The 2024 Gift Guide
'm pleased to share the second annual gift guide here on 24 Letters. While this one is shorter than last year's, it still reflects items I use regularly or hope Santa will put under the tree for me this year.
Books
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
This book feels timeless. It features a daily quote from one of the ancient Stoic philosophers and a modern reflection from Ryan that compliments the selection. I read it daily and recommend it often.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
This book transformed Tony Bourdain from an unknown NYC chef with a passion for prose to an international culinary, literary and television star. I reread Kitchen Confidential this year for the first time since its release, and it holds up. I miss Tony, and appreciate his vast body of work whenever I can.
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
The three big ideas in Cal Newport's latest book are simple: Do fewer things, work more naturally, and be obsessed with quality. These ideas are simple but not exactly easy to execute. With Slow Productivity, Newport offers a roadmap for slowing down, avoiding the overhead tax, and balancing intense focus with periods of rest.
I like the noise-cancellation features of my AirPods Pro 2, but I don't always like how snug they feel inside my ears unless I’m doing someting in a crowded area where I needed additional support in staying focused.
These AirPods seem like a happy medium, as they still sit in the ear and offer some noise cancellation with a more comfortable fit.
Somehow, my household managed to use Amazon Fire TV Sticks for our streaming for years, despite my fandom for all things Apple. Over the last year or two, motivated by aging hardware and the sudden and annoying appearance of ads that auto-played on startup, I switched us over to Apple TV devices, and we've been much happier since.
I enjoy the tight remote integration with my iPhone, the ease of connecting with the Apple devices we all own, and the pleasant and easy-to-use interface.
I've been streaming Apple TV+ since it launched and have watched many shows on the network. It's small but has released some shows that continue to be my favorites. Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Bad Monkey, Severance, The Morning Show, Trying, and many more have made this streaming channel one that I thoroughly enjoy.
I use Day One all the time. It's been my regular digital journaling tool since 2017, and I've used it off and on since 2012. I like the ease of creating multiple journals, the cross-platform approach, the solid backup scheme, and the ability to easily add photos and metadata to any post. Day One is free to use, with subscription options to unlock more features.
I hope this little gift guide helps with some ideas for friends and family, or provides you with a few suggestions to give to that sweet aunt who always gets you socks. Send her here, maybe I can help! Happy holidays!
Note: Some of these items include an affiliate link, meaning your purchase may help support this site. I've only included things in this list I actually use, like, recommend, or hope Santa brings me. As was the case last year, there are no big screen 4K TVs or air fryers here (although my wife and I are tempted by both!).
Weekly Quote: Tony Bourdain on Character and Skill
This week's quote comes from the world-traveling documentarian, chef, and writer Anthony Bourdain, whose book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly greatly inspired me when it was released a couple decades ago. I keep a well-read copy of the book on my shelf. I remember buying it a few days after I moved into my second apartment in the early 2000s. It's one of the few possessions that's moved from city to city, through career changes, and from being single to being a happily married dad with two kids.
Tony is sadly no longer with us, but his legacy as a writer, traveler, and chef continues to inspire many. I still use the Global 8-inch chef's knife, which he recommends in the book, daily when I'm prepping meals for my family, just as I did as a kid in his early twenties, living on his own and trying to figure out the world. Another tool that’s been well worth holding on to.
As for the quote, it broadly speaks for itself. We've all known people who are strong of character but lack the skills. We should always bet on them. They're the ones worth putting the effort in for because they'll be there for you, too. Most often, the energy pays off, and everyone gains something.