Best Books of 2024
This year of AI and aliens (what are these drones flying over New Jersey? :) deserves an AI image.
Here you go, my 2024 list. These are books I read in 2024 (not necessarily published in 2024) that I found most interesting. Looking for more? Click here for a link to last year’s best books list, which also leads you to over a decade of my annual best books.
1 Samuel, A Narrative Commentary by Keith Bodner. I loved soaking in this unique, rich, and funny commentary while preaching through the life of David. Here I discovered loads of new insights into 1st Samuel. I’d never heard of Keith Bodner before. A fellow pastor here in the Bay Area recommended this book to me. I also emailed Keith Bodner a few questions and found him to be incredibly kind and helpful.
Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford. This classic has been around for a long time. Finally, I found myself old enough to read it. I have underlines and notes on nearly every page of this book. Men, if you are in mid-life or approaching mid-life, this is must reading.
Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet, by Chris Dixon. Important content to think through for those interested in massive changes underway in technology, the internet, protocol networks, blockchains, AI, and ownership. We seem to be moving to a new chapter of the internet where you can be an owner in the digital world—rather than simply be the product of large tech companies.
The Navigator: Dawson Trotman, by Robert Foster. I’ve got our whole elder team reading this little book about a big man. I try to read at least one biography every year, and this year I wanted to learn about this influential Christian leader who I’d heard a few stories about but had never studied. My favorite sentence: “The secret of his life was that he had a gargantuan bent toward God.” This glimpse into Dawson Trotman’s short 50 year life on earth inspired me to trust God more, to use my gifts more, to dream and pray bigger, and to take more risks for the glory of God.
Relax and Win, by Bud Winter and Jimson Lee. My oldest son runs hurdles and my 80 year-old neighbor, Don, is always telling the two of us stories about what it was like training under the legendary San Jose State track and field coach, Bud Winter. These conversations turned me on to this book, which is Bud Winter’s “Relax & Win” training methodology—a methodology first developed by Bud and others to train World War II fighter pilots. I didn’t read the whole book, just certain sections. His thesis that relaxing and giving 98% effort (as opposed to 100% effort) is key to championship performance is fascinating to me.
Out for Blood, Ryan Steck. This novel, set in Montana (where I recently spent 10 days and felt a connection to the terrain) is a page turner. I don’t read many “thrillers”, but this book hooked me. I hope it becomes a movie, reading the book felt like watching a movie. Out for Blood is part of a larger series, I plan to soon read the books that preceded it and/or read the next book, which comes out this summer.
The Law of Rewards, by Randy Alcorn. This is an inspiring, short book about the biblical vision for giving and the wild and often neglected statements the Bible makes about rewards. My biggest takeaway is how Alcorn recasts “giving” as “investing”: “Reluctant givers give as if they were spending and getting nothing in return. Joyful givers give as if they were investing, anticipating a great deal in return.”
Lord of the Feast, by Tom Thiessen. This little book proclaims an often missed theme of Scripture: God call his people to feast and celebrate. I believe Christians and churches should be known for their feasts, parties, joy, and celebration. This book helps that cause.
How to Live an Extraordinary Life, by Anthony Pompliano. One the one hand this book never speaks of God, the source of all life, so these pages don’t actually give the path to extraordinary and abundant life. But, on the other hand, all truth is God’s truth and I just love learning from anyone who has something to teach me. This is 60+ letters that Pompliano wrote for his son and daughter, each letter teaching a lesson/word of wisdom about how to flourish in life. There are some fantastic chapters here. It reminds me of the book of Proverbs—a dad with a big heart writing wisdom for his kids.
Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work, by Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird. We referenced this book a lot this year as our church, Garden City Church, “adopted” another church. Very helpful, especially the legal sections.
Forty Days on Being an Eight: Enneagram Daily Reflections, by Sandra Maria Van Opstal. Used with maturity and wisdom, the Enneagram is a very helpful tool. It’s been a few years since I’ve done fresh reading on this tool, so I picked up this book. I started it and then stopped it because I didn’t connect with the author—her content as a woman wasn’t resonating with me as a man, some of her theology bothered me, and I didn’t like what I think is an overemphasis on race. But, I gave the book a second go and I’m so glad I did. In nearly each short chapter I found a dash of insight that opened my eyes to a way I can grow. It’s been helpful to learn from someone who shares my Enneagram number (8, with a 7 wing) who is therefore similarly motivated as me, yet is also very very different from me. This series carries a book for each Enneagram number.
Hopefully you found something interesting in this year’s list. Happy reading!
Looking for a book to give as a Christmas gift? Consider giving one of the books I’ve authored.