413: Lindsey & Evie’s Favorite Books of 2024

Summary

The Heart & Hustle Podcast
Episode: 413
Title: Lindsey & Evie’s Favorite Books of 2024
Release Date: December 24, 2024

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Introduction

In Episode 413 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman dive into their top book recommendations for 2024. Aimed at creative entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers, this episode provides a curated list of both fiction and non-fiction titles that the hosts found impactful and inspiring throughout the year. Their discussions are filled with personal anecdotes, insightful critiques, and heartfelt endorsements, making this episode a treasure trove for avid readers seeking their next great read.

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Top Book Recommendations

1. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

[06:14] Evie McLeod
Evie begins the book segment by sharing her long-standing intention to read Mere Christianity, a classic by C.S. Lewis. Although typically falling outside her usual genre preferences, she decided to challenge herself by delving into this foundational work on Christian faith.

Description:
Mere Christianity is a profound exploration of Christian theology, distilled from a series of radio talks Lewis delivered during World War II. The book presents a logical case for belief in God, outlines Christian virtues, and explains key doctrines such as the Trinity and the Incarnation. It emphasizes the transformative power of a Christ-centered life and aims to unify core Christian beliefs across denominations.

[07:56] Evie McLeod
Evie praises the book's depth and accessibility, noting, "It's rich and engaging," and highlights its conversational tone, which stems from its origins as radio talks.

Notable Quote:
"If you're a believer, read it. If you're not a believer and you want to understand what God is, this book is a must." [09:35]

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2. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

[10:02] Lindsey Roman
Lindsey introduces All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot, initially mistaking it for a work of pure fiction. She expresses her emotional connection with the book, describing how the narrative left her wanting more even after finishing it.

Description:
This heartwarming memoir chronicles the life of a young veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s and 1940s. Herriot shares his adventures in treating farm animals and pets, capturing the quirks of the local farmers and townsfolk. The book is celebrated for its humor, touching stories, and vivid portrayal of rural life, highlighting the bond between humans and animals.

[11:39] Evie McLeod
Evie challenges Lindsay’s initial skepticism and affirms the book’s richness, stating, "It's such a rich story."

Notable Quote:
"Men seldom do. For when women are the advisors, the lords of creation, don't take the advice till they have persuaded them that it is just what they intended to do." [35:28]

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3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

[29:18] Evie McLeod
Evie presents Little Women by Louisa May Alcott as her third favorite book of the year. Although initially struggling to engage with the classic, she eventually found a deeper connection by reading an abridged version with her children.

Description:
Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate growing up in Civil War-era New England. Each sister has distinct dreams and challenges, from Meg’s desire for a conventional life to Jo’s aspirations to become a writer. The novel explores themes of personal growth, family bonds, love, and ambition, all woven with Alcott’s signature wit and poetic prose.

[33:23] Lindsey Roman
Lindsey echoes Evie’s sentiments, highlighting Alcott’s wit and the book’s profound impact: "The writing is so rich and funny."

Notable Quote:
"If you don't act on her advice, you give her half the credit if it succeeds and all the blame if it fails." [35:28]

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4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

[19:39] Lindsey Roman
Evie introduces Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, a science fiction novel that captivated her and Evie during long road trips. She particularly recommends the audiobook version for its enhanced storytelling.

Description:
Project Hail Mary is an interstellar adventure featuring Ryland Grace, the sole survivor of a last-chance mission to save humanity and Earth from an extinction-level threat. Awakening millions of miles from home with no memory of his mission, Ryland must navigate space, solve complex scientific mysteries, and confront the possibility of an unknown threat—all while grappling with isolation and survival.

[20:22] Lindsey Roman
Lindsey emphasizes the audiobook’s dramatization, enhancing the listening experience: "There are elements that are significantly enhanced by listening to the audiobook version."

Notable Quote:
"An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver." [22:03]

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5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

[46:25] Lindsey Roman
Evie discusses Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, highlighting its impact on her financial mindset and its engaging storytelling approach to personal finance.

Description:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad contrasts the financial philosophies of two father figures—the "poor dad," representing traditional views on money such as saving and job security, and the "rich dad," who advocates for wealth building through investments, entrepreneurship, and financial education. The book underscores the importance of acquiring income-generating assets over liabilities and promotes financial literacy as a pathway to independence.

[48:09] Evie McLeod
Evie underscores the book’s life-changing potential: "It's quite literally life-changing if you apply 100% what he teaches."

Notable Quote:
"For every asset you acquire, there's a liability waiting to drain your resources." [48:12]

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Honorable Mentions

Both hosts extend their recommendations with additional titles that didn't make their top five lists but are still worth reading.

Evie McLeod's Honorable Mentions:

• Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Habits of a Household by Justin Whitmell
• The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
• Lovely War by Julie Berry

Lindsey Roman's Honorable Mentions:

• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
• The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis
• The Holy Spirit by Bill Johnson
• Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elizabeth Elliot
• The Names of God by Marilyn Hickey

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Conclusion

Episode 413 serves as a comprehensive guide to the best reads of 2024, blending classic literature with contemporary gems across various genres. Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman provide thoughtful analysis and personal reflections that not only highlight the essence of each book but also illustrate how these works have influenced their personal and professional lives. Whether you're seeking spiritual growth, financial wisdom, or simply a captivating story, this episode offers something for every reader. Tune in to discover new favorites and enrich your reading list for 2025.

Notable Closing Quote:
"We just can't shut up about books, and we're glad to share our passion with you." [60:13]

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Enjoyed this summary? Dive deeper into the discussions and more actionable tips by tuning into The Heart & Hustle Podcast. Let Evie and Lindsey inspire your next literary adventure!

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. We are your hosts, Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman. Thank you so much for coming to another episode and tuning in.

[B]

Now, if you're not tuning in on video, you really should be. Because if we're laughing, it's because we were cracking up before we started recording. Because at the moment, Lindsay was holding a book because she's.

[A]

We wanted props for this because it felt appropriate.

[B]

She's gonna read it. So let me actually back up. We're gonna talk about some of our favorite books.

[A]

You probably gathered that from the title. If you clicked on this episode of.

[B]

20 and Lindsay was going to read a quote from one of her favorite books of the year, which was.

[A]

Well, we.

[B]

We're not gonna spoil it.

[A]

I won't say that.

[B]

How are you gonna give the hilarity of what's happening in this moment without.

[A]

It's a classic. I'll say that.

[B]

Okay. It's a classic.

[A]

It's something that normally Evie would read and has read multiple times. And this was 2024 was the first year Lindsay dived into this classic.

[B]

And I'm over here holding one of the books that's on my list that is normally very much out of my genre. And it feels very wrong.

[A]

It's like a sci fi.

[B]

Sci fi space, like adventure, fantasy, adventure.

[A]

And so we were just laughing because you would think that the genres that we're holding right now would be flipped. Yes. Because normally they. Well, actually, I don't. I've never read sci fi, but like it just modern vibes of, you know, adventure, death.

[B]

The vibes feel wrong. Flipped.

[A]

But alas, 2024 was a year of growth. Yes. For everyone involved.

[B]

Yes. 100. So we're going to talk through some of our favorite books. It's a mix of fiction and non fiction. And if we do this, we've started.

[A]

Making this kind of a tradition. We've done it for the last three years, I believe. Yeah. And so, yeah, if you love reading. If you want to know what our favorite books are from this year, buckle up. It's going to be a girl chat and a good time. And hopefully you will get some reading recommendations for 2025.

[B]

Let's get started. If we asked a room full of people this question, we are sure just about every hand in the room would be raised, ours included. Whether it's in your business, in motherhood, school, or even your marriage, there are moments when we all feel like we are filled with doubt and inadequacy. So if you're feeling this way ain't alone, my friend. We are here to help you reframe the thought patterns in your life to live in freedom and enjoy. Download our free guide to smashing that imposter [e-mail] imposter. Hey.

