My Top Five Books of 2024
It’s women and me who read 90% of the books I like.
I’m okay with that.
Last year I reported on my favorite books of 2023, so here I am again with my list for 2024 … including some honorable mentions at the end.
A few comments about what I read —
I read or listen to about 30 books a year. I prefer audio for stories and print for books I likely want to underline and reference later. For exceptional books, I create a Google Doc where I input my favorite quotes and ideas for easy reference later.
I read fiction and non-fiction. If it’s fiction, I prefer it’s still mostly in the realm of “this could maybe happen” and not fantasy literature featuring witches, wizards, and spells - unless it’s Harry Potter, because that could maybe happen.
I don’t read the backs of books before I start. If the unsinkable Titanic sinks at the end of the story, I want to be as surprised as the passengers on the boat.
As I write this, I’ve just finished reading my 31st book of this year, so any books I read in the next two weeks will have to go on next year’s list, if they earn a spot.
So, lest this post turn into a recipe website that takes 10 minutes of scrolling before you find the good stuff… (this post includes NO spoilers)
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
This book probably goes on everyone’s list once they’ve read it, and for good reason. It’s not particularly happy. I was both sad while reading it and sad when the book was over.
And also, I was happy I read it.
Essentially, it’s the story of a kid who is dealt a tough hand from the moment he’s born and follows his life as he navigates growing up in poor, lower-class, white America.
NOT a beach read.
(fiction)
How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Every Told - Harrison Scott Key
Is it okay to say this is the funniest book I’ve ever read about a marriage that is absolutely, constantly falling apart?
The book is a memoir about the author’s own experience in marriage - love found, love lost, love smashed with a hammer and then thrown into a blender, and love ultimately restored.
I’ve never read anything like it, because almost no one would tell these stories while they are still alive. No one except, apparently, Harrison.
(non-fiction)
The Women - Kristin Hannah
I read every book Kristin Hannah writes. This one might be her best.
Hannah is a master storyteller who writes historical fiction through the lens of a female protagonist.
This book is about Vietnam and is told from the perspective of a nurse and her colleagues.
(historical fiction)
Things Are Never So Bad that They Can’t Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela - William Neuman
This account by New York Times correspondent, William Neuman, tells the true story of the last few decades of history of a country whose people have taken a very prominent presence in Denver (and other major cities across the country) over the last couple of years.
Whereas parts of Africa have been ravaged by war, Venezuela was ravaged by economic collapse.
The U.S. experienced 8% inflation in 2022, and many people said “This is out of control.”
By contrast, consumer price inflation in Venezuela averaged 9,032.8% in the ten years to 2022 (not a typo) - the highest rate in the world.
I’m not smart enough to keep up with everything going on around the world, but this book helped me understand a bit more of the background and stories of many people I now call friends.
(non-fiction)
How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away - Emily P. Freeman
I have shared about this book a couple times already this year, and every person who I know that reads it says “Wow, that book was incredible.”
It’s a resource and guide that offers grace, clarity, and wisdom for navigating seasons of life transition.
(non-fiction)
Honorable Mentions
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams - Daniel Nayeri
The second major book release from the author of bestseller Everything Sad is Untrue. It’s a children’s book that I’m not sure my children would understand. So, it’s a children’s book about a con man - but for grown-ups.
I had to read it twice to appreciate it.
“But let this be a lesson: To everyone we love we give a knife. The knife is shaped to pass through the bones of our chest like a key in a lock. Nothing else can cut our hearts so deeply.”
(fiction)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
Have you heard of Henrietta Lacks? I hadn’t.
But, she might be the first human to never die…sort of? In fact, she might be the reason you’re alive today.
Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized human cell line and one of the most important cell lines in medical research.
(non-fiction)
The Measure - Nikki Erlick
One day, without warning, everyone on the planet has the opportunity to find out how long they will live.
What would you do?
(fiction)
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen - David Brooks
If you want to become a better person, a better listener, a better friend, or a better parent or spouse, I recommend adding this book to your reading and discussion list. It might just change the trajectory of the rest of your life. (non-fiction)
