6 Books I Recommend – December 2024
“I woke up thinking a very pleasant thought. There is lots left in the world to read.”
– Nicholson Baker
Here are 4 nonfiction books and 2 novels I recommend from my recent reads.
[See previously recommended books here]
NONFICTION
1. Fat Talk
Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture
by Virginia Sole-Smith
This is an important read for all of us who have grown up in a fat phobia culture. It will make you rethink the way you talk about bodies, not just to kids, but to other adults and most importantly, even to yourself.
2. The Small and the Mighty
Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement
by Sharon McMahon
“Sharon Says So” writes about several untold stories of heroes in American history. It will inspire you to do your own small “ordinary” things with a new perspective on how important they really are.
3. Ghosts Over the Boiler
Voices from Alabama’s Death Row
by Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty
I was caught off guard by how much this book moved me! It is a powerful collection of writings from the men on Alabama’s death row. It’s quite eye-opening to see their humanity and resilience in such a vulnerable way as they fight to shut down the death penalty.
4. The Art of Forgiving
by Lewis B. Smedes
As I continue to work on forgiving some deep pains in my life, Lewis Smedes’ words bring direction and hope for my healing. He writes very clearly and directly about both the why and the how of forgiveness.
5. Seek
How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World
by Scott Shigeoka
I’ve been reading this book all year as part of my One Word journey with Curiosity. It gives lots of ideas about how to practice curiosity in my everyday life. I already want to read it again.
FICTION
6. The God of the Woods
by Liz Moore
This is my first Liz Moore mystery, but it won’t be my last. This is a gripping story about two young siblings who disappear in the woods near a summer camp, but years apart. It’s long but I never grew tired of reading it and wanting to know what would happen next.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- Nineteen Minutes
by Jodi Picoult - Star-Spangled Jesus
Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding A True Faith
by April Ajoy - The Road to Wisdom
On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust
by Francis S. Collins - The Violent Take It by Force
The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy
by Matthew D. Taylor - Do You Still Talk to Grandma?
When the Problematic People in Our Lives Are the Ones We Love
by Brit Barron - Hope for Cynics
The Surprising Science of Human Goodness
by Jamil Zaki - Aging as a Spiritual Practice
A Contemplative Guide to Growing Older and Wiser
by Lewis Richmond
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
- On the Blog – November 2024
- How Do I Find My One Word of the Year? 7 Strategies to Find the Right Word for You
That mystery does certainly sound intriguing, Lisa. I think I’d have a hard time putting it down, too. I’ve really had trouble focusing this year when it comes to reading as I’ve felt so many things disrupting the rhythms of my life, and I’m praying for situations to improve.
Blessings!
Joining you in prayer for an improvement in your situations, Martha. Life is constant stream of movement, yes? So may this next one be one in an easier direction for you. Blessings to you, too.
back from my long trip and ready to read and your list sounds so good. Order three from our library today!! thanks for the great suggestions. Working now on thinking of my word of the year for next year. Not there yet but will begin to narrow it down over the next few weeks I am sure!!
Ooh, I’m excited for whatever your next word(s) will be, Jean! I wish I could sit inside your brain as it looks at your shimmery words. 🙂 I know you dig deep and practice wide in both the uncovering and the practice of your words. I was thinking of you just today as I plan “A Day Away” (at home) for myself tomorrow to spend time in meditation, silence, and solitude as a year-end and year-beginning spiritual exercise. You’re a great example to be intentional about creating space for ourselves in this way.
I like the sound of THe Small and the Mighty! :] God of the Woods is on my list too!
Will be interested in hearing your thoughts on Nineteen Minutes! I was on a Jodi Picoult kick for a while and have read most of her books!
I’m currently on a Jodi Picoult kick myself! I’ve actually been torn about Nineteen Minutes because it is SO intense! I choose books for a gun-safety advocates book club, and I wanted to read Nineteen Minutes to see if it would be appropriate for us. But it might be too much. I don’t know. I’ll reserve my final decision until I finish the book. As typical of her books, though, I hardly want to put it down!
Oh Nineteen Minutes was such a gut wrenching book to read (and I had to read something light on the side to sort of take a mental break) but I absolutely loved it. Another great one about gun-violence/safety is Nora Roberts Shelter In Place.
That Fat Talk book sounds so interesting.
Yes, I am with you on having to have a lighter read on the side while I read Nineteen Minutes. And I try not to read it late at night because it makes me think too much. Thanks so much for the recommendation about Shelter in Place. I’m adding it to my list now! It might be one my gun safety book club would enjoy.
Your book choices always sound so interesting! They make me wish I had more time to read! One that I’ve enjoyed recently is Grave Talk by Nick Spalding. It is a fiction book and a bit different from what I usually read. It tells the story of two people who meet while at the graveside of loved ones. Every year they are there on the same day, marking the anniversary, and a friendship develops which helps both of them in their grief. There is quite a lot of humour despite the subject matter but it is also very poignant.
The premise of Grave Talk sounds so intriguing to me, Lesley! After losing two people this year, I’ve been reading more and more about death. So this book might be a good mix of humor and poignancy that I need. Thanks for sharing about it!
Thanks for the lead about Liz Moore. I always appreciate an absorbing mystery.
Jeff just finished the Liz Moore book too, but he listened to it rather than read it. It goes back and forth in time, so he found it a bit confusing just listening, but I didn’t have any problem with the print version.
That sounds like a great selection of reads. I think my husband could do with reading Fat Talk. He’s forever talking about his weight. He loses a stone, then he puts it back on again and then he loses it again… This cycle happens a couple of times a year.
Ghosts Over the Boiler sounds really interesting. I’m very grateful we don’t have the death penalty in the UK.
Popping over from Book Worms Monthly.
I’d be interested to know what your husband thinks of Fat Talk if he does read it, Sarah. It still has me thinking! It strongly encourages us to not obsess about weight…but that is hard not to do.
I loved God of the Woods! Fat Talk sounds very timely–did you see Valerie Bertinelli’s big weight loss? It’s given me a lot of food for thought about body acceptance and does it ever happen?
Glad you liked God of the Woods too! (I especially liked how it ended!). I hadn’t heard about Valerie Bertinelli’s weight loss so I googled it just now. I relate to this comment she said: “Because no matter what that number was, it wasn’t going to be good enough.” Too often I feel that way when I step on the scale too. Being discouraged by a number isn’t a healthy mindset to have…. I’m trying to be more accepting of my aging body as it is, but it’s not easy.
Another interesting selection of books. I think I’m most intrigued by The God of the Woods.
I found The God of the Woods to be very well written! The plot had twists and turns that kept me wanting to keep reading.