Book Recommendations from my 2024 Reading List

I enjoy reading books for both education and entertainment. I learned a long time ago that leaders are readers, so I make it a point to constantly be reading a book or two. With such a large annual reading list, people often ask me for book recommendations. Getting book recommendations cuts down on reading duds. 

I read 66 books this year not counting the duds I put down after reading a chapter or two. Of the 66 books I read, I highly recommend 16 of them. Most of the rest were good but did not make my list of great reads. 

Following are the 16 books I recommend you add to your reading list. They are listed in two categories: Fiction (these are for a fun escape from life) and non-fiction (a chance to learn something). In each of these categories the books are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. I have also made every title a hot link to that book on Amazon so you can buy the books you like by simply clicking on the title. 

Happy reading.

Fiction

Ernest Cline: Ready Player One

This is the story of a futuristic lifelike online video world. The program is so powerful that most people spend their day living in this online fantasy world instead of interacting with people in real life. Since everyone in the world uses this popular app, almost to the exclusion of everything else, the owner is very wealthy. Upon his death, his Last Will and Testament announces a quest to perform within the game, with his $250 Billion empire as the prize. The clues and tasks in the game all revolve around life in the 1980s. If you love gaming or grew up in the 80s, you will love this story. I also read the sequel, Ready Player Two, which was not as good as the original, but you will likely have a difficult time passing on reading the sequel.

Clive Cussler: The Emperor’s Revenge

Clive Cussler is one of my favorite fiction authors. This story is among his best. It is book 11 of the Oregon series, but each book in the series stands alone. The Oregon is a special super high-tech ship on the inside that looks like a rusted out freighter on the outside. The captain, Juan Cabrillo, uses the ship in special operations for the US that the government doesn’t want to acknowledge. In this adventure, a very elaborate bank heist takes place in Monaco during the Grand Prix car race. Unfortunately for Juan, this is the bank where he keeps all his money. His organization will be broke if they can’t solve the crime and get the money back. As you might suspect, the heist was only a diversion from the real caper that the crew of the Oregon must stop. If you like Cussler, read this book next. If you have never read Cussler, then read this book and you will undoubtedly become one of his fans.

Kristin Hannah: The Great Alone

I picked up this book after reading and recommending Hannah’s book, The Four Winds, last year. That book followed a young woman during the dust bowl era. I liked it so much I wanted to read another book written by this author. The Great Alone follows an abusive Vietnam veteran with PTSD who runs away with his family to live off the grid in Alaska. He is a survivalist who hates the government and wants to live alone behind his wall in the wilderness. They were ill-prepared for their first Alaskan winter and the nearby townsfolk came to their rescue. This book provides a vivid picture of what it’s like to live in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. My wife likes this author’s work as well.

Heather Morris: Cilka’s Journey

This book is a sequel to a book I recommended before, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. (It might be best to read the Tattooist book first, but it is not necessary.) The Tattooist saved a lot of lives due to his position of privilege in Auschwitz. In that story there was another character, Cilka, who was singled out because of her beauty and became the arm candy of the German officers. Because of her position, she was also able to save lives. When the war ended, Cilka was finally freed, and her ongoing abuse ended. Cilka’s Journey starts at this point. Just when she thought she was free, she was again sent to prison. This time after being found to be a traitor for fraternizing with the enemy. This is her story of struggling to survive yet again, now in prison as a pretty girl for the Russian guards to play with. So, which does she feel was worse: her German tormentors or the Russians. Beauty is not always a blessing. Cilka was a real person, and the book was based on her story of survival.

Kim Michele Richardson: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

This is the tail of the blue-skinned people in Kentucky. Their skin was blue because of an enzyme deficiency called methemoglobinemia. Because of the color of their skin, their descendants were discriminated against, almost as bad as black people, since moving there from Europe in the 1820s. The Book Woman, a young blue skinned woman during the depression era, got a job as a traveling packhorse librarian bringing books and literacy to the people in the back woods of Kentucky. It was an eye-opening story of perseverance in the face of persecution. It was fascinating to learn of these people of blue skin as I had never heard about them before.

Non-Fiction

Dawn L. Baker, MD, MS: Lean Out

I got a copy of Dawn’s book when we were both speaking at a physician’s conference. Lean Out is an attempt to fight back against the philosophy of “Lean In,” which is putting your nose to the grindstone to achieve success, even if it is at the expense of your family. Dawn makes a great case that professionals can find balance in their search for success. Family and success are not mutually exclusive.

