My Year of Reading, 2024
The good and the DNF'ed.
I’m bad at keeping track of what I read but looking through my Kindle and my library history I’ve read about 30 books this year and listened to three. I DNF’ed another 3-4 books because life is too short to read something that isn’t for you.
One I almost DNF’ed but didn’t: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. The main protagonist is so unhinged and unlikeable that I almost quit reading but I’m really glad I finished it and the ending was great. It’s a thriller that also explores some interesting territory around the publishing world and cultural appropriation. It’s also a fast read if that’s what you’re looking for.
One I DNF’ed again: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Y’all, don’t understand why I can’t finish this book. I’ve tried twice (and a third time with the audiobook version) and I just can’t get into it. I super-loved her other book, The Starless Sea, so I’m not sure what the problem is. Do I try again or just let it go? Help.
Okay, down to business. Here are my Top Five for 2024:
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
A sharp and funny post-breakup story with a gut punch twist at the end.
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
A truly gripping thriller about what happens when we don’t believe women.
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Unlike anything I’ve read lately. It wasn’t perfect (I thought the ending felt rushed) but I really enjoyed the time I spent with these characters.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I love a time travel book and this one has an unusual premise (and a great love story.)
The Hunter by Tana French
A very satisfying sequel to The Searcher. Tana French is the best at atmospheric writing.
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
I love the Jackson Brodie series but they’re usually quite dark. This one, in the manner of an Agatha Christie mystery, was more of a romp.
Okay fine, this is six books, not five, but I couldn’t figure out which one to cut and who makes the rules around here anyway? These are not necessarily the BEST of the books I read but they are the ones I most enjoyed and they all surprised me in different ways.
I’ve done short reviews already of most of these books here on my Substack if you want to know more.
And just to keep you up to date, I’m currently reading #31, The Wedding People by Alison Espach. So far, it’s excellent.
Please tell me your favorite reads from 2024!
My favorite reads of 2024:
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsh - wow, everything I want in a book. Page turning thriller/sci-fi/horror. You should give it a try.
In The Woods by Tana French - per your enthusiasm, finally got my book club to read it and it was great!
Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott - writing advice that is 100% on point!
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree - cozy fantasy. It's what we need right now.
11/22/63 by Steven King - damn that guy can write!
We overlap a bit; I loved Margo's Got Money Troubles and The Ministry of Time, which you recommended! I thought the new Kate Atkinson was okay, but overlong. The best book I read this year was The North Woods by Daniel Mason, which was inventive, accessible, and really different. The other best-for-me were:
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub (much more thoughtful than it sounds)
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Glassworks by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith (terrible cover, GREAT book)
I just discovered a new/old author that you might like: Jane Haddam. Her style and protagonist is reminding me of Jackson Brodie. If you enjoy them, there are 30 of them! Whee!