[A]

Hey. I'm Lindsay Roman.

[B]

And I'm Evie McLeod. And we are family and legacy focused serial entrepreneurs and the founders of the Heart University, a business education company with a mission to help you thrive in your business and life.

[A]

Welcome to our entrepreneur cocktail hour where business and marketing strategies meet faith, real talk and raw in life changing conversations.

[B]

At the end of the day, we are all in this together, figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs, the messy and the beautiful and everything in between. This is a community where you can come as you are, get inspired and walk away equipped to build a legacy filled life.

[A]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. Let's talk about books.

[B]

Let's talk about books. We actually, when we are outlining this, we brought up how many books we had read. Do you remember my comment?

[A]

Yeah, no, guys, this is hysterical. Okay, so normally we both read somewhere in the 70s range, maybe to 100. So it just varies on the year. Yeah, I'm. I think I'm currently, we're recording this on December 18th, so we're. We're almost there. I think I'm at 78, which is less than last year. I think last year was 95. And Evie just had an entire. Just tell them what you said, please.

[B]

Well, keep in mind this has been years and years and years that I've read that many books. And this year I was like, I've read nothing. This year when we started outlining this and Lindsay was like, how many did you read? I don't even remember my. What. What numbers am I?

[A]

I think you were like, I've only read 45 books. And I was like, evelyn, that's a lot more than the norm. Just because it's not as high as your norm.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, you've had a little bit of a year. You. You get some grace.

[B]

I will say also, I have been reading a lot more of my Bible.

[A]

So, like, that counts as like 10.

[B]

And I've been listening to a lot more sermons versus audiobooks.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So, like, I really think both of those have contributed to like my drop 100%. But I literally feel like I've read nothing. I feel like I have nothing to contribute to.

[A]

45 books is nothing, folks.

[B]

Okay, well, let's.

[A]

You heard it here first. If you've read 30 books. You've read negative nothing you've read.

[B]

You literally don't belong in the reading community.

[A]

We are being sarcastic if that was not clear 100%. We're making fun of Evie for having read a lot of books and calling it nothing.

[B]

I really feel like I read nothing.

[A]

Okay, anyway, so we're gonna bop back and forth. We did not. So these are our top five books of the year, fiction and nonfiction. I really want to make a fiction list and a nonfiction list because I couldn't decide and Evie was like, no, I've only read 45.

[B]

So if I'm going to give a five star recommendation to like five books, I. I can only do that to about five books this year.

[A]

Fair. Fair.

[B]

Or a little more.

[A]

We do have an honorable. Honorable mentions list, but we're going to bop back and forth sharing our top five. They are in no particular order. It's not like I'm starting with like my top top book of the year or the fifth book of the year and going it's just.

[B]

Or fiction versus non fiction.

[A]

I think we just genuinely wrote them down in the order that we thought of them. That we thought of them. I was about to say I read them, but I actually that's not true. So it's just random.

[B]

All right, book number one.

[A]

All right, so mine is a book that I have wanted to read forever. The fact that I haven't read it yet is not maybe embarrassing, but just like. Well, that could apply to this whole list maybe a little bit. It's a book that has been on my list forever. And I in general, you're going to see this theme throughout my list this year. I wanted to challenge myself. I really love fiction and I love like more modern fiction. And I really wanted to challenge myself without making it it too much of like a rule. Because if I make it too much of a rule, then I won't read because then reading becomes boring. Right. Like if you just try to do.

[B]

Like a chore too hard things.

[A]

Yeah. So I wanted to read some classics and I really wanted to read C.S. lewis. And I did that. I didn't do it like a ton, but I still did it. And so number one on my list is Mere Christianity by C.S. lewis.

[B]

So good.

[A]

Have not read that yet. Until this year. It actually was a book club pick for my members, my insider's membership. So that's always a good rule if I am trying to. Well, they voted on it, so it wasn't fooling me. But I put it on the options. Options list. But it's great when like you have a book club situation, if a classic or, or something that is just like, maybe less quote unquote fun because it's not like fiction to read. Although this was a wild time. It was so great. So this book is so good. It was so good. So also another year of this episode being like, Lindsay finds a revolutionary book. And Evie's like, I've read that 10 years ago.

[B]

I've read that book like 10, 15 times. Exactly.

[A]

So that's why it's not on her list. It's on my list because it was a revolutionary book.

[B]

Today.

[A]

Not today, this year. Okay, I'm gonna read what it's about. If everyone's like, what are you talking about? You probably know what I'm talking about. But in case you don't. Mere Christianity by C.S. lewis is a clear and logical exploration of Christian faith. Distilled from a series of radio talks during World War II. Lewis presents a rational case for belief in God, outlines Christian virtues and explains key doctrines like the Trinity, the Incarnation, the salvation through Christ. Sorry. And salvation through Christ. The book emphasizes the transformative power of living in a Christ centered life and seeks to focus on the core beliefs shared by Christians across denominations, avoiding divisive theological debates. It serves as both an introduction to Christianity and a guide to deepening faith. That's. That's pretty clear. That sounds boring when I just read that.

[B]

It's so rich.

[A]

Yeah, rich is the perfect word for it. It's.

[B]

It's engaging.

[A]

It's engaging and it blew my freaking mind. And I also.

[B]

So in a way that like when you're read reading, you literally have these.

[A]

Like mind blowing explosives like highlighted so many.

[B]

How. How did you say that so well and so clearly. Yeah, it's so good.

[A]

Also, if anybody's like has a hard time getting into more classics or like more books that are not written in like a modern language, because he took this book from radio talks for like to soldiers in World War II. It's. He obviously changes a little bit and even prefaces that at the beginning. I think at least in my copy of like I Refined, he basically says like, I refine some things because like the vernacular of how you talk.

[B]

Vernacular.

[A]

Yeah, whatever that word is. That's what I meant to say. Like he basically said I made it a slightly more formal for the book. But even still it definitely reads very easily conversational because it was given originally in a verbal format which I'm like, did that just spew out of his Mind. Or did he, like, write it and.

[B]

Then CS Lewis is genuinely, like, brilliant.

[A]

So you think this book would just, like. He was just like. No, I think just, like, doing now. No, it's as if the dialogue that we were saying right now would be turned into, like, a class.

[B]

I mean, I think he prepared for a radio presentation, but at the same time, like, yeah, hit that man's mind.

[A]

So. Brilliant.

[B]

Brilliant.

[A]

Anyways, if you are a believer, read it. If you're not a believer and you want to. If you're curious and you want to, like, know what is this God that everyone's so, you know, talking about, read it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Mind blowing. It's so good. It. It explains a lot of. Kind of, like, the tenants of Christianity in a brilliant way.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyways, read it.

[B]

I love it. Okay. My first book on my list is. And I can't believe I haven't read this yet. This is. This was my book that I was like, how have I not read this before? Because I've heard of it for so long.

[A]

I've never heard of it, so I'm excited. Maybe I have seen the COVID Or maybe not.

[B]

It's so good. It's so good.

[A]

It.

[B]

Like. It. It's so good. Okay, so it's All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriet. I genuinely. When the book. You know, when a book ends and you, like, want to cry because you are so sad that the book is over and you wanted it to continue going forever.

[A]

Like, you weren't actively crying because of the content or.

[B]

I mean, I was, like, tearing up a little bit because it, like, you.

[A]

Just mean that you wanted to.

[B]

The emotional heartbreak of ending a book that was so good. Like, that this book was so good. And then after I ended it and I was, like, so devastated that the experience was over, I discovered that he has several more, and I was like, thank God.

[A]

Fiction, Nonfiction. Give me some information.

[B]

It's fiction. Okay, let me read the description.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot is a heartwarming memoir of a young veterinarian.

