Best Books of 2024

Reading brought me such joy this year, and I've started keeping better track of my reads and what I thought of them. I find writing down and rating what I read as I go is highly motivating for me. 

Here are my 5-star, absolute favorite books from this year.

Devotions by Mary Oliver 

Poetry to savor like a ripe, juicy peach that drips down your chin.

The Overstory by Richard Powers

A book where trees are the main characters. Changed the way I see the world, especially the natural world. I did not know that trees talk to each other and help each other.

The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

About how the internet is changing our brains. Frightening and so important.

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

About Churchill and the German Blitz of England. I was fascinated.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I couldn't put this down. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Some of the best prose of the year. Themes of family, addiction, sisterhood...A classic for all the right reasons.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (re-read)

Fatherhood, brotherhood, devotion.

A Praying Life by Paul Miller (re-read)

Never gets old. 

This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson

Cried through every achingly beautiful page. Beauty will save the world.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Reminds me of Jayber Crow. Spiritual, soulful reflections on the beauty of the ordinary.

4.5 Stars

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Atomic Habits by James Clear

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle