What I Read in 2024, Part 1: Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Sports
I’m sharing every single book I read in 2024. This is part one. To make things more fun and because I believe in reading widely, I’ve created unique genre pairings for each part. Today’s pairing is sci-fi and fantasy alongside sports.
In 2024, I made a goal to read or listen to at least 20 pages per day of a book. As a result, I ended up reading 61 books, had the best reading year of my entire life, and enjoyed every single page turn along the way. My favorite part of reading, though, is sharing those books with others and helping someone find their next favorite read.
In that spirit, I’ll be sharing every single book I read in 2024 over the next few days. To make things more fun and because I believe in reading widely, I’ve created unique genre pairings for each part. Think of it like a wine and food pairing, but for the mind. Today’s pairing is sci-fi and fantasy alongside sports.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Dune
Author: Frank Herbert
Why Read It: Enter a richly detailed universe where politics, religion, and ecology intertwine in humanity's struggle for survival. This masterpiece of science fiction explores power, prophecy, and the human condition across a vast galactic empire.
Review: What more is there to say about this classic? This book is tremendous and even better as an audiobook where there's a full cast reading it. A must-read for any sci-fi fan.
The Three-Body Problem
Author: Cixin Liu
Why Read It: During China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space and something answers back. What follows is a mind-bending exploration of physics, philosophy, and humanity's place in the cosmos.
Review: This is some real hardcore sci-fi, but I really enjoyed it. It's a little slow to start, but worth the read, especially if you watched the Netflix show.
The Dark Forest
Author: Cixin Liu
Why Read It: The sequel to Three-Body Problem escalates the stakes of humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. A haunting meditation on cosmic sociology and the fundamental nature of civilization itself.
Review: My favorite book in the trilogy. Another slow starter, but it heats up in the second half. This is a puzzle in book form in the best way.
Death's End
Author: Cixin Liu
Why Read It: The epic conclusion to the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy takes readers on a journey spanning millions of years and multiple dimensions. A breathtaking exploration of humanity's destiny among the stars.
Review: A very satisfying conclusion to the series. The end of the book is profound and makes you think. I loved it.
The Way of Kings
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: Enter the world of Roshar, where mystical knights, ancient magic, and political intrigue collide in an epic tale of honor and destiny. The first book in The Stormlight Archive will immerse you in one of fantasy's most intricate and well-crafted worlds.
Review: No one builds a world like Brandon Sanderson. This book is truly in the pantheon of all-time great fantasy writing. It's 1,000+ pages in length, but it's well worth the ride.
Words of Radiance
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: The second installment in The Stormlight Archive deepens the mythology and raises the stakes as ancient powers reawaken. Character development and world-building reach new heights in this masterful continuation.
Review: I've never fist pumped with happiness while reading until this book. It's epic and full of Sanderson's classic twists and turns. I loved every second.
Oathbringer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: The third massive volume of The Stormlight Archive explores the weight of leadership and the price of honor. Past and present collide as heroes face their greatest challenges yet.
Review: My current favorite book of all-time. The last 200 pages are maybe the best 200 pages I've ever read in my life. It's exceptional.
Edgedancer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: This novella fills an important gap in the Stormlight Archive series, following a young character's journey to understand her powers and responsibilities. A perfect complement to the main series that adds depth to the world.
Review: A short and quick read that features a super fun character from the Stormlight Archive. This book is just plain fun.
Dawnshard
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: Another crucial novella in the Stormlight Archive series that explores uncharted waters both literally and figuratively. Essential reading for understanding the broader cosmere.
Review: Another great novella from Sanderson. It was cool to spend time with more side characters plus the implications on the universe as a whole are surprisingly large.
Warbreaker
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Why Read It: A standalone fantasy novel set in the same universe as The Stormlight Archive, featuring a unique magic system based on color and breath. A story of gods, magic, and political intrigue that will change how you think about color itself.
Review: A slow start, but I couldn't put it down after the first third. The ending will make you smile and cry at the same time.
Good Omens
Author: Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
Why Read It: An angel and a demon team up to prevent Armageddon in this hilarious take on the apocalypse. The perfect blend of British humor and supernatural shenanigans makes this collaboration between two master storytellers unforgettable.
Review: A laugh-out-loud good time. The humor hits the mark while not distracting from the overall message of the book. I'd recommend the audiobook here too because it features a full cast telling the story.
The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Why Read It: When an astronaut is accidentally left behind on Mars, he must use his wit and scientific knowledge to survive. A thrilling tale of human ingenuity and determination that makes rocket science accessible and entertaining.
Review: If you've seen the movie, I still recommend the book too. The science is fascinating, but explained in a way everyone can understand.
Stories of Your Life and Others
Author: Ted Chiang
Why Read It: A collection of mind-bending short stories that blend science, philosophy, and human emotion in unexpected ways. The story that inspired the film 'Arrival' is just one of many gems in this thought-provoking collection.
Review: Brain-breaking short stories that left my jaw on the floor. A quick and easy read if you're looking for some sci-fi variety.
Sports
Michael Jordan: The Life
Author: Roland Lazenby
Why Read It: An in-depth look at the man who became more than just a basketball player. This biography explores the complexity behind the legend and what drove him to become the greatest of all time.