[A]

Memoir? That's not fiction.

[B]

It's written just like fiction. It is a. It's written, like, as if it's fiction.

[A]

It's his memoir.

[B]

He's changed his name.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

But.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But it was written by a vet about his own experience that he, like, turned into.

[A]

Sorry, I won't interrupt you. Now go.

[B]

A heartwarming memoir of a young veterinarian's life in the Yorkshire Dales of England, set in the 1930s and 1940s the book chronicles Harriet's adventures treating both farm animals and beloved pets, while capturing the quirks of the farmers and the townsfolk he encounters. Through humorous, touching, and sometimes challenging stories, Harriet paints a vivid portrait of rural life and the bond between human and animals, all with a mix of wit and compassion. It's a timeless celebration of kindness, resilience, and the joys of simple living. Are you laughing? Because this is my book. This is right up my alley.

[A]

People need to be watching this on YouTube, that's for sure. Then the second that you got to like, adventure treating both farmland animals and beloved pets, my face went like, you have to. Is it like a Charlotte's Web situation where they talk to him?

[B]

No.

[A]

Oh, that's what that sounded like. Through humorous touching and that. How is this interesting? Please enlighten us. I would love to know.

[B]

I don't know how to tell you that. It's literally the story. Okay. Imagine Anne of Green Gables.

[A]

Like, the writing is good.

[B]

The writing is phenomenal. I was literally laughing out loud.

[A]

The characters are the animals characters.

[B]

No, the people are. He's a vet.

[A]

He just. That description just took me on a whole. I thought it was, like, Anne of Green. Not Anna. I thought it was Charlotte's Web, where they would, like, talk to her.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no.

[A]

Okay. It's.

[B]

It's. Imagine a fictional book about a vet who is taking care of animals, whatever. And all the farmers are like, he's engaging with all this farm community who's like, we know the best thing to do. You don't know anything. And he's, like, trying to. It's like, I genuinely don't know how to explain it.

[A]

I'll take your word for it.

[B]

I don't know how to possibly. You are doubting me so hard that I don't know how to hate that. This book was one of the best books I've read in a long time.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[B]

The characters, their depth, their humor.

[A]

I think that description doesn't do it for me, but I'll trust you. Like, you know how else to, like.

[B]

Pull up a different description?

[A]

I'd say. I think that just sounds like a boring time, but I. I could. I could see how, like, it could be a rich story with good writing.

[B]

It's such a rich story.

[A]

Okay. Yeah.

[B]

I don't know how else to explain, because I'm like, I literally don't know.

[A]

That's what it's about.

[B]

It is literally about a vet talking to farmers, his adventures, his. His life treating animals who are, you know, Some of them, like, literally on the verge of death.

[A]

Does he fall in love? Does somebody click him, die?

[B]

I can't spoil anything.

[A]

Is there anything of interest in his life?

[B]

100%.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

100%. I can't spoil.

[A]

But that's the plot.

[B]

I can't. Well, but I don't want to, like.

[A]

Okay, that's fair. Because the trust, Debbie.

[B]

Guys, the plot is, like, his journey to becoming a vet, going into this rural community where they, like, don't like outsiders and, like, trying to build trust with them.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But then there is a ton of stuff that goes on around it. Maybe some romance, maybe some friendships, maybe some other stuff that, like.

[A]

I'm intrigued now.

[B]

Okay. Finally, I won her over. For those who have read this book, you understand my uphill battle in this moment trying to change her mind. But you. I literally need this to go on, like, your 2025 goal. Reading, like that needs to be one of the books that you read, because it is so me.

[A]

Are you talking to me?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

All Creatures Great and Small. Okay.

[B]

Yes. I put it off forever because the description didn't do it for me either.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I was like, I know. I'd heard of the book forever, and every time I would look at it, I was like, you're like, oh, wow.

[A]

A vet talking to farmers. That sounds so thrilling.

[B]

Something just, like, didn't like, like, engage me until I saw somebody on Reddit, like, describe it, and he was like, the description of the. The, like, area, like, the locations and the scenery and the relationships and the depths of, like, whatever. He was, like, going on about it, and I was like, wait, now I'm intrigued.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then I literally. It was one of the best books I've read in a long time.

[A]

So.

[B]

Great.

[A]

When was it written?

[B]

I believe he read it, wrote it, wrote it in the 70s.

[A]

Like, so is it. Would you consider it in the classics category or is it just more of an older book? I don't know, but it's not on, like, the level of, like, I would.

[B]

Almost put it in the classics, but not, like, 1800s classics, obviously. Right. But, like, because it's set in the 30s, like, 39, 40, and he wrote it about his own experience, like, year still, like, now, like, 50 plus years ago. I would still consider it somewhat in the classics.

[A]

Yeah. What, does the COVID do it for me? Or is that. Am I not gonna be.

[B]

Lindsay's really doubting me? Probably not. Then it's a dog.

[A]

Okay? There's just a dog.

[B]

There's a whole TV show made out of it.

[A]

Oh, that's precious.

[B]

With multiple. Multiple seasons.

[A]

There's many different variations of the COVID Yeah, that one is just. That's exactly what. That's exactly what. If anybody's looking at this, that. That one right there, that's exactly what I picture when I. When I heard her read that description.

[B]

Okay, well.

[A]

Okay, I'll stop pooping on your. I believe.

[B]

Don't listen to Lindsay.

[A]

No, I believe you. I believe you. It's gonna be a great time. I'll put it on my list.

[B]

Okay, good.

[A]

Great.

[B]

That's all I needed.

[A]

Perfect. All right, moving on. For my number two again, no particular order, this one, we're gonna go to my norm, which is, like, contemporary romance. Okay, so we're.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

We're back in Lindsay's norm land. This was probably my favorite of that category. So, like, fiction, romance, modern, contemporary. I think this was, like, the top. It was just for the summer by Abby Jimenez. I love her writing.

[B]

She.

[A]

In general, all of her books. I think she. There's. There's little bits of spice, but, like, not. It's not smut, in my opinion. So. Little bit. Little bit, little bit. And her. Her love stories have such depth to them. Like. Like, there's. Usually. It's not literary fiction, but there's a lot going on in the character's lives other than just like, oh, I'm just falling in love with this man or this woman. Okay, so let me read the description. The story follows Emma, a traveling nurse, and Justin, a man convinced he's cursed. Every woman he dates, finds her soulmate immediately after they break up. After connecting online and discovering they share the same quote unquote curse, they decide to date each other. As an experiment to break the cycle, Emma temporarily relocates to Minnesota with her best friend to give plant a shot. While their summer arrangement begins lightheartedly, deeper emotions develop as they confront personal baggage. Emma's troubled relationship with her mother and Justin's sudden responsibility of becoming a guardian to his younger siblings due to his mother's legal troubles.

[B]

This is giving away so much.

[A]

Eh, kind of. I. I don't know. It's just the synopsis. Let me. Let me just maybe read. Yeah, no, it's good. The connection grows as they navigate these complexities, challenging their initial assumption that their relationship is just temporary. The book balances humor, emotional depth, and heartfelt romance. Oh, maybe ChatGPT wrote. If I couldn't find a good summary online, we. We threw it into ChatGPT. I can't remember if I did this one or not. Anyways, the book balances humor, emotional depth, and heartfelt romance, making it an engaging read that touches on serious issues while maintaining the charm of a summer love story. Okay, so I feel like. What's that, Mo? I feel like it. If you just read the synopsis of, like, the concept of, like, oh, everybody I date goes on to immediately find their. Their soulmate after me. What's that movie? Is it good luck, Chuck?

[B]

I have no idea.

[A]

You.

[B]

I'm not the person.

[A]

Yeah, no, I wouldn't. But, like, that story's been done before in movies or stories of just like, the concept of. Of like, oh, you're cursed because you. You're never anybody's soulmate, but like, the.

