End of 2024: Books Read & Looking Ahead

At the beginning of 2024 I posted wrote the article, “Start of 2024: Books to Read” where I shared a highlight of all the books I was planning on reading for the year. Though some of them I stuck with the plan, others I unfortunately did not; and some, well, succumed to my ADHD brain and still working on. But that’s ok. In the end, I read 13 books according to Goodreads. I know, it doesn’t seem like much; pathetic actually. But what’s more important—having a huge list of books that I’ve checked off in my bullet journal or actually remembering what I had read? Some of you are having a debate in your head at the moment as to the answer.

2024 Books Read

The planned reading that was actually accomplished from the list were:

1. The Mule of Mud Hollow by Jessica Cook
2. Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers
3. Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual by Jim Putman, Avery T. Willis Jr., Brandon Guindon, and Bill Krause, in which I wrote a review if you search the ratings and review section. I was not happy with it.

So in the end I read 3 of the 7 books on the list. Less than half, but in my defense, I am still working on a few. Those are:

1. On the Origin of Kinds, by Dr. Anthony Silvestro, Jr. and Jonathan Eckel. This one is almost done, and want to give it a great review. There’s just so much packed into this labor of love that I want to give it some undivided time.
2. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. A good review is in order with this one too when I am finished with it. There is so much packed into it, and a difficult read. My brain hurts just reading a few pages.
3. The Practice of Creative Writing by Heather Sellers. This one will take some time, and is more involved. A creatve writing course in paperback form actually. Probably won’t be getting accomplished anytime soon, or this year frankly. What was I thinking?

I do plan on reading the first two in 2025 with reviews to follow. The last book I didn’t get to was, once again—Will Our Generation Speak? A Call to Be Bold with the Gospel by Grace Mally. Why? There really is no excuse why this didn’t happen. In fact it’s quite embarassing and I’m deserving of a good flogging. But once again I will put it on top of my list for 2025, and will, promise to read it before my trip to Living Waters Ambassador’s Academy in June. Those of you who know me know I don’t make promises, and the best you get is, “I’ll try my best to…” But this, I am asking for accountability. It’s a beutifully well-done work of art that deserves my utmost respect and undivided attention. Therefore, I will make this book a priority in 2025; “I promise.”

Other books read in 2024

Some of the other books read in 2024 are as follows, bringing my read books to 13:

1. Fight Like a Man: A bold, biblical battle plan for personal purity by Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne.
2. No Longer Stuck: Empower Your Future as You Heal Your Past by Tony Portell.
3. A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption by Becket Cook.
4. The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.
5. Sticky Church by Larry Osborne.
6. The Indwelling Life of Christ by W. Ian Thomas.
7. Keeping the Heart: Lessons on Maintaining a Pure Heart in All Seasons of Life by John Flavel.
8. Preperations for Sufferings: The Best Work in the Worst Times by John Flavel.
9. Bold Pursuit: a 90 Day Devotional for Men Seeking the Heart of God by Daniel Maritz
10. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl. I read this book before, and this is the second time reading it to teach two Tactics classes this year.

You can see why I only got thirteen books read this year. There are some seriously deep studies in there along with some books that required some self-reflecting and note-taking. Most of these my wife and I read together and talk about at the kitchen table every morning.

2025 Planned Reading

With the exception of Grace’s book which I promise to read, the following are ones I have my eye on and want to give an attempt with—“I’ll do my best to finish.” Those are:

1. The Quad Life: Unexpected Times Abound, Reliance on God a Must by Joel Vander Molen. This is a look into my friend’s life of how he became a quadrapalegic and the struggles and victories.
2. Begin: a journey through scriptures for seekers and new believers by Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge. This is a great book that Tulip Gospel Outreach gives out at the Iowa State Fair Creation Booth every year for seekers and new believers. I figured since we are distributing it to others, I myself should give it a read. [Right now some of you are laughing at me because we also give out Grace’s book, “Will Our Generation Speak?” and I haven’t gotten that done either]. Like I said, “I’m going to try.”
3. Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff.

Stay tuned for more book reviews as I read this year. I hope this encourages you to at least read a book a quarter of something that not only interests you, but grows you in the faith: of course, the Holy Scriptures found in the Bible is a great start.