Great Books to Read (2024 Edition)

I’m so excited to be sharing my annual Book Recommendation list today. I love writing these posts and looking back over the fabulous things I’ve read over the past year. There are some outstanding novels, inspirational non-fiction, memoirs and even a couple of self help books. I listened to more novels this year than I usually do. We worked for literally hundreds of hours sheet rocking/mudding/taping a basement this past summer and I listened to many of these books while we worked. They kept me sane, truly 🙂 I’ve selected the best to share with you today!

Hope you find something to love.

To see the entire collection of my BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS that stretches over the past 13 years, click HERE.

WHERE THE LOST WANDER by Amy Harmon
4.5 STARS

I am growing more and more fond of Amy Harmon. This book is just as wonderful as the others I’ve read by her. The storyline occurs in the mid 1800s and follows a pioneer family crossing through the Midwest on their way to California. Not only was the storyline captivating, the history fascinating and the love story satisfying…but the golden nuggets of wisdom Harmon weaves into the plot are thought-provoking and beautiful. A great read!

BARKING TO THE CHOIR by Gregory Boyle
5 STARS

Everyone walking the planet should read at least one book by Gregory Boyle. He is a Jesuit priest working to help gang members create a better life for themselves. His first book Tattoos on the Heart is one of my favorite books of all time and this book, Barking to the Choir is just as good. The way he writes about compassion, empathy and kindness is revolutionary. It always takes me a long time to get through his books. I like to read them slowly so I can try to take it all. Exceptionally wonderful.

FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY, THE MARVEL of BEARING GOD’S IMAGE by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
5 STARS (actually…if I could give it 10, I would)

I’m not sure anything I say about this beautiful book would do it justice. It’s so tremendously profound, tender, and insightful. Written by a doctor who specializes in caring for leporacy patients, the author shares his knowledge of the human body and how different parts of it work. There is reverence and awe in his telling that is both humbling and inspiring. I found it fascinating to learn about the body. However, the real treat is found as the author compares our bodies to the Body of Christ, the church, and we as His disciples. It was a very interesting approach and left me with so much gratitude and wonder. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.

HOMECOMING by Kate Morton
4.5 STARS

Such a fantastic book! I love Kate Morton and this book did not disappoint. It’s a murder mystery set in Australia in the late 1950s. I listened to it, and the narration was fabulous. I have to admit, that when listening to audio books I often listen at 1.50 speed. But not with Kate Morton. I want to let all her words sink in, she does such a lovely job. This book kept me guessing until the end. Particularly wonderful were the insights into “home” and “belonging” at the end of the book. A strong 4.5 star rating for this one.

ALL MY KNOTTED UP LIFE by Beth Moore
5 STARS

Wow, this is an amazing story with a beautiful delivery that had me chuckling at times, and weeping during others. The writing style is both artistic and lovely. I’ve never read anything by Beth Moore, nor have I participated in any of her bible study courses, so I had no expectations for this memoir. I’m not even sure how I came to know of it, but what I found in it was a woman who has served Jesus her whole life, regardless of challenge and who has experienced his mercy and grace repeatedly. I loved it.

IT WAS ME ALL ALONG by Andie Mitchell
3.5 STARS

I really enjoyed reading this wonderful memoir from a fellow food blogger. Her struggles with weight gain and loss where so entirely relatable to me, there was a lot of obvious connection there. The writing style is absolutely beautiful and her story is captivating. A great read.

ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan
4 STARS

This is such a charming book. Though it is written for children and youth, it had me captivated from the very beginning. It’s 4 different stories, woven into one that stems from a fairy tale and then makes it’s way through the lives of 3 budding musicians who were teenagers during WWII, living in different parts of the world. Each new story ends abruptly, but ties beautifully together at the end. I listened to it and that was a great choice. The narration is wonderful, and there is music added from time to time that’s important to the story line. I loved it.

ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear
4 STARS

This book was fascinating to me. The author gives great advice for building good habits in small, easy ways. I loved his advice and have reflected on it many times since finishing the book. It’s a great resource.

GOD’S SMUGGLER by Brother Andrew
5 STARS

I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this book before now, it came recommended to me on my Kindle Unlimited account. Wow. It’s amazing. It’s the true story of a young man who smuggles Bibles into communist countries just after WWII. His is a redemption story, which I found equally as fascinating as the bible smuggling. I also found it so interesting to learn about the communist countries and the people living there. It gave me so much appreciation for the access I have to both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. A great, great read.

ALL THE FORGIVENESSES by Elizabeth Hardinger
4 STARS

This is one of those books that is so sad, there are parts you can barely stand to read. So, be warned there. However, the resilience of the main character, her grit, determination and ultimate acceptance of grace kept me spell bound. Great writing and wonderful character development.

MY GRANDFATHER’S BLESSINGS by Rachel Naomi Remen
5 STARS

I adore, Rachel Remen and absolutely loved her first book, Kitchen Table Wisdom. My Grandfather’s Blessings is equally as good. It’s a book of short stories, each chapter a reflection on a lesson learned and the wisdom it brought to her. It’s the kind of book you want to read slowly, with a pen, just a little at a time so you have plenty of time to think and ponder over it. So good.

MINDFUL EATING by Jan Chozen Bays
4 STARS

This was a fascinating read! I love to learn about food (obviously, this is a food blog) and this concept of eating mindfully and well was a welcome approach to me.