TheBlaze's staff book recommendations for 2014

‘Tis the time of season for book recommendations (and last minute holiday shopping).

To that end, we have compiled a list of TheBlaze's favorite titles from this year, as selected by our staff members.

If you are looking for eleventh hour book recommendations on everything from North Korea to energy and life's meaning, we have got you covered. And be sure to check out Glenn Beck's favorite books from the year too.

1. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

While this book could have found success simply following some of the world’s super human athletes, the book finds a much greater achievement in providing evidence to support an unlikely thesis: Human beings are literally born to run. Over and above providing solid support to prove this, McDougall manages to empower the reader by illuminating the joy running can bring to any individual. I hope many more people find it changes their lives and perspectives on the sport of running— sprint to ultra. — Amber Heffernan (@ambershovey), Director of Strategy

2. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

A terrifying reality check: We still know frighteningly little about diseases. Cahalan takes us on her journey of reconstructing a harrowing encounter with brain inflammation. Without doubt, Cahalan’s search to put together missing memories teaches her readers that we can never be too complacent about our health. A must read for anyone who is fascinated by the complexities of disease and the wiring of the human brain. — Amber Heffernan (@ambershovey), Director of Strategy

3. Dear Reader: The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il by Michael Malice

If movie companies are going to pull anti-North Korea movies from theaters, then how do we give North Korea a big middle finger? Try this book. Written as if it was an autobiography of Kim Jong Il, everything in it is true...or at least are real things claimed by North Korea. For example, did you know Kim Jong Il only spoke one sentence on camera the entire time he ran the country? This book is really funny, and a great way to piss North Korea off. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

4. Divergent trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant) by Veronica Roth

Last year it was "The Hunger Games," this year, "Divergent." What can I say? I’m obviously a sucker for the young adult science fiction adventure novels with an empowered female lead. If you like "The Hunger Games" series, there’s a good chance you'll like these. And you’ll get to see the books come to life on the big screen over the next couple of years.

**Fun Fact: The leads in a "The Fault In Our Stars" (Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort) play brother and sister in "Divergent." Actually, that's not really a "fun fact"…it's a little creepy. — Sara Johnson (@sarafeed), Social Media Manager

5. Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt by Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis is one of my favorite writers. "Flash Boys" tells the story about how a group of flash traders were able to shave minuscule fractions of a second off of their trades, guaranteeing themselves profits by beating investors to the punch. I was torn between being uncomfortable with the whole idea, and admiring them for thinking of it. In the end the issue was addressed, not by government, but by a group of private individuals. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

6. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Despite getting its fair share of criticism for its heft, among other things, I found Tartt's "The Goldfinch" to be a compelling and captivating novel about a young boy stricken by the early devastation of having witnessed a terrorist event, followed by a long string of trying situations in life. Why so compelling? While melancholy, "The Goldfinch" somehow proves hopeful in it's exploration of meaning and loss for the modern reader. — Betsy Morgan (@blmorgan), CEO

7. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

Horowitz takes you on the taxing journey of building a business, with a healthy, jolting dose of brutal honesty about his own missteps and failures as a founder, engineer, husband, friend, and beyond. While Horowitz’s advice is certainly not for everyone, the author gives a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurial management, and lays the groundwork for a sort of gospel for today's start up community. — Betsy Morgan (@blmorgan), CEO

8. I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

I love thrillers, and this is the best one I've read in a long time. Edited by the same imprint that publishes Brad Thor (and the late Vince Flynn), this is a page-turner in every sense of the word. I can't tell you how much sleep this book cost me. — Kevin Balfe (@kbalfe), Senior VP, Publishing

9. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

An extremely emotional read, but an amazing exercise in the power of human perception. We are completely capable of shaping our attitudes by reframing our mindset and responses to the challenges life presents us all. Viktor is not only a hero but an extraordinary psychologist who inspires his readers to acknowledge that we can triumph even in tragedy. — Amber Heffernan (@ambershovey), Director of Strategy

10. The Martian by Andy Weir

No surprise here as this is one of the most read and most recommended books of the year. The movie (Matt Damon has signed on for the lead role and Ridley Scott will direct) is due out next fall so there’s still plenty of time to get caught up. — Kevin Balfe (@kbalfe), Senior VP, Publishing

11. The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein

The most insane part about this book is that it even has to exist. The moral case for fossil fuels is called modern civilization: People eating, being kept warm, and being kept alive. It is arguably the most important earthly substance man has ever harnessed. However, with almost all the energy of the media focused on vilifying fossil fuels, this book is incredibly crucial. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

12. Science Left Behind: Feel-Good Fallacies and the Rise of the Anti-Scientific Left by Alex Berezow and Hank Campbell

The Left has long bragged about how they are mentally and morally superior. However, "Science Left Behind" shows how the left has become increasingly anti-science, with enough concrete examples that your progressive friends will never bring up the topic of science again (at least to you). — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

13. Straight Flush: The True Story of Six College Friends Who Dealt Their Way to a Billion-Dollar Online Poker Empire--and How It All Came Crashing Down . . . by Ben Mezrich

Ben Mezrich’s books are among the most entertaining reads available. This is a truly amazing story of entrepreneurship, success, vice, questionable ethics, and finally, the government screwing everything up. An amazing behind the scenes picture of how a little idea, turns into a ten figure idea, and then how it all can evaporate in minutes. — Stu Burguiere (@WorldOfStu), Executive Producer and Head Writer of the Glenn Beck Program, host of The Wonderful World of Stu

Note: The links to the books in this post will give you an option to elect to donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sale to a charity of your choice. Mercury One, the charity founded by TheBlaze’s Glenn Beck, is one of the options. Donations to Mercury One go towards efforts such as disaster relief, support for education, support for Israel and support for veterans and our military. You can read more about Amazon Smile and Mercury One here.

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