We Hoarders say it every year; the months flew by at a breakneck pace, and we are now somehow facing the end of one year and the start of another. Our jobs and life kept us from reviewing on a more regular basis, but we can’t let 2024 close without a list of our favorite reads.
Some of these books were released this year, and some were finally rescued from their perennial spots on my TBR bookshelves. Overall, it was a good reading year. There were books that were all-encompassing and wonderful, and some that were terribly disappointing (I won’t be focusing on those here). Beauty is in the eye of the reader.
Some of these were audio, and some were physical books. Always remember that both versions count toward any reading goal! I can’t imagine my daily commute without an audiobook for company. This is why I never know which music artists are popular; I never listen to them.
Enough babbling – here’s my recommendation list from my year of reading in 2024! (In no particular order.)
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
I swear I’ve learned more historical nuggets from Kate Quinn than from my history teachers. This novel is beautifully written, with fantastic characters (several based on real people), addictive backstories and a common thread that blossoms into a perfect bow. I had a massive reading hangover after the close of this story, which catapulted it into my all-time favorite Quinn novels (right up there with The Huntress, which will forever be in my all-time top 10 reads).
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
A killer who ran free for far too long thanks to inept authorities and unbridled misogyny. Condescending comments, dismissed eyewitness accounts, unchecked investigations… all of it made my eyes roll to the back of my head. But revenge was sweet when author Jessica Knoll put them all in their places with a book that highlighted the women from the story. From the victims to the relentless champions of justice, Knoll gave the women a voice, and made sure their collective was heard.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I was very late reading this novel (publish date was 2012), but I’m so glad that I finally plucked it from the TBR list. Miller’s lyrical writing was perfect, and her version had the courage to embrace the love between Achilles and Patroclus rather than ignoring it (I’m talking to you, Troy movie). Even though you know how the story ends, Miller sweeps you off your feet (and then mercilessly leaves you broken hearted when it’s over). This is a gorgeous novel. I quickly ran out and bought Miller’s Circe, which I hope to tackle in 2025.
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
This is both sweet and fascinating but beware that the back-and-forth between years requires reader focus. I saw reviews that said the intertwined timelines were confusing, but this was by design. Overall, this book is full of twists that kept me glued to the pages until the end. Everyone can use a little magic now and then, and this magic is carefully dispersed and purposefully used.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
While I still maintain that Rowling needs an editor (bloody hell, these novels are long), The Running Grave is now my favorite installment of the Strike series. There was an excellent mystery, nail-biting scenes, infuriating villains, a satisfying ending and some overdue character development. Hoarder Penny and I are now worriedly waiting for the next installment, which we’re guessing is about 20,000 pages long (I kid… I think).
The Outsider by Stephen King
Still making good on my promise to read this series in order, and this Holly Gibney novel did not disappoint. It may be my favorite in the series thus far. The Outsider is the perfect matchup of police procedural and horror, and even more was revealed about our beloved investigator Holly. On to If It Bleeds, then Holly, then Hoarder Penny and I anxiously wait for King’s summer 2025 release!
11/22/63 by Stephen King
At one point in this novel’s middle, I felt 4 stars because of the length. I thought it might be a bit too long. Then the last third gripped me tight and didn’t let go. I knew this was a time travel book, but what I didn’t know is that it’s first and foremost a love story. And as I read, I thought that time itself was the main character’s enemy. But time wasn’t the enemy, and the book’s profound message hit me right between the eyes. This is a reading commitment, but there’s a reason so many reviewers count this among their favorites.
If You Like It Darker by Stephen King
I confess that I didn’t adore the first few stories as much as I had anticipated. But then I got to the novella Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. Then I read Rattlesnakes. And then, I was hit smack in the face with The Answer Man. (I’ll be honest – that one wrecked me.) King’s imagination did it again, and this collection is definitely worth your time. Quick PSA – don’t skip King’s afterward at the very end. It’s wonderful.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
This is gorgeous and heartbreaking and I kicked myself for taking so long to read it. The prose is magical; it was like reading an extended poem. And the way Maggie O’Farrell wrote Agnes (Anne) Shakespeare was nothing short of breathtaking. I had a lump in my throat when I finished. Pass the tissues.
The Wild Iris by Louise Glück
I see why this poetry collection won the Pulitzer Prize. I read and loved Winter Recipes from the Collective, but The Wild Iris collection hit harder. There’s a melancholy that accompanies these poems, as well as poignant references to God and the afterlife. I’ll read these again one day to see if my favorites will remain my favorites (Snowdrops, End of Winter and Daisies affected me the most). Beautiful.
James by Percival Everett
I lamented at the time that 10 stars would not have been enough. This novel catapulted itself into my all-time top 10, and James quickly became one of my all-time favorite literary characters. I envy readers who haven’t started it yet. This story is beautiful, heartfelt, enraging and funny all at once. I’m still shaking my head that it didn’t win the Pulitzer this year. It should have.
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
Do you need a quiet read that will make you smile? Look no further. Jenny and Bernard win for being a darling couple (about to celebrate their 60th anniversary), and the people that surrounded them were genuine and kind. I loved that Jenny became a contestant on a nationally televised baking competition at the age of 77, and was inspired by the message that you can do thrilling things at any age. Highly recommend if you need a little soul balm.
Honorable Mentions – each of these novels is worth the read!
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (Will restore your faith in humanity.)
The Gathering by C.J. Tudor (Burning Girls is my favorite by this author, but this one entertains.)
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman (If Backman rewrote a phone book, I’d read it. This is adorable and poignant.)
The HazelBourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson (Full of charm as Simonson deftly tackles women’s ‘places’ after WWI.)
Ok – I have to say it. My least favorite book of 2024 was The Women by Kristin Hannah. It was my first and last book by this author. I found the first half of the book to be interesting, and the second half to be torture. I know this novel is wildly popular and the author doesn’t need my praise to sell more books. But this novel wound up being trite and exhausting. M*A*S*H + harlequin romance does not equal historical fiction.
And there we have it. Another year of reading has come and gone, and we’re now excited for the novels of the New Year! We continue to promise to tackle our TBR shelves, while simultaneously allowing for the thrill of buying new treasures. A book, a cup of tea and a warm blanket are all we need to believe that everything is going to be ok. When escape is needed, these stories are waiting.
Happy Holidays, and wishing you fantastic reading in 2025!
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