We opened up the floor in the newsroom to see which books our reporters loved this year, ranging from old favorites they enjoy re-reading to ones they read for the first time. Below are six suggestions.

"The Eight," by Katherine Neville

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Faimon Roberts, columnist/editorial writer

• "The Eight," by Katherine Neville and "Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years," by Diarmaid MacCulloch

"The Eight," a book I re-read this year for the first time in more than a decade, is a 1988 novel that’s part thriller, part historical fiction and part mystery, with a tinge of Da Vinci Code-style intrigue.

One storyline, set in Revolutionary France, follows the adventures of Mireille, a novice nun who has been given a sacred object to keep and protect from those who would seek it and the power it may possess. A second storyline, set in the 1970s, follows a young computer specialist, Catherine Velis, as she attempts to collect certain antiquities requested by a New York-based antiquities dealer.

Both women are caught up in a long-running game that they must understand before they can try to win. The book’s puzzles, adventure and historical settings kept me turning pages to the end.

"Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years," by Diarmaid MacCulloch

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"Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years" is a book I read for the first time this year. Diarmaid MacCulloch is one of the most accomplished scholars of Christianity of the last century. But this is no ivory-tower esoterica; his writing is engaging and easy to read.

This book is a magisterial portrayal of the three millennia of thought and deed that result in what we now consider Christianity. The book is perhaps best for those who have some grounding in the history and theology of the church, because while it’s very accessible, there is a broad sweep of time periods, characters, movements and ideas to track. For those looking for a book that is both survey and in-depth study, they could do little better than this masterpiece.

Lauren Walck, New Orleans features editor

• "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," by Douglas Adams

"The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

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An old favorite is "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy," which has a light and absurd tone that the English do so well. It both is and isn’t as nerdy as it sounds, and the movie version is a great adaptation.

The story is a good reminder that even a fantastical life far in the future is limited by humanity’s tendency to do dull, dumb things. Living in New Orleans, one scene comes to mind frequently. In order to confront the beings responsible for earth’s impending annihilation, the protagonist must first defeat the root of all evil: mind-numbingly slow bureaucracy!

Matt Albright, politics editor

• "I, Robot," by Isaac Asimov

"I, Robot," by Isaac Asimov

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Generative AI is developing in ways so astonishing that it challenges how we perceive or define consciousness. If you can converse with an AI, if an AI can write something that moves, if people can fall in love with an AI ... is that consciousness?

Isaac Asimov never saw ChatGPT, but he anticipated decades ago that AI would challenge how we think about machines and about ourselves. If you like sci-fi, you probably already know his "Three Laws of Robotics" and the fascinating challenges and dilemmas they present. If you’re not, I’d suggest this book is as relevant as ever.

Aidan McCahill, west side reporter

• "Tree of Smoke," by Denis Johnson and "Lonesome Dove," by Larry McMurtry

"Tree of Smoke," by Denis Johnson

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"Tree of Smoke" is a beautifully written, violent novel about the CIA’s involvement in the Vietnam War and the agency’s own corruption. Through following multiple points of view and plot lines on both sides of the conflict, Johnson explores family, betrayal, exporting American values and — what resonated with me most — faith (mostly Christian, but also eastern spirituality) in the midst of chaos and death.

The book is very dark and entertaining and sometimes confusing — just like the book’s mythic figure Colonel Sands, one of my all-time favorite characters.

"Lonesome Dove" defines the meme: “the masculine urge to get up and leave.” It’s a classic Western about a group of south Texas ranchers who decide to steal a bunch of cattle and set their sights on Montana.

"Lonesome Dove," by Larry McMurtry

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The story takes place post-Civil War during the last days of the Wild West, with the book’s two main protagonists restless, ex-Texas rangers desperately trying to hold onto the excitement of the old days. The basic question here that resonated with me is whether it’s worth giving up stability and family for a life of adventure.

It’s a long but easy read — hilarious, lewd and a very masculine book (though it is my mother’s favorite!).