[B]

They always said right before.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. And so if you just think of that, I, like, roll my eyes at that concept. I'm like, that's so stupid. Like, obviously you're not. Like, that's just happenstance. Yeah, but I'm glad I didn't let. Like, that just preconceived, like, that's. That is the plot. Like, that's what gets them to start dating each other, to, like, cancel out their quote, unquote curses. Even though it's. That's. It's just stupid. But it's like the richness of the actual storyline. I think in my review for this book, I was like, what is. What is that called when it's like, if he. If he would.

[B]

If he wanted to, he would.

[A]

If he wanted to, he would. Justin, the guy in this book, prime prime example, ladies, if he wanted you, he would. It is Chef's kiss. I. I bawled so hard. So hard. Aw. Good time.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

Good time.

[B]

Okay. My second book, also in no particular order, of course, is Project Hail Mary.

[A]

This was. If you're watching on YouTube, this was the book she was holding.

[B]

Yeah, this is the sci fi.

[A]

In the intro.

[B]

The sci Fi book that I was actually holding in the intro. It's by Andy Weir. I want to say, before I get into the description, Landon and I listened to it on audiobook on a couple of our drives, like, long road trips this year, and I was so glad I did. I had heard a couple of people say that, like, this book is incredible, but it is made even more incredible by the audiobook version. And I was so glad that I listened to that because without giving any spoilers, there are elements to the story that are significantly enhanced by listening to.

[A]

It on audio version, a dramatized version where there's, like, sound effects, like, because those are Actual audiobooks where it's like. Almost like a movie, but without the dramatized version.

[B]

But there is a reason that the audio is better.

[A]

Oh, does like a robot talk or something?

[B]

I can't say.

[A]

Or something like that? I know nothing. So that's just my guess.

[B]

I can't say. But if you really want to read this book and you enjoy audiobooks, you will love the audio version of this one. So I would personally highly recommend that over reading it. If you like audiobooks. Okay.

[A]

We love.

[B]

Okay, I'll give the description. Ryland Grace is the sole survivor of a desperate last chance mission. And if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish. Except that right now he doesn't know that he can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time, and he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home with nothing but two corpses for company. His crewmate's dead. His memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hustling through space in this tiny hurtling. Oh, hurtling apologies. Hurtling.

[A]

Hustling through space.

[B]

Welcome to the Heart and Hustling podcast. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship. It is up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery and conquer an extinction level threat to our species. And with the clock clicking down and the nearest human being light years away, he's got to do it all alone. Or does he? An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver. Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival the Martian while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

[A]

Okay, so it's not a robot. This is my guess. It's an alien. That's obvious. Guys, that's gotta be what's happening. I know nothing about the story. That's. It has to be. He talks. Cause he's in a. Oh, I could see how that would be interesting. Like, if an alien. I'm just. Again, this is me speculating. An alien's like tapping on this. Well, wait, no. Is the spaceship movie. So wait. I'm so sorry. He's the sole survivor on a desperate last chance mission. So does he wake up in a spaceship and he doesn't even know how he got there? Yeah, he doesn't even know. Is he not an astronaut?

[B]

I'm not saying anything else. Oh, you have to read the book, because when you start the book, that.

[A]

One actually grabbed me Ladies and gentlemen, unlike all creatures, we own that book. Somehow I think I thrifted it for Andrew.

[B]

But when you, when you start the book, you don't know what's going on. So you have to figure out with him as he's trying to remember what's happening and how he got to where he is.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It is so good. It is. It was a long audiobook. I can't remember exactly how long. I believe it was at least like 11 hours, if not like 16. Add it to my Libby and it was phenomenal. My husband, who usually does not focus very well for very long on audiobooks. Like normally on a drive he can listen for like maybe 30 minutes to an hour. And then he's like tapped out. He's like, I'm not paying attention anymore. We, we were both locked in. Like he was fully locked in on this audiobook. It was so good.

[A]

I'm so surprised that the housemaid didn't make your list of you.

[B]

Really?

[A]

That was that this year?

[B]

Can I. Yes. Or the end of last year?

[A]

Please just tell that story real fast.

[B]

Okay, so speaking of long road trips and trying to find audiobooks. Right. Landon and I were trying to find.

[A]

There's no audiobook option on Libby.

[B]

Oh, no, you're going to have to buy it. Can you look up how long it is? I really want to know how long.

[A]

What is the audio? 15 minutes. That's not accurate.

[B]

What like actually, like Google it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

If Libby doesn't have it. Okay.

[A]

How many pages? Okay. Continue with your housemaid story. Is that the housemaid? Is that what it's called?

[B]

I don't remember.

[A]

It's like the Frida McFadden book.

[B]

I have it on my. Erase it from my memory.

[A]

On my bookshelf.

[B]

I really tried to erase it from my memory because the book's blue, it.

[A]

Has the eye through the keyhole. It's being made into a movie with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, I think.

[B]

Yeah. So Lane and I were trying to find something that like would really hold his attention too, which was probably falling more into like the contemporary thriller or like a little like murder mystery was kind of what we were thinking. Your goal was murder mystery?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I just hear. Okay, I would need to step in. I woke up one morning at like 8 or I don't even know. And they like texted you at like.

[B]

6Am or 5:30am when we were hitting the road on a long like 15 hour road trip.

[A]

And knowing that I, you know, usually read thrillers, like I'm More in that.

[B]

Camp of reading would know more than I would.

[A]

Right. So she texted me at, like, 5 or 6am and she was like, hey, we're looking for an audiobook that's like. Like, a mystery thriller, whatever. And what is. How's the House Made? Like, is that.

[B]

Like, would I. Would I survive?

[A]

Yeah, would I survive? And I. I had read it. So I responded later at, like, 8, and I was like, would not recommend. I think that's a little too much for you, Evie. Like, that's just a little. The. If you've read it, you understand, like, the ending of that. I'm like, evie, you pure soul. I don't think. I don't think you should do that one. Maybe, like, try, like. And then I think I recommended the Maid by Nita Rose or something like that.

[B]

Like.

[A]

Like a murder mystery that was a little bit more, like, light thematically.

[B]

That was still heavy for me. I did listen to the maid.

[A]

See, I.

[B]

That one was heavy.

[A]

That one was so funny. Is it because they, like, try to.

[B]

Yeah, there's just a lot going on in that. It's just, like. There's a heavy feeling to it because.

[A]

Like, she doesn't know what history, of course, is heavy. Yeah. Anyways, I was like, don't recommend the housemaid. And she was like, oh, we started it.

[B]

And I was like, and we're kind of already, like, two and a half, three hours in, and I think we might just stick it through. Do you think I'm gonna die? And she was like, yeah, to be honest, you might. By the time we finished that book, I regretted all of my life choices. And I kid you not. Like, I am not exaggerating. This isn't a dramatic statement. We finished the audiobook, and I shut it off and turned on worship for literally an hour to cleanse my soul, because I couldn't. I could not. I. That was one of the worst books I've ever read in my entire life. So 0 out of 10 recommend.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. But that's not one of the worst. It's just a thriller. I don't know how to find out how long audiobooks are.

[B]

Okay, well, hang on. I could also Google it.

[A]

Well, maybe I just.

[B]

How long is.

[A]

Oh, I could have Googled that.

[B]

Specifically Project Hail Mary audiobook.

[A]

It just was taking me to, like.

[B]

All of the 16 hours and 10 minutes I was right. It's a lengthy one.

[A]

Yeah. Well, that is so good.

[B]

So you got it. You got to put that on their list.

[A]

Well, now it's not on My Libby. So now it just presents friction. Okay, if you are loving what you're.

[B]

Hearing on today's episode, then we wanted to share something else you might love. The Heart Shop. It's our digital resource online shop for creative entrepreneurs. The Heart Shop is your one stop shop for all of our online courses, luxury website templates, PDF guides, social media, graphic templates and illustrations.

