Beyond the Bookshelf: My Reading Journey of 2024
In the previous article, we explored the transformative power of reading in our digital age, discussing how to build a meaningful reading practice through home libraries, effective reading techniques, and the integration of various reading formats. We learned that successful reading habits don’t require dramatic lifestyle changes, but rather consistent, small efforts.
Putting these principles into practice, I read 66 books with a total of 24,602 pages in 2024, more books than I’ve ever read in my life. This achievement wasn’t about racing through pages, but about creating sustainable habits that allowed for deep, meaningful engagement with diverse literature.
This essay offers insights into some of the books I’ve read and what I’ve learned. It also provides additional resources, such as videos, TV shows, and articles, for further exploration. To view the complete list of books I’ve read, please visit my Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge.
Reading Statistics
Fiction
The Foundation Series
I started the year by reading the last three books of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. I read Foundation in German when I was a child, but in 2023, I decided to read all the books in the order recommended by the author. I began with “I, Robot” from the Robot series, then moved on to the Empire series, and finished with the Foundation series.
It remains one of the best science fiction series, despite inconsistencies and weaker books. The story is fantastic, spanning thousands of years with two consistently appearing characters. If you first want to know if you like the story, you can start with the Apple TV+ show that was released in 2021. While it took many liberties and made unnecessary gender and race changes, I found it entertaining.
Cloud Atlas
I have watched the movie Cloud Atlas multiple times and have always liked it, even though the story is complicated and strange. This year, I decided to read the book, and I found that the story is similar to the movie; some chapters are nearly word-for-word from the book. However, the narrative structure differs. While the movie presents the stories in order and then quickly switches between them at the end, the book is structured like a pyramid, starting with the first story, moving to the fifth, and then going backward.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
I first saw the 2005 movie and am aware of the cult-like following of the book and the memes surrounding the number 42. However, I had never read the book before and wanted to give it a try. The book is fine, but it’s not my favorite, and its humor doesn’t quite resonate with me.
Ted Chiang’s Short Stories
Somewhere, I heard Tim Ferriss recommend the short stories of Ted Chiang, so I decided to read them without any prior knowledge. Both books are collections of short stories. “Stories of Your Life and Others” includes two stories that left a lasting impression on me: “Tower of Babel” and “Story of Your Life.” As I read the second story, I realized I was familiar with it and discovered that the movie Arrival (2016) is based on this story, with the script co-written by Ted Chiang.
Libertarianism and Economics
I have always scored as Libertarian on the Political Compass test, but I wasn’t knowledgeable about the political movement. However, several events in the last years sparked my interest in exploring it further. First, the authoritarian measures during the COVID-19 pandemic made me more anti-state and libertarian than I was before, and I’m not the only person. Many people who endured lockdowns, social exclusion, and propaganda have taken the red pill and will never trust the web of lies spun by our politicians again. Ever. Klaus Schwab and the media are really scared of the Libertarian movement, that wants to tear down their authoritarian control of governments into private life.
Javier Milei
Multiple interesting events occurred in 2024 for Libertarianism. Javier Milei took office in Argentina as the first anarcho-capitalist president, bringing libertarianism into public consciousness with Minarchist policies. He used the chainsaw, his ‘Afuera’ aproach, and his strong opposition to statism and socialism to dismantle nearly 100 years of central planning, corruption, and hyperinflation, aiming to liberate the markets from regulation. The left-wing media attempted to discredit him as a nut job and a far-right Nazi, but his achievements are noteworthy. By the end of 2024, Argentina experienced 8 percent more economic growth than Germany.
Renato Moicano
The second interesting aspect was the Brazilian mixed martial artist Renato Moicano. After winning a match in April 2024, he yelled into the microphone, “Read Ludwig von Mises, motherf**kers!”1 This caused a significant spike in Google searches for Ludwig von Mises.
