Even though 2024 isn't quite over, I'm ready to list my favorite books of the year. I may still finish another one or two, but can safely say they are not contenders. I'll have a second wrap-up post with my 2024 reflections and statistics, along with intentions for 2025 in early January... once we're back in Florida.
Overall, 2024 was a pretty good reading year. I was slightly under my usual pace of one book per week, but that was mostly due to reading longer books. I did not set a numbers goal this year or participate in the goodreads challenge because I found that I was selecting shorter books in order to meet that goal rather than reading the longer books on my priority tbr. To bolster my resolve, I started 2024 with a 900+ page book that ended up on my favorites list (Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher) and tackled the colossal nonfiction Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin over the summer... also a favorite.
I did not consider rereads when selecting my favorites, but Persuasion by Jane Austen would certainly be here otherwise.
FICTION FAVORITES
(read/listen combination)
James by Percival Everett
(read/listen combination)
Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher
(print only)
Where the Forest Meets the River by Shannon Bowring
(print only)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
(read/listen combination)
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
(read/listen combination)
Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro
translated by Frances Riddle
(read/listen combination)
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
(print only)
Honorable Mention
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre, translated by Tina Cover
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González
NONFICTION FAVORITES
(read/listen combination)
(audio, narrated by the author)
Whoohoo! I love these year-end posts and am glad you are sharing yours a few days early. Like you, I read several BIG books this year, and will definitely not avoid those in 2025. It's wonderful to settle into a long, detailed story. I only wish there were more of Pilcher's to read. I may give Herman Wouk's The Winds of War a try, though.
ReplyDeleteTo your list... I have Tell Me Everything in my stacks. James will be a book club read. Coming Home might wind up on my Best of 2024 list. I have Where the Forest Meets the River in my stacks. The Wedding was very enjoyable, but probably won't hit my list this year. Same for Sipsworth, although I do find I'm still thinking about Helen. Ina Garten's book was fabulous and will make my list, I'm sure.
You've inspired me to get crackin' on my list. I still need to post my December reads first, though. I just started a long book, so I think it's safe to wrap things up today. This has been a slow week for reading. I've actually "taste tested" at least two dozen books that have been languishing on my shelves. Many were passed on to me by my mom and they aren't calling to me, so I'm giving them back to her. I actually have gaps in my bookcase! There's something about winnowing down the choices...
Enjoy these final days of the year!
I loved Coming Hom, it's one of my all time favorites for sure. I also agree about The Wedding People - it was a surprise. Can't wait for the Shannon Bowring book and I just got the Ina Garten memoir. Will check out your other titles.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to our buddy read in February. I saw on the Classic Club site they are doing a spin so, maybe I will try and get a list ready for that and future spins.
A book a week is a pretty good clip--although book length tends to sway the numbers. I truly appreciate your blog as so many of these books you enjoy are ones that I also enjoy but might never have thought to pick up. So thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am still psyching myself up to read James--for some reason it seems daunting. I got Where the Forest Meets the River from the library in early December, but then holiday reading crowded it out so I will try again in January.
Best wishes for a satisfying reading new year!
Great list. I read several of them this year as well. And Jane Austen is always the best. I wish she had written more.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I haven't read any of these but I see a few that I want to check out.
ReplyDelete