite time.
Film as Film by V.F. Perkins
A foundational text in film criticism examining the principles of film art and the relationship between technique and meaning.
March
Silence by Erling Kagge
A meditation on the importance of quiet spaces in our noisy world, perfectly complementing themes from Digital Minimalism.
The Real World of Technology by Ursula M. Franklin
A prescient examination of how technology shapes our culture and daily lives, with insights more relevant than ever.
April
Ways of Seeing by John Berger
Classic analysis of art and visual culture that provides valuable insights for understanding modern media and film.
How Music Works by David Byrne
Talking Heads frontman’s fascinating exploration of music’s evolution alongside technology and culture.
May
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff
Critical examination of how digital technology and data collection are reshaping society and human behavior.
In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch
Legendary film editor’s thoughts on the art and craft of film editing, digital revolution, and storytelling.
June
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
A novel about friendship, art, love, and video games, exploring creativity in the digital age.
This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan
An exploration of our relationship with psychoactive plants and consciousness.
July
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
A masterful analysis of visual storytelling and artistic communication, relevant for all visual media.
The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross
Comprehensive exploration of twentieth-century classical music and its cultural context.
August
The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef
A guide to clearer thinking and better decision-making in an increasingly complex world.
The Ethical Algorithm by Michael Kearns & Aaron Roth
Examining the intersection of ethics and technology in the age of AI and machine learning.
September
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Literary fiction weaving together themes of art, money, and technology in contemporary society.
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier
Behind-the-scenes look at the creative and technical challenges of video game development.
October
The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair
A fascinating history of colors and their cultural significance in art and design.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Thoughtful science fiction exploring artificial intelligence and what it means to be human.
November
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Masterful memoir about grief, memory, and meaning.
A Philosophy of Software Design by John Ousterhout
Deep insights into software design principles and complexity management.
December
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Applying design thinking to life planning and personal development.
The Listeners by Jordan Tannahill
A novel about sound, silence, and the search for meaning in an increasingly noisy world.