Here’s part one of my 2024 year in books with a rated and annotated bibliography.
At the end of each year, I put together a list of all the books I read that year. I share my ratings, some thoughts, and links to each. That is always one of my favorite blog posts I write throughout the year. I love reading and so I love looking through all the books I read and reflecting on how it shaped me throughout the year.
However, that post is usually huge. So, in order to not make it so long for you to read, and also so long for me to write, I’m breaking it down into four parts this year. So this is my rated and annotated bibliography for the books I read from January to March.
My goal this year is to read seventy-five books. I read eighteen throughout the past three months, so let’s get into them.
2024 year in books | a rated & annotated bibliography
my rating system
Before we get into it, though, let’s look at my rating system.
- 5 stars- Amazing. I either couldn’t put it down if it was fiction, or I basically highlighted the whole book if it was non-fiction. And I’d probably read it again. It probably put me in a reading slump after I finished because nothing could compare haha.
- 4 stars- Good. But I didn’t find myself constantly thinking about it or wanting to read it at all times. But when I was reading it, I loved it. Some parts of it I maybe didn’t agree with or found annoying.
- 3 stars- Not bad. Average. Struggled to get into it, but still glad I read it because I didn’t hate it.
- 2 stars- Not good or didn’t agree with a lot of it. Struggled to finish it because it was either not good enough, or because it annoyed me too much.
- 1 star- Horrible, didn’t agree with any of it. No explanation needed haha.
Okay, now let’s get into the good stuff. I’m going to share the description of each book first so you have an idea of what it’s about, and then I’ll share my thoughts.
Savannah Blues (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #1) by Mary Kay Andrews
5 stars
“Meet Weezie (aka Eloise) Foley, a feisty antiques “picker,” banished by her spiteful ex-husband from the house she herself restored in Savannah’s historic district, who must come to terms with a life that has suddenly changed…and not, it seems, for the better. In Mary Kay Andrews’s delectable New York Times bestseller, Savannah Blues, readers will feel the sultry Georgia breezes and taste sea salt in the air, as they lose themselves in a wonderful, witty tale brimming with sass and peopled by a richly endearing cast of delightfully eccentric characters.”
I loved this one! Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors. The storyline, the mystery, the antiques, and the characters made me fall in love with this book almost immediately. I became so invested in the characters so quickly. It’s a very light-hearted and fast-paced read. I highly recommend it!
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
5 stars
“Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, the nation’s leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.”
Every woman needs to read this book! We’ve been sold so many lies surrounding birth and how it “has” to go. The majority of women today are forced into things that they don’t want to do. Many even call their birth “traumatic.” Your birth doesn’t have to be horrible. It especially doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t) be traumatic. Birth is a natural thing and our bodies know how to do it. They were literally created for it. If you don’t believe me, read this book. You don’t even have to be planning a birth at the moment (I’m not). But it’s never too early to start learning. In fact, the earlier the better in my opinion. You should have a good idea of what kind of birth you want before you’re even pregnant. So get reading!
The Magician’s Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) by C.S. Lewis
4 stars
“The secret passage to the house next door leads to a fascinating adventure. NARNIA…where the woods are thick and cold, where Talking Beasts are called to life…a new world where the adventure begins. Digory and Polly meet and become friends one cold, wet summer in London. Their lives burst into adventure when Digory’s Uncle Andrew, who thinks he is a magician, sends them hurtling to…somewhere else. They find their way to Narnia, newborn from the Lion’s song, and encounter the evil sorceress Jadis before they finally return home.”
I felt bad giving this only four stars since it’s such a beloved series. But I found this book kind of slow. I think the main reasoning is because I’m not a huge fan of fantasy. However, I did enjoy the way it represented the Christian faith. I’m hoping the rest of the books are a little more interesting!
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
5 stars
“In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.”
This is my second time reading this book. It’s full of so many good truths. Everyone should read it, Christian or not!
Savannah Breeze (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #2) by Mary Kay Andrews
4 stars
“Mary Kay Andrews takes us back to Savannah, Georgia, in Savannah Breeze, the uproarious sequel to her blockbuster New York Times bestseller, Savannah Blues. Breeze is the story of BeBe Loudermilk, a Southern belle who’d dearly like to get back at the handsome, two-faced con man who swindled her out of everything she owns except for a broken-down 1950s-era motel on Tybee Island. Joining BeBe on a revenge-inspired road trip south to Fort Lauderdale is her junking friend Weezie, the heroine of Blues, and a car-full of lovable misfits”
This one was kind of slow, but it did pick up at the end. Just like the first book in the series, I loved following the characters along! This one wasn’t as good as the first, but still really good nonetheless!
