Happy New Year! It’s time for my review of the books I read over the last year – a tradition going back to 2019.
My 2024 book list included reads focused on digital storytelling and AI. You can also review my lists from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Top reads for Digital Trailblazers
Pick at least one to read in2026.
A great read that covers the history of engineering. The book covers a range of manufacturing and logistical feats, from constructing medieval churches to manufacturing toilet paper. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it for Digital Trailblazers. View on Amazon.
Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working
One of the best books I’ve read covering change management and process optimization. I’m not surprised to see Reset on Amazon’s list of the best books of 2025. Just look at the table of contents, and it reads like a six-sigma process change guide – only easier, faster, and more entertaining. A must-read for Digital Trailblazers. View on Amazon.
The Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think Possible
I’ve read several books on scaling businesses and ideas. Beyond the hype of blitzscaling are a number of guides and frameworks. The Science of Scaling is a simple approach that will challenge your thinking about aiming for “Smart” goals. View on Amazon.
Other notable reads are Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection and Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future
Top reads on AI
If you believe that AI will be humanity’s doomsday, then If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All and The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want will confirm your beliefs. If you’re looking for pragmatic truths about AI, consider these two reads
The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions
I credit this book as one of my year’s turning points in how I use LLMs in my work and life. For those struggling to become AI leaders, this is a great book to reset your mindset. The book covers data-driven decision-making, change leadership, and the future of work. Highly recommended. View on Amazon.
Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI
An important read by a top journalist on how big tech companies are developing their AI capabilities. A behind-the-scenes look at all the controversy behind OpenAI and its founder. An important read for anyone working in AI and challenged by the underlying ethics and business models. View on Amazon.
Books to reset your mental health
I had a difficult year with my father’s passing, and I turned to ChatGPT for book recommendations to help me through a difficult period. The books I read may not be for you, but I encourage you to find ones if you’re living through a challenging moment. My reads were Here All Along and The Book of Grief and Hamburger.
But I also found a couple of uplifting books that many of you should find appealing. I loved Ina Garten’s Be Ready When the Luck Happens and Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last.
What are you reading in 2026?
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