[A]

If you've been at your wit's end with your website design and you don't know where the heck to create a high quality pricing or welcome guide to give your clients an incredible branded first impression. Ooh, we got you. We created the Heart Shop to serve you with the best tools and resources you need to successfully run your business. Just head to theheartuniversity.comshop and start browsing the goods. That's theheartuniversity.comshop, and we'll see you there. Wanna know what both Evie and I use for our skincare? Our absolute favorite non toxic skincare products are without a doubt primly pure.

[B]

Yes. If you've been searching for a natural non toxic skincare company you can actually feel solid about using, knowing that the ingredients won't harm you and are derived from nature, then I'm not joking when I say that you to try Primally Pure.

[A]

Evie and I have been using Primally Pure for our skincare for a couple of years now and we are legit in love. Like we love that every product has minimal, safe, all natural ingredients that. I'm not joking, smell divine and make our skin look and feel healthy and beautiful.

[B]

Yes. Some of our favorite products that we've used from primarily pure are their charcoal deodorant, the cleansing oil, their lavender complexion mist, and their clarity serum. Like every freaking product of theirs, we're not kidding. Knocks it out of the park as far as quality and making our skin feel incredible.

[A]

For 10% off your order, you can use Code, Heart and Hustle. That's all caps, no spaces at checkout. Using the link in our show notes, we know that you're gonna love Primary Pure as much as we do. Again, that's Code heartand hustle for 10% off your order today. All righty. The next one I have a prop for. It's the. The book I was holding in the front. Okay, so again, remember at the beginning of this episode when I said that I was on a kick for classics? Yes. Not I again. It's not like I went crazy. I read like three or four. So Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is my number three. And everyone's probably like, Lindsay, have you never read this? No, I have not. And surprisingly I had not had the plot spoiled to me in any way.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

I've never watched.

[B]

What a powerful, pure experience.

[A]

I never watched the movies. What's the first. How do you. How would you. The Kirsten Dunswan. I don't know how people say that. Like the, like the first, the first movie.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What's that? How do people describe it? The Christian Bale Little Women?

[B]

Like, yeah, I don't know the original, the older one.

[A]

But they like, they say something to describe that. And I feel like they don't call it the Christian Bale Little Woman, but that's what they're talking about.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Okay, well, it's that one we had. I've never watched that. And I never watched the Emma Roberts one. That's not the right Emma Watson. I've never watched. I never watched any movies of little women. That's a faster way to say this. And I had just never had the plot spoiled to me, ever. Which is great. I remember starting this book I think in 2023, in January and it, it like I just would like read a page here and there and I'd be like, this is kind of boring. And I never got like my hooks into it. And so this January, this past January, so of this year, January 2024, I started it over because I like again, I had like got maybe like 250 pages and maybe, I don't know. And I was like, no, like we're gonna do it, we're gonna finish it this year. And I started it and I just, I made it like more of a. Experience. Yeah, I made it more of experience instead of.

[B]

That's what I told you.

[A]

Well, because instead of. So the way I read books is I'll like read one before starting another unless it's in like different genres. Like I could read a non fiction and a fiction at the same time or I could read an audiobook and a fiction at the same time. But. But even then I don't like reading the same genre at the same time. Does that make sense?

[B]

Yeah, but.

[A]

So this is like classic. So that's a different genre than anything in my opinion. And I was like, I. I'm going to just read normally how I read and then I'm going to read this in the background. Like I didn't want to like pause all other reading to read this because I feel like it's not like a book that you binge.

[B]

Well, Unless you're me.

[A]

Okay. I think I wanted to, like, read it over time and savor it and like, more have it be like, almost like a quiet reading, like after I have my Bible time and I want to open up a book before I get the kids. Like, that's kind of the book that I went to.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it took me from like, January to like, June or something, maybe. Maybe even longer. Maybe it was August. I can't remember. It took me a long time because I savored it slowly. And eventually I think I, like, stalled out a little bit around like, May or June, around, like the 3/4 mark. And then I found a hack and I. I'm not prepping this well to make it sound like this is good. It's good. Obviously everyone knows that if you've read it, but I started reading the abridged version to my kids at night, like before bed. And so I was like, oh, this will be great, because then I have to stay ahead of them if I don't want it spoiled by the frickin abridged version. Yeah, so that worked. Anyways, all that to say, it is so good. It's so rich. Everyone's probably like, rolling their eyes because it's like, this is a classic, but if you never read it like me, it's worth it. So here. Okay, I'm gonna read the description. I had to have ChatGPT make this too, because I literally could not find a single description that wasn't like, like.

[B]

Online talking about Louisa May Alcott or something.

[A]

And it was just like the acclaimed classic. I'm like, I don't care about all the lore around it. I just want the actual plot.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thank you and good night.

[B]

Without spoilers.

[A]

Right. So Little Women by Louisa May Alcott follows the lives of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Oh, by the way, we named our child Jo before I'd read this book. So I'm glad that that checked out and that was a good choice. As they navigate growing up in a Civil War era New England, each sister has distinct dreams and challenges. Meg longs for a conventional life. Jo aspires to be a writer. Beth is shy and selfish, selfless.

[B]

Sorry, the opposite of this character.

[A]

As that came out of mouth, I was like, that doesn't sound like her. Selfless. And Amy dreams of artistic success. The novel explores their relationships, personal growth, struggles with poverty, and the enduring strength of family bonds. Through love, loss, and ambition, the sisters find their unique paths while staying connected by their shared values and deep affection. For one another. So again, you could read that. You could hear that description. Like, I judge.

[B]

That reminds me of the description of All Creatures Great and Small, where you're just like, this does not do it justice whatsoever.

[A]

Right. Because it doesn't sound intriguing. No, there does from that description. It doesn't sound like there's drama. There's. There's lots of drama in this book. There's lots of love and losses of sorts.

[B]

Louisa May Alcott is also a very witty writer.

[A]

Yes. The amount of times I belly laughed.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

While reading this book, you would love.

[B]

All Creatures Great and Small.

[A]

Okay, Fin.

[B]

So witty.

[A]

Okay, fine. And I'm gonna. I have a quote.

[B]

This ones that made you laugh.

[A]

One of the ones that made me laugh. And I was like, no, this is so good. It's on page 548. It's also a long. It's a thick girl. She's thick. Okay, so just don't let that scare you. Hold on. 5:48. Don't mind me while I. You can listen to this on two point speed if you need to because I'm going slow. Hold on. Okay.

[B]

Individually flipping the pages.

[A]

Okay, so quick backstory before I read this quote, just really quick. There is a neighborhood boy that lives right next to the four girls, the four sisters, and he's just a part of the plot a lot. Like, he's their friend. He plays with them a lot. This is when they're more grown up. And Amy, one of the sisters, Laurie, is just not.

[B]

Doreen's the neighbor boy.

[A]

Yeah, he's the neighbor boy, but he's grown up and he's just like, not living to his potential. He's like really like, slumming it and just like, not. He's being like a stupid boy kind of, you know. Yeah. And Amy calls him out. In the chapter before this or sometime before this, Amy calls him out and is like, bro. Obviously it's not written like that, but like, she's like, bro, man up and like, be a man and do something with your life and stop being stupid. Okay. So that's basically what she says before. And so this is how Louisa May Alcott writes. This is the chapter starter. Amy's lecture did Lori good. Though of course he did not own it till long afterward. Men seldom do. For when women are the advisors, the lords of creation, don't take the advice till they have persuaded them that it is just what they intended to do. Then they act upon it. And if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails. They generously give her the whole.

[B]

It's so good.

[A]

Funny.

[B]

It's so good.

[A]

That's basically. If you don't. That's basically saying, like, women give advice to men and they don't act upon it until they pretend it's their idea. And then if it works, they're like, oh, that was my idea. And if it fails, they're like, oh, no, that was all your idea.