The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
5 stars
“In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners. Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive. One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.”
This book was so good! I could not put it down. I’ve always been drawn to stories of World War II, and this one was no exception. I love historical fiction because you get an interesting story. But you also get to learn a little bit about the past as well.
The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams
4 stars
“June 1946. As the residents of Winthrop Island prepare for the first summer season after the sacrifice of war, a glamorous new figure moves into the guest cottage at Summerly, the idyllic seaside estate of the wealthy Peabody family. To Emilia Winthrop, daughter of Summerly’s year-round caretaker and a descendant of the island’s settlers, Olive Rainsford opens a window into a world of shining possibility. While Emilia spent the war years caring for her incapacitated mother, Olive traveled the world, married fascinating men, and involved herself in political causes. She’s also the beloved aunt of the two surviving Peabody sons, Amory and Shep, with whom Emilia has a tangled romantic history.
As the summer wears on, Emilia develops a deep rapport with Olive, who urges her to leave the island for a life of adventure, while romance blossoms with the sturdy and honorable Shep. But the heady promise of Peabody patronage is blown apart by the arrival of Sumner Fox, an FBI agent who demands Emilia’s help to capture a Soviet agent who’s transmitting vital intelligence on the West’s atomic weapon program from somewhere inside the Summerly estate.
April 1954. Eight years later, Summerly is boarded up and Emilia has rebuilt her shattered life as a professor at Wellesley College, when shocking news arrives from Washington—the traitor she helped convict is about to be swapped for an American spy imprisoned in the Soviet Union, but with a mysterious condition only Emilia can fulfill. A reluctant Emilia is summoned to CIA headquarters, where she’s forced to confront the harrowing consequences of her actions that fateful summer, and a choice that could destroy the Peabody family—and Emilia’s chance for redemption—all over again.”
…
The first half of this one was kind of slow and boring. But then it picked up and got so good! By the end, I couldn’t put it down.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0) by Suzanne Collins
4 stars
“It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.”
I read the original three books in this series when I was younger. So I had high hopes for this one. But it was kind of disappointing, to be honest. I also felt kind of convicted throughout reading it. Although it doesn’t glorify killing and murder, it still seemed like something I shouldn’t be reading about as a Christian. I guess that just shows you how much you grow and mature in your faith because these used to be my favorite books. Now I don’t know that I could read them at all.
Blue Christmas (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #3) by Mary Kay Andrews
3 stars
“The popular Mary Kay Andrews delivers a tasty holiday treat as she brings back the winning characters from Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze for a little Southern cheer. It’s the week before Christmas, and antiques dealer Weezie Foley is in a frenzy to do up her shop for the Savannah historical district window decorating contest–which she intends to win. She throws herself into putting up a Graceland/Blue Christmas motif, with lots of tinsel, an aluminum tree, and all kinds of tacky retro stuff. The project takes up so much time that Weezie is ready to shoot herself with her glue gun by the time she’s done, but the results are stunning. She’s sure she’s one–upped the owners of the trendy shop around the corner.
But suddenly, things go missing from Weezie’s display, and there seems to be a mysterious midnight visitor to her shop. Still, Weezie has high hopes for the holiday–maybe in the form of an engagement ring from her chef boyfriend. But Daniel, always moody at the holidays, seems more distant than usual. Throw in Weezie’s decidedly odd family, a 1950s Christmas tree pin, and even a little help from the King himself, and maybe there will be a pocketful of miracles for Weezie this Christmas eve.”
I was very disappointed in this one. Like I said, I loved the first two books in this series. But this one just didn’t have much of a plot. It was very slow and very boring. I’d still recommend reading it just because the whole series is so good. And if you skip it you’ll miss some important stuff for the last book. But don’t get your hopes up too much for this one.
Can I Lose my Salvation? (Crucial Questions, #22) by R.C. Sproul
4 stars
“Whether you can lose your salvation is one of the most pressing issues you can face as a Christian. In an uncertain world, painfully aware of the continued reality of their sin, and confronted by the Bible’s warnings about falling away, Christians can be tempted to think that true believers can lose their salvation.
In this helpful book, Dr. R.C. Sproul looks at the teachings of Scripture on the doctrine of eternal security or the perseverance of the saints. In looking at passages on the unforgivable sin, believers who have departed, and the continuing presence of sin in the lives of Christians, Dr. Sproul ultimately points to the promises of God, who has vowed to preserve to the end those who are in Christ.”
