The Five Best Non-Fiction Books I Read in 2024

by Ryan Gottfredson

Every year, to close out the year, I have identified the best books that I read throughout the year. And, turns out, these posts get the most traffic.

So, I am back at it again.

As of this writing, I have read/listened to 85 books during 2024.

I want to share the top books I have read across four genres and the value I have gained from reading them:

Fiction (12/9)
Non-Fiction (12/16)
Business/Leadership (12/23)
Self-Help (12/30)

The Five Best Non-Fiction Books I Read in 2023

5. Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book that Changes Lives—Including Your Own by A. J. Harper

If you are an author or an aspiring author, this book is, in fact, a ”must read.” I have not read another book that has helped me more as an author. And, not only does A.J. Harper deliver amazing content and ideas, she does so in an incredibly engaging way. She knocked this book and topic out of the park.

This book has a 4.50 rating on Goodreads with 67% giving it five stars.

4. The Holocaust: A New History by Laurence Rees

I have read a lot of books about the Holocaust, and what made this book stand out to me is in Rees’s overview of why and how the Holocaust started. That, to me, was incredibly eye-opening.

This book has a 4.64 rating on Goodreads with 70% giving it five stars.

3. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

This was voted Goodread’s Best Non-fiction Book for 2024.

I loved Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. So, it was a no-brainer to pick up this book, particularly because I have developed a deep interest in mental wellness.

This book chronicles the impact smart phones are playing in the lives and mental well-being of children. To me, this is a must-read for any parent.

Another book in this genre that I liked slightly better, but had read in 2022, is Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—And How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari (you’ll see his name come up below).

The Anxious Generation has a 4.42 rating on Goodreads with 55% giving it five stars.

2. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia

This is an incredible treatise about how to rethink our health and wellness. The author covers the four major health issues that prevent longevity (heart disease, cancer, neurogenerative disease, and Type 2 diabetes), and he dives into (1) their shared underlying factors, and (2) how to live, eat, and operate in a manner that can reduce our risk for these health issues. Throughout, he provides practical and doable recommendations for helping to ensure we live long full lives.

While I really liked the first 16 chapters of this book, the reason this book is #2 on this list (and not lower) is because of chapter 17. In chapter 17, Peter Attia gets vulnerable and dives into his life story (including past trauma) and how that shaped how he approached life. It was one of the most incredible chapters I have ever read, and a chapter I think all people need to read.

This book has a 4.36 rating on Goodreads with 52% giving it five stars.

Another health-related book that I read this year that I really liked is Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: A Powerful Plan to Improve Mood, Overcome Anxiety, and Protect Memory for a Lifetime of Optimal Mental Health by Dr. Georgia Ede. The reason why this book didn’t make it on this list is that Peter Attia covers some of the main ideas of Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. And, while I recommend that you read both of these books, the more holistic book is Outlive.

1. Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs by Johann Hari

Johann Hari has become one of my most favorite authors. I love how he presents well-cited and unbiased research along with his authentic personal experience to dive into big life topics. In this book, he takes a look at the new weight loss drugs, including Ozempic.

Now, I don’t have any interest in taking these drugs (nor do I have the need to), but still, I found it completely fascinating to learn about these drugs and their pros and cons.

And, what was most incredible about this book is that the author walks the reader through his journey of using these drugs to help him lose weight. It is both eye-opening and heart-wrenching.

This book has a 4.29 rating on Goodreads with 45% giving it five stars.

Other topics that he has written about in powerful ways includes:

Depression (Lost Connections)
Our ability to sustain attention (Stolen Focus)
Addiction (Chasing the Scream)

Best Books from Prior Years

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