What I Read in 2024
It is the last day of 2024, and there is a zero percent chance I will finish The Rhythm of War before midnight, so let’s wrap this ish up.
Happy New Year’s Eve!
This is a bit of a bonus before the first edition launches tomorrow.
For the past few years, I have always set a reading goal of 52 books. One book a week. It should be totally achievable. My mom reads upwards of 100 every year. But every year, I would fall short, so in 2024, I settled for 12 books: one book a month, less stress, and more time to focus on writing.
I ended up reading 24 books in 2024, doubling my goal and ending on a sweet little moment of synchronicity, 24 in ‘24. Cute.
I only had three 5-star reads, which is rare for me; I’m usually pretty generous with stars.
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, translated by Elisabeth Jaquette
“A searing, beautiful novel meditating on war, violence, memory, and the sufferings of the Palestinian people.”
This was the most affecting book I read this year; it is beautiful and heartbreaking and so important to read now.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman**
This was a re-read. This book is one of my all-time favorites. It brings me back to the feelings I would get when I read when I was young, how I could totally disappear into a book. It is a comfort to return to, and I will often. I am sad that there have been some allegations against Gaiman in the last year, so I won’t link to the book, but maybe grab it from the library or Pango Books.
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed
This was a short little piece of dark magic. It felt like a classic fairytale from the time before their rough edges were smoothed and made safe for Disney princesses. It is grim and moody, and I loved every page.
Other Recs
These might not have gotten all the stars, but I enjoyed them and think you might, too.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
This book is like lying on your stomach and kicking your feet in glee. It is a delicious little treat. It’s so easy and so fun.
The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monika Kim
Monika Kim was a guest author at Silver Lake Reading Club (my most favorite discovery in 2024), and I couldn’t say no to picking up a copy of her book. Horror is not my usual genre, but this book was so enthralling and so perfect for the moment. There is a reason it’s on everyone’s end-of-the-year lists.
It’s not too scary, but there is some gnarly body horror to be aware of before diving in.
Goals for 2025
24 in ‘24 was so nice; why not do it again? 25 in ‘25. If you want to follow along, come be my friend over on The Storygraph — the best book-tracking app out there.
**I have not been able to bring myself to read the Vulture article detailing the abuse allegations against Gaiman. Not because I don’t believe the accuser but because I do. Gaiman was my favorite author for decades, and it hurts that someone who created things I held so dearly is also a terrible person. I will not be purchasing any more of his work, and after this, I will not be recommending any of his work. I do not believe that you can separate the art from the artist while the artist still has financial benefits, and even after their passing, I don’t believe that good art is a pass for bad behavior. Neverwhere was one of my favorite novels, and it brought me a lot of joy, but that is not enough to support its creator.