The Books I Read in 2024 Part II
ratings & reviews
25. The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
5 of 5
Okay her application of the principles of recovery to our creativity is brilliant. Everything felt so familiar and practical. I love the practices. I have also thought that most people who struggle with addiction are some of the most creative geniuses of our time, but not creating has driven them to drink or do drugs. So this book is just beautiful, helpful, and healing in so many ways.
26. The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention by Julia Cameron
3 of 5
I know I know. I just raved about Cameron’s last book. It has become a pattern of mine to read something by a “ new-to-me author” then go read other works by them. Sometimes they live up to the hype. But this one did not. Wah, wah.
27. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
5 of 5
Five stars because I particularly was drawn to her challenge of the idea of the tortured artist. I also was captivated by her storytelling. Finished in two days. If you don’t believe you can learn from people with a different worldview than you, you probably won’t like this book. My first Gilbert book.
28. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
5 of 5
5 stars based on how entertaining this was to listen to. I enjoyed the book. Do I agree with all of her choices? No. But I enjoy her storytelling and hearing her experiences. I loved listening to how she threaded certain phrases or ideas throughout the chapters and book. She’s a phenomenal writer.
29. Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale by Jodi H. Grubbs
5 of 5
I love Jodi’s go to phrase for saying no. Definitely adding that to my arsenal because I always feel like I have to over explain myself. Then, I feel foolish for doing so! This phrase is the perfect solution, and it stuck with me! I also love her writing style. I never got bored reading because she didn’t write predictable or tired truths that you can sometimes find in these types of books. She also offered some very unique spiritual practices that went beyond the expected suggestions! Jodi has traversed some hard things and she shares her wisdom creatively and generously! The Lord used the very last section as a God nod to me as I step deeper into my own healing journey! I love when He does that! Wonderful read!
30. Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year by Anne Lamott
5 of 5
Never get tired of cackling to Anne Lamott’s written words!
31. Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott
4 of 5
Oh my gosh, what is the matter with me? Sorry Anne. I still love you, and will read anything you write.
32. Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son by Anne Lamott
4 of 5
Not as good as Operating Instructions, but still delightful.
33. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
5 of 5
I tried to read something by Brown before and threw in the towel. My therapist recommended I watch her Ted talk, The Power of Vulnerability1, and I decided to give her another chance after the video. I like this one, but honestly, I don’t remember a ton from it. Do watch the Ted Talk though.
34. Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott
5 of 5
Did I mention how much I adore Anne Lammott?
35.Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
5 of 5
Good reads review: Anything Anne Lamott writes is worth your time in my humble opinion… She is unhinged in all the best ways.
36. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
4 of 5
I enjoyed most of this. It’s academic, but useful to the general population.
37. No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear by Kate Bowler
5 o 5
Bowler writes about nuance and suffering in a relatable way that keeps me reaching for her books and content.
38. The Garden Within: Where the War with Your Emotions Ends and Your Most Powerful Life Begins by Anita Phillips
4 of 5
I loved this book. I will say it’s slow going and I struggled to connect some of the metaphors. Some of the examples fell flat for me. But about halfway through I think Anita really found her voice and groove, and I quickly finished it. Beautiful conversation on the integration of spirituality and mental health from a biblical world view.
39. Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly
4 of 5
Her story is unique, but relatable because so many of us suffer from loving someone who struggles with addiction. I listened to it on audio. I am thankful that more prominent figures are opening up about addiction and the ramifications for the family members.
40. Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler
5 of 5
I’m diving into stories of suffering as a means to learn how to be with people, rather than try to fix or offer platitudes. Even true words can be ill timed for those in the valley of the shadow of death. This is a good one to add if you want to join me on a similar journey. The church, historically, has not done this well. However, I believe in us. We can grow and change.
41. The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
5 of 5
Let me pick my jaw off the floor. All I wrote on Goodreads was “Good for her!”
42. How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told by Harrison Scott Key
5 of 5
Do not let the title deceive you, like it did me. I mistakenly thought this was going to be a “run of the mill” Christian marriage book. Dead wrong. 100/5 stars. Key is a mastermind storyteller. I finished this in one day, and I tell people to read it all the time. Read it with your spouse and have good conversations. Read it for entertainment. Just read it.
43.Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott
4 of 5
4 because it was over too soon! I miss you Anne, come back. ( She's not dead, but is it too much to say I grieve a little when I finish one of her books?)
44. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
4 of 5
Captivating, honest, and sad considering how his story ended.
45. Even If He Doesn't: What We Believe about God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Kristen LaValley
4 of 5
Honest confession, I gave this book a 3 of 5 stars on Good reads originally. Then I wrote this long review about how I really did not connect with her stories all that well. How I’m probably not her target audience. Then I thought to myself, “How would I feel if someone said that about my trauma and life drama?” I changed the review to 4 of 5. Kristen if you read this, 4 stars for braving telling your story. I docked one star because I do think the story could have used stronger threads. The great paradox of Christian writing is that we are not to write for the approval of man, but we need their feedback to get better. Pooey.
46. Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real God by Brenna Blain
4 of 5
I am glad this conversation made it to Christian publishing. I do hurt for people like Brenna because I swear the church sucks at helping people get the mental health care they need. It's truly tragic. I do believe we can grow in this area and we must grow in this area. Good book covering same sex attraction, suicide, sexual abuse, and eating disorders.
47. The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days by Kate Bowler
5 of 5
I loved this. The honesty in the blessings was a breath of fresh air. No platitudes, just blessings for the life you actually have. This one would make a great gift for your friends.
48. Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers
5 of 5
I’m not a big fiction reader as you can see from this list. However, I wanted to mix it up and try to read more fiction this year. I went with Rivers because I’m discovering I am a loyal reader. I enjoyed the characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
49. Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens by Kate Bowler
5 of 5
Becoming a big fan of Bowler. She writes with honesty and humor about the nuances of real life and faith. This is meant to be used as a devotional and includes lent and advent entries. I listened to the audio book because this is book 49 of my 50 book goal. I read it in one day! She’s an easy listen!
50. I Want to Trust You, But I Don't: : Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment by Lysa TerKeurst
5 of 5
Lysa is rebuilding her life after divorce and hit on a very common struggle for lots of folks with this one. I like that she encourages therapy and makes space for hard stories at the Christian tables. I had to rush to finish this one to hit my 50 book goal, but it's one that probably is better if you mull over slowly.
I don’t know if Bannister ever ran another sub four minute mile or if I’m ever going to read 100 books in a year. I may not ever read 50 again. Though I do hope my tackling 50 books inspires you to read more than you thought possible for you this year, like Bannister did for those runners and my friend did for me.
PS: This post contains affiliate links. If, after reading my rave reviews, you decide to purchase one of these books using the links above I receive a small commission. You will notice they are all Bookshop links, which gives a portion of their revenue to keep local book stores open. Yay.
What did you read? If you watched the video, what did you think?