My Favorite Books I Read in 2024

Books
Written By Scott Kedersha

For a few reasons, this post is going live much later than past year’s posts and will be briefer than prior years. But I’m still excited to share a list of my favorite books I read in 2024! Like prior years, I’m so thankful for the great books I got to read over the past 12 months.

Reading continues to be my hobby of choice, and I’m thankful for gifted writers and storytellers and how they use their gifts and skills. As I’ve said before, this is like my personal reading version of “Spotify Wrapped.” In this post (my 10th annual), I share my favorite books I read in 2024. At the end of the post I’ll share how you can win a book giveaway.

Like years past, these books are not necessarily written or published in 2024. Rather, these books make my list if I read it this year. This short list is an accumulation of one man's favorites—just one person's humble opinion. Part of the reason I put this list together is to be helpful and to give some recommendations. Here are…

My Favorite Books I Read in 2024

My Favorite Books I Read in 2024 (In No Particular Order)

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt. I know many have read and posted about this book, but wow… I knew phones, social media, and technology created some challenges in our world, but this book highlights the extent of the impact. Haidt shares how we can make changes in our homes, schools, and in our own patterns as parents that can make a difference (starting with more protection in the virtual world and less protection in the real world).

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, by Daniel James Brown. I read this book in 2015 and loved it then as well (It made my first annual list in 2015). After watching the movie, I wanted to re-read the book, and I honestly liked it even more the second time I read it. I was struck by the importance of teamwork and unity, and even though I knew the end of the story, I still found myself with heart racing and at times in tears.

All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir, by Beth Moore. So much I could say about this behind the scenes memoir by Beth Moore. She’s a gifted writer and teacher, and in this book she gets so real and authentic in telling her story. She doesn’t hold back and is honest on things in her background, marriage, ministry, and mental illness. I highly recommend the audio book, narrated by Moore.

Parenting With Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age, by Melissa Kruger. Before our kids hit the teenage years, all I heard from other parents was how hard the teenage years can be. I don’t feel like I heard many hope-filled stories or encouragements from other parents and thus walked into the teen years with great fear and trepidation. Surprisingly, now as we near the last few years with kids in the home, I’ve been so blessed by these teenage years. For this reason I really resonated with Kruger’s book and the hope-filled message she shares for parents. Each chapter provides a Note of Gospel Hope and parenting principles to ponder that provide good summaries of each chapter. This would be a great book for parents to read together either as a married couple or in a small group/community/life group.

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness, by Morgan Housel. I’ll be the first to admit I know very little about money and money management. The Psychology of Money is not financial advise about how to invest or make money. Rather, Housel describes the “soft skills” needed to be wise with money. He’s a gifted writer and this book is packed with wise counsel regarding wealth, greed, and happiness.

Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On For Life, by David Thomas. My wife has been a ginormous fan of Dave Thomas (and his podcast along with co-host Sissy Goff) for years. Kristen encouraged me years ago to read their books and listen to their podcast. For some reason I was resistant, and, as is usually the case, I should have listened to my wife. As a dad to four boys, I loved learning how to raise emotionally strong boys. And while much of it would have been better applied years ago, I can still change how I parent my boys to help strengthen them emotionally. The examples and applications at the end of each chapter were so helpful and encouraging. Grab this book and read it with your spouse or with your community/life group!

Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human, by Carlos Whittaker. This was such a fun and fascinating read. Whittaker spends 7 weeks away from his phone and from screens: a few weeks in a monastery, a few weeks at an Amish farm, and a few weeks at home—all screen-free. In the book he tells us what he learned and what it was like to be screen-free for 7 whole weeks. This was a quick but engaging read and challenged me to think through how to be a better steward of my phone and screen time. Once again, as discussed above (in my blurb about The Anxious Generation), phones are not going away; but how can we be more thoughtful with our devices?

The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide: 100 Prayers for Dating and Engaged Couples, by Scott Kedersha. Not so shameless plug for my own book. While this prayer guide is written with dating and engaged couples in mind, 95% of the content applies to every couple. Kristen and I read this together and prayed together over the course of the 100 days. It grew my affections for Jesus and for my wife. If you’re looking to grow in spiritual intimacy with your spouse, then I recommend the prayer guide without hesitation!

Stop the Spiral Devotional: 100 Days of Breaking Free from Negative Thoughts, by Jennie Allen. While we’re on the subject of 100-day prayer guide/devotionals, check out Jennie Allen’s new devotional. As someone who struggles with negative thoughts, this devo was a great daily encouragement for me to stop the spiral of hurtful thoughts I allow to often run through my head.

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction, by Justin Whitmel Earley. An excellent discussion on the importance of good habits and how to create a gospel-centered rule of life. I loved the book’s breakdown of habits into distinct categories based on frequency, love of God and love of neighbor, and whether the habit leads us to pick something up or let it go (embrace/resist). I am a big fan of all of Earley’s books (his other two books made my favorite books lists in prior years).

