What I Read in December
As crazy as it sounds, 2024 has officially come to an end. The second half of this year has been especially hard, but I’m grateful to have had reading as a distraction and self-care habit. I surpassed my yearly reading goal, officially ending with 121 total books read. I’m not sure what my goal for next year will be, but I hope that I end up with as many (or more) 5-star reads that really captured my heart, since this year had so many standouts - I’ll be posting my top Kindle Unlimited reads for the year tomorrow, so be sure to check back for that. The Kindle Unlimited membership definitely helps me read consistently, and there are so many incredible options, with new titles added every week. This month also included a few books that I paid for separately, so keep reading for my final monthly round-up of 2024.
what i read in december
gray after dark by noelle w. ihli
4/5 stars
This is an abduction/ survivalist thriller that jumps right in. It flows well, and there’s lots of suspense without feeling too contrived.
It’s graphic, dark, and emotionally heavy. I don’t find myself to be a particularly sensitive reader, but some scenes were genuinely hard to read so check the TWs first.
I did not know it was loosely based on a true story until the end, which added to its intensity in retrospect.
Overall, it’s little cliche and predictable, but the familiarity reminded me of the early 2000s horror movies. It’s one of the darkest thrillers I’ve read this year, but too unsettling to want to re-read later on.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
she started it by sian gilbert
3/5 stars
This is not the first book to dive into the “revenge on high school mean girls” plot, but it had me legitimately uneasy and anxious as I read. The bullying was difficult to read about, even though you kind of had an idea of what was coming.
Even with five female protagonists, it wasn’t too difficult to keep track of the characters. The chapters switched POVs, which added to the suspense of not knowing who to trust.
The pacing is quick and the tension continues to builds throughout; it’d be a fun winter break read, especially if you’re dreaming of warmer weather.
I guessed the ending/ big twist about 3/4 of the way in, and also found the ending to be a little abrupt and lacking, but still think it’s worth reading if you like these types of thrillers.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
every last word by tamara ireland stone
5/5 stars
I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while, but hesitated because it’s a YA novel and I wasn’t sure how much I could connect to it. The topic of OCD really piqued my interest, and wanting a break from thrillers, I added it to my Kindle once I saw I could read it for free.
This is extremely well-written, and equally heart-wrenching and heartwarming. It’s a very realistic exploration about the complexities of OCD, not this misconstrued “organized labels” generalization that gets thrown around. As someone who struggles with it, I found the book to be relatable, not triggering.
The author did a great job highlighting the dichotomy of being compulsive with words, but also not being able to say what you need to say. One thing I like about reading YA novels as an adult is how they help me see some heavier topics from a clearer point of view, since I obviously have retrospect on high school and can put things into perspective to a certain extent.
It’s sensitive and realistic, but not too heavy. I’m glad I eventually got around to reading it, and would recommend it to those who struggle with or want more insight on OCD.
“Even in July I was dreading August, and finding it hard to be truly happy when the sand was flowing into the bottom half of the hourglass and there was nothing I could do to stop it.” (p. 348)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the 12 week year: get more done in 12 weeks than others do in 12 months by brian p. morgan and michael lennington
5/5 stars
This is a great self-help book that specifically focusing on productivity, goals, and execution. The overview “shrinks” the conventional approach of making big goals, and dividing them up across the year to instead making your goals more specific and tailored to a shortened timeframe, and then fully committing to them for 12 weeks. It might sound counterintuitive or like just another way to break down big goals, but it actually produces results. 12 weeks makes the deadline that much more realistic, and takes away the ability to procrastinate, because each day counts. To put it simply, the 12 week year is how you do things, not another thing you do.
As far as readability goes, you could finish this in a weekend. It’s concise, to the point, and does’t overdo it with the examples. This book is practical and while there’s a lot of sales examples, you can also apply it to life goals like making new friends or getting healthier.
I love self-help books and have read a ton, but every tip I’ve ever read obviously hasn’t stuck with me long-term. There are sections in this book called “Common Pitfalls and Success Tips” that directly address any reasons you’d struggle to implement the program, and I found those tips to be refined, direct, and genuinely beneficial.
I read (or at least skim) this book every year, and highly recommend it. It’s hard to summarize all of its best points in one review, so click here to see how I’ve implemented the approach into my Quarterly Planning Routine.
