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Are you looking for a good book to read in the New Year? I’ve got you! Of the 42 books I read in 2024 – here are my favorites. Which one are you adding to your “to read” list of 2025? What should I read this year? Leave me a comment by clicking on the little text box by the title of this post!
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My Favorite Book of the Year:
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Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat masterfully recounts the true story of the University of Washington’s underdog rowing team and their journey to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany, this narrative captures not only the physical demands of rowing, but also the emotional and personal struggles faced by the young men who made up the team.
The main character, Joe Rantz, overcomes a heartbreaking childhood of abandonment and poverty. I was incredibly inspired by Joe’s hard work and resilience throughout his young life.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or love a good story, The Boys in the Boat is an amazing true story and was my favorite book of the year!
Recommended For: Fans of historical non-fiction, sports enthusiasts, and anyone who loves stories about overcoming adversity.
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C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a book that has captivated readers of all ages since its publication in 1950 (75 years)! I was honored to get to read this book with my two younger sons this year, and we absolutely loved every page. We laughed, we cried, and we had good discussions about faith, decision making, and courage. When we finished, my 10 year old son asked me to find another book just like it.
This book tells the story of four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—who stumble into the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe. CS Lewis masterfully weaves themes of bravery, redemption, and sacrifice, making the story meaningful on multiple levels. We fell in love with Aslan – the lion who is a symbol of wisdom and selfless love.
If you’ve, like me, somehow missed reading this wonderful book – add it to your #must-read list this year!!
Recommended For: Fans of fantasy and anyone who loves tales of adventure and good overcoming evil.
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“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara is part memoir/part restaurant talk. As the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, Guidara shares his journey to becoming the best restaurant in the world, emphasizing the significance of going above and beyond for both guests and staff.
I loved reading about the ways Guidara and his team created unforgettable experiences, such as running out to purchase a street hot dog for guests who hadn’t tried one during their visit to New York, or overhearing that someone’s meter was running low – so a team member ran out to feed the meter for every guest in the restaurant!
I found the story incredibly engaging, with excellent storytelling and practical insights for hospitality.
Bucket list item since reading this book: Get to one of Guidara’s restaurants!!!
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Recommended For: Leaders, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, and anyone interested in creating amazing customer experiences. Also, if you are a fan of The Bear, this book inspired this show!
Click here for a great Ted Talk by the author!
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Review: This inspiring life story traces George Washington Carver’s journey from being an orphaned child born into slavery, to becoming a renowned scientist, educator, and humanitarian.
I absolutely loved this book and have such deep respect and admiration for this man.
I was incredibly inspired by George Washington Carver’s determination to pursue an education. Despite having to work tirelessly just to attend school, he remained committed to his dream. When he finally saved enough for college and was accepted, he faced heartbreaking rejection upon arrival—they hadn’t realized he was Black and refused to let him attend class. Deeply discouraged, Carver nearly gave up on his dream. But with the encouragement of a friend, he applied to Iowa State University, where he was accepted and went on to become their first Black graduate.
After graduating from college, he became a scientist and teacher, but had a passion for helping farmers thrive. When cotton farming became unprofitable, he encouraged farmers to plant peanuts instead. The crops were so abundant that farmers soon found themselves overwhelmed, unsure of what to do with all their peanuts. Carver prayed and asked God for wisdom and what to do about the “Peanut Problem.” God inspired Carver with over 100 innovative uses for peanuts—including one of America’s favorite snacks: peanut butter!
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Recommended For: Children and teens who are interested in science and nature. Families and educators looking for an incredibly inspiring historical figure.
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5. The Women by Kristin Hannah
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Kristin Hannah’s The Women is a compelling historical fiction book that delves into the experiences of female nurses during the Vietnam War, focusing on the main character, Frankie McGrath. The story captures the harrowing realities of war and the personal sacrifices made by those who served.
I enjoyed this book and was able to get a peek inside the Vietnam War, as well as an idea of what soldiers faced upon returning home from the war.
Recommended for: Women who enjoy historical fiction.
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“The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese is a historical novel that follows the lives of a South Indian family over three generations. The story delves into the family’s mysterious hereditary condition, where members in each generation succumb to drowning, referred to as “The Condition.”
Verghese’s storytelling is deep and relatable, weaving together themes of love, loss, faith, and medicine.
My only critique is that it is LONG (736 pages), so it will take you awhile to get through this one. If you can overlook the length, it’s an extremely well-written, engaging book!
Recommended for: Someone who loves a well-written novel, with a bit of history, mystery and medicine mixed in.
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This book delivers an engaging biography of a lady who dedicated her life to improving the conditions of prisoners, particularly for women and children.
In this fascinating true story, we learn that Elizabeth Fry’s faith, resilience, and compassion for female prisoners, changes the trajectory of their lives. The book highlights her groundbreaking efforts to bring education, humane treatment, and spiritual care to prisoners.
Fry worked at changing the conditions inside prisons, all while being a mother and wife. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when driven by conviction and love for others.
Recommended for: People who enjoy a good biography about an inspiring person.
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I read this book with my youngest sons, and we all really enjoyed this heartfelt book. The novel follows 10-year-old Opal, who has recently moved to the small town of Naomi, Florida, with her emotionally distant preacher father. When Opal adopts a scruffy stray dog she names Winn-Dixie, her life begins to change in surprising ways. Winn-Dixie isn’t just a dog; he’s a catalyst for connection. Through him, Opal befriends an eclectic group of people..
DiCamillo’s writing is simple, yet deeply moving, capturing both the innocence of childhood and the complexity of human relationships. The story beautifully explores the importance of community.
Recommended for: Family read-aloud or anyone (ages 8 and up) who loves a sweet, heart-warming story!
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9. Prevail by Susie Larson
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If you are looking for an excellent devotional, I recommend this one! It’s designed to guide readers through the entire Bible over the course of a year. Each entry includes a Scripture passage, insightful commentary, thought-provoking questions, and practical application steps, aiming to deepen one’s faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Susie is a phenomenal Bible teacher and I highlighted SO much goodness in this book, here’s just one quote:
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Recommended for: A person of faith looking for a solid daily devotional.
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The Splendid and the Vile is a gripping historical narrative that explores Winston Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of Britain during World War II. You will feel like you are Churchill’s right-hand man/woman as he leads Britain through the darkest days of the Blitz, when Nazi Germany relentlessly bombed London and other cities.
Things I enjoyed about the book:
- Churchill’s Leadership Under Pressure: Churchill’s resilience, charisma, and ability to rally the British people are amazing. His powerful speeches, courage, and personal resolve helped change the trajectory of a county, and ultimately, the war.
- Personal Stories: Larson doesn’t just focus on Churchill, but also weaves in the experiences of his daughter, wife, and inner circle. The author blends diary entries and letters – which make this story multi-dimensional and really come to life.
- Relationship with the US: It was interesting to read about Churchill’s efforts to get support from the United States and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He didn’t give up, and ultimately got America’s support, turning the tide of the war.
Recommended for: Those who enjoy WWII history, leadership books, or just a compelling story from our history!
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So now that you’ve read my list of favorites, what are yours? Please leave me a comment by clicking on the little box by the title of this post!
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Click here to read my favorite books of 2023
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