Books I Enjoyed in 2024

I however regret finishing books that didn't excite me at all. And it's not that someone forced me to finish the books. It's just that I have had a tendency to read to the end most books I pick, a whopping blunder.
Next year, I will follow the rule of my friend Joseph Mazzella who once remarked that he doesn't waste precious moments of his life reading a book that isn't entertaining, enlightening or inspiring. So I will be only finishing those books that I'll give a 4- or 5-star rating.
As I wrote a few years ago, I have given a 1-star rating to those books I didn't finish, a 2-star to those I finished but didn't understand, a 3-star to those I understood but didn't captivate me, a 4-star to those that captivated me but not that much, and a 5-star to those that captivated me very much.
Since I have resolved to only finish books that I"ll give a 4- or 5-star rating, it's only right if I mention in this story the ones that captivated me this year. And they weren't many as I am not yet rich enough to shop for numerous books.
First is Immaculee Ilibagiza's Left to Tell. This is a riveting memoir about the author's experiences during the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. As I read Immaculee's account of how God sustained her through every trial, I felt encouraged to trust in divine intervention.
Second is Ben Carson's Think Big. This book reads both like a memoir and self-help book. Written in a plain, natural style we wouldn't expect from a neurosurgeon, the book gave me an idea of the kind of voice I will be seeking in the books I read.
Third is Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I found this book to be well written when I re-read it this year. It has an extraordinary depth and solidity that made me admire the author's knowledge and confidence in his own ideas.
Fourth is Encounters From Africa, an anthology of short stories by African writers. I was pleased, perhaps even elated, when I received a copy of this book which I studied nineteen years ago for my final high school exams. Its stories are rattling good reads.
Fifth is the 2024 Our Daily Bread devotional book. Just like those of previous years, I enjoyed this devotional book. It was written in an empathetic tone that stimulated my faith in God.
Well, I have a weakness of reading devotional books in several sittings instead of studying only one devotion each day for a year as the publishers recommend. Or maybe it's a strength because I still absorb much from the books.
Last but not least is The Butterfly Box, a novel by Santa Montefiore. Though big, it was the most delightful novel by a Western writer that I have ever read. It was also enlightening as it made me know that wealth and sexual attraction do not always lead to satisfying relationships.
Upon finishing the novel, I googled the author's name, went to her website and sent her an email, telling her the novel was one hell of a great read. She wrote back and began her reply with "Dear Thuita". I felt honored to hear from an author of her caliber.
The above books have deepened my love of reading so much that I am now not afraid to be seen having my nose in a book. After all, reading a book is like scrolling a smartphone. Why should I therefore be afraid of holding a book during a get-together?
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RECOMMENDATION: If you've liked the above story on the books I enjoyed in 2024, you might also like another one on the books I read in 2022. Just click on that link in blue to dive straight into the story.
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