In September 2024, during his victory speech, he insulted Macron and “all the totalitarian globalists,”2 urging people to read Hans-Hermann Hoppe, another prominent libertarian writer. This also led to a substantial increase in Google searches for Hans-Hermann Hoppe. Thus, my libertarian reading journey of 2024 began.
Ludwig von Mises
I began with a free audiobook, a biography of Ludwig von Mises by Thorsten Polleit titled Ludwig von Mises: Der kompromisslose Liberale. It was fascinating to learn about Mises, one of the most significant economists in history.
I read MLiberty and Property, MThe Anti-Capitalistic Mentality, MEconomic Policy: Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow, MLudwig von Mises on Money and Inflation: A Synthesis of Several Lectures, MBureaucracy, MThe Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science, and his masterpiece, MHuman Action: Scholar’s Edition. The scholar’s edition of this book was quite complex. I attempted to read it halfway through, then restarted and combined the audiobook with the e-book for better understanding. It is a dense and advanced economic text. You can get many of these books for free at the Mises Institute.
Murray Rothbard
I began reading books by Murray Rothbard, the founder of modern libertarianism, and a student of Ludwig von Mises. I started with his shortest work, MAnatomy of the State, which takes about an hour to read. This book is essential; everyone should read it. A free German audio version is available.
Next, I followed the recommended Libertarian books from the Mises Institute and read MThe Progressive Era. Although this book is much longer, it is fascinating. It offers detailed insights into the history of the USA from the 1890s to the 1920s, a period when the laissez-faire state transformed into a welfare state. I believe this was the book I learned the most from in 2024. I now understand where Ayn Rand drew her ideas for her book Atlas Shrugged.
I read MWhat Has Government Done to Our Money? and The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar, MEconomic Depressions: Their Cause and Cure, MEducation: Free and Compulsory, and his most famous work, the libertarian bible: MFor a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto. I learned a great deal from all these books, but the last one became my favorite. It addresses common questions people raise when Libertarians propose a stateless society, such as: Who will build the streets? What about police, firemen, and infrastructure? Rothbard offers logical answers to these concerns. Before reading Rothbard, I considered myself a Minarchist, but his arguments prompted me to explore more radical ideas like anarcho-capitalism.
Hans-Hermann Hoppe
If you read Rothbard, you’ll inevitably encounter Hans-Hermann Hoppe, a German libertarian and one of Rothbard’s students. His ideas are even more radical and intriguing. They were too extreme for the USA, so he now resides in Turkey. I started with his most famous book, MGetting Libertarianism Right, which presents fascinating and radical concepts. A free German audio version is available. Next, I read MDemocracy: The God That Failed, which is equally radical and also available as a free audiobook. Hoppe has given many lectures in English and German, which you can find on the Mises Institute’s channel or by searching for his name on YouTube.
Leonard Read
I also read a book from Leonard Read, the founder of the Foundation of Economic Education (FEE): MAnything That’s Peaceful: The Case for the Free Market. I knew Read before from reading his world-famous book, MI, Pencil, which shows that no one person can produce a pencil on his own, but thousands of people and industries around the globe are necessary to produce something as simple as a pencil. Both books are available for free.
I discovered FEE years ago when they released a fantastic video series on their YouTube channel called Out of Frame. The show ran for over five years and produced 70 engaging videos that explain economics, liberty, and libertarian values through examples from TV shows, movies, books, and comics. If you want to cut back on your streaming services and need something interesting to watch, I highly recommend this free series, it’s super entertaining!
Other Books
I read MHow to Think about the Economy: A Primer by Per Bylund, which was recommended by the Mises Institute. It’s a good book for beginners to start learning about economics.
Additionally, I read MA Free-Market Monetary System and The Pretense of Knowledge by Friedrich A. Hayek, as well as MAgainst the Left: A Rothbardian Libertarianism by Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.
