I read about 40 books this year. Most were forgettable. These weren’t.

I’m not going to pad this list with books I felt obligated to include. These are the ones I actually think about weeks after finishing them.

On Technology and Society

“The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleyman remains relevant months after its release. Suleyman, the DeepMind co-founder, makes a compelling case that AI and synthetic biology represent a fundamentally different kind of technological change. Not the “this will change everything” hype. A more sober analysis of what happens when powerful technologies become cheap and accessible.

What makes this book stand out is that Suleyman actually built some of these technologies. He knows where the gaps are between AI demos and real-world deployment.

“Filterworld” by Kyle Chayka examines how algorithmic recommendation systems have made culture more homogeneous. Your Netflix queue, Spotify playlist, and Instagram feed are all shaped by algorithms that optimise for engagement, not quality or diversity.

The book is strongest when discussing how physical spaces (coffee shops, restaurants, hotels) are becoming algorithmically uniform too. Every trendy cafe looks the same because they’re all designed for the same Instagram aesthetic.

On Business and Work

“Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant challenges the idea that natural talent is what matters most. Grant argues, with good evidence, that the right learning strategies, systems of support, and character traits matter more than raw ability.

The chapters on education systems are particularly interesting. Countries like Finland have built entire educational models around this principle, and the results are measurable.

“Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport is a direct counter to hustle culture. Newport proposes doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality rather than quantity.

I was sceptical — “just do less” isn’t exactly groundbreaking advice. But Newport’s framework for implementing this in practice is surprisingly useful. Particularly the sections on how to say no without damaging relationships.

On Science and Health

“Outlive” by Peter Attia is the most practical health book I’ve read in years. Attia, a physician focused on longevity, breaks down the four major diseases that kill most people (heart disease, cancer, metabolic disease, neurodegenerative disease) and what the evidence says about prevention.

It’s dense in places but never dumbed down. If you’re over 30 and care about your health, this is essential reading.

“Determined” by Robert Sapolsky tackles free will. Sapolsky, a Stanford neuroscientist, argues that free will doesn’t exist — that every decision we make is the product of biological and environmental factors we didn’t choose.

You might not agree with his conclusion. But his tour through neuroscience, genetics, and behavioural psychology is fascinating regardless.

On Money and Economics

“Same as Ever” by Morgan Housel is the follow-up to “The Psychology of Money.” Instead of predicting the future, Housel focuses on the things that never change: human behaviour, risk perception, the role of luck.

It’s the kind of book where every chapter contains at least one idea that shifts how you think about something. And unlike most business books, it’s well-written enough to enjoy.

On Writing and Creativity

“On Writing Well” by William Zinsser isn’t new (it was first published in 1976) but I reread it this year and it’s still the best book on non-fiction writing available. Clear, practical, and mercifully short.

If you write for work — emails, reports, blog posts, documentation — this book will make you better at it. Guaranteed.

How I Choose Books

For what it’s worth, here’s my approach: ignore bestseller lists. They’re driven by marketing budgets, not quality.

Instead, pay attention to what smart people in your field are talking about six months after a book is released. The initial hype fades. What people still reference months later is usually the real stuff.

Read sample chapters before buying. If the author can’t hold your attention in chapter one, they won’t in chapter twelve.

And don’t finish books you’re not enjoying. Life’s too short, and there are too many good books waiting.