Favorite quotes:
“You have greater control over your actions than you do your results. Your results are created by your actions. (p. 29)
“With the 12 Week Year, a year is now equivalent to 12 weeks, a month is now a week, and a week is now a day. When you look at it this way, the importance and power of each day becomes even greater.” (p. 31)
“Results are not the attainment of greatness, but simply confirmation of it. You become great long before the results show it. It happens in an instant, the moment you choose to do the things you need to do to be great.” (p. 58)
Read it here.
nightwatching by tracy sierra
4/5 stars
This was quite the book to read on Christmas Eve. It’s a story about a mother who realizes she and her two young children are victims of a home invasion in the middle of a blizzard.
The tension is there from the very first page, and I was fully engrossed in the story right away. I did find the story to drag a little in the middle, or maybe it’s just that I wanted to rush to the ending to see how everything played out.
There’s more than meets the eye with this book; it’s a gripping thriller, but there’s also subtle nods of social commentary included, too.
The characters aren’t named in the book (only the intruder has a nickname), which threw me off a little.
Anything that makes you question your sense of safety makes for a wild thriller, and this was no exception. It’s eerie and reminiscent of the movie “The Strangers” and perfect for a winter night in.
Read it here.
a life impossible: living with als: finding peace and wisdom within a fragile existence by steve gleason
5/5 stars
This is one of the most honest, inspiring, and powerful memoirs I’ve ever read. Written using eye-tracking technology, Gleason shares his life story in full, leaving no stone unturned.
It’s introspective and full of visceral storytelling. Gleason has so many vivid life experiences, and shares lots of high highs and low lows, making the memoir much more layered than I initially expected.
The best memoirs often leave you reflecting on your own life, and this was no exception. This really made me think about my role in relationships, the delicacy of give and take, and the importance of honest communication.
Gleason’s heart and soul are shared on every page, and in my opinion, he completely redefines resiliency and exemplifies the power of perspective.
It was truly a privilege to read this. It’s changed my outlook in many ways, from making meditation a bigger priority in my daily life, to finding more patience and focusing on approaching life with the perspective of gratitude.
Favorite quotes:
“Be passionately committed, and completely unattached.” (p. 7)
“Life became a dance with change and loss. I would lose abilities, we would adapt; I would lose more abilities, we would adapt. Each loss forced us to develop new routines.” (p. 166)
“My body is a prison. I face insurmountable adversity each day, yet my family and I are able to survive and live within this miraculous, wonderful life. I have learned to accept things that are out of my control, to transform suffering into strength. I move through fear to discover the extraordinary on the other side. We all face the impossible at some point in our lives. By exploring acceptance, love, and the power of the human spirit, I recognize the innate peace in the midst of chaos. There is light in the darkness. The light within all of us. Every day. Every precious moment. I know it. I live it.” (p. 10)
“ALS is a training ground for wanting only what you have. As you have less, you must learn to want less. You must find new creative ways to explore and expand.” (p. 190)
“Life gets ugly at times, so when we have the chance to do something amazing in the midst of ugly, go for it.” (p. 231)
Read it here.
finding me: a memoir of radical honesty and self-discovery by viola davis
5/5 stars
It always feels strange and counterintuitive to review a memoir; I think everyone’s truth is their own and releasing a memoir is such a vulnerable process that reviewing it feels a little out-of-bounds.
That said, this was captivating and I finished it in a day. You’re used to seeing Viola be a storyteller on the screen, but she’s equally as gifted at bringing her story to the page, too.
Themes include privilege, struggle, and self-discovery. From growing up in a large family to creating her own path as an actress, you get a first-hand look at the paths Viola has walked to recognize who she is in the moment - not in juxtaposition to her past or any limitations.
I wish I had listened to the audiobook version of this, as it is narrated by Viola herself and has incredible reviews.
Favorite quotes:
“My biggest discovery was that you can literally re-create your life. You can redefine it. You don't have to live in the past. I found that not only did I have fight in me, I had love.” (p. 225)
“Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a different past. They tell you successful therapy is when you have the big discovery that your parents did the best they could with what they were given.” (p. 230)
“I now understand that life, and living it, is more about being present. I'm now aware that the not-so-happy memories lie in wait; but the hope and the joy also lie in wait.” (p. 287)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the silent patient by alex michaelides
4/5 stars
This is one of those books that always intrigued me but I never got around to reading. When my little cousin raved about it while she was out visiting last month, I knew I needed to stop procrastinating and read it.
With all the hype surrounding it, I wouldn’t say that it exceeded my expectations, but it’s a really good, really compelling thriller that I couldn’t put down. The plot is unique, and the twists aren’t easy to predict.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the author’s writing style. There’s detail, but it doesn’t feel overwritten, and the pacing is great throughout. I like how the author sprinkled in Greek mythology and also included some background on psychiatry.
