I present to you – in the remaining hours of 2024 – this year’s “Best of” list!
Among some notable entries, I read the best book I have ever read on spiritual direction (see below). Admittedly, I have only been reading in this field for ten years, but reading something that so invigorated my love for this work and renewed my thinking about it at this stage was a delight.
After unsuccessfully attempting St. John of the Cross previously, I was grateful to be re-introduced to his work this year. Along with St. Ignatius, he has become the saint whose spirituality has most helped my own prayer and spiritual direction. His understanding and treatment of the love of God is the best out there in my (albeit limited) opinion – irresistible and formidable all at once.
I decided to rate each book I read this year – save for the ones written by friends – and so there’s a new star rating (out of five) for the complete list below.
Finally, though the last season of “Better Call Saul” came out two years ago, I had never watched the series and decided to give it a try this year. What a riveting, rewarding, incredible piece of television it is – particularly the last seasons. The show is a slow burn that requires patience, but the dividends are worth it and I thought the ending was especially perfect, too.
Feel free to share your recommendations and a happy new year to you!
Previous Lists
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2013 (Film) | 2012 | 2011
Books
Best in Ancient Christianity: To Love as God Loves ~ Roberta C. Bondi
Best in Contemplative Spirituality: Contemplation ~ Francis Kelly Nemeck & Marie Theresa Coombs
Best in Spiritual Direction: The Way of Spiritual Direction ~ Francis Kelly Nemeck & Marie Theresa Coombs
Best in Spiritual Classics: The Ascent of Mount Carmel ~ St. John of the Cross
Best in Fiction: Prophet Song ~ Paul Lynch (Booker Prize 2023)
Best in Non-Fiction: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy ~ Nathan Thrall (Pulitzer Prize General Non-Fiction 2023)
Television
- Better Call Saul (s1-s6)
- Baby Reindeer
- The Responder (s2)
- Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show
- Colin from Accounts (s2)
- Ripley
- Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit
- The Reluctant Traveller (s1-s2)
- Mr. and Mrs. Smith (s1)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (s11-s12)
- True Detective: Night Country
Music
- Cassandra Jenkins “My Light, My Destroyer”
- Jamie XX “In Waves”
- Clairo “Charm”
- Adrienne Lenker “Bright Future”
The Complete Book List
- The Soul of Desire ~ Curt Thompson (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Come Forth ~ James Martin, SJ (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- Learning Humility ~ Richard J. Foster (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- The Life of St. Benedict ~ Pope Gregory (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- A Course in Christian Mysticism ~ Thomas Merton (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Sacred is the Call: Formation and Transformation in Spiritual Direction Programs (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation ~ Martin Laird (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Contemplation ~ Francis Kelly Nemeck & Marie Theresa Coombs (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- The Solace of Fierce Landscapes ~ Belden Lane (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy ~ Nathan Thrall (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- The Poems of St. John of the Cross ~ St. John of the Cross (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- Sayings of Light and Love ~ St. John of the Cross (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- The Way of Spiritual Direction ~ Francis Kelly Nemeck & Marie Theresa Coombs (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- The Ascent of Mount Carmel ~ St. John of the Cross (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Armchair Mystic: How Contemplative Prayer Can Lead You Closer to God ~ Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- In Ordinary Time ~ Mary Coswin
- Prophet Song ~ Paul Lynch (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Growing into God: A Beginner’s Guide to Christian Mysticism ~ John R. Mabry (⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- Finding Freedom in Constraint: Reimagining Spiritual Disciplines as a Common Way of Life ~ Jared Patrick Boyd
- To Love as God Loves ~ Roberta C. Bondi (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love ~ Boniface Hicks & Thomas Acklin (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½)
- Come Lord Jesus: Timeless Homilies for Advent and Christmas ~ Robert Barron (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Writing Is Prayer 