This was an amazing year for reading. For a variety of reasons—some enjoyable, others less so—I ended up reading an unusually large number of books. This is noteworthy for me because I am a slow reader. Yet, by the end of 2024, I managed to finish 24 books, the most I’ve read in a year since I started tracking my reading in 2012.
Reading has a remarkable ability to transport me to places I could never dream of visiting. Books not only teach us new skills and share captivating stories but also reveal what humanity is capable of—both virtuous and vile, moral and immoral.
Speaking of morality, Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind explores how and why people differ in their moral judgments of others. The story of Abraham and his son used to baffle me. How could a father even consider sacrificing his child to prove loyalty to God? After reading various perspectives, I don’t claim to understand or agree with this dreadful decision. However, I now see that cultural context, historical distance, and the vastly different social frameworks across cultures play a crucial role in such stories.
I didn’t write a review of Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents, but I decided to read this classic published in 1930. It’s a short book but brilliantly written. I was drawn to it after hearing that Freud wrote with great clarity and engagement. It’s no surprise that he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, as well as in Physiology. Apparently, he didn’t win either, partly because Albert Einstein objected to his nomination. Nobel committees often seek opinions from other laureates, and Einstein reportedly did not support Freud’s work.
While Freud’s psychoanalytic theories are considered outdated today, many aspects remain controversial. The central idea in Civilization and Its Discontents is that sexual repression in urbanized societies can lead to mental illness. Freud suggests that primitive societies had fewer rules, allowing people more freedom in their relationships. As urbanization developed, finding sexual partners became more difficult, leading to frustration and mental health issues in some individuals.
Two of the books I read this year, Boundless by Nick Kostov and Endgame by Frank Brady, share overlapping narratives about high-profile foreign nationals arrested in Japan. In Boundless, Kostov recounts the story of Carlos Ghosn, a celebrated executive in the automotive industry. Ghosn saved Nissan from financial ruin but allegedly misused his position, awarding himself massive pay raises and engaging in other dubious activities. He was arrested in Japan and held in isolation under Japan’s strict judicial practices. With his trial repeatedly delayed, Ghosn eventually planned and executed a daring escape from the country.
In Endgame, Brady begins by describing Bobby Fischer’s experience at a Japanese airport, where he was unexpectedly detained and beaten by immigration officials because the U.S. government had revoked his passport. Although Fischer’s detention in Japan is not the main focus, the book delves into the extraordinary life of one of history’s most prominent chess players.
Both books offer fascinating insights into the challenges faced by renowned figures under very different circumstances, making them compelling reads this year.
At the beginning of this yearly reflection, I mentioned how reading had transported me to unimaginable places. Some of these journeys were through fiction, others through history, but all were extraordinary adventures.
Paradise by Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah tells the story of a boy’s tumultuous coming-of-age in early 20th-century Tanzania, during the era of German colonial rule. The boy is taken from his family and forced into slavery. However, his kind and resilient nature fosters a good relationship with his master, a trader traveling across vast areas of East Africa. Along the way, they encounter hostile and perilous situations, painting a vivid and often harrowing picture of the time.
In The Wager by David Grann, the narrative shifts to the high seas of the 18th century, following English pirate ships on a mission to seize gold from a Spanish galleon. The book brings the gripping tale to life, making the historical events feel immediate and visceral.
Another remarkable journey into the past is The Crusades by Hilaire Belloc. Belloc’s passionate storytelling draws readers into the events of 1,000 years ago, when the Crusades were launched as both a military campaign and a spiritual pilgrimage to reclaim Jerusalem. Belloc’s skill as a historian and writer makes his work compelling, and I look forward to exploring more of his books.
For a contrasting perspective, The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf offers a deeply insightful account of why and how the Crusades ultimately failed to achieve their goal. Maalouf provides a detailed analysis from the Arab point of view, enriching the reader’s understanding of these complex events.
Moving forward in history, I also had the privilege of delving into the writings of Martin Luther, who lived 500 years ago. Luther is a monumental figure, not only for his role in the Reformation and the development of Protestantism but also for championing literacy. He believed that society should be able to read and understand the teachings of Jesus directly, rather than relying on priests and monks, who at that time were among the few who could read. Luther’s ideas extended beyond theology, offering a unique political perspective for his era.
These books took me on incredible journeys—across continents and centuries—and offered insights into humanity’s enduring struggles, achievements, and complexities.
To be continued.