A Year For the Books

Get your library holds ready!

Dec 20, 2024

Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly offering to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, dog, and cat. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!

One night at Book Club, my friend Lizette, who was approaching her 40th birthday, said: “Wouldn’t it be great to receive 40 books for my 40th birthday?!”

She set it up so perfectly that I couldn’t resist bringing this dream to reality. A few days later I sent a text to her husband, compiled a list of emails, and drafted a note to her friends and family.

We’d love to fill Lizette’s bookshelves and her heart with our love. Pick a book you think she’d enjoy or one of your favorites you want to pass on. Write a note about why you choose this book and tuck it in the book or send along a card.

It’s in this same spirit of love of books and gift giving; the joy of opening and turning the pages; and getting lost in a story that I share today some of my best books from this past year. There’s nothing better than a friend telling you: I know you, and I know you’ll just adore this book. Consider this my bookish gift to you full of all the books I’m gushing about.

This year, I read 58 books. I also kept track of the chapter books I read with my kids: 32. One of my favorite memories from the summer came from sitting on our front porch reading in the mornings with the kids. I hope they always keep close the power of stories and the transformation that comes from reading.

And now to the books!

The History Book Every American Should Read: The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon. I’ve been following Sharan McMahon of Sharon Says So for years. She’s my go-to history and government teacher who shares a much needed perspective on history and the current political climate. Her first book is so engaging and sheds light on lesser known heroes of our country.

Best Book Club Book Discussion: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed. Stunning writing and a beautiful story of hope and resilience.

Best Romcom: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. The romantic and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past.

Most Anticipated Book of the Year and Best Book From a Series: The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (Book 19 in the Inspector Gamache Series). Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series has often been called cozy mysteries. The stories are set primarily in Three Pines, Canada, a fictional small town with so much heart and beauty. The books delve deep into questions of good and evil, what it means to be in community, and how to forgive. I adore this entire series that begins with Still Life.

The Book with all the Hype that Lived up to that Hype: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a thriller set at a summer camp where a camper goes missing; the story touches on family dynamics and class divisions.

Book that Restores your Faith in Humanity (Thanks to the Church Ladies): The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by

Author - Claire Swinarski

takes place in Wisconsin and feels like a hug in a book. Leave it to the church ladies to organize a cookbook to help one of their friends in need of money.

Book to Read When Worry Takes over your Parenting: The Worry Free Parent by Sissy Goff. I first heard Sissy talk on the Coffee + Crumbs podcast and her advice was spot on for my current season raising a fourth and first grader. This book is an easy read with great data but also concrete steps for reducing anxiety and allowing your kids to take on more responsibility.

Book that Lives on my Bedside Table to Pick Up Every Morning for Prayers: Every Season Sacred by

Kayla Craig

is such a gift to walk through the seasons. She writes short reflections, discussion questions, and prayers.

Hands Down the Best Book I Read All Year and the One I’m Telling Everyone to Read: Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro. I’ve read most of Dani Shapiro’s non fiction books, but this was my first fiction book of hers, and I couldn’t stop raving about it. She writes so beautifully that there were sentences that just made me stop and put the book down. This is a book about families and the choices we make to protect our children, but also about the connections between this world and those who have died.

And finally, because I can’t help but share my other favorite reads, here are a few others to check out: The Unplugged Hours by Hannah Brencher; The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl; The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger; The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson; The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mars; The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins.

READ ALOUDS WITH MY KIDS

The Book that Will Touch Your Mother’s Heart: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. This book and the three part series have been on my list for a while. This summer we read the first in the series and all fell in love with Roz the robot and his community of animals. What took me by surprise was how this book portrays motherhood in all its beauty and sorrow. It’s a tearjerker for sure! But also so full of hope and beauty and wonderful illustrations.

The Book that Chokes you up While Reading Out Loud: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I don’t think this book needs any introduction. Charlotte read this with her class in 2nd grade, but I wanted the chance to read it with both kids. Charlotte and Wilbur and the enduring story of friendship hold up even after the years.

Best Laugh-Out Loud Series Full of Imagination: Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon. This book series is so full of imagination and creativity. It’s about a girl named Dory who creates a magical world full of wonderful and quirky characters. A delight for all ages!

Best Book to Experience in Real Life: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This will forever be a core memory for me (and I hope my children). We traveled to North and South Dakota this past summer and stopped at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead in DeSmet, South Dakota. During the hours in the car we listened to Laura’s story, and then we walked through the Dugout home, rode in a covered wagon, and sat in the school house.

Best Books for the Animal Lovers: Dewey the Library Cat by Vicki Myron and Odder by Katherine Applegate. We all loved the story of Dewey who made a home in an Iowa library and transformed not only the library but the community. Odder is written in verse and while it is a fictional story, the book does have factual information about odder rescue and rehabilitation.

Best Way to Learn about History and the Resilience of Children: I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis is a favorite of my first grader. I am also learning so much! Many of these have been audio books and we love the ending where the author shares a bit about her research and further bits of information. Especially meaningful for me were I Survived the Joplin Tornado and I Survived Hurricane Katrina as I have personal connections to both and could further share information with the kids as we listened.

What has been your favorite book this year? I’d love to hear and add to my library list!

Walk and Talk

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