My Best Books 0f 2024
This really is such a great tradition! There was part of me that felt like this had been “a down year” of reading and yet as I look back over my list, I can hear Clarence’s voice, “You see Judd, you really have had a wonderful reading year!” So, without further ado, here are my top 10…ish reads of 2024. As always, I don’t include books I’ve read before (this year marked my 23rd read of Count of Monte Cristo).
#1. The Sun and Other Stars by Brigid Pasulka
My #1 and #2 books this year were both January reads, and I knew at the time that they could be the two best books I would read this year, it would just come down to which one stuck with me more. This one is the winner! Over and over again as I was reading this one I kept finding myself muttering under my breath, “Beautiful!” I can picture the town, the characters, I think about this one and I feel all over again what I felt while reading it.
#2. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A close #2! Some of the best character development a novel has to offer. I found myself smiling uncontrollably while reading and several times had to stop reading to exclaim, “This is delightful!” Interestingly, after I finished this one, I tried another one by the same author (“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” or something like that) and disliked it so much I didn’t finish it!
#3. Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
In another year this would have had a good shot at being #1. So good I read it twice. In a not-too-distant future most animals have become extinct and the main character follows the migration pattern of one of the last remaining species of birds. (What a stupid one-sentence synopsis haha - this book is so much more complex, exciting, nerve-wracking, and involved than that!) At times the timeline gets confusing because of all the flashbacks (JUST WRITE A LINEAR NOVEL!!!) But in this case, it actually works to heighten the suspense and the multiple mysteries/reveals throughout. TRIGGER WARNING: this book is intense at times and includes multiple scenes dealing with mental health and suicide.
#4. The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
As always, it’s impossible to compare fiction to non-fiction but I’ll give this one the nod as my #1 non-fiction read, because Larson remains unmatched at writing non-fiction that reads like a novel. This one also paired really well with #7.
#5. To Gaze Upon God by Samuel G. Parkison
This one was a December read so I will be curious to see if it sticks with me, but it was certainly the most enjoyable theology read for me this year. Excellent biblical theology and historical theology. Perhaps my biggest takeaway is pairing this with the eschatology of writers such as N.T. Wright and Richard Middleton. As we look forward to the resurrection and the new heaven and the new earth I was reminded that the ultimate goal, the telos is to see God.
#6. Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
This series continues to produce winners for me. At times a bit too "sciencey" for me but uhhh I guess that's kinda the point. It was interesting, in the conclusion the editor said he wished the contributors had been more charitable with each other...I actually thought they were more charitable than I would have expected. I think there were some things going on behind the scenes during writing! In any case it is SO important for scholars to be submitting themselves to peer review. The weakness in this particular volume was a lot of "The science clearly says this," "No, you're wrong, the science clearly says this." But in any case, a good read with interesting contributions from four thoughtful thinkers. For my money: this was the first time I have interacted with Ham's work. He is more thoughtful than I would have guessed and while I think he reads the Bible overly literally (just as problematic as too much allegory) he clearly has a high view of scripture. Ross, much like Ham has in my mind a too rigid/literal view of biblical texts...I was least impressed with his chapter. Haarsma's view is closest to where I started and nothing in this book dissuaded me of that. I think Biologos is doing some wonderful things. Meyer's chapter was too technical for me at times and ultimately it was not advocating for a Christian perspective, simply a deistic one.
#7. All on Fire by Henry Mayer
While this one probably could have been 400 pages shorter and just as punchy it was well worth the effort to read it through. William Lloyd Garrison has long been a hero of mine though admittedly I didn’t know a ton about his life. Perhaps most interesting is that his “conversion” to the abolitionist movement wasn’t particularly dramatic…he was simply a man of unique passion. I also really appreciated the section on the Lincoln years as it gave me a different view of Lincoln than the one-dimensional one we are often presented.
#8. Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein
Part of what I enjoyed so much about this one is that it is so different than what I usually tend to read. Hilarious and insightful, and at times painful as it was written through the COVID years. I also learned this…making a sweater is really hard!
#9. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
This is the first book that has ever made my top 10 list based primarily upon the reading in the audiobook. Verghese reads his own works and perfectly captures the feel of his characters. His voice instantly transports the listener into his world. A sprawling epic, brilliantly conceived. Thinking about it as I write this makes me want to read/listen to it again! A bit long so that by the end I wasn’t entirely sure who all the characters were…perhaps reading rather than listening would have helped with that.
#10. The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri
I have enjoyed everything Lefteri has written (“The Beekeeper of Aleppo” remains the most powerful to me). She is definitely my favorite new author of the last few years, though McConaghy (see #3) might soon replace her. Lefteri does a fantastic job of drawing her reader into the plight of her characters. Though it has probably been 10-11 months since I read this one I can still picture several scenes vividly.
Honorable Mentions: In no particular order
The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Flood and Fury by Matthew Lynch
The Question of Canon by Michael Kruger