My 2024 Reading List (2023 available here)
Please note: I’m not a professional book reviewer (is there such a thing?). This is a list of the books that I read or listened to over the past year, my impressions, and takeaways.
The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory by Abigail Rine Favale
This book was required reading for our Wilderness Outreach trip in August. On each trip we are asked to read a particular book then team up with a brother to present on the book for the evening campfire discussion. This fascinating book traces the history of not only the feminist movement up to today but also how that movement has close ties, desired and unwanted, with our modern gender confusion. I highly recommend this book as a way to educate yourself on how we got to this point as well as a way to look at addressing the issue in a Christ-like manner. Enlightening and Thought Provoking
The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Work the Room. Leverage Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections by Matthew Pollard
Overall this is a good book but not really what I was hoping for. I have a hard time believing that Mr. Pollard is an introvert but I’ll take him at his word. If your work involves networking, selling, etc. you will find beneficial information. OK
The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous, translated by N. K. Sandars
Exactly what you would expect from a 4000 year old novel… or not. This was a strange and often repetitive work. I recommend the Audible version if you simply want a mindless, entertaining story. I suppose if I had read it, I could dig out some gems but regardless, it was simply fun to listen to. Also, I’d give it a PG/R rating for some scenes! Interesting Read/Listen
How to Grieve What We’ve Lost: Evidence-Based Skills to Process Grief and Reconnect with What Matters by Russ Howard, et al
I found this book to offer some very helpful practices for dealing with grief. As many of my readers know, I lost my father in 2022 and my youngest brother 15 months later in 2023. The methods in this book are helpful for grieving the loss of a loved one as well as the loss of dreams for ourselves. Very Helpful
Willpower Doesn’t Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success by Dr. Benjamin Hardy
As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Dr. Hardy. His work has been life changing for me. In this book he expertly shows how willpower never works. He proposes instead that we need to set ourselves up for success in the areas we are trying to change. This could be setting out exercise clothes so that they are ready for us in the morning, removing our televisions and phones from the bedroom if we are trying to sleep better, or changing our office environment to be more effective at work. Willpower doesn’t work but this book will show you what does! Highly Recommend
The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture by Wendell Berry
If I could spend one hour with any living person, it would be Mr. Berry. His wisdom and insight into the ways of the world, agriculture, and culture are unparalleled. In this book, although dated but not 4000 years old, he shows how absurd our modern agriculture machine has become. You’ll also see how this “development” has changed our culture, separating us not only from our food but also from one another. Deep Read
The Gap and the Gain: The High Achiever’s Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan
Yes, another Dr. Hardy book. THIS is the book that changed my life so much. It was pivotal book for me this year. I cannot recommend this book enough. If I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be this: The key to happiness, confidence, and success in life is to always measure backwards. You can read more of my thoughts on this here and here. Potentially Life Changing
Personality Isn’t Permanent: Break Free From Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story by Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Sorry, yes, it’s another Dr. Hardy book. I found this book to be very freeing. It showed me that even though I test as a INFP, predominantly melancholic, or somewhere I can’t remember on the DISC profile, it’s not a permanent life sentence. Our personalities can and do change even if it’s hard to see that in the moment. Like me, I’m sure you a very different person than you were 5, 10, or 20 years ago. With this knowledge, we have the opportunity to work on and craft our personality today and from now on. Just get all of Dr. Hardy’s books, seriously… Potentially Life Changing
10x Is Easier then 2x: How World Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Hey, relax, this was co-authored by Dr. Hardy. Actually, this was the first Dr. Hardy book I read that led me down the rabbit hole of Dr. Hardy books. I’ve actually listened to this twice. Here you will find that in reality, we are selling ourselves short by not setting our goals high enough and not thinking long-term enough. This book will give you a renewed belief that you are capable of so much more. Combine this with the previous books and you’ll figure out the puzzle pieces that have led me on my 68 Days. Highly Recommend
A Man at Arms by Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield is one of my favorite authors (see below). I recommend this book to any Christian who wants to take a look behind the curtain, as it were, of the early Church. Too often we think that Paul wrote letters, they were passed on, and now we have the bulk of the New Testament. In this book, Pressfield beautifully and sometimes horrifically, shows what real life may have been like for “The Way”, the early followers of Christianity. It’s a page turner so hold on to your tunic! Think Gladiator meets St. Paul. Highly Recommend
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
One of my favorite books from the days when I was just beginning to read as an adult was the Grapes of Wrath. I figured it was time for another Steinbeck book and this one did not disappoint. The book, when you zoom out, is really the retelling of the story of Cain and Able but this primordial story is told within the story in many different ways with many different characters. Steinbeck does a great job of character development and there are enough plot twists to keep even the most finicky reader on the edge of his or her seat. It’s a classic for a reason. Highly Recommend.
