My 2024 End-of-Year Book List: Business, Balance, and a Little Sci-Fi Spice

What a year. Between running a business, chasing a 10-year-old, getting a masters and keeping my inventor brain in overdrive, I found time to read some game-changing books. And not just business books—though those dominated—because I also may have binged the entire Dune series (again). Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

What’s it about? Peter Thiel takes aim at conventional thinking and argues that the future is about creating something new—literally going from zero to one—not improving what already exists (aka the hamster wheel of competition).

Impact on me: This book was a wake-up slap to my inner “why-not” brain. The big takeaway? Don’t be afraid to be the weirdo in the room with the idea everyone mocks. That’s where the magic happens. Also, Thiel’s observation that humanity hasn’t really progressed in 100 years—except in tech—got my gears turning. Cue the existential inventor brainstorms.

2. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

What’s it about? Newport tackles the toxic culture of busyness and champions a calmer, deeper, more focused way to get meaningful work done.

Impact on me: This book was a life raft during my burnout spiral. I went from corporate agency hamster wheel (Slack! Zoom! More Slack!) to realizing that busy doesn’t equal productive. Newport helped me see that depth matters more than the daily grind. Now, I’m on a mission to actually make an impact—and do it sanely.

3. Traction by Gino Wickman

What’s it about? A no-BS manual for implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework to help businesses get unstuck and thrive.

Impact on me: Finally, a business book that’s not just theory—it’s actionable. Wickman broke down where I was falling short in scaling my business and gave me tools I could actually use. It’s like Principles’ less intimidating cousin. I felt like I leveled up my C-suite game overnight.

4. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

What’s it about? Gerber shatters the myth that being good at something (the “technician”) means you can run a successful business. He explains how to move from doing the work to leading and growing a business.

Impact on me: Hands down, the best book I read all year.

• Moment #1: Gerber’s point about entrepreneurs creating jobs being an act of altruism completely shifted my mindset. Hiring scared me, but now I see it as giving someone security, not a burden on me.
• Moment #2: Learning about the stages of business (infancy, adolescence, maturity) was a game-changer. I realized I was stuck in infancy and had to grow up yesterday if I wanted my business to survive adolescence.

5. Principles by Ray Dalio

What’s it about? Part memoir, part masterclass, Dalio lays out the principles that shaped his life and Bridgewater Associates, from radical transparency to data-driven decision-making.

Impact on me: I got way into investing this year—think stock market trends, earnings calls, and balance sheets—and Dalio was my guru. The biggest takeaway? Self-assess constantly and create systems. Processes and data are the secret sauce, and Dalio’s MasterClasses sealed the deal.

6. The Boutique by Greg Alexander

What’s it about? The journey of building, scaling, and selling a boutique consulting firm.

Impact on me: Equal parts fun and educational, this one was pure inspiration. Alexander’s story made the hurdles feel relatable and conquerable. It’s not every day a business book feels like storytime, but this one delivered.

7. Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations: An Introduction by Montgomery Van Wart, Paul Suino, and Pamela S. Medina

What’s it about? This book dives into the complexities of leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors, offering frameworks, theories, and practical insights to help leaders navigate challenges, inspire teams, and drive meaningful change.

Impact on me: I didn’t realize I was a terrible leader until my master’s program held up a metaphorical mirror (ouch) and this book handed me the roadmap to fix it. I had no leadership style, just a messy mix of bad habits and guesswork. Reading this opened my eyes to the fact that leadership is learned—not a magical quality you’re born with. It helped me define the leader I want to be and understand that being a good leader takes intentional work. Truly life-changing.

Bonus Round: Big Law and Bigger Universes

This year, I also earned a master’s degree (hello, case law textbooks), and for balance, I escaped to Arrakis for the umpteenth time to re-read Dune. Because let’s be real: sometimes you need space worms and political intrigue to keep you grounded.

Final Thoughts

2024 was the year of growth, reflection, and a few good laughs over coffee-stained pages. Each book stretched me in a different way—from breaking out of the “technician” mindset to slowing down for deeper work. If you’re looking to level up in business or life, these reads come highly recommended.

Here’s to 2025 and all the pages we’ve yet to turn! ???