I can see where it fell short for some readers, but if you love psychological thrillers, this is definitely worth checking out.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
can’t hurt me: master your mind and defy the odds by david goggins
5/5 stars
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I was grateful to end the year on a positive note. It’s a self-help book meets autobiography. Goggins is brutally honest about his life and upbringing, and uses personal anecdotes to share advice we can all learn from.
This is all about accountability, pushing your limits, mindset, and resiliency. It may seem harsh to some, but everything is well-intentioned and anyone could benefit from reading this.
One thing to note is that Goggins goes 150% all-in on his goals, which is respectable but may not be realistic for those who have family to care for. Yes, he fits a lot of marathon training around his speaking, but his personal relationships suffered at times. It showed me that we have to be strict and transparent about our priorities, and that we cannot prioritize everything 24/7, but pushing some responsibilities to the backseat temporarily can allow us to evolve and show up better later on, kind of like a slingshot.
Favorite quotes:
“Life experience, especially negative experiences, help callous the mind. But it's up to you where that callous lines up. If you choose to see yourself as a victim of circumstance into adulthood, that callous will become resentment that protects you from the unfamiliar. It will make you too cautious and untrusting, and possibly too angry at the world. It will make you fearful of change and hard to reach, but not hard of mind.” (p. 136)
“It’s up to you to go back through your past and make peace with yourself by facing those incidents and all of your negative influences, and accepting them as weak spots in your own character. Only when you identify and accept your weaknesses will you finally stop running from your past. Then those incidents can be used more efficiently as fuel to become better and grow stronger.” (p. 147)
“Sadly, most of us give up when we've only given around 40 percent of our maximum effort. Even when we feel like we've reached our absolute limit, we still have 60 percent more to give! That's the governor in action! Once you know that to be true, it's simply a matter of stretching your pain tolerance, letting go of your identity and all your self-limiting stories, so you can get to 60 percent, then 80 percent and beyond without giving up. I call this The 40% Rule, and the reason it's so powerful is that if you follow it, you will unlock your mind to new levels of performance and excellence in sports and in life, and your rewards will run far deeper than mere material success.” (p. 210)
“Your entitled mind is dead weight. Cut it loose. Don't focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim on what you are willing to earn!” (p. 323)
Read it here.
never finished: unshackle your mind and win the war within by david goggins
4/5 stars
After obsessing over his first book, I had to read David Goggins’ second release. While I prefer the first overall, this one is really good, too. It’s more focused on his fitness training and overcoming medical setbacks, whereas his first book was more focused on his childhood and taking control of his life.
I will say, one thing that stood out to me while reading this was the notion that emotional trauma can manifest physically if not addressed. There’s no doubt Goggins has shown how much more you can accomplish when you don’t settle, but there comes a point where if you’re pushing yourself into extreme medical emergencies, you may need to learn to distinguish excuses that facilitate self-sabotage from a legitimate need to stop. This may go back to his principles One Minute Decision and Hard Stop, which are addressed in the book and seem to be a life-long journey.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Denial is self-protecting, but it's also self-limiting. Accepting your full truth, including all your faults, imperfections, and missteps, allows you to evolve, expand your possibilities, seek redemption, and explore your true potential. And until you unpack your baggage, it will be impossible to know what your potential really is. The whole truth can't haunt you if it serves you.” (p. 37)
“By learning to maximize what you do have, you will not only level the playing field but also surpass those born with more natural ability and advantages than you. Let your hours become days, then weeks, then years of effort. Allow discipline to seep into your cells until work becomes a reflex as automatic as breathing. With discipline as your medium, your life will become a work of art.” (p. 127)
“Those who learn to adapt survive and thrive. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Get strategic. Attack the problem. When you adapt, you will begin to see everything that comes your way as a stepping stone on your progression toward a higher plane.” (p. 136)
“Whatever happens to us in life, we must aim to keep things net positive. When you have a shitty day, it's tempting to call it an early night and try to forget about it, but if you go to bed in the red, chances are you'll wake up that way, and all too often, that type of negativity snowballs. When your entire day is fucked up, make sure that you achieve something positive before lights out. You'll probably have to stay up a bit later to read, study, get a workout in, or clean the house. Whatever it takes to go to bed in the black, get it done. That's how you stay net positive on the day to day, and when that becomes automatic, it will be so much easier to see any emotional tripwires coming, which will help you strategize around them.” (p. 193)
Read it here.
