My Year in Books | 2024
I read 24 books in 2024. How appropriate.
2024 was my “Year of Big Books” — never have I ever had such a streak of enjoyable fat paperbacks and long, winding Kindle copies to read in a row. But the best part of it all was tumbling headfirst back in loooooove with reading.
Not for the goal numbers, just for the joy.
When I was younger I’d consume novels like sandwiches, hungry for their sustenance of words characters stories worlds to get caught up in. I tried post-shmamdemic to get back in my reading groove (after crushing 52 books during the year of closures) but struggled. And it made me sad. A huge turn down on the volume of life in 2024 has made space for books to fill right back in.
When I closed my most recent paperback, Josh took note of my somber mood: “Oh no, you don’t have another lined up, do you? You always get a little weird when you finish a book.”
True — so please send recs.
Here is my list of 2024 reads, plus select commentary on a few.
While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence by Meg Kissinger
Fascinating look at one woman’s experience with a family life heavily impacted by mental illness. I sat myself down in a coffee shop one Saturday and didn’t leave for several hours.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeny
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
A unique and slightly absurd story of one girl who just couldn’t deal — and went into hibernation instead.
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
My third or fourth time reading this, I’m always swept along by Towles’ characters and captivating storytelling.
Table for Two by Amor Towles
A delightful collection of short stories that will hook you in, one of which is a continuation of one character’s sidequest from Rules of Civility.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Cheeky little mystery series that reads like an old timey whodunnit.
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
The omniscient POV this novel is written serves as a reminder of how much our past experiences shape our present relationships.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
A re-read from the true queen of thrillers (no one comes close to Flynn’s twisted tales.)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My favorite book since middle school, I used to re-read every Christmas. Finally dusted her off again.
The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another re-read, she’s lovely the first time around.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Steven King
Fascinating journey through King’s life and writing journey — plus great tidbits for writers.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
This book shattered me. So, so heartbreaking yet the deep unconditional love the characters have for one another (and the writing itself!) is so, so beautiful.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
If you read nothing else. This book captured my heart — the weaving of the characters’ stories, the writing, how deliciously thick the paperback is. A literary masterpiece.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
I had a fkn blast reading these two thick fantasy tales after our friends visited and highly recommended. I lost myself in Kvothe’s epic adventure, only to find myself amongst the group of fanatics cursing Rothfuss for his delay on finishing the series.
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
I read this in one day, mostly in the private onsen (bath) of our tiny home near Mt. Fuji in Japan. My ideal vacation.
Bad Mormon: A Memoir by Heather Gay
The RHOSLC ladies are delivering this season. I’d be fine if I didn’t read this though.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Now one of my top recommendations! One family, four perspectives, and another reminder how complicated pasts impact the present.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
A very different kind of novella, featuring a sidequest of one minor character from Name of the Wind.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
An entertaining and thought-provoking tale of “what ifs”.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Ugh. Trash thriller. But alas, I was entertained.
Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie
The debut novel of an acquaintance details a complicated mother-daughter relationship.
Audiobooks of 2024
I have a secret love of listening to celebrity memoirs read by the author. What a treat that Spotify now serves up audiobook hours — I took full advantage. While I don’t count audio toward my “read” goal, they are still books and I recommend most of them. They do make lovely companions for walking the dog, cleaning the house, paint by numbers…
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (read by Michelle Williams)
Greenlights (I’ll listen to Matthew McConoughey reading to me all day any day)
Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy by Crystal Hefner (did not finish but life in the mansion was very intriguing)
Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar