Books Lindsey Read in 2024
This might be one of my favorite posts of the year. Five of the books are re-reads. As you may remember, every two years I make it through the Chronicles of Narnia series. Then, there are 2 others I re-read. Enjoy this year’s 13 books.
Books 1-4
1) Dune by Frank Herbert. I started this one in December 2023 and finished in February 2024. I was curious what all the hullabaloo was about. I still haven’t seen the movies, but they must be impressive, because the world Herbert creates is epic. It had many parts that dragged for me, so I will not be continuing the series. A funny story. I was reading it before a surgery in January while I was not able to drink or eat for several hours. Reading a desert book while one is REALLY thirsty definitely brings the environment to life. Ha!!!
2) The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. My third time starting the Narnia series.
3) Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp. Written by a pastor to pastors, but I recommend this to every pastor’s wife too, along with anyone in ministry. Tripp vulnerably shares his life and how ministry can bring out the worst or the best in us. It’s humbling and challenging and so good.
4) Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. This book has been recommended to me 3 or 4 times over the years, and I finally read it. Highly recommend this to anyone who is a human and has human relationships!
Books 5-8
5) Tom Lake: A Novel by Ann Patchett. Fiction is so good for me to read. I heard about this book from several different podcasts. I loved it. Normally novels are hard for me to get through, but Ann Patchett is an incredibly gifted story teller. A beautiful story.
6) Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis Majors. A gal from church let me borrow this. It’s a true story, and it’s very inspiring to follow God’s truths even when one has to say no to comfort and an easy life.
7) Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. I borrowed this from Tonio’s aunt when we visited her in July. It was not one I would normally read, but I’m so glad I did. Based on a true story in the late 1600s. A quote that made me reflect: "Every happiness is a bright ray between shadows, every gaiety bracketed by grief. There is no birth that does not recall a death, no victory but brings to mind a defeat (p.292).”
8) Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t be Wrong by Jean Nadeau and Julie Barlow. This was my second time reading it, and I’m so glad I did. The first time was in the beginning of my time here in France. Reading it 14 years after my arrival in France gave me a new perspective and appreciation and understanding. I recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by the French, to anyone who likes to travel to France, to anyone who is married to a French person or to anyone who is friends with a French person. It’s SO enlightening!!!
Books 9-13
9) Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. This was a treasure given to me by a treasure of a friend. I finished it on Tonio and my 14th wedding anniversary getaway. An impactful section of the book for me: “But women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves: that firm strand which will be the indispensable center of a whole web of human relationships. She must find that inner stillness which Charles Morgan describes as ‘the stilling of the soul within the activities of the mind and body so that it might be still as the axis of a revolving wheel is still’ (p.50).” The whole book is full of gems.
10) Une Incroyable Histoire by William Irish. This was a book I wish I NEVER read!!! =( It was an assignment for Daphné’s class. She seemed really disturbed by the first chapter, so I started reading a bit to see why. I told her I would read more to see if it got better. I stayed up until midnight to finish it, and I cannot understand why anyone would like this story. Needless to say, we talked with her teacher, and she was allowed to read another book for the assignment. It turns out, she was not the only kid completely terrified. I had anxiety for hours and couldn’t even fall asleep. I’m thankful her teacher was ok with the switch.
11) When Faith Fails by Dominic Done. I was so excited to re-read this one. After letting a few people at church read it, I really wanted to remember why I had LOVED it a few years back. Oh man, it did not disappoint. Done is so refreshing in how he encourages questions and doubts about God and faith. His journey into studying atheism and how he wrestles with his struggles is fascinating. I recommend this to EVERYONE who considers themself a person of faith.
12) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The classic story. My third time reading it. I am always so thankful for parallels to the gospel, God giving his only son Jesus to die for our sins and allow us to live with him forever. Thank you Jesus!
13) The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. My favorite of the Narnia series. I was in tears this third time through when Aslan explained how he was with Shasta the whole time: “I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept… Who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you (p.164).” A reminder of Emmanuel, God with us.
And that concludes the books I read in 2024. I am thankful each year that I can just keep reading, just keep reading (to the tune of Dory singing).
Love Linz