[B]

Yeah, it's so funny. Also, the writing so funny of Alcott is so rich. Like, her writing is so, like, beautiful and poetic and it's. It's gorgeous. This is one of my favorite books and stories of all time.

[A]

It's literally so good. I just like the. I like, underlined. Also the fact I have this book, if anybody's watching. I thrifted this back when we lived in Kansas, and. And it's like the most quintessential. Beautiful.

[B]

It's such a beautiful.

[A]

I know. I love it so much. Anyways, that's. That's number three on mine.

[B]

I love it. Okay, we gotta. We gotta go faster.

[A]

That's true. We're, like, really just taking our time.

[B]

I love it. Okay, the next one on my list was Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deepler. Rose and I had read this years ago. Years ago. So many years ago that to be honest, I did not remember most of the story or the book.

[A]

Fiction, non fiction.

[B]

It is a memoir.

[A]

Okay. Look at you with your memoir era. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna read the description. I have two here. And I don't know, maybe you were trying to decide. I might have added to it. Okay. The true story of one One woman's triumph of faith. Newlywed American missionary Darlene Diebler Rose survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp set deep in the jungles of New Guinea. Thinking she was never to see her husband again, Darlene Rose was forced to sign a false confess, face the executioner's sword, only to be miraculously spared. Evidence Not Seen is a gripping memoir of faith and survival. It chronicles the author's experiences as a prisoner of war in the jungles of New guinea during World War II and her unwavering trust in God.

[A]

Oh, that's tea.

[B]

It was rich. Ironically, one of my other books is actually very similar. Another memoir.

[A]

And I don't you have another memoir on this list?

[B]

I do.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

But both of them. Both of the memoirs, this one and the next one that I'll cover, were so rich, and maybe God just had me reading them this year in, like, a season. When, like, I felt like there was a lot of stuff that was going on that was, like, hard or difficult or whatever, and God was consistently reminding me of, like, his faithfulness. And the irony that I read both of these books this year. Obviously very, very different, like, life experiences than mine. I'm not trying to compare in any way.

[A]

Well, it's kind of nice to read a book that you never experience anything remotely like that circumstance.

[B]

To see, like, God pulling through for, like, yeah, Darlene. And to see her faith in him and how he was moving. And, like, this book is so rich, and it is so well written, and it's just, like, a phenomenal book. So it really impacted me. I loved it. It had me, like, weeping at times in, like, beautiful ways. And it was. I. At least for me, a five out of five. Like, highly recommend.

[A]

That's awesome. When you read that description, it made me think, I haven't read this book, but in order to live by, I'm gonna butcher this girl's name. Yeah, you know me, Park. Okay. Does that sound like that would be how you say that? Maybe it's Y E O N M I. I've wanted to read it for a long time. I think I even owned the book because I thrifted it. But it's a. It's a memoir of a girl that grew up in North Korea and escaping North Korea.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So I really. That just reminded me of, like, oh, I need to read things like that. I mean, I do, but, like, it just like. Yeah, but this also looks good.

[B]

It's so good. It's so rich.

[A]

Beautiful. All right, number four on my list is Powerless by Lauren Roberts. This one is. You probably heard it if you're a book girly of sorts. It was very, very popular. It is still very popular. It's a Y fantasy romance.

[B]

YA Stands for young adult.

[A]

Thank you. You're welcome. And she wrote this, I think, when she was 18. I think she's, like, 21 or 22 now. So, like, she's young. And I think she, like, documented the whole process on Tik Tok. So, like, she, like, shared it. Anyways, I'm gonna read the description and then I'll talk about it. So Powerless by Lauren Roberts is set in the kingdom of Ilia, where people with powers, the elites, rule over those without ordinaries. That's what they're called if they don't have powers. You're ordinary who are hunted down. Peyton Gray, an ordinary, hides in plain sight by pretending to have psychic powers. Like she. Like her dad. Teaches her to pretend to have something so that she can live her life. Gets way more complicated when she saves Kai, a prince who can borrow other people's powers. This act of bravery lands her in the Purging Trials, a deadly competition meant for elites to show off their abilities. As Peyton fights to survive the trials and keep her secret, she starts getting closer to Kai and his brother Kit, the heir to the throne. With rebellion brewing and her feelings getting tangled up, Hayden has to figure out who she can trust while standing up to the system that's stacked against her. I feel like the. If you. It's. It's a combo. It's like Enemies to Lovers meets Hunger Games. It's very Hunger Gamesy because there's like. There's like a trial where people. The thing that isn't as good as the Hunger Games is, like, I. When I was reading this, I'm not against selling this pretty well.

[B]

You're doing a terrible job of selling your books.

[A]

But like, like, the. The critiques of this book could. Could be argued of, like, world building isn't as, like, it's not going to be like a Brandon Sanderson book where, like, the. The world building is, like, very intricate and the plot is kind of like Hunger Games in that sense of their fighting. But when I. When I read it, like, the stakes, it.

[B]

It wasn't like.

[A]

Well, it was intense, but it wasn't like. Hunger Games is like only one person can live. So there's stakes in the fact that you have to kill each other. This one, it's like, Like, I mean, it even says it in that it's like they're a deadly competition meant for elites to show off their abilities. But at the end of each trial, in the. In the big trial or, like, round.

[B]

Giving away too much.

[A]

No, not necessarily. It's like it's. You don't have. It's not like only one person can live each time.

[B]

Gotcha.

[A]

So there was just an element of that part that I was like, oh, that's interesting that, like, you didn't feel.

[B]

As, like, life or death, all or nothing.

[A]

No, but that's not why you read this book. You read it for the romance guys, because this is. This is why it's on the top of my list. Lauren Roberts is a book girly, and she wrote a book for the book Girlies. She wrote scenes that, like, you just want.

[B]

Is it. Is it spicy?

[A]

No, not at all. Oh, but there's. So there's. I don't even think they. I don't even think they kiss in the, in the first book. It's a series and. But it's the pining, the yearning, the enemies to lovers, the like holding a dagger to each other's throat while they're like sword fighting. It's just like, it's. She wrote it for the girlies. She just did. Like, like, like where there's like, I think after every trial or before every trial, there's like balls. So it's very like fantasy. We go, we get dressed and like, we wear daggers on our thigh and then we like, point it to our lover's throw, but we like, don't know that he likes me. It's very, it's fun.

[B]

Like the absolute 180 I am about to do for my next book is about to be incredibly comical.

[A]

That's great.

[B]

Also, this is so long. Apologies. Hopefully y'all enjoy books.

[A]

I think. I think they do.

[B]

All right. My next book is nonfiction and it's Glory on your House by Jack Hayford. The subtitle is Welcoming God's radiant presence in your home and your church.

[A]

Oh, that sounds great.

[B]

It's great. It's just, you're like balls and ball gowns and there's lots of different things.

[A]

But there's lots of different elements and genres to read.

[B]

Welcoming the holy spirit into your home. Okay, I'll read the description and then I'll talk a little bit about it. Glory on your House by Jack Hayford is a faith centered book that explores how God's presence and glory can transform our homes, relationships, and daily lives. Hayford emphasizes the importance of inviting God's spirit into every aspect of our life, cultivating a household rooted in worship, love, and divine purpose. He shares practical biblical principles and personal insights to help readers experience a deeper connection with God and foster a spiritually rich environment in their homes. This book is both inspirational and instructional, encouraging believers to align their homes with God's kingdom values. I actually have not finished this book, but I am t. I am three quarters of the way through and it is so good. Part of the reason I'm not finished with it is because I keep going back and reading chapters again because it's like, it's like rich and it's one of those books that like, this is not like a speed through in a day type of book at all. This is like a sit and soak it up type of book. But it is so good. If you're not familiar with Jack Hayford, just a powerful teacher and pastor, and like a mentor to pastors who has just an Incredible ministry and. And whatnot. And this book is really rich. And I actually thrifted it. Oh, like, a long. A long time ago. Like, a year ago.

