The Top Ten Books I Read in 2024

Image by Tom from Pixabay

Around this time of year, I often see posts or articles about the top books that people read. I have received multiple useful suggestions from such lists, often regarding books I may have otherwise never heard about. My desire is that the following list of my favorite reads of this year would do the same for others.

(Please note, this post contains affiliate links)

1. Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter compiled by Plough Publishers

I did not know what to expect from this book but was pleasantly surprised. Through the selection of writing from a variety of writers, I was immersed in thoughts about Jesus’ sacrifice and His resurrection. This included meditations from writers like C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, Amy Carmichael, Edith Stein, Frederick Buechner, Philip Yancey, and many others. I came away from the book with a deeper understanding of how Christ’s death and resurrection radically changes all areas of life – even in regard to issues I had not fully considered before. For example, I found myself challenged through this devotional, and other books I read this year, to reconsider what I believe about issues like war and helping those in poverty. There were many areas that convicted me, as well as selections that made me pause and praise the Lord for all He has done. I place this one at the top of the list because of the Christ-centered content and the gems of writers hidden within – a beloved resource I will be using for years to come.   

2. Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery

This second place in this list actually goes to the entire Emily series. As a fan of Anne of Green Gables, I was excited to read other stories by L. M. Montgomery, and I was not disappointed. The characters and setting in Emily of New Moon and the other two books are interesting and lifelike. For Mongomery’s artistry shines through in the way she crafts the scenes with humor and heart. By the end, I felt like I had visited Emily at her home and met Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Laura, and Cousin Jimmy. And I found myself identifying more with Emily than I had with Anne (even though I am a great fan of Anne), but that will likely differ depending on the reader. Her struggles and failures as a writer were relatable to me.

My favorite book in the series would have to be Emily Climbs because of her adventures in writing and her hilarious interactions with Aunt Ruth. Although the other aunts are endearing, Aunt Ruth will continue to live on in my memory!

I mentioned Emily Climbs in an earlier blog post, which you can read here: “Loving Our Neighbors as Writers”

3. This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson

I first heard about Sarah Clarkson a year ago while listening to a podcast by Renovaré. They interviewed her about her struggle with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and how she found restored hope through noticing the beauty that God placed around her. After hearing that interview, I intended to purchase her book This Beautiful Truth, which I finally did this year. And I am so glad I did! Sarah is a wonderful writer and draws readers into the story of her life. She deals honestly with the darkness without neglecting the Light. I found her approach to the problem of suffering and evil refreshing. She brings the reader’s focus back to the larger picture of the Great Story – that the Lord originally created the world good, but man’s sin brought in destruction. The Lord Jesus came into this broken world to redeem it, which He accomplished through His death and resurrection. And one day, He will return to restore all creation.

Sarah’s words show us that there is terrible suffering and pain in the world. We should not ignore, minimize, or argue away the darkness. However, beauty is still present, and through this beauty we receive reminders of hope and love. Evil and death do not have the final say.

I enjoyed this book immensely, which is why I now follow Sarah Clarkson’s Substack called From the Vicarage. If you are looking for book recommendations, she is a great source. Also, she has written other books including Book Girl and Reclaiming Quiet which I am looking forward to obtaining and reading.  

4. The Complete Fairy Tales by George MacDonald

George MacDonald is known as the father of modern fantasy. So, when I was preparing for my thesis focused on fantasy literature, I meant to read some of MacDonald’s works. That did not happen, and I was unable to include him in my thesis. But this year, I was finally introduced to George MacDonald through The Princess and the Goblin and The Complete Fairy Tales.

Although some readers might assume his stories are only for children, he wrote for both adults and kids. The fairy tales contain whimsical and serious themes. We find, for instance, a princess who is cursed to spend her days floating, except for when she is underwater. However, The Light Princess, for all its lighthearted magic, is a weighty story that conveys the gospel message. Many of his other works also convey strong biblically-related messages.

My favorites were The Light Princess, The Golden Key, The Wise Woman, and The History of Photogen and Nycteris. Many of the details and images in the stories capture his literary craftsmanship. I could feel Nycteris’ longing to see the sun, and Rosamond’s desperate desire in The Wise Woman to bring forth life instead of death. MacDonald accomplished the writer’s goal – to make people feel.  

Of course, I do not agree with every area of MacDonald’s theology, but his fairy tales are masterfully written and convey powerful messages that glorify Christ. His other works, including Phantastes, are on my list of books to read.

5. When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin

Drawing from Chinese folklore and fairy tales, this book follows the story of Pinmei and Yishan as they search for the luminous stone. Pinmei, who was accustomed to hearing her grandmother tell the old stories, assumed that the tales were just that – stories. But gradually through their travels, the stories come alive. This book shows the power that stories have in life, through connecting us with others and by preserving memories.

