Tag Archives: Non-fiction Books

My 2025 Reading List

Posted on by
1
Digital illustration of a colorful stack of books representing the 2025 Year-End Reading List. The visible titles on the spines are Human Acts, Populus, The Engineers of Chaos, Nexus, and Distancia de rescate.

It’s been a few months since my last reading update, and as we wrap up 2025, I wanted to share a fresh batch of books that have sparked my curiosity.

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m drawn to topics that explain why the world works the way it does, whether through the lens of history, technology, economics, or the complexities of human behavior. The non-fiction titles in this list reflect that mix, ranging from AI and populism to the daily life of the Roman Empire.

In fiction, I have been drawn to emerging Latin American writers and global masters, including several recent Nobel Prize winners.

Below, you’ll find my latest reads, followed by a recap of the books I recommended earlier this year.

Continue reading →

Book Recommendations for Summer 2025

Posted on by
2

Here are a few books I read recently that are worth checking out.

Fiction

Book cover of "Flights" by Olga Tokarczuk, featuring a bright yellow background with a stylized black bird in mid-flight and minimalist black title text.
  • Flights by Olga Tokarczuk. First book I read by this Polish Nobel laureate. A unique collection of stories, some just one-paragraph reflections, others longer, all loosely connected by the theme of travel. Her style is captivating and I really enjoyed it.
  • Un lugar soleado para gente sombría (A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories) by Mariana Enríquez. A collection of contemporary short horror stories, in my opinion, much better than her previous collections. I love the style of this Argentinian author: an enchanting, casual voice to describe everyday life twisted by unsettling elements. For something longer, don’t miss her amazing novel Nuestra Parte de Noche (Our Share of Night).
  • The Vegetarian by Han Kang. A strange novel by the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. While the prose and style are beautiful, I didn’t particularly connect with the story. Still, it’s worth reading given her recent recognition and the fact that it’s a short read. I’m looking forward to trying some of her other works.
Continue reading →

What I’ve Been Reading Lately

Posted on by
2

It’s been several months since my last book recommendations, but I’m back with a new list. Here are some noteworthy titles that have caught my attention:

Non-Fiction

Cover of "Number Go Up" by Zeke Faux, featuring a stylized Bitcoin symbol with bright colors and glitch effects, reflecting the chaos and hype of the crypto world.
  • A Field Guide to the Apocalypse by Athena Aktipis. A darkly humorous yet insightful guide on preparing for challenging times, blending science with wit.
  • How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil. A fact-based and data-driven analysis of modern civilization’s dependence on fossil fuels, steel, concrete, plastics, and ammonia, highlighting the challenges in transforming our existing societal model to deal with climate change.
  • Number Go Up by Zeke Faux. An insightful look into the hype, scams, and personalities within the crypto world, focusing on the history of FTX and its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, now serving time in jail for fraud.
  • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. A useful philosophy on how to think about money, expenses, and investments, offering timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness.
Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Reads: Exploring Ideas and Expanding Perspectives

Posted on by
1

I’ve been immersed in non-fiction lately, exploring books that spark curiosity and teach me new things. Here are a few titles that I recommend:

Continue reading →

Holiday Book Recommendations for December 2023: Fiction and Non-Fiction

Posted on by
1

As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to read some good books. Here are my recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction reading, based on recent books I have read.

Fiction

Cover of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
  • The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that weaves an intricate narrative of loss, obsession, and art, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
  • Simple Passion by Nobel Prize 2022 winner Annie Ernaux: This candid memoir explores the depths of love, longing, and the consequences of passion, showcasing Ernaux’s powerful narrative style.
  • The Red-Haired Woman by Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk: A lovely tale that chronicles a young man’s journey, intertwined with the enigma of a mysterious woman, resulting in a life-altering obsession.
  • QualityLand by Marc-Uwe Kling: A refreshing and easy-to-read sci-fi novel that vividly paints a future dominated by social media and extreme data analytics. This satirical narrative humorously yet grimly reflects on a world where algorithm-driven companies and governments hold sway, drawing parallels to contemporary developments like China’s social credit system.

Non-Fiction

Cover of When McKinsey Comes to Town by Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe.
  • Hiking is Fundamental by Barbara Kipfer: A comprehensive guide to hiking, perfect for both novices and experienced hikers.
  • When McKinsey Comes to Town by Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe: A critical look at the influential consulting firm McKinsey & Company, revealing controversial aspects of its work. As a former employee, I find some of these revelations particularly surprising.

For more book recommendations, be sure to check out my previous recommendations.

Summer 2023 Reading: Enlightening Non-Fiction Books to Explore

Posted on by
1

This (North Hemisphere) summer, I have a fresh list of non-fiction book recommendations for you, each one focusing on a distinct and engaging topic:

Continue reading →