--- title: "My Favorite Books of 2024" description: "Discover the top business \u0026 strategy books of 2024, from high-stakes poker to global commodities trading. Key insights for founders \u0026 investors on markets, energy \u0026 risk." categories: ["books"] keywords: ["business books 2024","strategy books 2024","Gus Hansen poker","Daniel Yergin energy","commodity trading books","Haruki Murakami novels","storytelling techniques","theoretical physics books"] ai_summary: "Explore the top business and strategy books of 2024, offering insights for founders and investors across various fields." date: 2024-12-17 lastmod: 2026-07-30 canonical_url: https://www.tomtunguz.com/favorite-books-2024/ author: "Tomasz Tunguz" --- From the pit lanes of Formula One to the secretive world of commodities trading, from the championship poker tables to storytelling competitions, I enjoyed a wide range of different books this year. Here are my favorites : 1. [Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen](https://www.amazon.com/Every-Hand-Revealed-Gus-Hansen/dp/0818407271): A hand-by-hand narrative of Professional poker player Gus Hansen winning the 2007 Aussie Millions tournament. Hansen had a unique style at the time, aggressively defending his blinds. 2. [The New Map by Daniel Yergin](https://www.amazon.com/New-Map-Energy-Climate-Nations/dp/1594206430): Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin explores the changing landscape of energy, geopolitics, & climate change. He presages the Ukrainian conflict in 2019. 3. [The World for Sale by Javier Blas & Jack Farchy](https://www.amazon.com/World-Sale-Javier-Blas/dp/0190078952): This book delves into the secretive world of commodity traders, the individuals who buy & sell raw materials like oil, metals, & grains. It exposes the immense power & influence these traders wield in shaping global markets & how they supported some failing countries, like Cuba & South Africa, during energy crises. 4. [Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli](https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Brief-Lessons-Physics-Rovelli/dp/0399184414): I love to read books about theoretical physics because it's at the limit of what I can grasp. Rovelli describes quantum concepts in an approachable way. 5. [The Seventh Floor by Richard D. McCloskey](https://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Floor-Novel-David-McCloskey/dp/1324086688): Spy fiction is my way of relaxing. I've read every John le Carre book & discovered the Golden Dagger award, given to the best spy fiction each year & have started looking for new ones . "The Seventh Floor" is one in a series about the CIA's efforts to subvert Russian spies. 6. [How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey](https://www.amazon.com/How-Build-Car-Autobiography-Greatest/dp/000819680X): Adrian Newey revolutionized Formula One car design with a background in aerodynamics. He is the single most successful car designer in the history of Formula One, having won many championships. This is his autobiography. 7. [The City & Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami](https://www.amazon.com/City-Its-Uncertain-Walls-Novel/dp/0593801970): Norwegian Wood was my first Murakami novel, & since then, his magical realism has echoed Gabriel García Marquez. I've read every one of his books, & this is the most recent, which ties back to some themes he wrote about when he was just starting as an author. 9. [Storyworthy: How to Use Stories to Sell, Stand Out, & Win by Matthew Dicks](https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Sell-Storyworthy-Strategies-Business/dp/1608689042): Matthew Dicks is an award-winning storyteller. He won several awards, including one for a story about a magic fork captured by one of his students. It's worth listening to [if you have 15 minutes.](https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/matthew-dicks/) He shared some tactical techniques for creating a story, including developing an elephant & using a backpack - some great mnemonics for improving your stories. 10. [Chronicles of a Liquid Society by Umberto Eco](https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Liquid-Society-Umberto-Eco/dp/0544974484): One of the most learned men & broadest vocabulary, Eco is also famous for amassing a library of over 10,000 books. This collection of his essays laments progress. In other words, a curmudgeon's foil to the techno-optimism I love. 11. [The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber & David Wengrow](https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Everything-New-History-Humanity/dp/0374157359): Graeber & Wengrow challenge conventional narratives about human history, arguing that early societies were far more diverse & complex than previously thought. It shares stories of Native American diplomats during the 17th & 18th centuries who traveled to Paris & may have influenced political thought. 12. [Active Measures by Thomas Rid](https://www.amazon.com/Active-Measures-History-Disinformation-Political/dp/0374287260): The history of information warfare. Not a beach read, but fascinating. Send me your recommendations for 2024!