2024: A year of growth!
As I think back on 2024 I can’t help but think about the tremendous growth that the year held for me. I recently shared how I watched my word of the year, “Awe” unfold before my very eyes. But what I haven’t written about yet is how much I read and how much it informed my faith journey, healing, and personal growth. I’ve already talked about the business books that have shaped me, over on my company website. But now, it’s time to talk about some of the books that spoke to me on a heart level.
It’s official: Bret Hansen is my favorite author of 2024. I ravenously consumed his books and found myself simultaneously sad they were over. Yes, I read multiple books by him! However, his newest book, “Life is Hard God is Good Let’s Dance” is my stand out favorite. It is a joyful exploration of the disappointments and heartache of life. Rather than allowing the tough-stuff to diminish his faith it actually is a catalyst for increased faith. I love it! He is also unapologetically quirky and I just adore it. He managed to make me laugh out loud while also challening me to experience God in new ways. I call that a win! Go buy all his books! But especially this one.
You don’t need to be in a relationally difficult place to find value in this book authored by Lysa Terkeurst. In fact, this book is probably better read in seasons you feel strong so that you can build up your boundary toolkit such that when tension and hardship comes your way, you are ready. I love that Lysa advocates for restoring relationships and gives practical tips for how to attempt that. I equally love that she affirms when boundaries consistently are broken we need to create healthy space. I have read more of her books than I can count and this is my top selection by her!
I told you I loved Lysa Terkeurst! This is another one of hers that had major practical implications. I included it on this list in addition to my business book round up. Lysa helps us find support and clarity for wise decision making. Her framework is simple and in its simplicity, highly useful. She emphasizes that decisions point us in directions and the direction we go leads to destinations. I’ve talked this wisdom through with my kids and offered it to them as a way they should make decisions in life. Ask yourself: does this decision point me in the direction of my desired direction? (Whew, lots of alliteration there!)
This book was suggested to me by one of my mentors, Rob. It was profound. Alicia Britt Chole’s writing style is such a delight and her points were so thought provoking. In all my years of loving Jesus I had never considered how little we know about most of his life. This was a beautiful exploration and I found it to be balanced in sharing what is known versus what can be inferred. It is great for anyone who feels behind the scenes (moms of young kids!) or who is waiting patiently for a breakthrough. It encourages the important faith-work in anonymous years. As I write about it here I’m already itching to go re-read it.
What a book! There were many takeaways that I have scribbled in the margins of this book. What stands out most is how the author, Tyler Staton, helped me get really granular with my prayers. He emphasized how we make God impersonal when we fail to invite him into the day-to-day minutia of our lives. We think we are honoring Him by only coming to Him with the big stuff but really we are alienating ourselves from Him. He is highly personal – case in point sending Jesus to walk amongst us. I hope you get excited, like I did, with how this book challenges you to pray with renewed tenacity.
This was a special book that bridge 2023 and 2024. My friend, Shandi, originally bought it for me. I revisited it in 2024 and ultimately it is the devotional that our Growth Group used each Sunday. I love this one because it is quick and relatable while encouraging the reader to claim scripture over life’s challenges.
I scooped this book up opportunistically without really feeling a need to “stop the spiral” but because I have heard such great things about the author, Jennie Allen. She gives practical tips for how to take control of our thought lives, which is something we are urged to do often within scripture but at times it can feel unclear how to *actually* do it. She fuses scriptural truth with everyday living in extremely useful ways. If anxiety is something you wrestle with I definitely suggest this devotional!
Hear me out on this one! Cover to cover, it was not my favorite across all the chapters. There were some chapters I strongly favored over others. However, the takeaways from this book are still so beautiful that they outweigh the portions that I found to be a superfluous. Mark Buchanan is an author I’ve read before and at the time of this blog, I’m reading another book by him. What I love in this book is how Mark creates a compelling case for a slower pace of living. A slower pace holds space for God to show up and walk with us. It really is beautiful and I believe your soul will feel refreshed by it!
It has been such a joy to learn, grow and think differently as I’ve read these books during 2024! I already have big plans for my book list in 2025 and would love your suggestions! Comment below with your favorites.
