This is a summary/transcription of this related video I made:

---

The Books I Read in 2025 (and Why I Recommend Them)

2025 is coming to an end, and for the first time on this channel, I wanted to talk about books. Reading has been an important part of my year, and I’ve gone through a mix of science fiction, music autobiographies, self-reflection, comedy, and technology. Here’s a rundown of the books I read in 2025 and why I think each of them is worth your time.

Exhalation – Ted Chiang

I’ll start with Exhalation by Ted Chiang. This is technically a science-fiction book, but honestly, it feels more like a philosophy book disguised as sci-fi. Each story explores deep ideas about consciousness, time, free will, and what it means to be human. If you enjoy science fiction that makes you stop and think rather than just entertain you, this one is highly recommended.

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

Next is Eric Clapton: The Autobiography. I really liked this book because it’s not just about music—although if you love guitar and blues, that part is obviously great. It also dives deeply into addiction, personal struggles, and inner demons. If you’ve dealt with these issues yourself, or think you might someday, this book can be surprisingly helpful. It’s honestly incredible that Clapton is still alive and still rocking after everything he’s been through.

Stolen Focus – Johann Hari

Another book I read was Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. This is a self-help book, but in a very grounded way. If you often feel distracted, struggle to focus for long periods, or find yourself trapped in doom-scrolling on TikTok or similar platforms, this book is for you. It explores how modern technology affects our attention and why this is becoming a serious problem—not just for kids, but for everyone. I personally found it very insightful.

The Music Lesson – Victor Wooten

The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten is another standout. Victor Wooten is a legendary bassist, but this book isn’t really about music technique. It’s about life. Rhythm, listening, timing, and feel are all used as metaphors for how we live. Even if you’re not deeply into music, there’s a lot here that connects directly to everyday life.

Masters of Doom – David Kushner

This one is closer to the typical topic of my channel. Masters of Doom by David Kushner tells the story of John Carmack and John Romero, the creators of id Software. It’s a fascinating mix of hacking culture, creativity, obsession, and extremely hard work. The “work hard, party hard” mentality is very present. If you’re a developer or work in tech, this book is incredibly inspiring and motivating.

Into the Void – Geezer Butler

Into the Void is the autobiography of Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath. He talks extensively about his life, the band, and the people around them—Ozzy Osbourne and many others. I can only recommend this book if you’re really a fan of Black Sabbath or that style of music, which I am. Otherwise, it might not be for everyone.

Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir was one of the highlights of the year. It’s an excellent science-fiction novel with humor, emotional moments, and great pacing. I read it really, really fast. I’ve also heard there’s a movie adaptation coming, which doesn’t surprise me at all. If you like sci-fi that’s smart but also fun and emotional, this is an easy recommendation.

A Comedy Novel – Tom Sharpe

I also read a book by Tom Sharpe. It wasn’t my first time—I think I’ve read it two or three times already—and I still love it. His style of English comedy is absurd, sharp, and full of unexpected twists. I actually read this one during my wedding, which is quite ironic. If you enjoy British humor, Tom Sharpe is always a safe bet.

AI Engineering – Chip Huyen

The last book is AI Engineering by Chip Huyen. This is a fairly large book, but it’s not overly deep in every section. Instead, it works very well as an introduction for developers who want to understand how real AI systems are built. It’s practical, grounded, and avoids hype. The book focuses on how AI systems actually work, the trade-offs involved, and real-world constraints. Some chapters go deeper, while others stay high-level. Overall, it reflects what “AI engineering” has become—basically the new full-stack buzzword, but with real substance behind it.

Final Thoughts

This year I read quite a lot, especially about artificial intelligence and practical topics, but also about life, focus, creativity, and music. I’m genuinely happy about that, and I hope I’ll read just as much (or more) next year.

Reading is a great way to use your time. Instead of jumping from one small attention hole to another, reading forces you to focus. And as I learned—ironically—from Stolen Focus, the more time you spend truly focused on something, the happier you tend to be.

If you read any of these books this year, or plan to, let me know. And if you have recommendations for 2026, I’m always open to them.