I am the world’s worst gift giver. Truly, I come up blank every single time.
Unless it’s a book. I’m an author! Of course, I love to give books.
And, in our home, the traditional half-birthday gift is a book.
So, in honor of both my kids and my husband’s half-birthdays, all of which I missed last week whilst in Nashville celebrating year-end with some fellow speakers and authors, I give you my annual Books of the Year list—titles that have inspired me, challenged me, and kept me up at night
I encourage you this year to add some books to your holiday gift list. Why books? Because there’s no better gift than one that nudges us to think bigger, dig deeper, or dream brighter. Whether it’s a novel that stirs the soul or a non-fiction gem that challenges the mind, books have a way of shaping who we are and where we’re going. It’s my way of saying, Here’s a little push toward your next chapter.
Books are like handpicked mentors, adventure guides, and windows into new worlds, all wrapped in a cover. This year, I read dozens of incredible books, but a few truly stood out—ones that not only entertained but also moved the needle in how I think, feel, and show up in the world.
So, without further ado, here are my favorite books from 2024:
- How to Menopause by Tamsen Fadal — Because I am a woman of a certain age.
- Rethinking Two Weeks’ Notice by Robert Glazer — Because I geek out about all things work.
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — Because I care about people in my life who have anxiety.
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl — Because everyone has told me to read this forever, and they were right.
- Becoming Coachable by Osman, Lane, and Goldsmith — Because we all need to be coached.
- The Formula by Robinson and Clegg — Because putting together world class teams is an art.
- The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker — Because putting together world class relationships in an art, too.
- Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk — Because attention is the future.
- Burn Book by Kara Swisher — Because sharp wit is my jam.
- Think Remarkable by Guy Kawasaki — Because it’s no longer okay just to be okay.
- The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee — Because we are better together.
- The Outlier Magazine — Because short, punchy magazine stories are snackable.
- Pretty Powerful Girl Coloring Book — Because there is a young girl in your life who is looking in the mirror and already hating what she sees, and you need to change that for her ASAP.
Beyond this year’s 2024 Favorites (which are gold, if I do say so myself), I also have an All-Time Favorites list for the truly devoted book nerds. It’s my personal treasure trove of literary magic—books that have moved me, shaped me, and stuck with me over the years. Plus, there are book lists from the past several years there too. Because I’m not just *a* nerd, I’m *your* nerd.
Also, mark your calendars for these books I’m excited about in Q1 2025:
- Let Them by Mel Robbins – Because Mel was kind enough to blurb Wonderhell and say “Lucky for you, Laura Gassner Otting is here” and one good turn deserves another
- Make a Scene by Mike Ganino – Because my speaking coach should be your speaking coach.
- Shatterproof by Dr. Tasha Eurich – Because resilience isn’t the answer we all thought it was.
