Entrepreneur & Investor.
Entrepreneur & Investor.

Top 3 Book Picks of 2024

Each year I pick the top 3 books I read and share them with my mailing list. I will leave links to prior years’ top 3 at the bottom of this post.

My top 3 book picks of 2024 (in no particular order) are as follows…

Pick #1 – Private Equity Toolkit by Tamara Sakovska

Tamara distills over 20 years of private equity experience into this practical handbook. From sourcing deals to value creation and exits, this is a step-by-step guide for navigating the world of private equity.

Why I Liked It?

As a self-taught PE practitioner, I find books like this invaluable. It’s highly practical—packed with actionable insights rather than abstract theory. I took a ton of notes and keep referring back to them. Even for seasoned pros, it’s a solid refresher and resource.


Pick #2 – 
Conquerors by Roger Crowley

This book chronicles Portugal’s discovery of India and the creation of one of the most profitable trade routes in history. It follows Portuguese explorers like Vasco da Gama, Francisco de Almeida, and Afonso de Albuquerque as they reshape global trade and geopolitics.

Why I Liked It?

It’s truly fascinating that all it takes is a handful of ambitious people to change the course of history. This book is a gripping tale containing thrilling adventure, shrewd strategy, and important history. These voyages were the original venture capital investments, as kingdoms risked sums of resources for potentially large payouts.


Pick #3 – 
Predators Ball by Connie Bruck

This book is about Michael Milken and his time at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he built their junk bond business (and the junk bond industry at large). It details the rise and fall of Milken including some of his major accomplishments and grave missteps.

Why I Liked It?

All roads in modern finance lead back to Michael Milken. Many of the practices and structures we consider standard today can be traced back to Milken. You could even argue that the entire private equity industry owes its existence, in part, to his work. What’s equally fascinating is the sheer number of individuals who built enormous fortunes simply by being within Milken’s orbit. If there were ever a textbook example of “right place, right time,” it would be Wall Street in the 1980s, and this book serves as compelling evidence.

I hope you enjoy reading these books as much as I did. My previous annual picks can be found here: 20232022202120202019.