Big Book Review of 2024
Big Book Review of 2024
It’s my annual book post of the year! With 2024 wrapped up, I love looking back on
the books I read over the year and sharing them.
67 Books: 22,323 Pages
In January 2024, I set out to read 65 books and exceeded my goal,
finishing 67 and totaling 22,323 pages. From the shortest at 160 pages to the
longest at 688.
Reading is how I recharge, learn, and grow. Some books
transported me to new worlds, while others challenged my thinking or touched my
heart deeply (several brought the waterworks this year). The magic of finding a
story that feels written just for me is something I cherished many times this
year.
Now that we kick off 2025, I’m excited for the books and
lessons the year will bring. Here’s to more pages, more stories, and more
unforgettable moments. But first, my recap list of 2024 and their ratings:
1. The Four Agreements
with Companion Special Edition by Miguel Ruiz – 4 stars
2. King:
A Life by Jonathan Eig – 5 stars
3. Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life by Melanie Shankle – 4 stars
4. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride - 4 stars
5. Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister – 4 stars
6. Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale – 4 stars
7. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell – 4.5 stars
8. Hidden
Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant – 3.75
stars
9. How to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price – 2 stars
10. You, with a View by Jessica Joyce – 5 stars
11.
If You Would Have
Told Me by John Stamos – 3 stars
12.
The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan – 3.75
stars
13.
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes – 5 stars
14.
The Messy Lives of Book People by
Phaedra Patrick – 4 stars
15.
Facing
the Mountain (Adapted for Young Readers): A True Story of Japanese American
Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brown – 4 stars
16.
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro – 5 stars
17.
The Women by Kristin Hannah – 5 stars
18.
Demon
Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver – 3 stars
19.
Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena – 4 stars
20.
Stay
Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive by
Greg Harden – 4.5 stars
21.
Paris: The Memoir – by Paris Hilton – 5 stars
22.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle – 4 stars
23.
The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline
– 4 stars
24.
Out of My Mind (Out of My
Mind, #1) by Sharon M. Draper – 4 stars
25.
Expiration Dates
by Rebecca Serle – 4 stars
26.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston – 5 stars
27.
The
7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by
Stephen Covey – 4 stars
28.
The
Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done
by Kendra Adachi – 3 stars
29.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth – 4 stars
30.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong – 4 stars
31.
The Art of
Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker – 5 stars
32.
Did I Ever Tell You? By Genevieve Kingston – 4
stars
33.
Swan Song (Nantucket, #4) by Elin Hilderbrand
– 5 stars
34.
Beauty
in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience by Allison
Pataki – 4 stars
35.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman – 4 stars
36.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center – 4 stars
37.
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews – 4 stars
38.
The Next Mrs. Parrish (Mrs.
Parrish, #2) by Liv Constantine – 4 stars
39.
The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams – 4
stars
40.
The Backtrack by Erin La Rosa – 3 stars
41.
15 Summers Later
by RaeAnne Thayne – 4 stars
42.
The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin – 4 stars
43.
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – 5 stars
44.
Love
+ Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of
Your Life by Marcus Buckingham – 3.5 stars
45.
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan – 4.5 stars
46.
Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter – 4 stars
47.
Bear by Julia Phillips – 3 stars
48.
The Housemaid (The Housemaid,
#1) by Freida McFadden – 4.5 stars
49.
A
Good Girl's Guide to Murder (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1) by
Holly Jackson – 4 stars
50.
Never Lie by Frieda McFadden – 4 stars
51.
The Teacher by Freida McFadden – 3 stars
52.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty – 3.5 stars
53.
Pumpkin
Everything (An Autumnboro Sweet Romance, #1) by Beth Labonte by 3
stars
54.
The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson –
4 stars
55.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach – 4 stars
56.
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig – 3.5 stars
57.
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker – 4 stars
58.
The 5 AM Club: Own
Your Morning. Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma – 2 stars
59.
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone – 3 stars
60.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by
Ina Garten – 4 stars
61.
The Christmas Tree
Farm (Dream Harbor, #3) by Laurie Gilmore – 3 stars
62.
Lucky by Marissa Stapley – 4 stars
63.
Everybody is a Liar by Liv Constantine – 2 stars
64.
Sleigh Bells Ring by RaeAnne Thayne – 4 stars
65.
The Christmas Inn by Pamela M. Kelley – 3.5 stars
66.
The Lion Tracker's Guide To Life
by Boyd Varty – 3 stars
67.