Tuttle Twins
While researching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, I came across a children’s book series by Connor Boyack and Elijah Stanfield called The Tuttle Twins. I was intrigued to find children’s books featuring humorous cartoons that explain the topics of economics and liberty. Out of curiosity, I ordered The Tuttle Twins and the Search for Atlas. It presents the story of Atlas Shrugged in a simplified manner for children. I found out that of the 14 books, 12 are also available in German, so I ordered one for my 10-year-old nephew.
I ordered more for myself out of curiosity: The Tuttle Twins and the Road to Surfdom (based on The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek), The Tuttle Twins and the Fate of the Future (inspired by The Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard), The Tuttle Twins and the Messed Up Market (based on Human Action by Ludwig von Mises), and The Tuttle Twins and the 12 Rules Boot Camp (inspired by 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson).
These books are humorous and recommended for ages 5 to 11. They also offer many titles for children aged 12 and up, covering topics like logical fallacies, biases, entrepreneurs, heroes, villains, conspiracies, hyperinflation, and more. Additionally, they provide books for toddlers, as well as iPad apps, cartoons, graphic novels, audiobooks, and translations in 13 languages.
They even have a Tuttle Twins TV show with two seasons, along with a YouTube channel and Instagram accounts (Tuttle Twins, Tuttle Twins TV).
The Vampire Economy & Killing History
These days, political discourse is so embarrassing, as many people show their ignorance by throwing around insults like “fascist” or “Nazi” without even knowing what those terms mean. TIKhistory is one of my favorite YouTube history channels that creates videos about these topics. He is a British YouTuber who has read an incredible amount of primary sources on these topics and can explain the ideologies in simple terms so that people understand the differences.
He created a five-hour video titled Hitler’s Socialism: Destroying the Denialist Counter Arguments, which argues that National Socialism was a form of socialism. He also produced a shorter, condensed version lasting 40 minutes called Hitler’s Socialism: The Evidence is Overwhelming. Additionally, he made an engaging video that compares national socialism, Italian fascism, and British fascism, titled Comparing the Ideologies of Hitler, Mussolini, and Mosley. Another noteworthy video highlights the differences between National Socialism and Fascism, called Fascism Defined: The Difference Between Fascism and National Socialism. His playlist on National Socialist ideology, politics, and economics currently contains 47 videos.
He recommended two intriguing books that I read in 2024: The Vampire Economy: Doing Business Under Fascism by Günter Reimann and Killing History: The False Left-Right Political Spectrum and the Battle between the ’Free Left‘ and the ’Statist Left‘ by L. K. Samuels. The first book was particularly engaging because it uses letters and other primary sources to illustrate how the National Socialists took control of Germany’s industries.
The second book detailed how various socialist ideologies—such as socialism, national socialism, fascism, Leninism, Marxism, and Trotskyism—belong on the same side of the Left/Right spectrum. While some are positioned slightly more to the right than others, they are all fundamentally opposed to libertarian and liberal ideas. The author meticulously demonstrates that leaders such as Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Trotsky, and Mussolini viewed themselves and were perceived by the world as Left. However, Marxists have rewritten history to distance themselves from the crimes associated with 20th-century socialist ideas, aiming to preserve their utopian vision. To be historically accurate, these ideologies are, in fact, all Right in the original context of how the French National Assembly was seated.
After watching the videos and reading the books, you will be able to counter Marxist propaganda, such as claims that Hitler was a fascist or that he wasn’t a socialist.
Ideologies
This year, I decided to explore various books on ideologies, as they seem to be resurfacing as if the 20th century never occurred.
Thomas Sowell
In 2024, I read two books by Thomas Sowell: Basic Economics (belongs in the economics section above) and The Quest for Cosmic Justice. These were the last two on my reading list. In 2023, I had read a significant number of Sowell’s books the years before. Basic Economics is a fantastic and accessible introduction to economics. It is detailed without being overly complicated.
The Road to Serfdom
I read Friedrich A. Hayek’s book MThe Road to Serfdom, written between 1940 and 1943. In it, he warns of the danger of tyranny that inevitably arises from government control of economic decision-making through central planning. There is even a cartoon version available for free at the Mises Institute.
Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis
In 2023, I attempted to read Ludwig von Mises’ book MSocialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis, which has a foreword by Hayek, but I found it a bit too challenging at the time. However, this year I finally finished it. I also read MMarxism Unmasked: From Delusion to Destruction by Mises. Both books effectively dismantle the socialist economic model.
Der Todestrieb in der Geschichte: Erscheinungsformen des Sozialismus
The German economist Markus Krall recommended a fantastic book by a Russian dissident that explores socialist ideologies throughout history, long before the term “socialism” was coined. Der Todestrieb in der Geschichte: Erscheinungsformen des Sozialismus (The Death Drive in History: Manifestations of Socialism) is a captivating history book that examines socialist ideas from antiquity and around the world, highlighting their devastating consequences.
Kreide für den Wolf
The second book recommended by Krall, who wrote the foreword, was even better and became one of my favorites of the year: Kreide für den Wolf (Chalk for the Wolf) by Roland Baader. His writing style is clear, direct, and harsh, which I greatly appreciated. He predicted that the fall of the Berlin Wall would not mark “The End of History” (as Fukuyama suggested) but rather the return of socialism, a trend we are witnessing today with increasing intensity within the European Union. I’ll dive into more of Baader’s books next year.
Dystopian Books
There are several dystopian books that everyone should read at least once in their life: 1984, Brave New World, Animal Farm, and Fahrenheit 451.
These works serve as warnings about political patterns that unfortunately resurface in our times. In Germany, this situation has an ironic twist. The Minister of Economy and Ecology, Robert Habeck, recently wrote the foreword for the German version of 1984. He is a member of the eco-socialist Green Party that introduced many dystopian laws and prohibitions in the last 3 years. They are also main reason for the rapid decline of Germany’s industry. It is particularly striking that he does not recognize that the ruling party in 1984, called INGSOC, stands for “English Socialism.” I must be cautious with my words, as he has already sued over 800 people for insulting his intelligence or competence in 2024. One persons house was raided by the police at 6 AM for posting the 💩 emoji on 𝕏 to the minister. So every German knows now who is talked about when someone says the word “Schwachkopf” (idiot). Streisand effect 😅
Animal Farm
I had never read Animal Farm, but I was familiar with the basic story of how a socialist farm of animals gradually turns fascist, leading to the murder of animals and actions typical of totalitarian regimes. However, I wanted to understand it better, which is why I finally decided to read it. It’s a book that every child should read.
Fahrenheit 451
I have now read all the dystopian novels mentioned above, and Fahrenheit 451 impressed me the most. Its language is poetic, and even though it is a dystopia, there is a glimmer of hope.
Biography
Hillbilly Elegy
I watched NHillbilly Elegy on Netflix in 2020. I became aware of the movie because many critical articles about it were published by the left-leaning press. They seem to disdain the poor white communities in Appalachia because the existence of poor white people challenge their narrative of systemic racism and shows that poverty often arises from economic circumstances and poor life choices rather than racism. The film shows the hard life of growing up in Appalachia, with drug abuse and poverty everywhere. I remember the movie was well-made and going down a rabbit hole into Appalachia after watching it.
I discovered the YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly by Mark Laita, which features interviews and portraits that explore the human condition. The channel presents heartbreaking stories filmed in black and white, covering topics such as drug abuse, prostitution, addiction, war, poverty, life, and love. One particularly shocking story is about the Whittaker’s, an inbred family from Appalachia.
I also found a fascinating 13-part documentary about Appalachia by Peter Santenello.
This year, when I heard that J.D. Vance was running for Vice President alongside Donald Trump, I couldn’t believe that this J.D. Vance was the same person from the movie. I decided to read his biography, also titled Hillbilly Elegy, which is a fantastic book.