[A]

You hadn't heard about it and you just saw the title and you were like, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Well, I knew who Jack Hayford was, but I saw the title at the thrift store, and I was like, I want God's glory in my Home. And I thrifted it. And it. This year I was like, set aside a few books that I was like, I want to make sure I read these this year. And this one has been so good and so rich. And there were sections that I was, like, pulling out to read. Like, I took it on my family vacation a few weeks ago, and I was, like, pulling out sections to, like, read to my mom and sisters and, like, just, like, having these conversations. It was just, like, so deep and so profound. So it's a very powerful book. If you are at all intrigued by the title or description, I would highly, highly recommend. But it is. It is meaty, so don't expect to cruise through it in a day or two.

[A]

Like, it's. How many pages?

[B]

Like, it's not like, media is in, like, long, long. It's just. It's, like, intellectual. Like, it's like, yeah. Deep thinking and really powerful richness. Like, it's not super. Like, I don't want to say, like, watered down, because I don't want to be like, any other Christian book that's easy to read is watered down. I'm not trying to say that, but there's something about it. Like, he doesn't try to make it incredibly easy to consume. It's also a bit older. Good. Bit older. So, like, that could be part of it, too. But it's very, very good. I would highly recommend.

[A]

Am I gonna judge the COVID if I see it?

[B]

Possibly.

[A]

I would love to judge it right now.

[B]

Let's pull it up. I mean, I don't know.

[A]

Oh, would you judge it?

[B]

Yeah, but it's from. When is it from?

[A]

It looks like it came out in the 80s. Based on that.

[B]

It probably did.

[A]

Graphic design.

[B]

I was gonna say that. Like,'70s or 80s, but let's see.

[A]

Yeah, it's definitely giving. Like, it looks like it would be 94.

[B]

94?

[A]

Yeah, it looks like it would be at the thrift store. So that's good. That it's good.

[B]

It's great. It's fantastic.

[A]

Perfect. All right. Number five, my fifth and final one. Well, not fine. Well, kind of. Yeah. My fifth best book of the year. That I read is another. I don't know if I would say it's classic, but it's like everybody and their mother iconic has read this probably. Well, maybe not. Rich dad, Poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Did I say that right? Whatever. Kiyosaki. Kiyosaki. I also. This was also another pick for my membership book club, and it was so good. It's also been on my list forever. It's a book that, like, we've talked about a lot, but I. And I always knew, like, the concept of what it was about, but I, I never actually read it. And so this was the year I was like, you know what? We're gonna do it. And I'm so glad it won the book poll for my insiders, because. Okay, so let me just read it, what it's about. It's a finance book. Just I'll tell you that. Okay. Rich dad, Poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki is a personal finance book. I guess that could have just said it. Okay. That contrasts the financial principles of two father figures. The author's poor dad, quote unquote, his biological father, who represents traditional thinking about money, work hard, save and rely on job security. And his quote unquote, rich dad, his friend's father, who. Who offers unconventional advice about wealth building through investments, entrepreneurship, and financial education. The book emphasizes the importance of acquiring assets, things that generate income over liabilities, things that drain money. Highlights financial literacy and encourages readers to think differently about money, work, and investing. It's an inspir. It's an inspiring guide to breaking free from the rat race and achieving financial independence. It is so good. It is so good. Like, I cannot even express to you. I read it and I was like, this is mind blowing like that. It's quite literally life changing. If you actually, like, apply 100 what he. He teaches.

[B]

And it's very engaging. It's a very easy.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Well, not easy. Yeah, like you would think.

[A]

It's almost like he tells like a fiction story of, like, him and his, like, friend and like going to like, their, their father's store or his friend's father's store and like learning lessons and.

[B]

What he was teaching them next. Yeah, it's like you would think that a finance book would be very, very like, like dry. Like, yeah, hard to read and like, whatever. No, like, even the concepts, even when he's not like, telling it via a story, even when he's like teaching like numbers or whatever, like, it is taught in such a way that it is still so engaging and Easy to consume.

[A]

I also, I would highly recommend reading this to challenge your thinking. If you grew up with almost parents, that might resemble his biological dad's mindset. Where it's like, which I feel like most, most people are taught, like, hey, work, obviously work hard. But like, it's the thought that the more you work, the more money you'll make. But then you need to save it so that you can buy a house with, you know, your money, have a good car and work a good job and like save for retirement. Like, it's like the quote unquote, like American dream type of things. And, and it's just contrasted so mind bogglingly and, and beautifully with like, like what you could say is more of like a risky. Yeah. Option. Like, like he said, through investments, entrepreneurship and financial education. But the way that they're contrasted, you can like, it just opens your eyes to like, oh, wow, I've been taught one thing my entire life. Or maybe you haven't. Maybe you are, you know, lucky to have a dad like, or maybe not even a dad, but just like a mentor mentor or financial education like his rich dad. But it's so good, I just can't even. Just read it. Every single person on this planet needs to read it. Yeah, I don't even care if you're not a business owner. Read it.

[B]

Yeah. 100. Okay. My fifth and final book is another memoir. What do you know? And this one is another one that I had read at least a couple of times. But it had also been years, years since I'd read it. Like at least 10, if not 15 plus years since I had read this book. So it felt like I was reading it for the first time again. And it was the Hiding place by corrie10 boom and another like classic. Like this is one of those classics that most people have read or many people have read. But if you have not, it is so good and so powerful. So if you're not familiar with it, Corrie 10 boom in the hiding place Corrie 10 boom was the first licensed female watchmaker in the Netherlands who became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable ministers of hope in the 20th century. In World War II, she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis. In 1944, their lives were forever altered when they were betrayed, arrested, and thrown into the infamous Nazi death camps. This is her incredible true story, and ultimately the story of how faith, hope and forgiveness triumphed over unthinkable evil. For 35 years, millions have seen that there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper. Still, the hiding place continues to declare that God's love will overcome, heal, and restore. This book is ironically, like, I did not at all intentionally try to read Evidence Not Seen a story of a woman in, like, like, concentration camps in, like, Japan.

[A]

Well, did you read them close to each other in the year or, like, far.

[B]

No, I. They were like, a few months apart.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But it just happened that, like, both of them were on my list, and I just. I don't know. I just listened to both of them. Them this year. I listened to audiobooks of both of them, actually. But the hiding place and Evidence Not Seen have the same, like, just depth to them of, like, when you see someone going through something as horrible as experiencing a concentration camp in World War II and watch their God coming through for them and their faith, like, coming alive and ministering and the miracles that are happening and how God is. Is impacting them and how they're feeling convicted of things. It's just like, it is so darn powerful. And I loved both of these books. They both had to be on my top list for this year.

[A]

This is enlightening, guys, on why she handled getting all of her backpacks and stuff stolen in.

[B]

Ironically, I read both of these after the summer.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Both of them were this fall or winter.

[A]

Well, but. But, like, you've got a lot of shit thrown at you this year. It's, it's. It's. You handled them all very well.

[B]

Appendicitis, miscarriage, gear stolen, stolen.

[A]

Losing, like, $40,000. Like, all the things. And it's like, okay, well, in comparison, yeah. 100%.

[B]

100%. And it's like when you also. I don't know when you know. And it's the same when you watch these women walk through these experiences, when you know that, like, God is for you and with you and on your side, like, nothing.

[A]

Nothing can shake it.