When the Sea Turned to Silver is the third book in a series by Grace Lin, which began with her award-winning Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Not only is the book beautifully written, but it is also lovely in adornment with Grace Lin’s illustrations. I appreciate how these stories sprang from the author’s own experience with loss, and how she used grief to bring new life through this book and the others in the series.

6. The Arrow and the Crown by Emma C. Fox

This book reads like a fairy tale, which fits the theme of many other books I read this year. The Arrow and the Crown has all the enchantment of the old tales: a magical forest, a person under a spell who is forced to transform into a beast, a prince hidden in the forest, talking trees. Anna discovers that the feared Grünwald Forest is not what it seems, and secrets are hidden deep within. All these elements combine to create a magical adventure that reminds readers that light is stronger than darkness, and love is greater than any force of evil. 

What stood out to me the most was that this was a well-designed independently published book, which is something I do not typically encounter. Careful thought was placed in the layout of the book, with lovely illustrations at the beginning of the chapters. She also includes a pronunciation guide at the end of the book – which any fantasy reader will appreciate. I have read other indie books in the past, but this one set itself apart in design, quality, and storytelling.  

Emma C. Fox is an author to keep on your radar, as she will surely continue to write engaging stories. Her most recent book is The Carver and the Queen, another story that draws on old fairy and folk tales. 

7. Too Small a World: The Life of Mother Frances Cabrini by Theodore Maynard

I had not heard of Mother Cabrini until this year through the promotional trailers of Cabrini by Angel Studios. The short clips intrigued me, and I decided to read Theodore Maynard’s biography of Mother Frances Cabrini. Not only did the story of this woman’s life inspire me, but I also appreciated the way Maynard told her story. No dry lists of dates or endless historical details. He brings the audience into Cabrini’s world. The opening chapter was enough to capture my attention by reading about her arrival in New York along with other nuns to work among the poor Italian immigrants of Five Points.

There are parts that I do not agree with in terms of doctrinal differences since Cabrini was a Roman Catholic. However, there is a lot that Christians everywhere, regardless of denomination or tradition, can learn from her and celebrate. She demonstrated in her life what it means to love Christ by loving “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Those of us from Western contexts need this reminder to serve those who society has deemed unneeded and undesirable – like refugees, immigrants, and the poor. We need the example of Cabrini, especially now with numerous lies and myths about immigrants being propagated online and on social media.   

Faith is at the heart of this biography, as it tells the story of a woman who trusted in the Lord to do all things.      

8. An Eagle in the Snow by Michael Morpurgo

I wrote about this book in a post that included thoughts about Morpurgo’s story set in World War I. An Eagle in the Snow is based on the premise that a soldier (Billy) unknowingly spared the life of Hitler in the first World War. If he could go back and change it, would he? And if Billy had the opportunity to finish the deed, could he do it?

Tied into this book are strong themes about the power of mercy as Morpurgo raises ethical questions about life, war, and justice. These are not only questions that apply to the characters in the story but are also for us today. Do we believe that there is more power in showing mercy than in taking a life, and if so, how will that affect our choices and views?

Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller, which is evident in the way he sets the scenes of the story. The opening chapter brings us into the perspective of a young boy and his mother on a train. Readers identify with this little family as they travel and hear the story of the mysterious passenger about the life of Billy.

Many other books have been written by Morpurgo, such as the well-loved War Horse and An Elephant in the Garden among others. These stories shatter the romance and glory that many people associate with war, showing instead how ordinary people are tragically impacted in ways that change their lives forever.    

9. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Bonhoeffer’s classic and most well-known work sets out to answer this question. He saw that many within the German church had bought into the lie of “cheap grace.” This is an empty grace in which a person is not changed, and no fruit exists in their life. The German church needed this reminder, but so does the modern church. In many ways, people continue to want to have the comfort of religion without recognizing the cost of salvation – the price Jesus paid with His life, and the costly life of discipleship He calls us to. 

For me, the greatest part of the book was Bonhoeffer’s exposition of the Sermon on the Mount. Through this passage, he walked readers through what it looks like to be a disciple. To be a follower of Christ means thirsting and hungering for righteousness, keeping our eyes on Jesus, living peacefully and pursuing peace, and combatting evil with good. There were times when I could not help but wonder about Bonhoeffer’s own decisions when reading about what he believed Jesus taught about fighting evil with good, especially regarding his involvement in the plot to assassinate Hitler. However, I greatly appreciated this book and recommend it to believers seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ. 

Be forewarned – it is a convicting and challenging read.   

10. Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World by Tom and JoAnn Doyle

An inspiring book that takes readers to various places across the Middle East and introduces them to Muslim women who learn the truth that they are loved and cherished by Jesus. After coming to know Him and His love, they cannot help but use their lives to make Him known throughout the Muslim world. They risk everything to follow Christ.   

