I’ve been setting the ambitious goal of 150 Books Read on Goodreads for the last few years and have consistently reached the uninspiring, yet also probably unsurprising, record of missing it each and every time. This year, after setting that same goal, what with the big move and, you know, life, I haven’t even been keeping track.
So, between now and the end of 2024, I’d like to take a stroll through all the stories and information I’ve added to the already overcrowded library in my head, briefly share them, give credit to the inspiring authors and publishers (who, as of a few Tuesdays ago, became even more vital to our world), and see how close I’ve come to this ever optimistic goal.
The Women by Kristin Hannah is heartbreaking, eye-opening, and unputdownable. Set during the Vietnam War, it is an inspiring illustration of the courage, resilience, compassion, sticktoitiveness, and all-around badassery of girls. It is one of my top 2 Kristin Hannah favorites (Great Alone anyone?) and a top ten 2024 read!
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is, in a word, enchanting. It is the first of his four “Secret Project” novels set in the Cosmere Universe. Again, the main character is female, this time brought to life by a male author. She is courageous, curious, ingenious, and brilliant. She also collects tea cups. Part fairytale, part science fiction pirate story, and set in a fantasy world you’ve never before experienced, it’s another one of my 2024 top ten favorites! I purchased two hardback copies for Christmas, one for my daughter – and one for ME!
The Shepherd King Duology by Rachel Gillig is a medieval Romantasy (spice level 1/5) with the usual magic/good-vs-evil, but with a healthy helping of completely unique and interesting twists. The world-building is breathtaking – castles, mist-covered forests, medieval gardens, enchanted ruins, dark horsemen, royal feasts, family discord that rivals any 1980’s TV drama, yet also tight-knit family love and unity. I’ve added it to my long list of literary worlds I’d visit in a heartbeat (Night Circus anyone?).
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano: This one is a subtle, modern tribute to a favorite classic, Little Women. It’s written as artfully and beautifully as the cover suggests – not that I ever choose books by their cover (just all the time). It’s a family coming of age story about sisters, loyalty, love, growing pains, and basketball (?!). Even the origin of the book’s title is heartwarming. I love this author and I loved this book, another 2024 top ten for me.
Burn by Colorado Author, Peter Heller – Heller is the Master of outdoorsman, nature adventurer, dystopian stories that leave you saying to yourself, ‘Wait, could this actually happen?’ Burn, his newest novel, starts out with a buddies’ hunting trip that quickly turns into a fight for survival in the midst of what looks like the beginnings of civil war in Maine. Nonstop action. Hard to put down.
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni is a unique coming of age novel. Sam Hill is born with ocular albinism, making his pupils red, thus, the title. As you can imagine, this makes for a tough road, especially during childhood. It’s a sweet story of resilience, acceptance, the love of family, and forgiveness. This novel is special and another of my 2024 top 10 contenders.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a memoir that navigates a complicated yet fiercely loving relationship between mother and daughter. Layered with the challenges of being biracial in America, and the desire and pressure to remain true to her Korean roots, this is a fascinating, touching read. It sent me on an immediate side trip through Google wanting to know more about the author.