My reading goal for 2024 was to read at least 12 books. With a toddler in tow, my reading time is quite limited, and I find that my attention span is even shorter than it had been before having a child. Which, since college, was pretty horrible to begin with. Most of the books I read were book club selections for my work book club as well as one I have with three of my best friends. Despite my less than ideal hours spent reading, I was able to surpass my reading goal, and I read 22 books. Looking over my list, I read a fair bit of fantasy, several nonfiction, and, for me, a surprising amount of mysteries and thrillers. As I have done the past few years, here are my 2024 reads, ranked by nothing more than just my general opinion and overall enjoyment of the book.
 #22 (3 stars)  #19 (3 stars)  #16 (3 stars)  #13 (4 stars) |  #21 (3 stars)  #18 (3 stars)  #15 (4 stars)  #12 (4 stars) |  #20 (3 stars)  #17 (3 stars)  #14 (4 stars)  #11 (5 stars) |
TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2024
 #10 (4 stars) |  #9 (4 stars) |
I might have ranked Mirrored Heavens higher had I reread the first two books of the series right before the third and final book was released. While a satisfying conclusion to the Between Earth & Sky series, there was a lot to keep track of, and I felt a bit lost trying to remember everything from the previous books. However, the world Roanhorse created is so refreshing and beautiful that I'll be rereading the series in the future. I read Fourth Wing for a book club. I wasn't too excited to read it because I felt that the synopsis was just like a different book I had read that was kind of meh. I devoured Fourth Wing, and it kept me distracted while I fought off a cold. It was the first book in years that I had actually had to force myself to put down so that I would go to bed. After I finished it, and reflected on the story, I had some issues with the plot, but I had to rank it pretty high for how much I could not put it down.
 #8 (5 stars) |  #7 (5 stars) |
The Storm We Made is a grim reminder of the untold stories of World War II and how vast the suffering was of civilians around the world. It's a powerful story of colonialism and war, and although it is a good book, it is a difficult read emotionally. The Poisoner's Handbook was written by one of my college professors and it had been on my to read list for almost a decade. It did not disappoint. While I did expect a bit more complete narrative with beginning, middle, and end, I did like the various tales and stories of how poison was used, abused, and thankfully studied so that restrictions could eventually be put in place. My biggest take away is that I'm thankful to be alive in 2025. As long as our regulations on food and contaminants stay in place under our current administration...
 #6 (5 stars) |  #5 (5 stars) |
My first ever cozy fantasy/sci-fi was A Psalm for the Wild-Built, and it did not disappoint. I read it right before the holidays, and it was the perfect mix of philosophy and science fiction. It didn't require too much brain power, the pacing was peaceful, and the world was calming and thought provoking. As for A Court of Mist and Fury, I found the audiobook on Hoopla and thought, "Why not?" I did enjoy the first book, although the world building was not great. I was curious to know what happened next, and I found that I enjoyed book two much more than book one, which is unusual for me. The world building got a little better, and I enjoyed the new cast of characters.
 #4 (5 stars) |  #3 (5 stars) |
I read Disability Visibility for a training at my job, and I learned so much that I continue to think about on a regular basis. Some of the essays were hard to read; people can be so heartless and bigoted. But overall, the voices were so strong and uplifting that it made an inspiring read. My next top read was not uplifting, as it was a dark fiction anthology: Never Whistle at Night. I don't read a lot of dark fiction or horror, but this was the perfect amount of terror for me. Each story was eloquently written and filled with Native lore as well as poignant takes on modern issues facing indigenous peoples of the United States and Canada. A few stories have still stuck with me, their visuals hard to erase from my memory.
#2 (5 stars)
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Number 2 Book of 2024The Warm Hands of Ghosts was a pick of one of my friends. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, but this was a new novel that I had not heard of before it was chosen for our friend book club. This may have been the first and only historical fiction I've read that takes place during World War I. Besides a gripping plot, the descriptions of the battle fields were so detailed and brutal. This book made me want to learn more about WWI as I knew very little about it before reading this book. If you like a bit of magical realism mixed in with your historical fiction, this perfectly blends the two. |
Number 1 book of 2024
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The beginning of 2024 had me reeling from the destruction that was happening in Gaza. As a way to help me understand why, a high school English teacher of mine recommended I read The Lemon Tree. I accidentally requested the young adult version of the book from the library, but it was just what I needed to help me understand what led up to the October 7th attack on Israel. However, after reading this book and continuing to follow what was happening in Gaza, it did not take me long to call the attacks on the people of Gaza for what it was, and is: genocide. This book was the most important book for me to read in 2024 because it helped me understand the history of Israel and Palestine in a way that I could talk about it with others. I had known the basic history, but this true story of two families just broke my heart. I knew the rage and sadness I was feeling for Palestinians was valid, and this book emboldened me to believe that and post about it. I know I can do more to aid Palestinians. If you are reading this, and you are confused about what to think, or have not given Gaza much thought, read this book, or the adult version.
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#1 (5 stars)
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