Some believers from Western countries may struggle with the stories about Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams. I understand that many Christians think that such stories are an infringement on the final authority of the Bible. However, we must remember that people in the Middle East who are having these dreams come from highly restricted backgrounds with no access to the gospel. Their culture also places an emphasis on dreams. Can Jesus not use anything to accomplish His purpose, even dreams if needed? We should praise the Lord that many Muslims are seeking out the Good News after having a vision or dream about the Savior.

Overall, the examples of these women are convicting. In the West, we are not at risk of being killed by our family and neighbors for following Jesus or sharing the gospel. Yet, these women are in dangerous contexts and are actively making disciples. What is stopping us from doing the same?   

Honorable Mentions:

• A Horse Named Sky by Rosanne Parry
• Thou Givest, They Gather: Truths Gleaned from the Word of God by Amy Carmichael
• A Blossom in the Desert: Reflections of Faith in the Art and Writings of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Huffman Rockness

Suggested Resources for Finding More Books to Read:

If you are like me and are always on the lookout for good books to read, then there are a few websites and organizations I suggest following. These include:

• Anselm Society
• Randy Alcorn’s Blog on Eternal Perspective Ministries
• Renovare
• Sarah Clarkson’s From the Vicarage
• The Rabbit Room

May your New Year be filled with books that point you to the Great Story of Jesus’ love! 

"The Lord of the Rings" and Christlike Characters

Image by Pau Llopart Cervello from Pixabay

 

In my MFA thesis, I surveyed multiple fantasy works that convey redemption and hope despite suffering and evil in the world. All the books I referenced had a Christ figure except one: The Lord of the Rings.  

Should we take this to mean Tolkien’s work failed to show the hope we have in Christ?

Tolkien’s epic does not have a distinct Christ figure like Aslan, Harry Potter, or Janner Wingfeather. But that was not his aim. He did not appreciate allegory and stated that his work of mythology was not an allegorical story. This is why we do not find a character who sacrificially gave his life to bring redemption to others – as authors such as C. S. Lewis, J. K. Rowling, and Andrew Peterson included in their stories.

But what he did with his characters was give many of them Christlike characteristics. And we would expect this from an author like Tolkien, who admitted that his deeply held beliefs impacted the stories he created (and which all people do whether they acknowledge it or not; worldview impacts what we create). As he wrote in a letter, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision” (The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien, 109). There is no single Christ figure in The Lord of the Rings, but there are Christlike characters – individuals who provide us with multiple pictures of Jesus.

Many scholars commonly focus on a triad of characters that depict different aspects of Christ. Author and philosopher Peter Kreeft is known for this view, in which Jesus is portrayed through the figures of Prophet (Gandalf), Priest (Frodo), and King (Aragorn). The actions of these characters reflect the various offices of the Lord Jesus, and thus, present a multi-faceted depiction of Christ.  

I heartily agree that these characters give us a picture of Christ. Who can deny that Aragorn, the King who brings healing, is Christlike in his role in the book? Or that Frodo, the Ringbearer who carried the burden of the evil of Sauron, can empathize with those under the ring's power and influence? Gandalf certainly comes close to being a Christ figure by descending to the depths, only to rise again as Gandalf the White (though Aragorn and Frodo also passed through the shadow). However, many other characters display Christlikeness.   

Two such overlooked characters are Samwise Gamgee and Faramir.

More recently, Philip Ryken included Sam into the picture of Priest alongside Frodo, as addressed in his book The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth. But going beyond the Prophet, Priest, and King figures, I believe Sam stands out most as a character marked by Christlike servanthood. He is Frodo’s servant and gardener, and not initially esteemed on the same level as his master. Yet, he is instrumental in the task of destroying the ring. If not for Sam, who single-handedly rescued Frodo from Shelob and the Orcs, and carried him part of the way to Mount Doom, Frodo would have never survived the quest. Sam’s actions mirror those of Christ, who became a servant to save us (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:7-11).   

The work of Sam as a gardener also reflects Christ. Sam was working to care for and tend to plants before he went on the quest with Frodo, but this role is heightened on his return to the Shire. Numerous trees had been lost under Saruman’s reign over the hobbits. These were beloved and old trees that would not be easily replaced. Yet, Sam takes on the work of restoration and renewal using the gift of a box from Galadriel which held special dust and a seed: “So Sam planted saplings where specially beautiful or beloved trees had been destroyed, and he put a grain of the precious dust in the soil at the root of each” (The Return of the King, 330). This picture of bringing life and healing from destruction and death points to the redeeming work of Jesus in our lives.

Another Christlike character in Tolkien’s epic is Faramir. He is not the favored son of Denethor, though he is arguably the greater of the two brothers. Sam compares him to Gandalf because of his wisdom, though Faramir attributes this quality to his Numenorean ancestry. Unlike Boromir, Faramir rejects the temptation of the ring because he has no desire to wield power over others. His people had to adopt war as a way of survival, but he does not delight in the use of force and weapons. As he said, “War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Numenor” (The Two Towers, 314).

