What I Read in December - Farewell 2024!
Happy new year!
What a transformative year it has been for me. I have been reflecting this year on the fact that 2012 brought a lot of change for me (college graduation, internship at Unbound in KC, internship at Disney in Orlando, and moving to Chicago to work at Starcom). I think I read somewhere a long time ago that we think of adults as stagnant, but adults have step-changes in growth that happen periodically throughout their adulthood - and I vaguely remember some idea that this happens about every 12 years. (Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Maybe Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset?) If so, then that puts me right on track with 2024 being my next year of lots of change. Leaving the security (and clout) of my full time consulting job to figure out something that might be a better fit for me, growing Poppy's Paints, writing (albeit sporadically), starting part-time at a startup, and growing a new baby. More change will come in 2025 - baby joining our family, a new house (hopefully!) in a new neighborhood, a change in childcare and our routines - and 2024 really kicked off this change. Here's to embracing the change!
Reading-wise, December was pretty chaotic as I tried to squeeze in ALL the holiday fun!
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore: This was a 2024 internet favorite, and I loved the complex character development and how the story evolved. I heard it described as a literary mystery - which I would agree with! A slower-paced who-done-it. Would recommend!
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd: I love books by Sue Monk Kidd, especially The Mermaid Chair and Secret Life of Bees (which I've both read multiple times). I'm not going to lie - this book took me forever to read. I kept picking it up and putting it down over the course of a couple of years. The book is a fictionalized account about the life of Jesus's wife. Like many historical fiction stories, it highlights the hardships and limitations of life as a woman, which can be heavy when I often turn to reading to relax (one of the reasons it took me a while to finish). It provided an interesting perspective of the role of women in the early church - an alternative to the stories we often hear - and brings to light some questions about the role of women in the church today. An interesting read, although likely speaks to some readers more than others. If you're interested in the life and humanity of Jesus, would recommend!
The Anatomy of Anxiety by Ellen Vora: I flew through this book in about 24 hours! I found this book super insightful about navigating and managing anxiety symptoms in today's world. I liked her non-alarmist approach, practical-tips, and do-what-makes-sense-for-you (rather than all-or-nothing) mindset. Would recommend!
I also hear so many book bloggers rave about StoryGraph, so thought I'd give it a try! I logged all my books from 2024! Lots of great reads, but my favorite of 2024 goes to: The Wedding People by Alison Espach!
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