Classics
Edgar Allan Poe
I watched the TV show NThe Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix in 2023 and thought it was one of the best shows of the year. I learned that the series is loosely based on several stories by Edgar Allan Poe. I decided to read a collection of his stories, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, the TV show is a must-see.
The Brothers Karamazov
Another book I had wanted to read for more than 15 years was The Brothers Karamazov. It’s a good, lengthy book, but definitely not an easy read.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The longest book I’ve ever read, and probably the longest I will ever read, is The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon. I always wanted to read it, but the sheer number of pages intimidated me. Although it is nearly 250 years old and has its flaws, it remains impressive for those interested in history.
From the book, I remember mostly that humans are murderous, sociopathic, and power-hungry. It details the killings of entire families and cities, including gruesome acts like skinning, ripping out nails, and cutting off noses and ears. It’s one murderous psychopath after another killing the previous one and his entire family, only to be killed along with his family by the next usurper, and so on. The cycle of murder, rape, pillaging, revenge, and atrocities continues for 1,500 years.
But I still recommend reading it because you can’t understand the present without understanding the past.
If you’re interested in history, I recommend two podcasts: Hardcore History® by Dan Carlin, which features hour-long episodes on ancient and more recent history, all presented in an engaging manner. Another impressive show is the Fall of Civilization podcast, which currently has 18 episodes exploring the decline of various high civilizations.
Comics
Lone Wolf and Cub
Lone Wolf and Cub (子連れ狼, Kozure Ōkami), is a brilliant manga by Kazuo Koike and with the visuals of Goseki Kojima first published in 1970. I have seen the many movies and TV shows in my teenage years and was always fascinated by the epic samurai adventure.
The lonely Rōnin and his young son in a wooden stroller with squeaky wheels have achieved cult status. Even Adult Swim, the studio behind Rick and Morty, created a two-part homage titled Lone Wolf and Cub: Samurai & Shogun (Part 1) and Samurai & Shogun (Part 2).
Additionally, a fan produced a shot-by-shot comparison.
When a high-quality Master Edition was announced in 2022, I decided to buy it. It consists of 12 impressive volumes, each nearly 700 pages long. The final volume will be released in 2025.
Blame
The last manga series I started in 2024 was Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei, who is also the creative mind behind the sci-fi anime Knights of Sidonia. I first heard about Blame! in 2017 from PewDiePie.
In 2024, Dami Lee, one of my favorite architecture YouTube channels, made a video titled This Manga Took Me to a Strange Place, focusing on the architecture in Blame!. This inspired me to buy the manga.
Blame! is a six-part cyberpunk manga set in a bizarre, futuristic megastructure with unusual architecture. It has a dark and grim tone, featuring almost no dialogue. It is a pure work of art to appreciate. Additionally, there is a compelling 30-minute documentary titled Unraveling Blame! that explores the manga in greater depth. And Netflix has an anime adaptation of NBlame!.
Conclusion
In 2024, my reading journey took me through an expansive landscape of literature, from classic dystopian novels and epic manga series to profound economic and libertarian works. The books I consumed not only broadened my understanding of various subjects but challenged my existing perspectives, particularly in areas of economics, political philosophy, and societal structures. The diverse mix of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from Asimov’s Foundation series to the works of Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard, created a rich tapestry of knowledge and insight.
What stands out from this year’s reading is how historical works continue to illuminate our present circumstances. Gibbon’s extensive examination of Rome’s decline, the prescient warnings in dystopian classics like Fahrenheit 451, and the economic analyses of Austrian School thinkers all demonstrate that the challenges and patterns of human society repeat themselves. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, the wisdom found in these pages becomes ever more relevant. It reminds us that understanding the past and its lessons is crucial for shaping our future.
Footnotes
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Tyler Durden (2024): “Read Ludwig von Mises, Motherf**kers!” - Brazilian UFC Fighter’s Victory Speech Pumps Austrian Economics. ↩
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Tho Bishop (2024): Underdog Moicano Wins UFC Fight, Bashes Macron in France, Promotes Hoppe. ↩