My Book of the Year - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, narrated by Ray Porter

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, narrated by Ray Porter in its English audiobook version, is a science fiction novel that might appeal even to those, like me, who aren’t particularly fond of the genre.

The story is remarkably well-constructed, with a narrative about an improbable and unprecedented friendship.

It’s actually the most recommended audiobook on Reddit, and rightfully so.

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor of a desperate mission, a last-ditch effort. If he fails, humanity and Earth itself will perish.

Except right now, he doesn't know that. He doesn't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his mission or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just woken up to discover he's millions of miles from home, with only two dead bodies for company.

Dan Davies, The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions

I read this book by English economist Daniel Davies on the recommendation of a friend I met online.

At first glance, I was expecting a scathing critique of the big corporations on which our lives depend. I was ready for my disillusionment with these giants to be reignited.

Instead, it was a fascinating introduction to economic and political cybernetics, a powerful framework for understanding power dynamics within modern organizations.

Cybernetics

[...]Control theory as it is applied to complex systems. Cybernetics is associated with models in which a monitor compares what is happening to a system at various sampling times with some standard of what should be happening, and a controller adjusts the system’s behaviour accordingly.

The term cybernetics comes from the ancient Greek word kybernetikos (“good at steering”), referring to the art of the helmsman.

Source: "cybernetics" - Britannica

Chris Dixon, Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet

This book addresses a major issue that Web 3.0 technologies aim to solve: ensuring ownership without relying on central authorities

Distributed systems based on blockchain are often ridiculed due to financial bubbles or fraud in the sector. Yet, behind this smoke screen are legitimate use cases, where these technologies play a crucial role.

I recommend this book to any technologist looking to contribute to "the next big tech innovation."

Vijay Boyapati, The Bullish Case for Bitcoin

Probably the best explanation of Bitcoin and why you should care about it or steer clear of it.

Peter Frankopan, The New Silk Road: The Asia and the Remaking of the World Order

As a Westerner, this book opened my eyes to what’s happening in the rest of the world economically.

Gérard Chauvy, L'Abwehr: 1939-1945 le Service Secret en France

Working with spies is like playing tennis without seeing your opponent, while never being sure if you’re really being served a tennis ball

The Abwehr was the Nazi Germany’s military intelligence service, responsible for espionage and counter-espionage, active from 1920 to 1945.

How do foreign intelligence services operate? Not at all like in a James Bond's movie.

This well-documented book explores the profiles of individuals working for foreign intelligence services, how their operations are funded, and the extent of the damage they cause to the societies they infiltrate.

Joseph Cox, Dark Wire

A great read for tech enthusiasts with a taste for the illegal.

In 2018, a powerful secure communication app called Anom took root among organized criminals. They thought Anom allowed them to do business in the shadows. Except one thing: it was secretly run by the FBI.

The covert access to Anom and a series of related investigations allowed U.S., Australian, and European authorities to closely observe the world of criminals. Smugglers, money launderers, hitmen, a sprawling global economy... But as the FBI began to lose control of Anom, did the agency go too far?

Haruki Murakami, Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa

I started reading this more for the author, Haruki Murakami, than for the subject: internationally renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa.

The book is a series of captivating interviews where we discover the complex role of a conductor. I was fascinated by the personalities and flaws of some maestros, who remain deeply human despite their exceptional talent.

Carlos Castaneda, The Devil's Grass and the Little Smoke

A rereading of a fantastic tale that had deeply captivated me during my adolescence. A mystical and fascinating journey into the depths of perception and reality.

Dany Laferrière, A Certain Art of Living

A booklet of poetry by our immortal Quebecois

Truly unpretentious, the ideas are expressed with disarming simplicity. These poems create an intimate connection between the reader and the author, a silent but deep dialogue.

Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

Another rereading that’s worth coming back to.

It’s common to hear that Crime and Punishment, like other 19th-century doorstop novels, is an intimidating read, even unapproachable. Nothing could be further from the truth, in my experience:

1. The story is fascinating, especially the complex psychology of the characters.
2. The novel is divided into short chapters (10 to 20 pages), perfect for a daily reading session of about an hour.
3. Finally, immersion in this narrative is far more rewarding than binge-watching videos on the internet.

Scott Paterson, Chaos Kings: How Wall Street Traders Make Billions in the New Age of Crisis

A book I don’t remember reading in detail... A reread is definitely in order for 2025.

A seasoned Wall Street Journal journalist explores the world of billionaire traders and high-risk crisis forecasters trying to turn extreme events into financial opportunities.

There’s no doubt our world has become more extreme. Pandemics, climate change, superpower rivalries, technological disruptions, political radicalization, religious fundamentalism: all threats creating chaos that puts trillions of dollars in assets at risk. But around the world, in a variety of disciplines, super-forecasters are trying to eliminate uncertainty in what was once thought of as pure randomness. Some place their faith in “black swans” – unpredictable and catastrophic events that can’t be anticipated but send exotic financial instruments into extremely profitable directions. The most famous of this group of high-stakes traders are the ones managing the Universa fund, who, during extreme upheaval days, have made up to a billion dollars.

Author Scott Patterson gained exclusive access to Universa’s strategists and met with sharp-minded visionaries in various fields, from earthquake prediction to counterterrorism to climatology, to see if it’s really possible to bet on catastrophes – and win. Captivating, relevant, and revealing, this book is a must-read for anyone questioning how some investors today turn disasters into profits.

Seth Rogen, Yearbook

A hilarious book! Best enjoyed in audiobook form, read by Seth Rogen himself, who adds an inimitable touch to his stories.

His stoner laughter is priceless

Patrick Bringley, All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me

A fascinating stay in the life stories of a museum guard in New York City. A unique perspective on art and everyday life in an iconic place.

Eliyahu M. Goldratt, The Goal

For fans of the novel The Phoenix Project, this book is a must-read!

In The Goal, you'll discover the counter-intuitive truths of the Theory of Constraints, an essential lesson for improving any workflow, whether in technology or elsewhere.

Tom Segura, I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays

Another hilarious read! A must-listen audiobook read by Tom Segura himself, to fully enjoy his sharp humor.

Christopher Hadnagy, Social Engineering, 2nd Edition

A practical guide for becoming a social engineering security professional

This book taught me a lot about vulnerabilities to psychological manipulation attempts

Becoming aware of your weaknesses is always a step in the right direction

Olivier Boisvert-Magnen, Jean Leloup: Moments of Lucidity

I thought I knew everything about Jean Leloup... but not at all!

This book is full of fascinating and touching stories about this unique artist, as well as the talented musicians who have accompanied him since the 1980s.

"As Hubert Lenoir so aptly puts it in his preface: Jean Leloup is a superhero. He appears and disappears, no one knows where he is or what he will do today, or tomorrow. He speaks his own accent, because he comes from his own country, his own planet. A unique figure in the history of Quebec’s music, it was high time a book worthy of him was written. Moments of Lucidity is an exploration of Leloup’s discography, the most influential and irreverent of our singer-songwriters over the last four decades." (summary)

Michel Tremblay, Dear Chekhov

End the year on a high note with a play by our national playwright.

This text illustrates the rivalries of a family of actors during a family meal.

translated from french by Chatgpt