2024 Reading List

It is that time of year again - time to recap the year's reading list. As I have said in previous posts, reading is such an important part of developing excellence. Just as working out and exercise has so many important benefits for the body, reading is an important exercise for the mind. It allows us to learn about and wrestle with important things. Here is a list of the books that I consumed this year. Be sure to scroll to the bottom for my top 5 from 2024. Happy reading!

History, Biography & Memoirs

• The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings - Lars Brownsworth

• The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel - Douglas Brunt

• The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day - Cornelius Ryan

• Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad - William Craig

• Tailspin - John Armbruster

• On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service - Anthony Fauci

Personal Development & Psychology

• The Warrior Poet Way: A Guide to Living Free & Dying Well - John Lovell

• As Many Reps As Possible - Jason Khalipa

• The 32 Principles: Harnessing the Power of Jiu-Jitsu to Succeed in Business, Relationships, and Life - Rener Gracie

• Forever Strong: A New Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well - Gabrielle Lyon

• Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon

• Show Your Work - Austin Kleon

• Leadership Strategy & Tactics - Jocko Willink

• Bad Therapy: Why Kids Aren't Growing Up - Abigail Shrier

Marriage and Family

• The Shepherd Leader at Home: Knowing, Leading Protecting and Providing for your Family - Timothy Witmer

• The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place - Andy Crouch

• Man Alive - Transforming Your Seven Primal Needs into a Powerful Spiritual Life - Patrick Morley

• Mansfield's Book of Manly Men: An Utterly Invigorating Guide to Being Your Most Masculine Self - Stephen Mansfield

• The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character - John Tyson

Philosophy

• Stillness is the Key - Ryan Holiday

• The Abolition of Man: How Education Develops Man's Sense of Morality - C.S. Lewis

Theology & Applied Theology

• God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say about Gender Identity? - Andrew Walker

• Made for People: Why We Drift Into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship - Justin Whitmel Early

• Glimers of Grace: A Doctor's Reflection on Faith, Suffering, and the Goodness of God - Kathryn Butler

• Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnosis and Medications - Michael Emlet

Fiction

• On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson

• North or be Eaten, Andrew Peterson

• The Monster in the Hollows, Andrew Peterson

• Three Inch Teeth, CJ Box

• Enemy of the State, Vince Flynn

2024 Top 5 Books

• Forever Strong - This book is a great all in one book arguing for why and how to develop healthy skeletal muscle

• Mansfield's Book of Manly Men - This is one of the best books that I have read that discusses the character and virtues of masculinity in a way that appeals to men.

• Leadership Strategy & Tactics - This book is a great handbook for leaders and aspiring leaders.

• The Longest Day - This is one of the earliest and most comprehensive histories of D-Day

• Abolition of Man - Anything C.S. Lewis is an amazing read, Lewis argues for objective moral value. Technically speaking, I made it through this book once but I will need to keep revisiting it to fully appreciate the depths of Lewis' mind here.