Think Ahead: 7 Decisions You Can Make Today for the God-Honoring Life You Want Tomorrow, by Craig Groeschel. My copy of this book is packed with notes and underlines. I so resonate with Groeschel’s writing - practical, biblical, and honest. It’s like he’s reading my mail—he knows my thoughts and struggles and addresses them head on. This is one I will come back to in the beginning of 2025!

Thoughts for Young Men, by J.C. Ryle. There’s a reason why this book has been around since 1865! Even though it was written over 150 years ago, the content and topics are just as relevant today as when Ryle wrote it. He addresses topics such as pride and humility, laziness, and our thought-life. This book had been recommended to me countless times, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. I read it on my own and am now re-reading it with a few college guys I’m discipling. The book is cheap, quick to read, and convicting and challenging. Find some guys and read it and discuss together.

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, by Will Guidara. Wow I just loved this book and the story of how Eleven Madison Park in NYC became the best restaurant in the world. But much more it’s a guide to helping people feel seen and cared for—how you build a culture of excellence while also providing unmatched hospitality. While not a Christian book, there are clear implications for the body of Christ - no one should be better at hospitality than followers of Jesus and the local expression of the church. Great storytelling and powerful leadership lessons throughout. More than anything I was encouraged by the author’s willingness to share his failures and what he learned through them.

Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It, by Jennie Allen. Another top read by Jennie Allen! I often heard the phrase “emotions are real, but they’re not always reliable.” I grew in my walk with Jesus believing my emotions were wrong and unworthy of any trust. This book helped me correct some of that wrong theology, by teaching my that my emotions are often not a problem to be fixed and removed. Rather, what if our emotions allowed us to better love God and serve others?

What Do I Say When…? A Parents’ Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children & Teens, by Andrew T. Walker & Christian Walker. Such a great resource from the Walkers. They state very clearly in the beginning that this is not a parenting book but a book for parents. They take 10 controversial, divisive topics such as abortion, politics, sexuality, gender, and technology and share a brief biblical synopsis on the topic. From there they share biblical truths and discussion starters for parents with their kids. The genius contribution this book makes is that they provide three separate sets of truths and discussion starters for different seasons of parenting: preschool, elementary school, and middle/high schools. Clearly you would address sexuality in different ways for a 4-year old and an 18-year old. I look forward to discussing these chapters with my 17 and 15-year olds.

The Word Before Work: A Monday-Through-Friday Devotional To Help You Find Eternal Purpose In Your Daily Work, by Jordan Raynor. I loved this devotional by my friend Jordan Raynor. The book is unique in that it’s a Monday through Friday devotional, intended to encourage the reader to think rightly about their “8:00-5:00” job. The devotional is biblical, practical, challenging, and encouraging. Each day’s reading is short—a passage of Scripture from the Old or New Testament followed by a brief, thought-provoking devotional. The Word Before Work would be a great supplement to your daily Bible reading.

A Few Books I’m Looking Forward to Reading in 2025

Book Giveaways

I have some books to give away. If you respond to the questions below in the comments section, I'll enter your name into a drawing for one of the following books (5 different winners!).

  1. The Sacredness of Secular Work, by Jordan Raynor.

  2. The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide, by Scott Kedersha (signed if you want it signed).

  3. Marriage Conflict: Talking as Teammates (31-Day Devotionals for Life), by Steve Hoppe.

  4. Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less, by Michael Hyatt.

  5. The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, by Timothy Keller.

  6. The Vision-Driven Leader: 10 Questions to Focus Your Efforts, Energize Your Team, and Scale Your Business, by Michael Hyatt.

  7. Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, Discover Unspeakable Joy, by Debra Fileta

  8. Disciple Them like Jesus: Leading Your Kids the Way Christ Led the Twelve―A Parent’s Practical & Biblical Guide to Nurturing Lasting Faith in Your Children, by Barrett Johnson.

  9. See-Through Marriage: Experiencing the Freedom and Joy of Being Fully Known and Fully Loved, by Ryan & Selena Frederick (Fierce Marriage).

  10. The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most, by Craig Groeschel.

Note: I will choose winners next Thursday (December 26th).

Last, a link to my lists from prior years.

Your Turn (Comment below to enter into a drawing to win one of the books listed above!)

  • What was your favorite book you read in 2024?

  • What should I read? What would you recommend to others?

Note to readers: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means I get a minuscule kickback on any purchases you make through these links (at no extra cost to you). I need some way to recoup a small percentage of the money I spend on this blog every year and any purchases you make help keep this writing ministry going.

Scott Kedersha
Next

Do You Talk To Yourself in light of the Way God Sees You?