7 Books I Recommend—February 2024
“If you allow it
reading will seep into your bones
saturating you with fluidity
allowing you to move
more gracefully
through the world
than you would have
without that book
you just finished.”
– Lisa Burgess
Here are 6 nonfiction books + 1 novel I recommend from what I finished reading in February 2024.
[See previously recommended books here]
NONFICTION
1. Killers of the Flower Moon
The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by David Grann
This book reads like a novel (you may have seen the movie already). But unfortunately, the ghastly story is true, not fiction. In the 1920s, members of the Osage nation in Oklahoma were overflowing with money from oil discovered on their land. But one by one, they were being murdered. A chilling story, but an important one to remember as part of our nation’s history.
2. Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!
Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens
by Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler is expert at making us feel better about bad things. She doesn’t use false positivity but rather acknowledges that life can be tough, yet together we can get through it anyway. These short spiritual reflections are easy to read and poignant.
[My review is here of Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!]
3. Not the End of the World
How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet
by Hannah Ritchie
If you’re feeling depressed or powerless about what’s happening to our planet, Hannah Ritchie gives you hope in this book as she also gives good suggestions to practice. She’s packed it full of scientific yet easy-to-understand data. I highly recommend it for all of us because all of us are contributors in both helpful and unhelpful ways to our changing climate. It’s critical that we each step up as responsible participants in caring for Earth, for our own lives today as well as for the people coming after us.
[My review is here of Not the End of the World]
4. Fight Right
How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection
by Julie Schwartz Gottman, John M. Gottman
This will likely make my Top 10 list of favorite books read in 2024. It’s so practical and encouraging for establishing better connections with the partners we love. The Gottmans have been doing scientific relationship research for years and years, and this book is fruit of that work. Very engaging.
[My review here of Fight Right]
5. You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For
Applying Internal Family Systems to Intimate Relationships
by Richard C. Schwartz
I’ve recently been hearing more and more about Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory on podcasts, other books, and from friends. This book is by the originator of the theory, Richard Schwartz, and is specifically geared to cultivating and connecting all parts of ourselves, resulting in healthier relationships with our partners. (I’m currently reading Schwartz’ original book on this theory, No Bad Parts, with my book club; it is fascinating).
6. The Enneagram of Discernment (Type Five Edition)
The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice
by Drew Moser
This is another Enneagram book that includes lots of the basics of the Enneagram (for those who are new to it), but it differs from other books in its specific focus on using your personality type to help you make wiser decisions. I wasn’t expecting to find much new information, but I was pleasantly surprised by Moser’s insights that I hadn’t considered yet about myself and others (I’m an Enneagram Five). Another interesting thing about this book is there are nine editions of it, one for each type; the bulk of the book is the same in each edition, but the final chapter is type specific per edition.
[Learn more about the Enneagram in this blog series: 20 Ways to Practice the Enneagram for Spiritual Growth]
FICTION
7. The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T. J. Klune
Forty-year-old Linus Baker leads a quiet, mundane life as a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. . . until he gets reassigned to assess the most unique orphanage in the system. I totally enjoyed this whimsical novel with its unusual characters (it reminded me somewhat of the Harry Potter books). Book 2 of the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, will be released September 10, 2024.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- The Lost for Words Bookshop
by Stephanie Butland - The Light We Give
How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life
by Simran Jeet Singh - No Bad Parts
Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model
by Richard C. Schwartz - Build the Life You Want
The Art and Science of Getting Happier
by Arthur C. Brooks - Supercommunicators
How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
by Charles Duhigg
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
My son recommended I read The House in the Cerulean Sea and I thought it was a really cute story. Killers of the Flower moon sounds really interesting!
Killers of the Flower Moon was disturbing, but a terrific page-turner. I’ve read No Bad Parts, a good introduction to IFS, and this other title sounds great too.
Right now I’m reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Vergese – a long, but highly readable novel, full of tragedy but also the resilience of the human spirit. It starts out among the St. Thomas Christians of India, a group I had not known anything about, and just gets more educational from there.
What a great list, Lisa! There are several that if find I’d like to read. I’m currently reading “Kinfolk” by Sean Dietrich. It is an amazing Southern novel with a cast of characters that reel you in and won’t let you go.
Blessings!
Some interesting reads here, Lisa and most I haven’t read or heard of . Thanks for sharing at #weekendtrafficjamreboot. I have seen The House in the Cerulean Sea mentioned often in Book groups on FB so it is on my list to read. Have a lovely weekend. x
Hi Lisa, back again to say thank you for linking up with us at #WOYBS? to share your recommendations. I have added Killers of the Flower Moon to my TBR list. It sounds like an interesting read. Enjoy your weekend. x
your lists are always so good. Thank you. and I love your quote!!!
after reading a whole bunch of heavy duty non-fiction, i’m lining up some historical fiction to dive into in the weeks ahead. you know me … i can only handle 1 book at a time.
* sigh *
I always love to see what you’re reading. It’s always such an interesting mix. My favorite thing, though, is how your sweet, helping heart shines through your reading selections. May we all be willing to grow.
Great list! Killers of the Flower Moon sounds intriguing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Thanks Lisa for the book recommendations. Love you shared several non-fiction choices. Pinned this post that I saw at SSPS#300! This week I shared #78 through 82. Have a fabulous week and be well! Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health
I love your quote Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing your reads and recommendations with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Thanks for sharing. I have started to increase my reading. I have been reading a variety of books. I have discovered that books really get you to thinking.
Hi, Lisa – I remain very impressed by all of the nonfiction books that you read. i haven’t yet read any of the ones that you have shared here but each of your blurbs has made me want to read more!
Hi Lisa, as others have already said your book reviews are all interesting and your non-fiction reading is impressive. The House in the Cerulean Sea sounds like a fun read, many thanks for sharing with us at #WOYBS linkup.
The House in the Cerulean Sea sounds facinating. Thanks for linking up…
I am so behind on new releases, and this is the second time this week I heard about Kate Bowler’s new book. I loved Everything Happens for a Reason, so I need to read this one soon!
I have the Killers of the Flower moon on my TBR list. I do have a family member who is in the FBI which made me interested in it. The rest of your list sounds good too. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the ones you’re currently reading.