“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”―
As an author, I’m often asked for advice. Beyond the usual “butt in chair, fingers on keyboard” and “write every day, even if all you have are five minutes to spare” there is this: Read. Read books in your genre, and those outside of it. If a book captivates you from beginning to end, ask yourself why. If it’s hard to get back to (or worse, a DNF), ask the same question. Then learn from both.
Each January, I set a Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 52 books. Some weeks, reading (or listening…I’m also a fan of audiobooks) a book is easy peasy. Other weeks, not so much. But that’s the goal. In 2024, I managed to get to 52 and as can be expected, there were books I loved, some I liked, and one that I just. could. not. finish. Here are a few of my favorite (and not so favorite) reads of 2024, and remember: reading is subjective.
My top five faves (in order read): The Dutch House by Ann Patchett; Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; Yellowface by R.F. Kuang; The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis; What Happened to Nina? by Dervia McTiernan
Best Autobiography: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (who also narrates the audiobook). A fascinating life told without compromise.
Best Book Club Read: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Best Legal Thriller: The Murder of Sarah Barton by Lance McMillan. The sequel, Death to the Chief, wasn’t quite as good.
Best Historical (Tie): Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini; The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Best Suspense: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Best Police Procedural: A toss up between Righteous Prey and Judgement Prey by John Sandford (I’m a sucker for Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers)
Best Oldie but Still a Goodie: The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Best Anthology: Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense edited by Judy Penz Sheluk (hey, this is MY list after all)
Most Disappointing: The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. I LOVED The Maid. Preordered this. Maybe my expectations were too high?
Least Favorite Book Club Read: Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Did Not Finish: It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover. Yes, I know I’m an outlier here but I barely got through It Ends With Us and midway through this rehash of that book, with entire passages copied verbatim, I just thought, “life is too short.”
Here’s a link to all 52 books, where you can see my ratings and read my reviews.
What about you, dear reader? Do you have a favorite book read in 2024? Favorite audiobook? I’d love to know why.