I read 141 books last year, these are my favorites

Jan 11, 2025

took a snowy hike with a dear friend this week

I am a firm believer that “best of the year” book lists should not come out until the year is officially over. In my life I have read many favorite books in the week between Christmas and the New Year and I don’t want those late-in-the-year beloved books to be slighted on my list.

After much thought and a lot of back and forth, these 16 books are my best books for 2024. My personally imposed restriction was that they had to fit into one image each for fiction and non-fiction, so I ended up with 8 top books in each of those categories.

Here they are, in no particular order:

I tried to pick books that represent the different genres I enjoy and I feel like this list is a good representation of the types of books I typically read.

I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger. Another book by this author (Peace Like a River) is on my list of all-time favorites. While I Cheerfully Refuse didn’t make the lifetime favorites list, I do find myself thinking about it often. It’s a little dystopian, full of epic adventure and unlikely friendships. I loved the tone, loved the characters, loved this book.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. This book is dark and sad and covers difficult topics. But it is also redemptive and beautiful with characters that feel like friends. Chris Whitaker’s writing style takes a little getting used to at first, but I loved this book and sobbed multiple times as I read.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. This is fun, but also has depth. I am an absolute sucker for settings like this: a little old-fashioned but also magical; war is raging between the gods and this is the story of the people caught up in that war. There’s a love story that feels like it could actually happen, there’s courage and sacrifice and people doing their best. I’m looking forward to reading the second half of this duology in 2025.

The Postcard by Anne Berest. If you (like me) feel like there have been too many WWII books over the years, allow me to tell you that this one is worth your time. A fictionalized version of actual events, told in a dual timeline, this book will both rip your heart out and restore your hope in humanity.

Loved & Missed by Susie Boyt. As a former foster family, this book was very close to home. We see the effects of addiction on a family and the devastation that drugs can cause. I adored the love and sacrifice found in this story. It’s melancholy, yes, but hopeful as well.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. This author is quickly becoming a favorite of mine in the fantasy/fairy tale retelling genre. This audiobook got me through a long drive for a soccer tournament and made the miles just fly by. Magic, mystery, good vs. evil, a teenaged protagonist that’s not annoying. It was so good!

I saved Love & Saffron by Kim Fay to read on Thanksgiving and found it to be exactly what I needed, a comfort read at its finest. Sweet and moving with a focus on friendships, love and food. It was the perfect book to read all in one sitting, which I did!

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. This is a beloved curmudgeon book, a very specific genre that I am drawn to. A lonely older woman takes in a mouse and an unlikely friendship is formed. It’s sweet without being silly. We learn the protagonist’s history in snippets throughout the book and I found I could not put it down.

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. This is an extremely personal memoir about overcoming addiction and the prison cycle. It was absolutely fantastic! As a foster family we were able to work closely with lots of parents who were stuck in this cycle and being a small part in helping them change their lives is one of the honors of my life.

The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku. This is a WWII memoir that would pair very well with Night by Elie Wiesel. It was written many years after Eddie Jaku faced one horrific situation after another, so the tone is more hopeful than other similar stories. His perspective is inspiring and one we can all learn from.

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter. First published in 1938, this rediscovered and republished gem of an adventure memoir was one of my favorite reading experiences of the year. Arctic adventures are like catnip for me. The author’s tale of leaving her comfortable life and surviving a year in the arctic was incredible.

Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam. I have mostly given up reading self-help books (despite the fact that there are TWO of them on this list) but Laura Vanderkam is a trusted source of really applicable and doable changes that make a big difference. I read this book early in 2024 and some of the practices she recommends are now integral parts of our routines.

The Plan by Kendra Adachi. This powerhouse of a productivity book is what the world needs more of. Productivity is different for women and mothers, and if you’ve ever felt frustrated reading a book on this topic written by a dude, Kendra’s insights will be exactly what you need. This will be a periodic re-read for me, I loved it so much.

The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay. Ross is one of my favorite essayists. His books bring a considerable amount of delight into my life. I love the way he sees the world and the way he turns a phrase. He inspires me to find delight in everyday moments.

The Small and The Mighty by Sharan McMahon. America’s Government Teacher shares inspirational stories about ordinary people making a difference. This book is approachable and entertaining, not dry or stuffy at all. I looked forward to reading it every morning as I worked my way through it slowly.

Woven by Meredith Miller. I think we need more books like this is in the faith genre, especially when we’re teaching children. Less guilt/shame and more love/kindness.