What's Next? discussion

It's hard to believe another year has passed already. What were some of your favorite reads from this year?

My reading took a nosedive this year (I’m at 32-33 books down from 52 on avg the last few years), but I hope to get back on track next year.

In chronological order, these were my most notable reads:
The Farm, Joanne Ramos
Good Material, Dolly Alderton
Funny Story, Emily Henry
Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Wedding People, Alison Espach

All of the above were 5-star reads except Good Material, which I should have rated 5 instead of 4. Not on the list is The Women, Kristin Hannah, which I did rate 5stars at first but in retrospect, I disliked the author’s turning a serious story into a soap opera romance (I felt manipulated). The Four Winds was much better.

Though I didn’t meet my reading goal, I cleared some long-standing backlist books, so at least there was th. Happy reading in 225!

Thanks Sandy. Appreciate your input. I will post my own year-end summary over the coming days. My reading capacity dropped a few years ago and stabilizing at 30-35 from 50+, which has forced me to be more selective.

Here are some of my highlights from this year’s reading. All of my book specific reviews are in our group 2024 folder.

I’m reading less but finding better balance across new and old, favorite authors and new voices, fiction and non fiction.

Favorite Authors (3)
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. My 2nd James McBride novel after Deacon King Kong. I next plan to read The Good Lord Bird, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction (2013)
- If you enjoyed ‘An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones and “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell, I encourage you to read two of their earlier works. “Silver Sparrow” and “This Must be the Place”, respectively.

Classics (3)
- the martian chronicles. Surprisingly fresh take on outer space by Ray Bradbury, even though the book was published in 1950!
- The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. My first John Le Carre novel and it did not disappoint. I will read more about George Smiley’s adventures in 2025.
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Carson McCuller’s classic debut novel.

Award Winners (3)
- Demon Copperhead and James are on my list too
- Also including The Rabbit Hutch, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction (2022). This is the author’s debut novel; keep an eye out for her next book.

Book Series (2)
- Tana French, The Hunter, the 2nd installment in the Cal Hooper series. Like most fans, I’m still hoping for a new Dublin Murder Squad book, but happy to read what the author is publishing.
- Mick Herron, Spook Street, the 4th Slough House book. In my opinion, this is the best of the books (so far) and stronger than the TV version. NB - I’m staying one book ahead of the series.

Non Fiction (3)
- Hillary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self. For fan’s of Wolf Hall (and the Thomas Cromwell trilogy), this collection of essays, published posthumously, is a priceless collection of the author’s writings.
- Bono, Surrender. Strongly recommend to listen to the audio book, since read by the singer, including a cappella versions of the songs that kick off each chapter.
- Honorable mention to the new REM book, The Name of This Band is REM, which will be appreciated by fans.

Another satisfying reading year for me! I'm very happy with my reading pace for 2024, although a few of them were definitely 'impulse reads'. Finishing all 6 of the Booker Prize shortlisted books before the winner was announced was a fun challenge, and I aim to do it again next year. (nb. The winner Orbital was the first one I read... haha)

My favourite books are the following

Fiction

1. All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker  - slow burn

Series

1. Tana French : The Hunter and The Searcher - Literary mystery page turner

2. Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands - Fun fantasy series

Classic

1. The Old Man and the Sea - Short and sweet

Non fiction / Biography / Memoir

1. Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News by Emily Maitlis - my favourite journalist


Special mention

Shy Creatures by Claire Chambers - Historical fiction with a bit of mystery and a heart-warming ending

I was disappointed that I didn’t manage to complete my reading challenge goal in 2024. Anyhow, these are my favourites.

Historical fiction - The Women by Kristin Hannah and The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
This book was an unexpected, enjoyable read about main characters and their journeys; it was engaging with witty dialogues and deeply satisfying ending.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Not just another “rom-com”; this is a silly, funny “online meet cute” fiction with many ‘real human touch’ twists that keep the story alive; perfect for your next get away / beach read.

The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza
A real page-tuner about a multi-generation family tale with love, mystery, history, romance, and suspense, exactly what a woman needs to do to survive and keep a secret.

The Hunter, Tana French
My first Tana French book (finally!). This is actually a sequel of ‘The Searcher’ if you want to read it in order… it’s well written with a few weird twists and slower pace than my usual read. Overall 4.5 round up to 5 stars. Question: why is the book called “The Hunter”?

This was a dismal reading year since I don’t think I read many books at all! And most were just ok. But the few highlights were:

- A Gentleman in Moscow
- The Paris Novel (cute escapist read)
- Good Material
- Wedding People

Hoping for better reads in 2025!

Oh forgot to add Just for the Summer too :)