Top Ten Books of 2024

The best books I read this year. As every year, please keep in mind that not all of these were published in 2024—they were just the best books I read in 2024 (not including re-reads).

In ascending order, and all copy is publishers’ . . .

10. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Written by Ernest Hemingway, a Nobel laureate and master storyteller, The Sun Also Rises is an exploration of love, life, and loss through the lens of the "Lost Generation" - showcasing Hemingway's minimalistic prose and understated writing style.

Throughout these pages, you will experience the subtleties of human emotions - grasp the essence of post-war disillusionment - understand the dynamics of complicated relationships - experience vicariously the charm and allure of 1920s Paris and Spain - and study an era that shaped modern literature.

9. You Like it Darker by Stephen King (Scribner)

“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.

8. Covenant and God’s Purpose for the World by Thomas R. Schreiner (Crossway)

Throughout the Bible, God has related to his people through covenants. It is through these covenant relationships, which collectively serve as the foundation for God’s promise to bring redemption to his people, that we can understand the advancement of his kingdom. This book walks through six covenants from Genesis to Revelation, helping us grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see the salvation God has planned for us since the beginning of time―bolstering our faith in God and giving us hope for the future.

7. All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison (writer) and Frank Quitely (illustrator) (DC Comics)

Topsy-turvy madness on the backwards Bizarro planet. A bottled city that proves you can never go home again. A living sun hell-bent on destroying humanity. A world without the Man of Steel. Twelve impossible labors and mere moments to save the Earth.

The multiple-award winning All-Start Superman is a story true to the greatest character from the golden age of comics. Witness the timeless icon—the Man of Steel—in action in this deluxe collection of excitement and acclaim.

Featuring all the classic characters Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Bizarro, this deluxe edition collects All-Star Superman issues #1-12.

6. Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami (Vintgage)

Aspiring writers and readers who have long wondered where the mysterious novelist gets his ideas and what inspires his strangely surreal worlds will be fascinated by this engaging book from the internationally best-selling author. Haruki Murakami now shares with readers his thoughts on the role of the novel in our society; his own origins as a writer; and his musings on the sparks of creativity that inspire other writers, artists, and musicians.

Here are the personal details of a life devoted to craft: the initial moment at a Yakult Swallows baseball game, when he suddenly knew he could write a novel; the importance of memory, what he calls a writer’s “mental chest of drawers”; the necessity of loneliness, patience, and his daily running routine; the seminal role a carrier pigeon played in his career and more.

5. Junk Drawer Jesus: Discarding Your Spiritual Clutter and Rediscovering the Supremacy of Grace by Matt Popovits (1517)

Each of us is the owner of a seemingly random collection of theologies, doctrines, and superstitions—a junk drawer of religious ideas and influences.

• It’s the witticisms your grandmother tossed around with ease that sounded like they came from a religious text.

• It’s an insight about God from a half-heard sermon at a friend’s church.

• It’s the mental screenshot of a meme shared on social media.

• It’s the empowering idea you underlined in a book and wrote on a Post-it Note now forever affixed to your laptop.

These are the things stuffed in our spiritual junk drawers. And as with that stash of old clothes in the closet or that stew of phone chargers, pens, and half-used batteries sitting in your kitchen drawer, something in us says, “This might be useful.” And so we hold on.

But should we? For many, this junk drawer spirituality has become burdensome. We are worn down by the religious experience it creates and frustrated by a collection of traditions, “truths,” and unfulfilled promises that continue to grow. In Junk Drawer Jesus, the spiritually exhausted are invited to examine our religious clutter and compare it to the person and the promises of Jesus Christ.

We’ll discover what—if anything—of our spiritual collection should be kept. In the process, we rediscover the soul-satisfying simplicity of a God who refuses to fill our lives with junk but instead offers grace upon grace.

4. The Elements of Eloquence: Secrets of the Perfect Turn of Phrase by Mark Forsyth (Berkley)

From classic poetry to pop lyrics, from Charles Dickens to Dolly Parton, even from Jesus to James Bond, Mark Forsyth explains the secrets that make a phrase—such as “O Captain! My Captain!” or “To be or not to be”—memorable.

In his inimitably entertaining and wonderfully witty style, he takes apart famous phrases and shows how you too can write like Shakespeare or quip like Oscar Wilde. Whether you’re aiming to achieve literary immortality or just hoping to deliver the perfect one-liner, The Elements of Eloquence proves that you don’t need to have anything important to say—you simply need to say it well.
In an age unhealthily obsessed with the power of substance, this is a book that highlights the importance of style.

