Lamppostings

I love books. I love to read. I love physical books, audio books, electronic books and I usually have more than one of each format going at a time.

I keep track on my reading on Goodreads. I’ve found it to be super useful for tracking my books, remembering what and when I read, and I love the challenges.

I read a lot of different genres of books and I’m always open to recommendations. Some of my favorite genres are Sci Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Faith.

In 2024 I read a lot of books – some were very short, some were very long. Most of the ones that impacted me the most were recommended to me by friends and family, but some of them I found on my own. My Dad is my first stop for reading recommendations whether it’s some thought-provoking and challenging books about faith, some great sci fi, or a beautiful character story.

I listen to audiobooks while I’m driving or when I’m walking on my own. I read paper and eBooks before bed and when I have time. My son, Zane, and I listen to audiobooks of his choice when we are in the car together. In 2024 we finished the Horizon series, and most of the first Percy Jackson series. I love sharing books with him.

He also recommended one of my top books series of the year. The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. When I tell people the name of the series it sort of puts them off, but I absolutely came to adore the Murderbot Main Character and really want to give him a hug, even though he would hate that. It’s a fun, short series, with a lot of humor, heart, and understanding. Can’t wait for more in the series.

I read two books by Jasper Fforde. The Eyre Affair and Shades of Grey. I love his imagination and twists, and a very different way of looking at things.

I read the Silo series by Hugh Howey – Wool, Shift, and Dust. It was a very compelling series about a post-apocalyptic world, and how we, as humans, can adapt, forget, and survive. I hear there’s another one in the same series/world that I need to read.

Two books that completely knocked my socks off were Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, and Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. They are similar in many ways, though the settings are very different. The both filled me with hope, broke my heart, and inspired me. I love to meet new heroes in books and Jayber and Theo are two new heroes.

I read quite a few Brandon Sanderson books. I really enjoy his writing, he knows how to build worlds and has very good pacing, whether they are long books or shorter stories.

Some of the non-fiction books I wrote included Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen, Party Crasher by Josh Butler, How to Know a Person by David Brooks. All of these books were super helpful. Highly recommend each of them.

Two non-fiction books that were particularly impactful were Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez, and Invisible Jesus by Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips. Jesus and John Wayne was helpful, but also so sad. It made me so angry, and at the same time, offered some understanding into why the evangelical church is where it is. Invisible Jesus was a beautiful comfort and tribute to those who have and are deconstructing, renegotiating, and building their faith. I felt seen, heard, and understood.

The other series that made a deep impact was recommended to me by a friend at work. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. It’s an 8 book series, I don’t even know how many words and pages total, but it’s a big one. I don’t recommend it to everyone – it’s got a lot of violence, language, some sexual content. The characters though, Roland, Susannah, Jake, Eddie, Oy, Father Callahan. The incredible worlds that King created, the ways they weave together, the depth of the characters, the strength of the stories. There’s something about a book or series when it is so compelling that you can’t wait to get to end so that you can know what happens, but at the same time, you don’t want it to end. This was one of those series for me.

I read a lot of other books as well. Some that I enjoyed, some that were a slog to get through, some that made me so mad. I’m learning to let go quicker of books that I’m not enjoying. There’s too little time to waste it on books that don’t click.

What were some of your favorite reads in 2024 and why? What are you looking forward to reading in 2025?