Do you set a yearly reading goal? I do and have done so since joining Goodreads in either 2015 or 2016 (I definitely recommend joining that app if you’re a book lover). Each January I choose a number of books I would like to read, plug that into the Reading Challenge part of my Goodreads account, and track my progress on that goal throughout the year. Have I always hit that goal? Um, no. In fact, in all the years of me doing this, I’ve only reached and/or surpassed my goal three times--in 2020, 2023, and this year, 2024.
This year was my best reading year ever (ninety books finished, if you don’t count three of my own books I’ve worked on throughout the year and one for a friend that doesn’t come out until the spring), and I hope to knock out a lot of books this year too, since my “To Be Read” List is… well, never-ending. I’ve already made a list of books I really want to get to this year, and we’ll see if I can stick with it!
Whether you’re an avid bookworm in need of some new recommendations or working on becoming more of a reader this year, I’ve got a bunch of books to share with you today! With the year 2025 in mind, I’ve compiled a few sets of FIVE books that you should consider adding to your TBR list this year, along with a few details about each one.
5 Books/Series I Read in 2024:
1. The Out of Time Series by Nadine Brandes
- YA dystopian
- Intense peril and action
- Very light romance
- Strong Christian themes that have stuck with me all year
2. The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar
- Biblical fiction
- 1st in a new series (book 2 releases fall 2025)
- A fascinating look at cooking in Biblical times
- Tells the story of Esther from a unique perspective
3. Brave by Mesu Andrew
- Biblical fiction
- 1st in a new series (book 2 releases fall 2025)
- Provides a look at what David’s years spent running from Saul might have looked like
4. A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz
- Historical romance
- Less than 200 pages, so perfect for a quick weekend read
- A bookish hero and heroine
- Scottish setting
5. The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano
- Victorian romance
- Female doctor
- Soft-spoken, introverted hero
- Mystery
- Beautiful themes about love, both earthly and heavenly
5 Non-fiction Books to Challenge and Enrich You This Year:
1. The Love Stories of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream
- Examines both healthy and unhealthy examples of love in the Bible, as well as the many different types of love: romantic love, familial love, the love between friends, etc.
2. The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
- Bestselling book on prayer and radical faith
- My husband has read this multiple times and recommends it to everyone!
3. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
- Finding fresh passion for ministry in the midst of burnout
- The inspirational story behind the founding of Brooklyn Tabernacle
4. Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
- The inspiring story of Admiral McRaven’s time in the U.S. military
- Shows how small accomplishments like making your bed can set the tone for your day
5. The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordan and Damon West
- A parable-like story about changing your environment or letting it change you
5 New Releases I’m Excited About:
1. The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz (releasing January 21st)
- Historical romance
- Scottish and Colonial America setting
- Marriage-of-convenience
2. The Fur Trader’s Lady by Gabrielle Meyer (releasing February 10th)
- 1st in a new series
- Scottish hero
- A British lady on the run
- A dangerous journey through the Canadian wilderness
3. As Sure as the Sea by Jamie Ogle (releasing February 11th)
- Ancient fiction
- Early church history
- Inspired by the true story of St. Nikolas
4. Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer (releasing May 20th)
- Historical romance with a time-travel-ish twist
- Fifth in a series (if you haven’t read the other books yet, definitely start from the beginning!)
- A race against time to save Jack the Ripper’s last victim
5. The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White (releasing July 15th)
- World War 2 romance
- Standalone novel
- Inspired by the true story of the Library of Burned Books in Paris
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
