A Year in Books

2024 was chaotic, marked by a major home renovation that dominated the year. The first half was spent packing, and the second half saw demolition and construction—with rooms missing drywall, outlets, plumbing, and even floors. Amid the physical disorder, books became my refuge.

When the noise was too much, I put on my headphones and escaped into another world through audiobooks. At night, my Kindle offered a quieter way to unwind. I made it a goal to read at least one chapter before bed—sometimes two or three if the book was particularly gripping. Books not only filled my time but also provided stability and solace in a year of unpredictability.

Contemporary Fiction

Winner: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I loved this book! The story is whimsical yet heartfelt, with unforgettable characters and poignant themes of connection and healing.

My Review of Remarkably Bright Creatures

Runner-Up: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Another great story. A deeply emotional exploration of family dynamics and resilience, with beautifully drawn characters.

My Review of Hello Beautiful and Blog Discussion

Multigenerational Family

Winner: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

I love a good multigenerational story and this one did not disappoint! It's a sweeping, heartfelt narrative that explored love, loss, and family through generations.

My Review of The Covenant of Water

Runner-Up: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

I had this one on my TBR list for too long! Thankfully the library book club pushed it up on my reading list. It's a beautifully told story of a woman’s life, highlighting themes of resilience and self-discovery.

My Review of The Boston Girl

Grief and Reflection

The past few years have been marked by significant losses, and the stages of grief seemed to run into one another. I found it helpful to read or listen to how others have dealt with their own grief.

Although the stories I encountered were unique to each author, there was something universal in them—a shared understanding of loss and resilience that felt deeply comforting and affirming. These experiences profoundly influenced my reading choices.

Winner: Here After by Amy Lin

So good, I hope more people read this one. It's a poignant and thought-provoking story that beautifully explores grief, love, and the life after losing a loved one. I this one better than Grief Is For People by Sloane Crosley

My Review of Here After

Runner-Up: Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

I loved this one too. Kaib's unique structure and emotional storytelling, offered a touching tribute to her grandmother and family bonds.

My Review of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me

Memoir

Memoirs became a significant part of my reading this year, thanks to the Minot-Sleeper Library's Nonfiction book club. Their selections introduced me to incredible stories, some with a local connection, that I might not have discovered otherwise.

Winner: KooKooLand by Gloria Norris

This was a surprise - a pleasnat one at that! I had no idea what to expect from this book and found it to be a gritty and deeply moving account of family struggles, resilience, and survival.

My Review of KooKooLand  and Blog Discussion

Runner-Up: A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout

Another book that the library's book club introduced me to was this gem. It's a harrowing and inspiring memoir of resilience, survival, and the power of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

My Review of A House in the Sky

Nonfiction

Nonfiction became a rich and rewarding category for me this year, largely influenced by the Minot-Sleeper Library's Nonfiction Book Club. Their selections introduced me to compelling narratives that balanced education with engaging storytelling.

Winner: The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan by Jenny Nordberg

Another book that took me completely by surprise. This was a powerful exploration of gender and cultural identity in Afghanistan, I had not ever expected to read about. But very glad I did!

My Review of The Underground Girls of Kabul

Runner-Up: The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

McCullough is a master at presenting history in such an interesting and riveting manner. I found this book to be a vivid historical detail, such a masterful narrative that it brought this tragedy to life.

My Review of The Johnstown Flood and Blog Discussion

Historical Fiction

Winner: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

This was a riveting blend of history and human drama, inspired by the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Soviet sniper during World War II. Quinn’s vivid prose, meticulous research, and emotional depth brought both the brutality of war and the resilience of its protagonist to life.

My Review of The Diamond Eye

Runner-Up: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Patchett is a favorite of mine and I'm reading my way through all her book. This story is a beautifully written exploration of human connection during an extraordinary terrifying situation. Patchett’s immersive storytelling and complex, relatable characters made this a deeply emotional and unforgettable read.

