19 books TheBlaze staff thinks you should read

'Tis the time of season for book recommendations (and last minute holiday shopping). To that end, we compiled a list of our favorite titles this year based on input from various staff members here at TheBlaze. From faith to foreign policy and everywhere in between, if you're looking for eleventh hour book recommendations, we've got you covered.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The story of this book is captivating. A young girl in nazi Germany survives by stealing. But her life changes when she discovers books. She ends up learning to read and sharing the stolen books with the Jewish man who is hidden in her basement. Yes, this is a story of nazi Germany, but it is really a story of people and how sharing stories can change lives. — Tiffany Siegel, VP and Executive Producer of Glenn Beck Programming

2. The Breach by Patrick Lee

I never was much of a sci-fi reader, but "The Breach" is one of those books that combines futurist technologies with a thriller-style plot. I know it’s a cliché to say, but this one kept me up all night. It’s the start of a trilogy, so if you like it, there’s more to read. — Chris Balfe (@cbalfe), President and COO, Mercury Radio Arts / President and CEO @TheBlaze

4. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

An amazing true story of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and the serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. Larson brilliantly intertwines two stories that could easily stand on their own and hold your attention. From the frantic building of the World's Fair site and all the associated problems to the evil killer that preyed on the fair's attendees, it's a page turner I couldn't put down. — Joel Cheatwood, President and Chief Content Officer @TheBlaze

5. Foreign Policy Begins at Home by Richard Haas

I read Glenn [Beck] the introduction to this book and he was riveted. Richard is the president of the Council on Foreign Relations. Not a title or book you would expect from a guy who thinks about the rest of the world everyday. — Betsy Morgan (@blmorgan), President @TheBlaze

6. Freedom Is Blogging in Your Underwear by Hugh Macleod

How can you not read a book with that title? — Betsy Morgan (@blmorgan), President @TheBlaze

7. Going Clear by Lawrence Wright

The book has its fair share of explosive revelations about celebrities and the mysterious religion, but it is well-reported and takes an objective look at the origin of Scientology and its evolution. It left me wondering if Scientology's newness leads to an unfair standard among other older religions - and with a new outlook on religion as a whole. — Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak), Vice President of Digital Content @TheBlaze

10. Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin

I don’t usually read biographies, but I’ve always been fascinated by Johnny Carson. The book is a fun and interesting read, and at once shows how much media has changed since his days, and how much it has stayed the same. — Chris Balfe (@cbalfe), President and COO, Mercury Radio Arts / President and CEO @TheBlaze

14. Never Go Back by Lee Child

I decided to read the Jack Reacher novels in order. In 2013 I finally got caught up. "Never Go Back" is the most recent, and they’re still as great as ever. — Chris Balfe (@cbalfe), President and COO, Mercury Radio Arts / President and CEO @TheBlaze

15. The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward

The very inside story of President Barack Obama's first term in office. Woodward provides the behind the scenes context on all the major events and issues that transpired during the term. Great insight and perspective that certainly fills in a lot of the blanks left by the mainstream media. — Joel Cheatwood, President and Chief Content Officer @TheBlaze

16. Scorecasting by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim

It's sort of like "Freakonomics" about sports. Why are Tim Duncan's blocked shots worth far more than Dwight Howard's? Meet the football team that never punts and always kicks off onside. How fans influencing referees calls are most of the reason for home field advantage. I love books like this. At its core, it's about finding the truth by examining conventional wisdom without bias, and discovering its flaws. — Stu Burguiere(@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

17. The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver

It's an in depth look at how we screw up predicting the future, and how disasters like the financial meltdown take us by surprise when they probably shouldn't. Now is the time to insert Glenn telling us about how it didn't take HIM by surprise. Call Goldline. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

18. Straight Flush by Ben Mezrich

It's the true story about college friends who create a billion dollar legal business, and then get completely screwed by the government as they decide to make it illegal without warning. In between, there's a lot of behavior Anthony Weiner would be jealous of. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

19. To Change the World by James Davidson Hunter

Great book about how the culture changes and how Christians have removed themselves from current culture instead of participating in shaping it. Has the ability to completely change a person's viewpoint on cultural engagement and explodes why our culture is headed in its current direction. — Sara Johnson (@SaraFeed), Social Media Manager @TheBlaze