To say this past year has been interesting would be an understatement. A year of ups and downs, with an uncertain future ahead, the one constant in my life has been reading. And this year was a great one for that!
I made two changes at the beginning of the year, which I think set me up for a more successful and enjoyable time. First, I set my reading goals to a more leisurely rate. I mean, where’s the joy in cramming ten books at the end of December just to meet some arbitrary number I picked twelve months earlier? Second, I ditched NetGalley. I’m still signed up (unless they eventually delete my account for inactivity), but I really have no intentions of going back. I found that I was overwhelming myself with books I “had” to read and review, rather than just enjoying the ones I already had at my own pace. Plus, I’m not an influencer by any means so I always felt that my reviews were just shouts into the void. Eliminating that stress was truly lifting a weight off of my shoulders.
But enough about that…what about the books I did read??
Going back through the titles from this past year, I think it was a very successful reading year. I have a lot of 3.5 and 4 stars, and some stellar 4.5 and 5 stars (and yes, there were a few duds, but they were easily forgotten). So, without further ado, here are my favorite reads from 2024!
In no particular order…
FICTION
Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
Kill Your Darling by Clay McLeod Chapman
Bruises on a Butterfly by Chad Lutzke
She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
NONFICTION
Red Sands by Caroline Eden
Beyond the Great Wall by Naomi Duguid and Jeffrey Alford
The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow by Elin Anna Labba
Monsters on the Couch by Brian Sharpless
Dinner on Monster Island (Essays) by Tania De Rozario
What were your favorite reads of 2024? Drop me a line and let’s talk books!
Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!