[B]

Nothing matters. Like. Like, whether it's anything that I've walked through this year or you've walked through this year, or. And I say you, I mean, the listeners, but also Lindsay or, you know, Cory Ten Boom. Or Darlene Diebler. Like, any of these situations, like, God is bigger, stronger, and able to overcome and redeem and restore. And like, both of these books were just really powerful for me to read this year. And I think God probably intentionally put both of them on my reading list kind of after a lot of the, like, stuff had gone down for me. This, like, summer when I was like, whoa, all right. World is rocking. And then God's like, is it really, though? Here are these two books.

[A]

Is it really, though? Here's some perspective for you, literally.

[B]

But they were both fantastic.

[A]

You're complaining. I could be worse.

[B]

Literally.

[A]

Yeah. Not to invalidate. No, obviously.

[B]

But I mean, I made, I made the joke, so I'm not offended.

[A]

Okay, real quick. We're gonna give some honorable mentions and.

[B]

We'Re just gonna read the title.

[A]

Mostly for me, because physically couldn't choose five.

[B]

I threw someone too, because I was like, there are a bunch of other good books.

[A]

Yeah, there are. There are. Okay, so my honorable mentions. I have Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. It was the first book I read this year. Fantasy. Ya. So good. So, so good. So good. How many times can I say that? Anne of Green Gables by L.M. montgomery.

[B]

I'm so proud that's on that list.

[A]

I can't almost put that up on my top five. But I was like, I got it. I had to, like, because it's such a different category than like, like, like the modern, like, Powerless by Lauren Roberts or like, just for the summer. I was like, I need. Those were so good. But this was so good in like, a different way that like, I can't put them in the same category. Anyways. It's classic. Very similar to Little Women. I only chose one to put. I liked Little Women a little bit better than Anne of Green Gable. So I put it on there.

[B]

Wow. I love it.

[A]

Anyways, this is a nonfiction Habits of a Household by Justin Whitmell early. I read this also in, like, February. If you are a parent, read this freaking book. It is so, so practical and good. Just creating rhythms for your children and through faith and all that. The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros, actively. That is December's book club pick for my insiders. If you don't take that recommendation lightly. It deals with childhood cancer and it's a tear jerker. I will just say that.

[B]

Trigger warning.

[A]

Yeah, trigger warning before you dive into that. I don't recommend it lightly, but if you like to cry, it's a good time. And then Lovely War by Julie Berry. One is like a historical mythological telling of like World War II, but there's like, Aphrodite. It's like, really fun and it's really special and really good.

[B]

I love it. Okay.

[A]

Oh, it's YA too.

[B]

I'm gonna cruise through a few honorable mentions from my year this year as well. Sense and Sensibility. I've read it in the past, but reread it this year. It's just so good.

[A]

Wait, is that one better than Pride and Prejudice? Because that's my. My reading goals for 2020. Five are to read more classes. Six. Which one's better? Because I've not read either.

[B]

I can't say they're better. I say. I would say they're equal. Like, they're both.

[A]

But you didn't read Pride and Prejudice this year, so that's why it's not on your list.

[B]

Okay, well, actually, I may have, but I've read. I've read Pride and prejudice probably like 30 times. I've read Sense and Sensibility maybe five. Okay, so maybe Pride and Prejudice, but also, like, Pride and Prejudice is so good. Sense and Sensibility is so good. Jane Austen is a phenomenal writer. Her stories, her wit, the humor. Humor. It's so good, right? The Narnia series. I re. Listened to all of that series.

[A]

Yeah. Wow. Okay.

[B]

And they had to. They just had to be on here because C.S. lewis is that series so phenomenal. The Holy Spirit by Bill Johnson. Fantastic book. Non fiction. Basically going over who the Holy Spirit is, why we need him, how he, like, moves in our life. All of that. So powerful. Suffering is never for nothing by Elizabeth Elliot. Elizabeth Elliot is one of my favorite authors and or women of the faith of all time. She is incredible. If you don't know her story, you actually probably do. She was married to Jim Elliot, the missionary in, like, South America who was murdered by the tribe of people that they were trying to minister to.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

And she ended up going back to continue to minister to those people who had killed her husband. And she wrote a book. Technically, I think it was actually an, like, a radio presentation that somebody turned into a book after her death.

[A]

Also, she didn't even try to read a book or, sorry, write a book.

[B]

She's written many, many, many books.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

Including about their story of being missionaries.

[A]

Can you do that, though? Don't you have to get there, like, a state's permission or, like I say, a state, but, like, I think it.

[B]

Was like, her daughter that turned it into a book.

[A]

Oh, okay. That's allowed.

[B]

Anyways, one of my dear friends actually gifted this to me, like, two or three weeks after my second miscarriage this year when she had just walked through a miscarriage like, a month or two prior to mine. And she had read this book and said it had impacted her so deeply, and she gifted it to me.

[A]

That's good that that that person had experienced it because I could Imagine if.

[B]

Somebody was just handing me a book that says, suffering is never for nothing.

[A]

I would be like, what? Yeah, kindly go away. That's a nicer version of what I was gonna say.

[B]

I tried to G rate that one. Yeah, suffering is never for nothing. It. It was so rich and so good. The only reason it didn't make, like, my top, top list was just because I didn't know if that was gonna be the book that, like, every listener was gonna be like, oh, I really need a book that talks about, like, right. How God redeems suffering in our lives. Like, I was like, that's just such a niche topic. Topic that not everyone's gonna want. So I put it on honorable mentions. But it is so good. It was so rich. And if you're going through a really difficult, like, trial season where you're like, what is the point of this? I would encourage, highly encourage this book. It's so good. And then the last one, we are actually actively going through, and, like, we have, like, our. A few of us close girlfriends are doing, like, a Bible study, weekly Bible study on the names, on the names of God. And we are using the book the Names of God by Marilyn Hickey as like, a supplementary, like, kind of study on each of the names of God. And I am very impressed by this book. Obviously haven't finished it. We're still going through the study and through the book, but it is, like, it's good and it's rich and it's, like, incredibly, like, alive. It's not just, like, facts, but it pulls in how it applies in the Bible and, like, the stories of when, you know, the name, like, Jehovah was used and what is the meaning of the name Jehovah? And, you know, how did God reveal himself as Jehovah to Moses and all of that. So it. It's a really powerful book. Haven't finished it, but it had to go on the list because it's really good. So if you've ever been curious about the names of God, which obviously translate to the character of God and who God is, I would strongly encourage reading that book.

[A]

All right.

[B]

That was a meaty episode.

[A]

That was. That was longer. That we always are like, we're just gonna do a little quick blip of a reading episode, and then they're never.

[B]

The problem is when we start talk. Talking about books, we just can't shut up. So.

[A]

So hopefully you like it too. I think you do because you keep enjoying it.

[B]

You keep asking for more book recommendations on the podcast.

[A]

Here you go.

[B]

Here you go.

[A]

All right.

[B]

We love you. And hopefully this inspires or encourages some great reading for you in 2025. And if you enjoyed this episode, let us know. Let us know if you want more episodes like this in the future. Send us a DM if you read or listened to any of these books and if you've enjoyed them, please let me know if All Creatures Great and Small is also.

[A]

Yeah, we need. I need, personally, other people that have read that book, please.

[B]

Dm, if you've read that book.

[A]

Listen, listen. I need a specific niche of person. I need somebody that, like, I. Here's. Here's. Here's what I need. I need somebody that, like, reads books, like, Powerless. Well, or. Or just, like, current books.

[B]

You enjoyed Little Women you will enjoy.

[A]

I know, I know, but I just need somebody that, like, reads current. But you read current books, too. But you're, like, a different breed. Like, I need somebody that reads the genre of books that I read that has read all Current Creatures Great and Small.

[B]

Yes. To confirm, send her a dm.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

But also, anyone in general who has enjoyed the book, please blow up her dms, because I would like to feel validated.

[A]

Yeah, that's fair.

[B]

And justified.

[A]

That's fair. So, all right. Peace and blessings. Have a merry Christmas. Good night.