Books I read in 2024 ~

 As a manager I got feedback on my performance daily. It was always exciting to hear everyone else's opinion on how I handled something, expcially when they disagreed with me :-) Each year the person I reported to was required to give me a performance review, which early in my career tended to be "sign this, I have to turn it in today" but got better as I progressed. Toward the end of my career the annual performace review was drifting in to the new-and-improved "hey, did you click the link to acknowledge the performance review email the machine sent you?"

I was always given an opportunity to provide a self-assessment, and for a long time I had no idea what to put in it except that I thought I did great job! Over the years I would add the online courses I took and would list the books that I read through the year, and that seemed to satisfy whoever had the position above me at the time. So it became a habit to share things about what I've been reading at the end of the year.

For now I am continuing that habit in my "retirement". I'm including the fiction books that I read because my mother recently asked me "Do you even read fiction books anymore?" and I didn't have the heart to tell her that I read a little from them almost every night before I go to sleep.

So here's my list of the 19 or so books I've read in 2024:

- The Secret - A Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child
Jack Reacher is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. This book was a fun ride!
https://a.co/d/hYfCBMy

- Safe Enough by Lee Child
Fun set of short stories. All were good!
https://a.co/d/01mjyTK

- The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Good read on ways to slow down and develop my relationship with Jesus.
https://a.co/d/c8Ddc7l

- 1434 by Gavin Menzies
Interesting premise that the Chinese actually gave Europe everything it needed to make the Renaissance happen as they taught the western barbarians the proper way to pay tribute to the Chinese emperer of the world. The author makes a lot of good points and is pretty convincing.
https://a.co/d/diIgxnM

- Doing Life With Your Adult Children by Jim Burns
Now that all four of my children are adults I wanted to check to see if there was something I needed to do differently. I think I'm right on track :-)
https://a.co/d/2sXvxCz

- Dopamine Nation by Anne Lembke
This one was a stretch for me. It talked about addictions and how different people get the dopamine hit that we've been trained to want/need/desire. While I didn't enjoy some of the things talked about I got a lot out of the book and it helped clarify a lot of what is driving people's behavior when it comes to their mobile devices. Good book!
https://a.co/d/f0Arp1D

- Star Trek - Lost To Eternity by Greg Cox
Hadn't read a Star Trek book in quite a while so I thought I'd give this one a try. Good book set in the original series timeframe. I enjoyed it!
https://a.co/d/aU8LClb

- Happier At Home by Gretchen Rubin
I've enjoyed watching Gretchen Rubin develop her media empire with one good book after another. This one had several ideas that I've tried. I love all the background info that she pulls in to explain her points.
https://a.co/d/dKkzmsq

- Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb
Good mystery but tough read due to the shifting perspective from character to character. I got used to the shifting about halfway through the book then really enjoyed it.
https://a.co/d/6FySrxo

- Dream Town by David Baldacci
Another mystery set in the 1950s, this time in Hollywood. I love how Baldacci makes you feel like you're there, though it's weird to think that they smoked as much as he makes it seem.
https://a.co/d/6ubjH0L

- Gambling Man by David Baldacci
Fun mystery set in the 1950s. Good PI character. 2nd book in the series.
https://a.co/d/dbXakZZ

- The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt
I've never had a vehicle with a diesel engine and have always wondered what the big deal about them was. This book was an eye-opener! I learned a lot and enjoyed the book even though I'm not a car guy. Good history!
https://a.co/d/ijoKkSY

- A Killer's Game by Isabella Maldonado
Fun ride through an interesting mystery.
https://a.co/d/d7CHqvF

- The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis
Another book I read to get a feel for Italy and Roma specifically in preparation for travel there. I enjoyed the book AND it helped me get a feel for the city of Rome.
https://a.co/d/9VXQnDj

- Hit Man by Lawrence Block
I was looking for a fun light read. I've read this before and enjoyed again!
https://a.co/d/guQAkOj

- Cold Tuscan Stone by David Wagner
I wanted to read a mystery set in Tuscany to get a feel for the area before travelling there. This book was a great way to get that experience. Good mystery, too.
https://a.co/d/98qcE82

- India Unbound by Das Gurcharon
I've been trying to learn more about India. This book shed a lot of light on things that I had no idea about. Long but good read!
https://a.co/d/gYYxnma

- The Burglar Who Met Frederick Brown by Lawrence Block
I wanted a mystery and have never gone wrong by reaching for a Lawrence Block book. Bernie Rhodenbar is a great character!
https://a.co/d/6DeE2C8

- Front Porch Tales by Philip Gulley
Good stories about different people and things in the author's life. Very heart-warming stuff!
https://a.co/d/130iPPV

And my list wouldn't be complete without recommending my own book:
- Things I've Never Done by David Holly
Something I put together to share myself with the world. Come in and know me better!
https://a.co/d/cnKfVJg

Enjoy!

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#books #2024