My Reading List for 2024

“Reading about systems, crypto, math, programming, personality, and science fiction while sitting in a garden on a space ship with a dome” — DALL-E

I don’t usually make a plan for what I’m going to read at the beginning of the year, but this year is different. I’ve got a lot going on and some specific goals to achieve so I need to be well-organized.

Here’s what I’ll be reading and using as reference material in 2024.

Systems

This is the year I prioritize building the skills that will take me from being a curious explorer of systems to a more serious systems scientist. The following texts will serve as core references for my personal research outside of assigned school readings.

• General Systems Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications

• Systems Science: Theory, Analysis, Modeling, and Design

• Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems

• A First Course in Network Science

Math

Math was intuitive and fairly effortless for me up until the point where I transitioned from advanced algebra to geometry. I could not for the life of me figure out the point of or find the joy in drawing all of those silly shapes. This set me up for a miserable time in trigonometry, and dropping out of calculus before finding brief reprieve in the wonderfully practical world of statistics. I then proceeded to have no need for anything resembling advanced mathematics in my career after school.

This year, I’m confronting my moderate math phobia head-on by delving into the history and 'why' behind numbers, reigniting my natural curiosity and rediscovering the fun in math.

• A Mathematician's Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form

• Arithmetic

• The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity

• Measurement

• Infinite Powers: The Story of Calculus

• Math Adventures with Python: An Illustrated Guide to Exploring Math with Code

• Doing Math with Python: Use Programming to Explore Algebra, Statistics, Calculus, and More!

Software

I’m taking a course on computational tools for scientific/engineering problem solving this semester and also working on a fun open source project. Time to re-ignite my interest in coding.

• Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software

• Producing Open Source Software: How to Run a Successful Free Software Project

• The Essence of Software: Why Concepts Matter for Great Design

Crypto

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book focused on crypto. I mostly stay up to date with the latest developments via blog posts, newsletters, and social media platforms like X (Twitter). But I’m excited to dig into Chris Dixon’s perspective on the state of the blockchain revolution as well as US Space Force Major Jason P. Lowery’s MIT master’s thesis exploring Bitcoin’s potential role as “electro-cyber security technology.”

• Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet

• Softwar: a novel theory on power projection and the national strategic significance of Bitcoin

Personality

Personality psychology and neuroscience has been a strong, but casual interest of mine since my sophomore year at USC. Last year I got more serious by starting to engage with the Personality Hacker community. This year I’m going a bit deeper down the rabbit hole by taking their Profiling 101 course. I’m excited to have Dr. Dario Nardi’s latest research as a reference as I embark on this journey.

• Decode Your Personality: Go Beyond Myers-Briggs With 64 Brain-Based Subtypes

Science Fiction

I’ve loved science fiction since childhood, and this year I’m going back to the classics that sparked my passion for the genre. I’m looking forward to the nostalgia, reengaging with the stories with a bit more life experience, and getting inspired for my own creative writing.

• Dune Series

• The Complete Stories of Isaac Asimov Volumes 1 & 2