Great Books To Read (Fall 2024 Edition)

Oh, how I love putting these posts together. (To see all past Book Recommendation posts click HERE). It’s fun to be able to share what I’ve been reading and enjoying and being inspired by. You’ll find a wide variety of genres in the list this time. There are a handful of (my most loved genre) historical fiction, as well as a few self help and inspirational reads.

Hope you enjoy the list!

The Unselected Journals of Emma S. Lion
Volumes 1-7 (8 is on it’s way)
by Beth Brower
5 STARS

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this series. I read them all this past summer, one after the other, on the edge of my seat, but also soaking in every beautiful word. They kept me smiling all summer long. Many a chuckle could be heard while I read for a few minutes each night before bed. It was a good way to end the day, I can tell you that.

The characters become more complex with each one, and just when I think Brower is going to wrap up the story with an easy, predictable bow…the plot thickens and the characters become more real, more lovable, and more intriguing. So, so good. Be warned, the first one is a bit slow, but keep on. They get better and better as they go.

If you loved Anne of Green Gables back in the 80s when those books were a big thing, you are going to love these.

The Last Days of Night
by Graham Moore
4 STARS

What a fascinating book! I listened to the audio version and goodness, it was the right choice, it is very well done.

I recently traveled to Niagara Falls and during one of our tours the story of the feud between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse was told. Nikola Tesla was also a player in the tale and my interest was peaked. I wanted to know more, and sought out this book. It did not disappoint. It champions invention and the great (and flawed) geniuses behind many of the basic utilities we use daily. What a story! I had no idea of the battle that issued over the patens of so many incredible inventions. The author does a fantastic job telling the story and while a few parts are his creation, I was completely captivated and finished feeling a great sense of awe and wonder. I also appreciated his ability to generate compassion for each of the inventors, with all of their individual strengths and weaknesses.

I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It: Why Jesus is your greatest hope on Earth and in Eternity
by Phil Robertson
5 STARS

I loved this book! I listened to it while hiking and was such a gift. Phil Robertson (the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family) writes about his redemption story and how he has come to know Jesus throughout his lifetime. It was so interesting to me, and I was continually impressed by both his humility and honesty.
Each chapter focuses on a different attribute or characteristic of Jesus. Such great insights.

The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict
by the Arbinger Institute
4 STARS

I loved this book. It focuses on our need to see each other as valuable, regardless of our differences, circumstances, backgrounds, religions, or mistakes. It certainly falls in the genre of “self help”, but it reads like a story. So good.

The Women
by Kristin Hannah
4 STARS

Kristin Hannah does it again. She writes such wonderful characters. Real, relatable and full of grit. She also has a flair for high drama, and though I sometimes scratch my head by the end thinking…”really, could ALL of these challenging things happen to the main character”…her books are always worth the read. The character development is a 10/10. I also love the way Hannah drops you into a time period and gives you such a vivid look at it. The Women is about young nurse serving in Vietnam, and focuses on the challenges of the war, both during it’s years and afterward. I didn’t know much about this time period at all before reading this and found it fascinating. Such a great read. Well done, Kristin Hannah.

A Girl Called Samson
by Amy Harmon
4 STARS

I adore Amy Harmon. Her books always have a captivating story, a loveable (and gritty) protagonist and capture a part of history that is fascinating. The perfect trifecta, for my taste as a reader. This particular book takes place during the Revolutionary War and features a heroine who poses as a man so she can become a soldier. It’s based on a true story and is fantastic. I read it while traveling with my husband through upstate New York and it was the perfect time period to consume while we were there.

I will say that when starting the book and knowing the subject matter, I was curious about how Harmon would handle the “hot topic” issues of gender and women’s rights. I was very pleased to see that while she portrays well the challenges women faced during that day, she also generates respect and admiration for both women and men, their individual qualities and how they each play a vital part both in our society and in individual families. It was so refreshing.

Sold On A Monday
by Kristina McMorris
3 STARS

This book takes place during the depression era and features a journalist trying to scrape out a living. He finds himself witness to a scrawled sign advertising children for sale. He snaps a picture and ends up publishing it. You can imagine the outrage and interest that kind of story would gather! It was interesting to read about the time period and made me so grateful for all the luxuries we enjoy.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
by Adam Grant
4 STARS

My adult daughter recommended this book to me after being assigned to read it for work. I had to chuckle as I listened, realizing repeatedly why she would think of me and see how much I needed to read this. 🙂

It’s all about adaptation, readjusting as your life circumstances change, being aware of the world around you and finding excitement in the process. Literally, what every mid-life human could use, right? For me, at 50 years old, (nearing the empty nest phase and running a business platformed on an ever changing internet)…it was the perfect read. I enjoyed is so much. My mind is full of much needed inspiration.

Only the Beautiful
by Susan Meissner
4 STARS

I love Susan Meissner, and this (her most recent) book is fabulous. She is a master story teller and had me captivated from start to finish. I loved the characters and Meissner’s beautiful prose. The story takes place between 1938-1947, and gives a view of WWII through the eyes of a young girl in America and a spinster in Germany. It’s very sad, but worth the read. The characters are so resilient.

I hope you enjoyed the list this time, my friends. Happy reading!