The December Market (Shelter
Springs, #2) by RaeAnne Thayne – 4 stars
I love my
list! Each year as is my tradition, I
name my Top Three Books of 2024:
#2. You, with a View by Jessica Joyce is a
heartfelt novel where two high school enemies must reunite for a road trip
inspired by their grandparents' broken engagement in this electric debut
romance. The story follows a woman who uncovers an unexpected connection
between her family and her high school crush during a nostalgic road trip. As
they retrace the steps of a decades-old love story, the journey brings them
closer together while revealing truths about their own lives and desires. With
its blend of humor, emotion, and tender moments, the novel beautifully captures
the meaningfulness of family stories.
Maybe
because of my own experience of the cherished love story of my grandparents, this
one resonated with me. It was the
sweetest story of a girl and her grandpa (my own grandpa was my favorite person!) that developed with each page in a way that had me looking forward
to getting back to it each time I had to put it down.
#1. The Women by Kristin Hannah is a
powerful historical novel set during the Vietnam War, focusing on the
often-overlooked experiences of women who served as nurses. The story follows
Frankie McGrath, a young woman who defies societal expectations to work on the
frontlines, providing care under harrowing conditions. Upon returning home, she
faces rejection, stigma, and the struggle to rebuild her life amidst a divided
nation. Through Frankie’s journey of resilience and self-discovery, Hannah
illuminates the bravery and sacrifices of women during a tumultuous time in
history, blending raw emotion with vivid historical detail.
I read
this in March 2024 and I knew before I even finished the book, it was going to
be my favorite of the year. Dozens of books later through the year, no book compared to how this one moved me. In the very
first pages, learning that the main character was a woman who served as a nurse
in the war brought me to tears. Most
people who know me well know that my hero is my maternal grandma who was a combat
nurse in WWII. I am so fortunate that she
shared so many of her war stories with me and our family. The main character
went through so much struggle, and I felt it in my heart when her service was
not recognized the same as male veterans when she came home from Vietnam. I feel so grateful that Kristin Hannah shed
light on what women experienced in the war and afterward – and that women are veterans too! Because
I’ve dedicated my life’s career for the past 22 years in service to veterans, it
was also so meaningful to read a novel that was so descriptive of what veterans
have experienced in combat and upon coming home. With each scene, I couldn’t
help but think of all the veterans we serve in our organization and their sacrifices. I treasure this historical fiction novel. I truly carry it in such a deep and special
place in my heart. I thank all those who have served, including my grandma, a WWII
bronze star medal recipient, who paved the way for our family to come to
America thanks to her military service as a combat nurse. While Frankie is a fictional character, I
know her story is the truth of so many females who served, and I
thank all of them for their poignant role in service.
Those were my top 3 books of 2024 and I'm proud of them all but I’m not
done yet! I don’t usually do this, but when I
reviewed my list of books, these 2 also stood out and I wanted to shout them
out too!
Most Surprisingly Good Book of 2024
The book
that shocked me the most about how much I enjoyed it and learned from it was…. Wait
for it…
Paris: The Memoir
I know... what?! I never
followed Paris Hilton before reading this and wow, I was shocked by her story and how she’s advocating
for troubled youth. I can’t even explain
how unexpected this one was for me. “Hilton
shares her journey from growing up in the spotlight to navigating fame,
relationships, and personal struggles. She opens up about her experiences with
trauma, resilience, and self-discovery, shedding light on the woman behind the
brand. With vulnerability and humor, Hilton provides an empowering narrative
about reclaiming one’s voice and living authentically.”
Especially
if you like memoirs, this one is worth reading.
Fun fact, I love to listen to memoirs on audio because then the person
themselves is telling their story in their voice and to me, it adds to the
experience to have them storytelling in my ear!
Most
Impactful Leadership Book of 2024
Leadership
being my most important value, I always have leadership books on my list. While fiction books took the top 3 seats for
me this year, I’d pick The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker as my top leadership
book of 2024. I continue to apply its
lessons in planning work and personal meetings and events.
“Priya Parker offers practical advice on how to design gatherings
that foster authenticity, inclusivity, and engagement, from setting clear
intentions to curating the right guest list and creating moments that matter.” It was inspiring and practical and several of
us leaders at work continue to use it in our meetings and gatherings!
So that’s it, another big book review of the past year. I’m so grateful to have reading as my favorite hobby and for the way books transport me to new places.
Happy New Year, everyone and happy reading in 2025!
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