This book was really insightful into this theological topic. It’s part of a whole series of small books that go through “crucial questions” of the Christian faith. R.C. Sproul, although I don’t agree with everything he says or teaches, is one of my favorite theologians to learn from. I gave this book four stars because some of it felt a little confusing. I’ve read and listened to other things on this topic that were a lot more clear and concise. In his defense, it’s a short little booklet, so there wasn’t a ton of room for explanation. But I do think it could’ve been better, so I only gave it four stars.
On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reasons and Precision by William Lane Craig
5 stars
“This concise guide is filled with illustrations, sidebars, and memorizable steps to help Christians stand their ground and defend their faith with reason and precision. In his engaging style, Dr. Craig offers four arguments for God’s existence, defends the historicity of Jesus’ personal claims and resurrection, addresses the problem of suffering, and shows why religious relativism doesn’t work. Along the way, he shares his story of following God’s call in his own life.
This one-stop, how-to-defend-your-faith manual will equip Christians to advance faith conversations deliberately, applying straightforward, cool-headed arguments. They will discover not just what they believe, but why they believe—and how being on guard with the truth has the power to change lives forever.”
This book was really good and gave really good and helpful arguments for Christian apologetics. Although I don’t agree with all of WLC’s theology, that didn’t affect this book at all. I highly recommend it if you want to have a simple way to defend your faith.
The Gospel Truth: “Once Saved, Always Saved” or “Salvation Can Be Lost”? by C.A. Short
1 star
“The Gospel Truth: ‘Once Saved Always Saved’ or ‘Salvation Can Be Lost’?” is loaded with scripture and commentary written in easy-to-understand language that will help you see the truth in God’s Word for yourself. And as a glorious result, you can be sure that you are following and sharing the true Gospel that Jesus died to give us! This book: Will give you a rock-solid understanding of what the Bible really says about eternal security! Examines each scriptural claim in depth and in context so that you can know the truth without a doubt!
Will teach you about a simple Greek tense that will turn the lights on for you when it comes to the subject of eternal security. Covers just about every verse used by the proponents of each of these doctrines in a clear and understandable, expository style. It’s loaded with scriptures and scriptural references. Gives several simple yet indispensable rules for solid biblical interpretation that, if followed, will keep you from biblical error and on solid biblical ground. Has one chapter solely devoted to what Jesus Himself clearly says about eternal security and Christians losing their salvation.
Understanding this one portion of scripture alone will enable you to know the truth well enough to share it with others. Has one chapter solely devoted to Paul’s Romans, Chapter Seven “wretched man”…whether he really represents the normal Christian life or not. Includes one whole chapter on biblical predestination, answering questions and clearing up the confusion that many believers have on this topic. This chapter also includes a sizable portion on the teachings of “Five-Point Calvinism.” Quite revealing…and sometimes shocking!
…
Going into this book, I knew I disagreed with the authors position. However, I tried to go into it with an open mind as well as I could. I think we can and should read books from people we disagree with. For one, there’s always room for changing your mind in theology. And it also helps you to understand the other side better, which is very important, especially if you’re going to be defending your own side. You want to have an accurate picture of what the other side believes.
But I had so many issues with this book. First of all, it was very emotionally driven. I’ve found this to be the case for many Arminian and Provisionist works. Our emotions should not drive our theology, the Bible should. Secondly, he had a very incorrect portrayal of Calvinism and its doctrine of “Perseverance of the Saints.” Pretty much everything he said against it was a strawman argument. It either wasn’t true at all, or could be easily refuted. And lastly, too much of the book was spent attacking Calvinism instead of just simply defending his own position. This is another thing I’ve noticed when it comes to Arminian and Provisionist works. They seem to spend more time attacking Calvinism than defending their own position which makes it seem very emotionally-driven.
Christmas Bliss (Weezie and Bebe Mysteries, #4) by Mary Kay Andrews
5 stars
“From the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Rental comes a novella that celebrates love, the holidays, and antiques. Christmas is coming, but Savannah antique dealer Weezie Foley is doubly distracted both by her upcoming wedding to her longtime love, chef Daniel Stipanek and also by the fact that her best friend and maid-of-honor BeBe Loudermilk is due to give birth any day and is still adamantly refusing to marry her live-in-love Harry. Listeners have come to love these characters in Mary Kay Andrews’ three previous Savannah novels: Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze, and Blue Christmas. Christmas Bliss offers Andrews’ legions of fans the best of many things: familiar characters, a new novella for Christmas, and a celebration of Mary Kay Andrews’ own favorite pastime — antiquing.”
I was so happy that the final book in this series was as good as I hoped! I loved it and was so sad when it (and the series) ended.
