Books that Improved My Life in 2024.

I enjoy reading books and I tend to read for information and focus less on fiction. I am going to try to live a little via literature in 2025. However, in the rearview, here is a list of books that truly improved my life in 2024. I’ve attached a brief summary and link to each book.

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It might sound dramatic to say these books improved or changed my life, but it’s true. Life-change doesn’t have to be dramatic; it can simply be small changes after some reflection. In college we called this being a “reflective practitioner”. I try to implement that in my home, parenting, fitness, and spiritual life. So keep in mind, small change is still change. Happy New Year!

Health and Wellness

Forever Strong by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon was one of my favorites of the year, and for sure my favorite in the health category. It was a fast-paced read outlining what you should do, why you should do it and how to do it. Her concept of “muscle-centric medicine” I found very approachable. Basically, the idea is lean muscle mass increases survivability of most diseases. (Im not a doctor, this isn’t medical advice, just a cliff notes version of the book.) Lean muscle mass also creates a more efficient metabolic system, again creating a less suitable environment for disease. Also, I love that is dismantles the myth that aging = decrepit, lil old ladies. I’m only 36, but I appreciate that she takes the stereotypes of aging head on. You can get strong and stay strong.

If you’re unfamiliar with my personal journey you can learn a little bit about that here. I appreciated how she was honest about what it takes to manage weight and maintain muscle without being “diet culture”. If you grew up in the late 90s/ early 2000s like me, you were inundated with “ultra-thin” as the standard. Um. This isn’t that. Muscles are in. I think this book is applicable to men and women. Included in the book are fitness and eating plans for men and women based on goals.

Highly recommend the book. Also, Dr Lyon has a podcast, which I enjoy. Sometimes it’s light, often it’s very clinical which I enjoy. I found her work via Jocko Willink’s podcast episode 428.

Parenting

Sissy Goff’s The Worry Free Parent rocked my world. Honestly, I’m not sure that I realized how anxiety has taken over parenthood, especially in the online space. Even if you don’t consider yourself an “anxious parent” I would highly recommend this book.

The whole book in one sentence: If you want your kids to be confident and non-anxious, you must also become confident and non-anxious. I love that Sissy doesn’t just say it as a passing mention but outlines why you should chill out and maybe work on your own stuff and how to do that for the benefit of your entire home. She points to the Word of God as the central truth for how we can be confident and at the same time try softer.

This book is laden with scripture and actionable steps, pointing out that we can in fact chill out a little because we are deeply loved by God. I feel like I won’t do it justice, again it’s a fast read. Just read it and pass it on.

Society sort of wants us to wear anxiety as a badge of honor, like if you really care, you’ll be riddled with anxiety and overthinking. That’s so wildly contrary to Scripture but we buy into it daily. I think this book is a gentle yet firm reminder that we are not called to be anxious and gives very bite sized ways to give your cares to Jesus daily. And chill the heck out. (my words, not Sissy’s 🙂

I listened via audiobook, which is usually not my style but I loved the author’s gentle tone. If you’re someone who sort of always thinks God is mad at you, you might want to listen. It seemed helpful. I ordered the workbook and plan to work through it this month.

Fiction

Fiction is an area where I wish I read more. As you can see above, about 75% of my reading is non-fiction. Please drop some fiction recommendations in the comments.

This year we read the Hobbit again as a read aloud. I just love it, I laugh out loud every time. We are also listening to The Lord of the Rings narrated by Andy Serkis. (Andy Serkis is the voice of Gollum in the movies.) We are about halfway through The Two Towers. I put an audible link but if you have a Spotify subscription, its included. I would also check what’s included on Amazon Prime, Libby and other library apps.

Bookshelf Snooping.

When I go over to friend’s homes, I love to snoop around their bookshelves. (with permission, of course) So to wrap up this little list of books that improved my life this past year, here is a little glimpse at some of our bookshelves.