3. I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger (Grove)

A storyteller “of great humanity and huge heart” (Minneapolis Star Tribune), Leif Enger debuted in the literary world with Peace Like a River which sold over a million copies and captured readers’ hearts around the globe.

Now comes a new milestone in this boldly imaginative author’s accomplished, resonant body of work. Set in a not-too-distant America, I Cheerfully Refuse is the tale of a bereaved and pursued musician embarking under sail on a sentient Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife. Rainy, an endearing bear of an Orphean narrator, seeks refuge in the harbors, fogs and remote islands of the inland sea. Encountering lunatic storms and rising corpses from the warming depths, Rainy finds on land an increasingly desperate and illiterate people, a malignant billionaire ruling class, crumbled infrastructure and a lawless society. Amidst the Gulliver-like challenges of life at sea and no safe landings, Rainy is lifted by physical beauty, surprising humor, generous strangers, and an unexpected companion in a young girl who comes aboard. And as his innate guileless nature begins to make an inadvertent rebel of him, Rainy’s private quest for the love of his life grows into something wider and wilder, sweeping up friends and foes alike in his strengthening wake.

I Cheerfully Refuse epitomizes the “musical, sometimes magical and deeply satisfying kind of storytelling” (Los Angeles Times) for which Leif Enger is cherished. A rollicking narrative in the most evocative of settings, this latest novel is a symphony against despair and a rallying cry for the future.

(Read my friend Ronni Kurtz’s review.)

2. A Bit of Earth: A Year in the Garden with God by Andrea Burke (Lexham)

In A Bit of Earth, Andrea G. Burke looks at the seasonal practice and common grace of gardening through a devotional lens. Part memoir, part prayer book, A Bit of Earth weaves care and intent through moments of ordinary living. This book is a lifelong resource of Scripture, poetry, and prose on the life of faith for contemplatives, gardeners, and believers.

God walks in the garden at the cool of the day. The Lord is with us when we dream about what plants to grow and when we drag our feet to pull weeds. He is with us when we preserve the fruit of our hard labors. He is with us even when we weep at the desolate, snowbound landscape of winter.

Whether you're new to gardening or already have a green thumb, anyone can learn how to garden and cultivate the soil of their hearts through A Bit of Earth.

1. Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age: The 1978 Lectures by J.I. Packer (Crossway)

Christians today confront complex opposition to the gospel from intellectuals, skeptics, and pluralists who deny the divinity of Christ. But these are not new issues; the first-century church encountered similar challenges to their faith. How did the apostle Paul address these questions and doubts to effectively spread God’s word?

In these never-before-published lectures, originally given at Reformed Bible College and Moore College in 1978, renowned theologian J. I. Packer tackles common objections to Christianity―including secular humanism, pluralism, and universalism. By studying the evangelistic efforts of Paul and the early church, Packer skillfully preaches the glory of Christ crucified and helps students, pastors, and believers share their faith in an age of skepticism.

Previous years: 2021 * 2020 * 2019 * 2018 * 2017 * 2016

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2023

Honorable Mentions: Anatomy of a Fall (a slow burn on the stories we tell ourselves masquerading as a twist on the whodunit and courtroom genres); Reptile (a snazzy throwback to the thriller-noirs of the 80’s and 90’s); Godzilla Minus One (a surprisingly touching monster movie with a very pleasing, if quaint, visual style); Barbie (a movie more complex than both its critics and its fans realized); Jesus Revolution (the exception that proves the rule that Christian movies are terrible); Last Stop Larrimah (a riveting true crime doc where the tiny Australian town is as interesting as the mystery); Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (an insightful retrospective about a notoriously prickly artist); Leo (an animated children’s movie about a lizard and a turtle, voiced by Adam Sandler and Bill Burr, respectively, that I found very funny); The Killer (Michael Mann’s meticulously composed examination of a hitman, an unreliable narrator caught up in the quirkiness of the gig ecomony); No One Will Save You (a largely silent sci-fi/horror thriller that kept me riveted down to its philosophical Twilight Zone-esque ending); Extraction 2 (an incredibly watchable sequel that I hope is the first of many); Spider-Man: Across the Spiderman (which deepens the narrative scope and expands the cinematic horizons of its predecessor); and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (probably the last good Marvel movie).