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of Robert J. Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
This book (Audible) was absolutely amazing. It tells the life story of Oppenheimer, his work on the atomic bomb, accusations of espionage, the cold war, and so much more. If you are a history buff like me, you don’t want to pass up this book. The book is the basis for the movie Oppenheimer. I have not seen the movie but I’ll bet the book is better and closer to the truth. Highly Recommend
Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle for Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield
If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you’ll know that this is one of my Top 5 favorite books. So much so, that I make it a point to listen to it once a year and have done so for the past 5-7 years. It is an epic retelling of the story of the Spartans and the Battle for Thermoplylae. I believe the movie 300 is based on this book but I’m not sure. I’ve seen 300 and it pales in comparison to the book. I love this book and the way Pressfield weaves his story with rich character development, historical accuracy, and a narrator that is like no other. Highly Recommend
Leaving Boyhood Behind: Reclaiming the Gift of Manhood and Traditional Rites of Passage by Jason M. Craig
This was a free book that I received with my subscription to the Sword & Spade. It is a must read for all fathers of boys and men that work with boys and young men. It powerfully illustrates the need for traditional rites of passage in the lives of men and how veering away from these practices has hurt our boys, men, and culture. The author gives excellent reasons as to why rites of passage should and need to be incorporated into the lives of boys and men. However, it is not a step by step program. Rather, it is a thought provoking book that illustrates the value of these rites that have been almost completely forgotten. Recommended for Men (Fathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, Bishops, and Priests)
The Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead by Jason M. Craig and Thomas B. Van Horn
I’m a Catholic Homesteader at heart if not yet in practice. This book was a great reminder of the rhythm of nature that God has built into our lives from farming to prayer. It confirmed me in my belief that something isn’t quite right with our modern age and frenetic busyness. If you are interested in simplifying your life, incorporating more prayer into your daily routine, and maybe getting back to the land, I highly recommend reading this. My only complaint is that I read this on Kindle and it was formatted incorrectly. Recommended for those who want to slow down life and get back to basics.
An Essay on the Economic Effects of the Reformation by George O’Brien
This book really took me by surprise. I had never considered the economic effects of the Reformation. In this book you will learn how economies functioned before the Reformation and how the Reformation changed the world not only in the spiritual realm but also in the economic realm. It was the catalyst for the Industrial Revolution and our modern approach to Capitalism and work addiction. Highly Recommend
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to our Brains by Nicholas Carr
I’m a brain nerd. I love to study the brain, how it works, neuroplasticity, and more. This well researched book shows how the Internet is changing the way we think and function. This is a fascinating book for any other brain nerds out there or if you are simply curious if the Internet has the power to change who we are as a civilization and culture. This fundamental change has happened often throughout history but Carr shows how this time, it’s very different. Highly Recommend
Killing Rommel by Steven Pressfield
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. I couldn’t tell if it was simply a story or real life events. It is well written and researched. If you enjoy WWII books, this is a great one to add to your collection. Rommel, The Desert Fox of Hitler’s Africa campaign was a gentlemen and a military genius and I loved learning more about him in the context of a highly engaging and entertaining story. Highly Recommend
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, translated by Edith Grossman
Don Quixote was the first audible book I ever listened to. Actually it was a CD set I borrowed from the library back before Audible, Google, Spotify, Facebook, etc., etc… This is such a delightful book to read or listen to. I’ve never read anything else that can actually get me to laugh out loud. It’s hilarious, informative, and educational all at once. I can easily imagine families gathered around the fire each evening to listen to another chapter being read back in the 1600s like we do for a modern day sitcom. Highly Recommend
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Whenever I read or listen to a book of this type I always try to imagine what it was like to read it when it was first published. As I’m sure it was then, this is a thrilling tale of adventure in a realm that even to this day hasn’t been fully explored. Combining the known science of the day with a fantastic story, Verne weaves a tale that is enjoyable and in most instances believable. I love science fiction and this story reminded me very much of one of my favorite science fiction authors, Andy Weir (The Martian, Project Hail Mary, Artemis). My only complaint, at least from a Audible point of view, is the overwhelming amount of scientific classification of sea creatures. This was a little annoying but not enough to make me stop listening. If you like science fiction, have any interest in the world’s oceans, or simply enjoy a good yarn, this book is for you. Recommended
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
My sister-in-law loves this book. My brother, Fr. Hahn, had recommended it to me many times and even gave me a copy years ago. Many others have suggested this book as a must read. I listened to it for the last book of 2024. I wish I’d never heard of it. I wish I wouldn’t have wasted an Audible credit to purchase it. There are very few books that I truly dislike: this one, I hated.
The writing was beautiful, poetic, and a joy to read. The story was interesting as one may be interested in watching a train wreck in super slow motion. There was nothing redemptive about the story or the suffering. It’s only redemptive quality is that it shows how weak fathers and men can destroy so many lives.
I really struggled to like the book considering it was recommended by so many Catholics. Perhaps I’m failing to see a deeper meaning or still carrying too many of the sins of my youth, but the themes of so-called “love”, treatment of the Faith, and nonchalant approach to “the catalogue of grave sins” left me actually questioning my own faith and the people I trust. Cannot Recommend.
So, what did you read this year? Anything you would recommend? Anything you would advise against? Have you read any of the above? What’s your take on them? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading…it’s a lost art…
James M. Hahn, Author 