Books of 2024

Written By Christi Beem

Here’s a list (with short reviews) of the books I read in 2024. What did you read? What should I put on my list for 2025?

NON-FICTION 

When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes

4.5 stars. I really appreciate the way this book doesn’t just try to offer oversimplified pat answers to the hard questions about suffering. If you are looking for a book that’s not afraid to ask hard questions, this one is a good option. Joni KNOWS suffering and this book gave me some good for thought that I hadn’t considered before. It’s also a mercifully short book!

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

3.5 stars. This book shares some very helpful Bible study tools! One can learn a lot about how to better study the Bible through this book. But, I do think that Wilkin writes using a tone that assumes more authority than she has and also could be discouraging for those who aren’t always studying the Bible this one “right” way. God promises that his words will not return void! So an encouragement I’d want to remind you of if you decide to read this book: it’s better to read your Bible imperfectly than leave it on the shelf for fear of doing it “wrong.” Use this book as a toolbox.

The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey 

4.5 stars. This one is a really important and necessary topic. Our culture has torn masculinity apart and it’s been one of the most detrimental developments in our society. Real, good masculinity is needed and beneficial and basically the opposite of toxic. 

Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen

5 stars. This is my favorite Brant Hansen book that I’ve read so far. It’s an encouragement and a relief to be reminded that God isn’t only the God of the “good Christians” who “get it.” The introverts, depressed, analytical, or otherwise “different” all have a place in the kingdom of God. Hansen’s unique style and communication made me think about these topics in new ways. 

Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

3 stars. I thought this book was good and the premise was important and helpful to consider. I loved her emphasis on prioritizing what’s important over what presents itself as urgent. We started homeschooling in part to escape the “rat race,” and this book helped get me thinking about what that can look like practically. I particularly appreciated her ideas on how to build restfulness into our homeschooling day/week, her ideas for loop and block schedules, and her reminder that our children are “not mere mortals.”

I took away a couple stars because it didn’t quite live up to the hype for four reasons: (1) the design of the book interior was distracting for me (but I’m a designer and therefore very picky), (2) her writing was bland and clunky at times, thereby making it not the best endorsement for homeschooling, (3) sometimes I felt like she was advertising for Dr Perrin and scholé groups, (4) she tends to present the Charlotte Mason/poetic/schole “vibe” as the best (maybe only) way to teach from rest. But I believe it’s possible to teach from rest while doing so using other teaching styles. 

Still, I benefited from reading this book and agree that its main message is needed. Plus it’s only about 80 pages long, which is the perfect length!!

Think About Homeschooling by Sandy Glenn

5 stars. Am I biased? Yes, BUT: This book gives a clear picture of homeschooling - the real-life pros and cons - and its far-reaching potential for all kinds of types of families. Sandy is funny and down-to-earth and logically addresses essentially every major concern that may come up for those who homeschool or are considering home education. If you homeschool or are thinking about it, this book can help give you the peace and confidence you need. If you don’t homeschool, this book will help you get rid of any stereotypes you may have about home education and better understand the homeschool families in your life.

The 4-Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson

4.5 stars. This great book was what I wanted “Teaching From Rest” to be. It was the right mix of theoretical and practical. It helped me think well about what homeschooling should look like before we dove in. 

On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble

5 stars. So many thoughtful gems in this book. I love that Noble is not afraid to acknowledge that “suffering… is a normal part of human life.” He recognizes that suffering with others is itself a kind of suffering. He assures us that, while sometimes the case, it’s not always true that our suffering or anxiety are a result of our own failures or lack of trust in God. He addresses the difference between conviction and condemnation. He reasons that a decision is not necessarily the wrong one just because your heart lacks quiet peace about it. He points out that life is inherently worth living, that our very choice to live each moment glorifies God, and that our choices affect others. 

I do have two concerns about this book. One is that, in regards to suicidal ideation, he uses the assertion that we have a responsibility toward others as a reason to continue living. While absolutely true and probably helpful for many who find themselves in that category (I don’t and haven’t, so this is speculation on my part)… I wonder if it might put more guilt on the shoulders of those who find themselves in that place.

My second issue was the part where he encouraged those in deep suffering to entrust themselves to the care of doctors. While this is generally decent advice, I’ve seen it happen often enough that certain doctors and medications make things worse, that I’d be hesitant make a blanket recommendation in this area.

One other thing to note, this book contains spoilers of the novel “The Road.” So if you plan to read that book, read that one before this one!

Still, this essay left me with so many insightful nuggets to ponder that it still earns 4.5-5 stars. I listened to the audiobook but ended up getting a hard copy just to have it around on my shelf.

If by Amy Carmichael

3.5 stars. This little book is very challenging and convicting! Gets you thinking well about life and faith. I took 1.5 stars away because it has the potential to cause some temptation toward legalistic striving or self-loathing. Definitely best read in small snippets - and read instead of listened to. Here are a few examples of the short refelctions found in this booklet:

“If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

“If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner

4.5 stars. I love this book and Vaneetha’s example of persevering faith in the midst of such profound suffering. It’s such an encouraging read. It’s like having coffee with a mentor who knows what it’s like to experience really hard things.

Different by Sally & Nathan Clarkson

5 stars. Goodness, this book is helpful. It gives parents the courage to trust their intuition over the voices of the world that label their child as having “behavior problems” or being “too much.” It offers encouragement and practical ideas to love and nurture your “different” child, let more things go, and believe that God’s unique design of your child is intentional and GOOD. 

Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler

4 stars. Perhaps I should give this a higher rating because I absolutely love Risen Motherhood and their podcast has been a godsend! I think I’d have benefited more from this book if (1) I’d read it earlier in my motherhood journey, (2) if I hadn’t already heard most of the content via their podcast, and (3) if the creation-fall-redemption-consummation format didn’t feel so repetitive to me. But Risen Motherhood gets lots of points for making their content theologically solid and very biblically-based and -saturated.

FICTION

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

5 stars. I read this aloud with my son and, needless to say, Little House books are always worthwhile!

Return to Red River Series by Lauraine Snelling
A Dream to Follow
Believing the Dream
More Than a Dream

4 stars. I enjoyed this series-within-a-series about Thorliff, the next generation of stories from the Blessing series by Lauraine Snelling. These moved a bit more slowly, as there were three books telling one love story. I thought they got better as the story progressed. They are certainly worth reading to the end!

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

5 stars. My boys and I enjoyed reading this one before bed each night together. They loved hearing about silly Ralph and his antics.

Daughters of Blessing Series by Lauraine Snelling
A Promise for Ellie
Sophie’s Dilemma
A Touch of Grace
Rebecca’s Reward

4 stars. These books are the next part of the Blessing series, and they tell the stories of four of the daughters as they grow into adulthood around the turn of the 20th century. Sophie’s story is the most memorable; I’d give that one another star. The character development in that story was truly unique. If you like clean Christian historical romance that’s not (too) cheesy, you’d enjoy the Blessing series.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

5 stars. Obviously.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

5 stars. Just delightful, and it was my first time reading it! I read it aloud to my kids for two evenings before bed, and they were cracking up the whole time (one caveat that I had to edit a few things as I read aloud). We also watched the movie that just came out recently and that was delightful too.

BONUS: BEST PODCASTS!

Christi Beem
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Books of 2023