10. You Hurt My Feelings

What’s a creative type’s worst nightmare? Artist’s block? Rejection by publishers or promoters? Terrible sales? Bad reviews? None of the above. You Hurt My Feelings nails it. Imagine you discover the person you love the most doesn’t like your work. This Nicole Holofcener dramedy starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tobias Menzies as a married couple suddenly threatened by the polite dishonesties that occupy many of even the best marriages, is a too-real film about vanity and honesty.

9. Air

The critics seemed to have turned on this movie, which showed some early promise as potentially many of their favorites of the year. I still rock with it. Ben Affleck had the audacity to slum it with a “men in rooms talking” movie that’s actually enjoyable. All the performances are great, especially the work of Viola Davis as the formidable Deloris Jordan and Matt Damon as the stubborn Sonny Vaccaro. Affleck’s Phil Knight is hilarious too. Who says these kinds of movies need to take themselves so seriously?

8. Leave the World Behind

This near-future post-apocalyptic meditation on class and culture is like Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death meets Red Dawn. And while I assume it’s sort of about the culturally sedative effect of the Internet age, is it not consequently also a low-key ode to physical media?

7. John Wick: Chapter Four

I believe we may be living in the true golden age of the action movie. That’s difficult for me to say, as a child of the 80’s, the era of classic Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Norris, et.al., as well as the dawn of Die Hard and all its variations, but given that the latest franchises (Mission: Impossible, Extraction, etc.) only seem to get better as they go, it’s possible these are the “good ol’ days” of cinematic shoot-em-ups. The John Wick series is the gold standard. Every successive entry seems to improve on the choreography, set pieces, and general complexity of the ones before, and Chapter Four is no exception. One of the best orchestrated films of the year and a blast at the movies.

6. The Zone of Interest

Jonathan Glazer’s adaptation of the Martin Amis book is a film as measured as it is chilling. The focus on the daily life of the German family living just outside the high wall of Auschwitz shows us with patient care the banality of evil on casual display. It’s all in the atmosphere and audio. This is a highly effective film — and an innovative one despite its straightforward composition. And unfortunately, this is a very relevant film today.

5. The Iron Claw

Who knew Zac Efron had it in him? I didn’t. But now I do. If “father wound” was a category, this look at the Von Erich clan (of professional wrestling fame) would be a key entry. A surprisingly moving film that teeters on the brink of the maudlin and sentimental without ever quite tipping over. It’s a fine line to walk, but I found the performance of the whole work endearing, captivating, and ultimately very, very touching.

4. The Holdovers

Let’s be lonely together. If Wes Anderson hadn’t shellacked his heart and stuffed it in a diorama, he might be making films like Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, which is a messy, awkward, wounded, sweetheart of a movie. Dominic Sessa is the discovery of the year, and Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are powerhouses.

3. Past Lives

Celine Song’s film is a quietly subversive take on Western romantic sensibilities. It is about as anti-Hollywood as a romance film can get. There is no cheating. There is not even any major conflict, except perhaps what is happening internally. Whatever pressures these characters may be facing, emotionally or even culturally, the result is a sweet ode to tradition, to commitment. As such, Past Lives constitutes a countercultural artifact within a broken landscape of expressive individualism. This is an anti-Hollywood “love story” that bucks subverts the lame-o trend of “Eat Pray Love”-esque romanticization of expressive individualism and infidelity and instead honors tradition and faithfulness.

2. Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of David Grann’s revelatory (non-fiction) book about the systemic injustice of the exploitation (and serial murders) of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma is a riveting work. Filled with a number of amazing performances, especially from the stalwart DiCaprio and the relative newcomer Lily Gladstone, who is a revelation, this film is hard stuff, but succeeds in Scorsese’s rejiggering of the historical narrative to highlight less of the federal investigation and more of the native disruption and despair. (I do also highly recommend the book)

1. Dreamin’ Wild

Imagine a musician with Johnny Cash-like gifting who never made it big but had a loving father who supported and believe in him anyway. Dreamin’ Wild, starring Casey Affleck and Walton Goggins, is a most uncynical movie about people haunted by or defiant against cynicism. Maybe the best Christian movie that isn’t a Christian movie, I was just overwhelmed by the sweetness and the sincerity of this film, the material of which would most certainly come across saccharine and unconvincing if not elevated by the performances (which also include great supporting turns from Beau Bridges, Zoey Deschanel, and Chris Messina). They don’t make PG-rated movies for grownups any more, so that’s another plus to this heartwarming achievement. My favorite film of the year.