Real Food for Fertility: Prepare your body for pregnancy with preconception and fertility awareness by Lily Nichols and Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
5 stars
“Improve Your Nutrition for Optimal Fertility. If you’re ready to embark on the incredible journey of motherhood, there’s no time like the present to prepare your body for the most vital role it will ever play—the creation of new life. In Real Food for Fertility, we explore the power of nutrition to optimize your fertility and ensure a healthy start for your future child. Pregnancy demands an incredible amount from your body. Imagine your body as a bank account and pregnancy as a time of massive withdrawals from your nutrient reserves. To thrive during pregnancy and beyond, you must invest in your nutrient stores today.
In Real Food for Fertility, we show how preconception nutrition and lifestyle choices not only support your health and vitality but also lay the essential groundwork for your baby’s development. From promoting optimal egg and sperm quality to regulating your menstrual cycle and reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, the benefits of this investment are priceless. Improving nutrient intake before you get pregnant has an even greater impact on pregnancy outcomes than just changing what you eat during pregnancy.
But this book isn’t just about nutrition. We delve into topics like the menstrual cycle, fertility awareness, birth control, stress management, toxins, artificial reproductive technology, and the most common reproductive health challenges affecting your fertility. Let Real Food for Fertility be your roadmap and trusted companion as you take the first step toward building your family. In a world where more couples are facing fertility challenges, your nutrition and lifestyle choices can make all the difference.”
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This book was so good and informative. I’ve read a lot of fertility books over the years, and this may be my favorite. That’s because it focused on how to improve your fertility in basic ways like diet and lifestyle. Those things help fertility immensely, but they’re often overlooked. Read this, even if you aren’t planning to have a baby soon! Your fertility is important for more than just getting pregnant. It’s a window into your overall health.
Tiptoeing Through TULIP: A Crash Course Comparison of Classical Arminianism and Calvinism by Nicholas Campbell
5 stars
“In the complex world of theology, two doctrines continue to spark passionate debate: Calvinism and Arminianism. Instead of choosing sides, this book aims to bring clarity to these complicated ideas, inviting readers to learn about the profound similarities and differences underpinning each doctrine. The battleground is formed around three key concepts: predestination, free will, and election. This book seeks to dismantle common misconceptions and straw man arguments through careful exploration, fostering a richer understanding of the two theologies, leading to better dialogue. The reader will find themselves journeying through theological history and navigating the maze of misinterpretations as well as deep-seated beliefs of both ideologies. This book aims to offer a panoramic view of these rich theological traditions, enabling readers to forge their own informed understanding of these monumental doctrines.”
Another super good and informative book. I really liked this one because it wasn’t arguing for one side. It was simply explaining each side, what they believe, and why they believe it based on Scripture. Super helpful in my quest to understand and defend the topics that come up with this issue.
Humble Calvinism by J.A. Medders
5 stars
“Humble Calvinism is both a helpful summary of what Calvinism is, and a helpful challenge to those who are convinced Calvinists. It calls us to hold Calvinism in our hearts, not just in our heads, so that we are humble and gracious as well as zealous for the truth, to the praise and glory of Christ and his church. Author Jeff Medders admits that he is quick to defend Calvinism, but often slow to humbly love Christians who take a different view. His warm-hearted, challenging (and surprisingly witty) book takes readers through the the five points of Calvinism, revealing that a true understanding has a humbling effect on our hearts, fueling a love of Christ and his people that builds others up, rather than tearing them down.”
This was one of the best books on Calvinism I’ve read. A lot of them can be very academic. While that’s important, and while this one still was, it also brought the emotional aspects that many others seem to lack. But it still wasn’t overly emotional or emotionally-driven. You know how I feel about that from above haha.
How to Heal Your Metabolism: Stop blaming aging for your slowing metabolism by Kate Deering
5 stars
“How to Heal Your Metabolism will help educate you on how eating the right foods, eating the right amount of food, consuming the right food supplements,consuming the right amount of water, sleeping and resting, doing the right amount of exercise, and finding happiness will increase your metabolic rate and help heal your broken metabolism.How to Heal Your Metabolism will question everything you thought you knew about health and nutrition. If you are ready to understand nutrition and health in a completely different light, then you need to read this book.”
Another great one that everyone should read! I’m currently working on my thyroid health and this book gave me simple and tangible ways to do that. I’ve started doing some of the things she talks about, and I feel like I can already see a difference.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
4 stars
“A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.
Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no-one will fall in love. Really.”
This book started out really good, then got slow, then got really good again. I’m not going to lie, I was a little disappointed. I had heard so many good things about it. It was definitely still so good and I highly recommend it! But it wasn’t as good as I was hoping.