My 2026 Reading List

A dystopian story about censorship and distraction in a world where everyone is hyper-stimulated. People can lose their freedom not just through oppression, but through comfort and entertainment. Think Idiocracy. Often referenced when people talk about TikTok and the attention economy.

Vonnegut's anti-war masterpiece. A time-bending, darkly funny novel about the firebombing of Dresden and one man's unstuck journey through time. A classic that deserves a spot on any reading list.

A haunting memoir about addiction, imagination, and altered states of consciousness. An early psychological portrait of obsession, identity, and the fragile boundaries of the mind. A semi-classic that somehow found its way onto the list.

Not the action movie you might expect — it's a series of short stories about the alignment problem before anyone called it that. How do we instruct robots to do what we want, not just what we say? Asimov coined the term "robotics" in this book. Essential reading for anyone thinking about AI.

An accessible introduction to how rational actors make strategic decisions in conflict, cooperation, and competition. It reveals the hidden logic behind everyday choices — from politics to relationships. Even though it's hard to grasp, it helps you predict how people will act and gives you a strategic advantage.

The groundbreaking book that created modern game theory and turned economics into a more formal science. One of the most influential intellectual works of the 20th century. Might skip this one if the McCain book covers enough ground — but the ambition of reading it is there.

A deep exploration of how networked incentives and systems shape modern economies and social structures. It shows how invisible chains — technological, financial, psychological — guide human behavior. We can learn a lot about human nature by studying these systems.

A provocative critique of modern democracy, arguing that political systems follow economic incentives rather than ideals. Challenges deeply held assumptions about freedom and government. Feels especially relevant with the rise of populism and growing polarization — a book that questions what we grew up being told.

A monumental book about why we make the choices we make. Rather than treating people like numbers, it frames economics as a philosophy of action and intention. A foundational text in Austrian economics, the libertarian movement, and the Bitcoin movement. A subject I've been longing to study.

The story of money as the story of civilization itself. McWilliams traces how money shaped empires, revolutions, and human behavior throughout history. With a foreword by Michael Lewis and praise from Brian Cox and Yanis Varoufakis, this promises to be a page-turner on a subject that affects everything.

Progress comes from radically new ideas, not incremental improvements. People have mixed feelings about Thiel, but he is undeniably a visionary. I love reading the thoughts of contrarians — it's a good way to get challenging thoughts into your own head.

A psychological exploration of why humans fear change and cling to certainty. Hoffer explains how frustration and identity crisis fuel ideological revolutions. Given his track record (The True Believer is a 5/5), this should be a blast. His writing is really, really good.

An ambitious attempt to uncover universal laws governing growth in cities, companies, and biological organisms. Complexity follows surprisingly predictable patterns. Cities evolve like organisms. Startups behave like competing species. One of those books that's been on the list for years because it's daunting — but the payoff should be mind-blowing.

The Dilbert creator's guide to success through systems instead of goals. A practical, funny, and surprisingly deep book about building a life that works — even when everything seems to go wrong.

A framework for understanding global politics through structural forces rather than headlines or ideology. Frequently cited in discussions about US–China rivalry, energy politics, and shifting global power. Things go in cycles — these frameworks are more relevant than following talking heads on the news.

A controversial insider narrative about how financial institutions and governments manipulate developing nations. An eye-opening account of the hidden mechanisms of global economic power and exploitation.

America's secret Cold War operations exposed. A scholarly examination of how the United States covertly intervened in foreign nations to change their governments. Essential context for understanding modern geopolitics.

Searching for freedom and connection on the Chinese internet. A fascinating deep dive into how people navigate the world's most surveilled digital landscape — with creativity, humor, and defiance. Highly relevant to understanding digital control and the US–China rivalry.

Deutsch weaves together quantum physics, epistemology, computation, and evolution into a unified understanding of reality. A companion to The Beginning of Infinity (a 5/5 book) — this one digs even deeper into the fundamental nature of the world.

Kurzweil's landmark book on exponential technological growth and the coming merger of human and machine intelligence. Written in 2005, many of its predictions have already come true. Essential context for understanding where AI, robotics, and biotechnology are heading.

The hidden language of computer hardware and software. Petzold takes you from Morse code and flashlights all the way to building a working computer — making the most complex technology feel intuitive. A beautifully written book about the foundations of the digital world.

The fraying wires between Americans and their energy future. A deep look at the electrical grid — the most critical and least understood piece of infrastructure. As AI and electrification accelerate, understanding the grid becomes essential.

I recently became a scout leader, and I want to read up on the roots of the movement. The original 1911 handbook is a fascinating time capsule of values, skills, and ideals. A fun one to listen to on Audible.