Top Ten Films of 2022

Honorable Mentions: Cyrano (a touching adaptation with a great performance from Peter Dinklage); Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (the first MCU horror film and the best MCU of the year with Sam Raimi at his Raimiest); The Fabelmans (an uneven cinematic memoir with some nevertheless great moments); Father Stu (the best and edgiest faith-based film of the year); Hustle (a funny and inspiring sports film with another impressive performance from Adam Sandler); The Menu (a genre film masquerading as social commentary that stumbles at the end but still delivers some tension); The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (wild, manic, and utterly enjoyable)

10. Prey

This straight-to-Hulu addition to the Predator film universe really deserved a theatrical release, because it was a crazy fun time at the movies, albeit in front of the television. Set on the American plains in the early 1700’s, Prey focuses on a young Comanche girl (and her dog) as she battles the strange arrival of the now-legendary alien hunter. The first film to have a full Comanche dub — and you should watch it in that language with English subtitles for the full effect — this unabashed popcorn flick is really sharp.

9. Amsterdam

Generally panned by critics and ignored by audiences, David O. Russell’s latest film stars Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington as unlikely (but close) friends navigating a complex political conspiracy in 1933 New York. Loosely based on a true story, Amsterdam seemed to scare off audiences with its bewildering plot and off-kilter characterization. But for all its “kookiness,” it’s actually a very sweet movie about friendship and the power of kindness. I liked it precisely for its being different.

8. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

For some reason, it’s fashionable among the social media conservatives to hate this movie, but I have no idea why. As social commentary, it’s a pretty evenhanded indictment of all kinds. But who cares about all that? Rian Johnson has delivered another clever, twisty puzzle-story with solutions right in front of you and just out of reach. Just when you think it’s going one direction, it doubles back and funhouse mirrors your whole understanding. More, please.

7. Top Gun: Maverick

I would not have guessed before I saw this movie that it would even be near my Top Ten for the year, but Tom Cruise’s patience paid off, as he’s brought us perhaps the best pure genre movie in years. Somehow managing to capitalize on the nostalgia of the (in Hollywood years) now ancient original while not getting mired in it, the new Top Gun is wall-to-wall entertaining.

6. Sr.

Robert Downey, Jr.’s gentle and insightful tribute to his ailing father, a legend of outsider filmmaking, is deeper than it seems and rather affecting. With sober (but non-bitter) acknowledgment of the elder Downey’s flaws as a father — and the impact of his lifestyle on the younger Downey’s own drug and criminal troubles — this film is less about Sr.’s greatness and more about Jr.’s graciousness. I was moved.

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once

Yes, it’s a very flawed movie — especially in its final “message” — and it’s definitely 20 minutes too long, but EEAaO is probably the most uniquely frenetic thing you could see at the movies last year. Ke Huy Quan’s comeback is something to relish, as his performance transcends Gen-X nostalgia; he gives a heartbreaking, transcendent performance. Michelle Yeoh is great too. Just some bananas stuff in this film that made it outshine so many other works.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front

This painstaking, riveting adaptation of the classic German novel on the horrors of WWI is a difficult watch and a haunting one. I couldn’t look away. It is terrifying, maddening, at times very moving, and in the end, a deeply resonant reflection on the hopelessness of war.

3. Living

Bill Nighy’s performance as an aging British bureaucrat who discovers he is dying of cancer is marvelous. I’ve never seen the normally over-the-top comedic Nighy like this. An adaptation of Kurosawa’s film Ikiiru, Living is the first movie in years to bring a tear to my eye. Just a gentle, lovely film about a very sad thing.

2. The Banshees of Inisherin

What’s it really about? Who knows. The incomprehensibility of war? The fragility of friendship? The insanity of artistry? All of the above? All I know is all the performances are stellar, the story is rich, and the end result is the kind of thing that keeps echoing in the memory and in the emotions. Farrell deserves the Best Actor Oscar for his performance, as likely does Barry Keoghan for Best Supporting Actor.

1. Nope

Jordan Peele’s challenging sci-fi/psychological terror is, I think, ultimately about American consumption of media, but even moreso about media’s consumption of us. There are so many layers to this deceptively complex UFO tale, including the racist history of Hollywood, the enduring desire for fame, the Ahab-like obsessions of cinematic gurus, and the cannibalizing effects of pop culture. It’s also just a crazy fun time at the movies. I saw it three times in the theater and would love to talk your ear off about the monkey, the shoe, the “impossible shot,” etc.