Honorably, he offers Frodo aid and shows mercy to Gollum – though he had the right to take the creature’s life. Faramir continually stands by his beliefs in loyalty, courage, and honor, even going so far as to put himself in peril to serve his father, who favored his brother over him. Boromir was known for prowess and renown in war, but Faramir is a man of wisdom who shows strength by offering mercy and desiring to uphold life, rather than take it. He might not be as widely discussed as other characters. However, Faramir, like Sam, displays attitudes and actions that resemble the love and wisdom of Jesus. 

What is unique about Tolkien’s creation of characters is that they reflect Christ while also giving us examples to follow. We receive a lesson in mercy by observing Frodo’s change of heart and his willingness to pity those who are enslaved to the evil of Sauron. From Sam, we see what it means to love and serve another in the truest form of friendship – despite suffering and hardship. Humbleness is evident in Aragorn, who though the rightful king as the heir of Isildur, willingly serves his people by bringing healing. Faramir shows us that protecting and cultivating life is more honorable than skill in war or seeking prominence (as he helps Eowyn learn). All these characters show us glimpses of Jesus and what it means to be Christlike, inviting us to travel alongside them to learn to emulate the Savior.

Although a Jesus figure is not present in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth epic, the story is so infused with Christlike characters and themes that it glorifies and magnifies the Savior. It is truly a Christian work that captures what Tolkien termed as eucatastrophe, a sudden joyous turn, poignant as grief – which is exemplified in the greatest Story of the Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection.   

Works Cited

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Edited by Humphrey Carpenter and Christopher Tolkien, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. EBSCO.

-- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Ballantine, 2012.

-- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Ballantine, 2012.

The Strength of Mercy

 

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

I have been reading Michael Morpurgo’s stories for over a decade now, and what I appreciate most about his works is that they make me think about important issues. A lot of his books deal with war, such as in Toro! Toro! or the classic War Horse. And although these stories are works of fiction, they are based on historical events. I have been personally challenged to reevaluate my beliefs about war after reading Morpurgo’s stories.

An Eagle in the Snow is another such book. War is a major aspect of the story, and we see depictions of the suffering that the killings and bombings caused during both world wars. But more than anything, I believe an overarching theme in this story is the strength of mercy.

The book follows the story of Billy (based on a real soldier in WWI named William Tandey). In the story, he spares the life of a German soldier after a successful attack. So many men had already died that day, on both sides, and he did not think the man was a threat. Many years later, though, he realizes that the man he had spared was none other than Adolf Hitler. He becomes consumed with guilt over his part in allowing Hitler to live and cause terrible suffering. Eventually, this drives him to create a new plan – one which involves doing what he thinks he should have done earlier. To kill Hitler.

But even then, he cannot do it.

The reader is left to decide what he or she thinks about Billy’s choice. Was he right in showing mercy? Should we fight evil with evil, or is mercy and a dedication to goodness more powerful?

Too often, I think people view compassion and mercy as weaknesses. We might be tempted to read the story of Billy and assume he was a coward. Surely, the hero should slay the villain!

Often, they do. As I thought about this story, though, I could not help but think of another story with themes of mercy, written by a man who served in WWI and lived through both wars. I am reminded of how, in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Frodo regretted Bilbo’s sparing of Gollum’s life. He was convinced that Bilbo should have killed the terrible creature when he had the chance. But then Gandalf shares his wisdom.

As he says, “Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need … Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many – yours not least” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 65-66).

Did Hitler, like Gollum, deserve death? Yes, but as Gandalf said, there are many who deserve to die but live. Evil people often thrive in the world while those who seek to do right die. The real question is what are we to do with the evil we see around us? We can either multiply it by choosing to fight evil with evil or seek to do good with the time we have been given. To cultivate healing and light in our broken, dark world.

There is more strength and virtue in showing mercy than in demonstrating force. The mercy that held Billy’s hand that day was the same mercy that made him pause and help a girl affected by the war when he was a soldier. And to help his friends when they were injured. Likewise, the pity of Bilbo influenced Frodo, who came to pity Gollum, and even Saurman and Wormtongue.

Of course, we should not remain silent about evil but name it for what it is. We need to speak up against injustice and oppression, serving as a voice for the voiceless. However, we are meant to overcome evil with good. As 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (NIV).

Choosing to show mercy is an act of defying the darkness in the world. It does not make us weak. Rather, mercy is a strength of those who dare to believe that doing good and showing Christlike love is more powerful than any evil in the world.  

 

Works Cited

Morpurgo, Michael. An Eagle in the Snow. Square Fish, 2015.

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Del Rey, 2012.