Joshua Becker: The Minimalist Home

This is the second book on minimalism I have recommended. It was so good that after reading it myself, I read it again with my wife so we could both catch the concept. Americans have way too much stuff. In fact, we have so much that we can’t fit it all in our homes, creating the need for storage units. We don’t need storage units; we need to get rid of the stuff that does not contribute to making our lives happy. Once we pare down the stuff we have but don’t use, we can better enjoy the remaining items. Life is so much calmer and more relaxing when we can take a minimalist approach to our homes. Clutter is not contributing to our happiness.

Howard Dayton: Your Money Counts

This is a basic book on the Biblical principles of money management. I have read this book more than a dozen times. If you would like to know what life would be like if we treated our money the way the Bible says we should, then read this book.

Jill Duggar: Counting the Cost

If you have enjoyed watching the Duggar family’s many shows, you will love this book. Jill broke away from her family to get out of the spotlight, off TV, and to find her own way to follow Christ. This is her story of the struggle to break out on her own. If you like this one, you might also want to read her sister Jinger’s book, Becomining Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear, which I also read and enjoyed.

Jordan Grumet MD: The Purpose Code

Dr. Grumet gave me an early manuscript of his new book for my feedback. I loved the book and its unique take on finding purpose. According to Doc G, there are two types of purpose, one leads to disappointment and the other leads to happiness. Be sure you are pursuing the right one. The book has a planned publication date of January 7, 2025. You can pre-order it with this link. If you struggle with finding your purpose, contact me for my high-performance coaching program where finding your purpose is just one of its many benefits. 

Ron and Clint Howard: The Boys

This is the story of Ron Howard (Opie in the Andy Griffith show, Richie in Happy Days) and his brother Clint Howard (Mark in Gentle Ben). Both of which became famous child actors in the 60s and went on to have directing, writing, and acting careers as adults. You will be surprised by how many productions they were involved in as they share their inside scoop. If you grew up watching their shows, you will love their story. Their parents were actors as well and they played a big role in keeping their kids grounded as they became famous. 

Nancy L Mace: The 36-Hour Day

I have had several close relatives battle dementia. This book gives a close look into the effects of dementia and how to deal with them. There is so much actionable information to glean here. If you have a friend or relative dealing with dementia, you NEED to read this book. It is written to family members who are caring for someone with dementia. The caregivers are the ones facing a 36-hour day and because of that stress, they often die before the one with dementia. Learn how to avoid becoming one of those statistics.

Robin McKenzie: Treat Your Own Back, and Treat Your Own Neck

I have a long history of back trouble. Last summer I had a particularly bad two months of low back pain. A few years ago, I heard a lecture on the McKenzie method of self-care for back pain and thought it sounded great but never acted on it. When my back problem resurfaced this summer, a friend recommended this book to me. I got it and experienced immediate relief by doing the emergency exercises. If you have back or neck pain, do yourself a favor by reading these books and following the exercises recommended for your particular pain.

AJ Osborne: Growing Wealth in Self-Storage 2.0

There are many ways to make money in real estate, and I thought owning self-storage units was one of them, until I read this book. A storage unit facility is not a real estate investment, it is a small business. If you are considering investing in self-storage, start by reading this book. The new version is for the many post-pandemic changes that have taken place. Of course, if everyone read The Minimalist Home listed above, there would be no need for storage units. But alas, that will never happen. Here are the keys to running a successful storage unit business.

Jim & Jamie Sheils: The Family Board Meeting

I met Jim at a physician conference we both spoke at, and I loved the concept of bringing the family together. After reading the book on the flight home, I applied one of its principles by asking my son what activity he might like to do with me. His answer was to ride our bicycles across America. Five weeks later, one of the greatest adventures of my life was begun because I read this book. If you are seeking more togetherness with your family, pick up a copy of this book and start applying what it teaches. After all, you only have 18 summers to create a lasting connection with your children before they leave the nest.

I read many very good books last year and the ones listed above are what really stood out to me as books I think you would enjoy or benefit from reading. So, pick a book from this list that resonates with you, curl up by the fire, and enjoy. 

Happy New Year.