Ah books. I love them, and I find great satisfaction in reviewing my Goodreads at the end of each year. I reflect on the books—each one marking months I lived and moments I treasure. Many books memorialize specific vacations, hardships, and laughter. Others merely elicit a sense of peace; they remind me that reading brings such relaxation.
With that in mind, I’m sharing my favorite books of 2024. They span genres and authors. I hope you’ll add a few to your list for 2025!
1. Tired of Being Tired by Jess Connolly
Rating: 📗📗📗📗📗 (5 out of 5)
In 5 Words: Biblical hope infused with realness
Ps. This was a year of learning to feel and breathe. It was the perfect time to pick up this book because Jess writes in SUCH a relatable tone. I cried because the words were so poignant to my struggles. I’m really grateful for this book.
2. The Answer Is No by Frederik Backman
Rating: 📗📗📗📗 (4.5 out of 5)
In 5 Words: Millennial tries to avoid community.
Ps. Fredrik Backman doesn’t miss. I love everything by this author and this short story was no exception. This is such a fun, quick read. Yet, it left me thinking for days. I recommend this for one who appreciates witty writing and themes of mortality/friendship.
3. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Rating: 📗📗📗📗 (4 out of 5)
In 5 Words: Understanding and equipping techy kids.
Ps. Sometimes I am very doom and gloom about the future of Gen Alpha. I worry that we are fighting a losing battle. But that’s not true. This book is a helpful look at how technology is rewiring adolescent brains and what we can do in response. It offers actionable insights that I found empowering.
4. Fat Talk by Virginia Sole-Smith
Rating: 📗📗📗 (3.5 out of 5)
In 5 Words: Children learn “fat” is bad.
Ps. I’m passionate about crushing the harmful, societal messages about our bodies (female bodies, specifically). Of course I was excited to read this! At times, it felt emotionally challenging to sift through… there are so many messages we receive as children that grieve me. Still, this is a necessary topic to unpack (whether you’re a parent or not). I disagree with the author’s worldview but found great value in the research and dialogue, nonetheless.
5. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Rating: 📗📗📗📗 (4 out of 5)
In 5 Words: Generational resilience flows like hope.
Ps. This was the longest book I read this year. At times, I was tempted to give it up, but I simply could not. The characters drew me in with tenacity. I was enthralled with the Indian countryside and culture of which I knew nothing before this book. I don’t cry much when I read, so a book that brings tears is definitely top-five material. This epic reminded me a bit of East of Eden, which is high praise.
BONUS: The Last Murder at the End of the World
What? Okay, yes. This is technically #6. But it doesn’t count because I finished it on New Year’s Eve and it’s still recent enough that I hesitate to give it a top 5 spot, but it was indeed marvelous. So, The Last Murder at the End of the World gets an honorable mention.
It was ingenious and mysterious. After reading Station Eleven (I got into a post-apocalyptic kick this year), I needed a good follow-up; this book was debatably better! It played like a movie in my head.
Looking Ahead to 2025
I read 36 books in 2024. The year was one of great challenge for me–spiritually, professionally, and emotionally. I found myself leaning toward “fun” books more than before. I also indulged in podcasts which Hannah-of-old would never have done (I used to think that if they weren’t books, it wasn’t worth it because they didn’t “count”).
With those tidbits in mind, I have a few goals for my reading in 2025. I want to keep it fun, of course, and a few key focuses will help me do that. Firstly, I want to lean more into books that grow my faith. They take more brain power, which is why I don’t read as many, but they also refresh me so much. I want to keep that in mind when I am selecting which books I want to read next.
Secondly, I really want to read books by authors who have different life experiences than me and/or hold views I don’t hold. Reading The Covenant of Water was eye-opening. I had known so little about India or how the events of the 1900s impacted its societies. I want to challenge myself in 2025 by broadening my awareness and by challenging my faith (I want to read either the Koran or the Book of Mormon this year, for instance). The light does not fear the darkness, as the old adage goes. What’s more: I have so much to learn!
Happy Reading,
Han
Ps. Tell me your favorite(s) from 2024 so I can add to my reading list for this year!
A Grateful Life Lived 
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