Get back to reading with me

I don’t know about you, but 2024 has been the year that I’m officially getting over the #girlboss hustle. This is true in all aspects of life, but for the sake of this conversation, the books I’m choosing to read. While in previous years, I would read only nonfiction business books with a few personal development ones thrown in the mix, these last few months I’ve ventured out of that narrow niche. The goal is to explore and find a new reading list of the best books 2024 has to offer. Not just keep myself in a single genre in order to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of the hours I have in a given day.

Yes, reading business books is important. Yes, a lot of my business growth, especially in the early days, came from reading nonfiction books about sales, psychology, and copywriting. The personal development section helped me grow as a person. But what about letting yourself rest? That’s what this year is for me: A year to recharge and rest.

Exploring new book genres

So 2024 marks the year I get back to my inner English major, and read a variety of books. Of course, there will still be non-fiction, personal development, and business on the list. But I’m reading fiction again for the first time in years. Like what?! Who is this new Jill? But really, I’m excited about how EXCITED I am to read again. It’s funny how that works.

2024 is also the year that we cancelled most of our tv and movie subscriptions. Currently, we only have Amazon prime (because it’s included in our Prime membership) and Disney+ … and we’re thinking of pausing Disney+ for now because we aren’t using that either. I’d much rather read a book, or do something more engaging than watching shows lately.

Don’t get me wrong, I love tuning in for some trash TV (like the Bachelor, heyyy). And we still watch movies, or YouTube. But it feels more intentional lately.

Anyways, the point of this being that I’m here for the best books 2024 has to offer, and am looking for some outside of my typical genres.

Best books 2024: Book club reading list

I mentioned I joined a book club to meet new people in my city (we moved here recently) and to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to books. Bonus is that this gets me out of the house, therefore out of Mom Mode, for a couple of hours each month.

The following are the books I’ve read or am reading with this book club.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I started reading this one with my local book club, but only got about half way through before our meeting. I gave up for a few weeks, then decided to go back to it. The first half was uncomfortable, awkward, and I just didn’t get it. After talking about the book with my book club though, I realized I may have missed the point in the beginning.

Picking up where I left off with a new perspective has made working through the second half of this book much easier. I’m a few pages from the end, and have enjoyed it so much since restarting!

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

I breezed through this read in just a few days, but because it was easy to read, not necessarily one of the best books 2024 has to offer. I wasn’t sure what to think of it, and still am not. The subject matter was interesting. I want to like it. But the writing style left me thinking it was going to turn into some kind of supernatural or fantasy book… a little weird or unexpected for the topic.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This one started off slow for me, but ended with me almost in tears. The octopus character felt weird at first, but then I grew to love him. As I learned more about each of the main characters, the same happened. I eventually felt connected to them and invested in their story. I won’t spoil it for you! Definitely recommend.

Best books 2024: What I’ve read so far

Honestly, I’m behind on my goals of reading 12 books this year (5 at the time of reading this). I also know how small of a goal that is, but when you’re a busy working mama like me, that feels like a big feat! I used to read so much. Now, I have 2 littles to raise. I’m the primary parent and homemaker during work hours, and typically work up to 10 hours a week beyond that time. Sitting down to actually open a book happens when I’m nap trapped with the youngest, or after the littles get to bed.

It’s funny because I used to wake up to read every morning. While I’d love to get back to that, it’s probably not possible in this current season when I’m up at night with the babies. Last night my youngest only woke up twice to feed… And that was a good night.

Anyways, here’s the list of what I’ve read so far (outside of the above 2024 book club books).

Embrace Your Almost: Find Clarity and Contentment in the In-Betweens, Not-Quites, and Unkowns by Jordan Lee Dooley

I loved this one. Love love loved it. This is the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a friend. It’s not particularly poetic or groundbreaking, but genuinely feels like someone gets you. She gets you. You’re not alone. You’re normal. And that’s okay.

I have a handful of books that I know I’d be willing to gift to friends if the opportunity arose, and this is one of them. One of those books you pass on not expecting it to make it back onto your shelves. Maybe they give it to another friend who needs the message after. Definitely one of the best books 2024 has to offer.

The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer

I listened to this one, and it took just over a week of consistent listening. I don’t like to have background noise from podcasts or audiobooks while I’m on Mom Duty, so instead it played while I drove alone, did chores after bedtime, or stretched on my yoga mat. A classic in the personal development space, but appropriate timing for me to pick this up now as I learn to surrender to the current season of life: Mothering littles, and unable to control much of my days.

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Obviously, a birth book written by a respected midwife was on my list for this year! I gave birth to my second son in February, and this helped me reframe after what could be considered a traumatic experience with my first. I definitely recommend this to any pregnant woman, especially if you dream of having a positive unmedicated birth experience.

Here’s the list of what I’m currently reading, but haven’t finished:

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

I keep picking this one up and putting it down. It’s equally interesting and shocking, and overall a doozey, but I’m committed. It’s one of those books on the rotation that I come back to, but can’t breeze through like others on my “best books 2024 so far” list.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson

Some people love him, and some hate him (or love to hate him?). I personally like hearing different voices and ideas regardless of what the general public may say about a person either way. I’m about half way through this book and while the writing style can be a bit repetitive at times, I’m determined to learn these 12 rules. I’ve even gained some insight around how I want to approach raising boys, which isn’t the point of the book, but was an interesting discovery. Raising children at all is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig, Warren Buffet

I’ll be honest, I’ve been attempting to read this one for a while. It’s dry. It’s big and heavy. I don’t want to cart it around. But I do really want to learn more about money, investing, and creating wealth. So it’s still on my list of books I’m currently working on, even if it’s a bit daunting.

Up next on my 2024 reading list

I don’t know if these are going to turn out to be the best books 2024 has to offer. We’ll see! I’ll update you in a few months how it’s going, but here’s a rough list to start…

• The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Mate and Daniel Mate
• Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
• Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate
• The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

Looking at my list, I realize I need to add more from other genres again! Consider this a work in progress. 😂

Read my other best book lists

I’m hoping to share more of my best book lists with you! I think I’ll break these down into the best books for different niches, goals, and seasons of life.

If you’re a freelancer or copywriter, or exploring the idea of becoming either, this list will be good for you: The Best Copywriting Books for Beginners. Hint: It’s not all copywriting books. Instead, it’s a list of books that have helped me grow my freelance business, as a copywriter first then transitioning to marketing services within my micro-studio, then selling digital products. There’s some mindset, some personal development, some sales, and some copywriting books in the mix.

Best books 2024: Shop my reading list

If you’re searching for the books mentioned above, or any others on my bookshelves, check out my Amazon shop here. This is usually up to date with my favourite books, ones on my TBR list, and other things I love like home office products, etc.