Review: One of my all-time favorite biographies. You'll learn about the business and life of Michael Jordan. Plus, I was fired up each time after reading it. Jordan is the GOAT.
Tiger Woods
Author: Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian
Why Read It: A comprehensive biography that traces Tiger's journey from child prodigy to global icon to fallen star and back again. Reveals the pressure of fame and the price of perfection.
Review: A very nuanced biography about Tiger. This book changed the way I think about him. If you're a golf fan or golf-curious, I can't recommend it enough.
Running to the Edge
Author: Matthew Futterman
Why Read It: The story of Bob Larsen and the transformation of American distance running. A fascinating look at how innovation in training methods can push human potential to new limits.
Review: An excellent intro to the world and history of performance running. This book will make you want to get out onto the road and start chewing up miles. Plus, you'll learn a few tips for getting faster too.
Once a Runner
Author: John L. Parker Jr.
Why Read It: The definitive novel about competitive running that captures the essence of what it means to pursue athletic excellence. A cult classic that runners swear by and non-runners can't put down.
Review: Easily my favorite running book. It made me smile and tear up. Even if you've never laced up your running shoes, you will enjoy it.
Bowerman and the Men of Oregon
Author: Kenny Moore
Why Read It: The remarkable story of the legendary coach who built Oregon's running program and co-founded Nike. A tale of innovation, determination, and the birth of modern running culture.
Review: Bill Bowerman is awesome. He was a true renaissance man. The tales of coaching track and founding Nike are a blast. When we talk about innovators, we need to talk about Bill Bowerman more.
The Baseball 100
Author: Joe Posnanski
Why Read It: A masterful ranking and analysis of baseball's greatest players that reads like a love letter to the sport. Each essay combines statistical analysis with compelling storytelling to bring these legends to life.
Review: Joe is one of my favorite sports writers. I read one of his entries each day and always closes the book with a smile on my face. A must-read for any baseball fan.
The Formula
Author: Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg
Why Read It: An insider's look at how Formula 1 reinvented itself for a new generation. Explores the technical, financial, and cultural forces that transformed F1 into a global phenomenon.
Review: I knew nothing about F1 going into this and left knowing a ton. A great read for business thinkers, gear heads and race fans.
Football for a Buck
Author: Jeff Pearlman
Why Read It: The wild, true story of the USFL, a league that changed football forever despite its short existence. A tale of ambition, innovation, and how Donald Trump helped kill America's alternative football league.
Review: Some of the stories in this book are stranger than fiction – like the time two whole teams were traded for each other (yes, that actually happened). I recommend reading it in the spring or summer to get your offseason football fix.
Soccernomics
Author: Simon Kuper & Stefan Szymanski
Why Read It: A fascinating application of economic principles to soccer that explains everything from transfer markets to national team success. Changes how you think about the world's most popular sport.
Review: I wanted to learn more about soccer this year and this book was like drinking from a fire hose. It's a little dense at times, but an informative read for any soccer fan.
The United States of Soccer
Author: Phil West
Why Read It: Chronicles the rise of Major League Soccer and its impact on American sports culture. A detailed look at how soccer finally found its footing in the United States.
Review: There's not a ton out there about the history of the MLS, so I wanted to learn a little for myself. This book only covers up until about the early 2010's, but it's very well-researched and informative.
Men in Blazers Present Gods of Soccer
Author: Roger Bennett & Michael Davies
Why Read It: A loving tribute to the 100 greatest players who have graced the beautiful game. Combines statistical analysis with passionate storytelling to celebrate soccer's finest.
Review: This was another addition to my soccer syllabus and it does an excellent job giving you the full scope of soccer's greats. The writing is fun and will make you laugh too.
The Road to Omaha
Author: Ryan McGee
Why Read It: An intimate look at college baseball's greatest stage and the dreams that live and die there. Captures the magic and heartbreak of the College World Series.
Review: The College World Series is so underrated in terms of sheer delight. This book not only features excellent story-telling, but also provides a full history of the tournament.
Basketball (and Other Things)
Author: Shea Serrano
Why Read It: A wildly entertaining collection of basketball analysis that asks and answers the questions fans really care about. Combines humor, illustration, and deep knowledge of the game.
Review: Shea Serrano is one of my favorite writers. He blends pop-culture, sports, and movies in a way no one else can. He crushes it here. If you love basketball, you won't do much better than this.
Audiobook Recommendations
Several books from this list would be particularly engaging in audio format. Here are a few of my favorites.
Michael Jordan: The Life - The dramatic story of Jordan's life and career would make for compelling listening. The narrator’s voice is buttery smooth making it an easy listen too.
Football for a Buck - The wild stories and colorful characters of the USFL translate well to audio storytelling.
Basketball (and Other Things) - Shea Serrano's conversational writing style and humor work excellently in audio format.
Dune - Features a full cast reading that enhances the epic scope and brings the complex political intrigue to life
Good Omens - The full cast narration perfectly captures the wit and humor of Gaiman and Pratchett's writing
The Stormlight Archive series - Professional narration helps navigate the extensive world-building and brings the diverse cast of characters to vivid life
The Martian - Wil Wheaton's performance perfectly captures Mark Watney's wit and personality, making the scientific explanations even more engaging