My readings for 2024 concluded with just 12 books. I spent most of my time reading English style guides to improve my prose and most of them were unmemorable and technical.
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| In my reading nook. |
Nevertheless, I still sneaked in a few books on self-help, mythology, and travel. While I see my study to focus on English, my curiosity still compelled me to read widely. I let my muse lead me to a few fascinating reads.
My curiosity was satiated the most by the following books.
These are my top reads in 2024:
1. The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
This book has been on top my reading list since I discovered it. It's the magnum opus of American writer, Joseph Campbell on comparative mythology, explaining how world myths reveal a single story of how life tends to unfold. Campbell considers this overarching narrative as mankind's monomyth.
Drawing upon religious texts as diverse as the Quran, Vedas, Bible, and Talmud; Folk stories like The Epic of Gilgamesh, Grimm's fairytales, and Arabian nights; and telltales of Māori, African, and Indian origins, Campbell champions an idea he calls The hero's journey that seemed to recur among all tales.
A foundational read for storytellers, artists, and even the common man, The Hero with a Thousand Faces helps us decode messages from mythologies, and inspires us to live like heroes on a noble journey towards truth and freedom.
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
A great fall often succeeds a great triumph. Into Thin Air is acclaimed journalist Jon Krakauer's account of the 1996 Everest disaster in which 5 people were killed while descending the world's highest peak.
Krakauer was a client in the expedition and was initially assigned to write only about Everest's commercialization. Instead, he ends up reporting tales of failed leadership, misfortunes, and the death of his comrades, including the leader of his team.
Also filled with Everest's history, challenges, and acts of heroism, Into Thin air gives readers a glimpse of what's it like to scale the roof of the world, and how nature can quickly turn perilous without regard to human ambition.
3. Ways of Seeing by John Berger
One of the most influential work on art criticism, Ways of Seeing was initially a 4-part television series that aired on British channel, BBC in 1972. In the same year, the series was re-released as a book, expanding on its ideas in 7 essays.
Art critic, John Berger's commentaries on art and mechanical reproduction, analysis of the female gaze in visual art, and oil painting's role in capitalism were very influential to the feminist movement and to modern understanding of art images.
An eye-opening book, Ways of Seeing sets a standard for art analysis. It raises reader's awareness on the technological, economic, and gender sensitivity implications of fine art.
4. The Element by Ken Robinson, Ph. D.
This book is a rally for us all to find our passions. In The Element, renowned education advisor, Sir Ken Robinson explains that working within our passion is not a luxury but a necessity for human flourishing.
Throughout the book, Robinson claims that human talent is more diverse than we imagine, and that present education systems often exclude many of them.
Drawing upon life stories of people deemed talentless as a child like Paul McCartney, Arianna Huffington, and Gillian Lynne, The Element nudges us to meet our unique talents with our personal passions. It makes us redefine what makes a person succeed, and gives us wise counsel on how to do so.
5. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
Everybody writes is a content writing guide for people who manage brands on the internet. Whether it'd be for business or a personal brand, it gives readers comprehensive advice on how to write content that has utility, inspiration, and empathy.
Leading marketer, Ann Handley covered tips ranging from establishing a writing routine, storytelling, publishing, to social media writing.
In 2022, a second edition of the book was released, updated with new chapters and examples. Everybody writes is necessary read that helps us maintain humanity in the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing.
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Conclusion
In summary, while not productive in terms of book count, my readings in 2024 was still educational. They not only helped me be a better writer, but also made me relate with myself and the world with newfound maturity.
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| My 2024 top reads. |
As a new year opens up, I aim to heed the guidance of my muse more. I commit myself to read books that I enjoy rather than ones I'm forced out of necessity.
I plan to read more about Art, Philosophy, and Literature. I also want to dive into some mythological texts.
If anything, I hope to have inspired you to experience the joy of literature this 2025.
As always, I'll include buy links to my top 5 books below.
Thanks for reading!
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Get a copy of my 2024 top books here:
1. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
2. Into Thin Air
3. Ways of Seeing
4. The Element
5. Everybody Writes
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