The Best Books I Read in 2024
In no particular order, some of the best books I read this year. See 2021, 2022, and 2023’s lists.
God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School by Gregory Baumer and John Cortines
God and Money was written by two guys who were already incredibly wealthy in their twenties and laser-focused on getting wealthier. Both Christians coming into Harvard Business School, they thought they knew what God had to say about money--tithe 10% and the rest is yours to do what you please with. Through a series of unexpected events, they learned their understanding of wealth was elementary, and there are far better ways to think about money than they could’ve imagined.
As someone who has wrestled with money and its place in God’s kingdom for most of my life, I found their story incredibly moving and their book helpful. If nothing else, I highly recommend listening to Baumer and Cortines tell their story on this episode of the Bible Project. Listening to their interview is what turned me onto the book, and if you're interested, I’d suggest giving it a listen before reading.
Favorite Quote: “A Servant, possessing the rarest mindset of all, orients their life around limiting both consumption and wealth-building, focusing instead on giving the most money they can toward blessing other people.”
Becoming Dallas Willard: The Formation of a Philosopher, Teacher, and Christ Follower Hardcover by Gary W. Moon
I first heard of Dallas Willard through John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and later through John Ortberg’s Soul Keeping. The authors quoted lines from Willard that would make me put the book down and think, yes--that is what I have been trying to grasp all along but never had the words to say. Through their second and third-hand accounts, it became evident to me Dallas Willard lived life with Jesus, which made me want to do the same. Not because the Bible tells me so, but because the Way Jesus offers can be tried, and experientially, it is the way that leads to the fullest, truest, richest life imaginable.
I have since become a fan of Willard’s own works, especially Life Without Lack, and I’m currently reading through the incredibly insightful, Hearing God. Reading the biography of the man behind all the wisdom has added a richness and appreciation for his teachings and life.
Favorite quote: “ [Dallas was] someone who learned about grace and love and mercy while sitting in the pews of churches not offering much good news about life here and now; someone who, instead of turning away, kept looking for the company of a living, present, and interactive God.”
Immerse: Messiah (Immerse: The Reading Bible)
For the last two years, I have read a different “Bible in a Year” plan. both readthroughs were highly educational, but this year I wanted to slow down, read, and reread more to better absorb what I was taking in. Immerse: Messiah is the first in a series that breaks down the Bible into 6 volumes. Messiah is essentially the New Testament.
What’s unique about the "Immerse" series is that the verses, chapters, and section headers found in your traditional pew Bible are removed. It reads more like a novel at some points. There are brief introductions at the beginning of each book which were quite helpful. I have enjoyed reading through the Bible as just the words on a page with little distraction and plan to read the rest of the volumes in the years to come.
One of favorite quotes: “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” -Mark 5:36b NLT