My Review of Bel Canto

True Crime

True crime is a relatively new genre I have been exploring more and more as I’ve found it fascinating. Again, the Minot-Sleeper Library's Nonfiction Book Club was a great source for me this year, introducing me to compelling narratives that blended history, mystery, and human psychology.

Winner: Cold Water Crossing: An Account of the Murders at the Isles of Shoals by David Faxon

Wow! This is a gripping and atmospheric exploration of a historical true crime that keeps you on edge.

My Review of Cold Water Crossing and Blog Discussion

Runner-Up: The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel

I find people to be so interesting at times. This book is a fascinating and intricate look into the world of art theft, blending true crime with cultural intrigue.

My review of The Art Thief

Mystery and Thrillers

Mysteries have always resonated with me, offering a perfect blend of intellectual engagement and entertainment. This year’s standout selections captured the layered storytelling and intriguing characters that make the genre so enjoyable.

Winner: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I love a well-crafted mystery. Horowitz has cleverly layered storytelling with a mystery within a mystery, offering a fresh and engaging take on the genre.

My Review of Magpie Murders

Runner-Up: The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

When I was young I loved the thrill of a roller coaster. Now I love getting that thrill from a good thriller. This story is a gripping and atmospheric thriller with surprising twists and compelling characters. Buckle up!

My Review of The Stillwater Girls and Blog Discussion

Fantasy

Winner: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

What a wonderful escape this book was! It has epic world-building, strong female characters, and a refreshing tone of hope. Everything an escapist would want in a story!

My Review of The Priory of the Orange Tree

Runner-Up: A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

I adore the world-building of P. Djèlí Clark. His ability to create an inventive setting, cultural richness, and a perfect blend of magic and mystery knows no bounds.

My Review of The Master of Djinn and Blog Discussion

Science Fiction

Science fiction has always been a big love of mine, offering a unique blend of imagination and reflection on the future. With advancements in AI and robotics becoming both exciting and terrifying, these stories allow me to explore the possibilities and consequences of technology in ways that feel both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Winner: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have been reading my way through the entire Ray Bradbury library. The Martian Chronicles is a timeless exploration of humanity through the lens of interplanetary colonization, blending science fiction with lyrical prose.

My Review of The Martian Chronicles

Runner-Up: AnnieBot by Sierra Greer

Why it stood out: A creative and engaging exploration of artificial intelligence and humanity, offering a fresh perspective on technology's potential and ethical dilemmas.

My Review of AnnieBot

Classics 

I love revisiting the classics, reading some of the authors who were first introduced to me in school. Some of these works I’m encountering for the first time, while others I’m returning to—though I’ll admit, I didn’t always finish all my assignments back then! It’s fascinating to read them now and see which ones still hold up after all this time. These are the books that have truly earned their status as classics, resonating across generations with themes and prose that remain relevant and impactful.

Winner: A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

I didn’t read much Hemingway in school, maybe a short story or two, but never his novels. A Moveable Feast feels different from traditional fiction—more like an autobiography that offers a deeply personal and evocative glimpse into his life in 1920s Paris. Its nostalgic reflections on art, relationships, and the literary world make it an insightful and enriching read.

My Review of A Moveable Feast

Particularly Good on Audio

Sorry for Your Loss by Michael Cruz Kayne

I started the second day of the new year reflecting the first anniversary of my father's death by listening to this amazing audiobook, which turned out to be a deeply moving and humorous exploration of grief, blending personal anecdotes with larger reflections on loss and resilience. Its excellent narration made it an unforgettable listening experience.

My Review of Sorry For Your Loss

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

This epic of a story was certainly enhanced by the narration by the author, it added an authentic and intimate layer to a sweeping and heartfelt narrative.

My Review of The Covenant of Water

The Miranda Obsession by Jen Silverman

I ended my year with this unique and captivating listening experience that brought the mysterious and poignant story to life. When I worked at two radio stations in my twenties, my Program Director described radio as the ultimate "theater of the mind." Visuals can distract, but when you get someone to listen, their imagination creates something far more powerful. This audiobook captures that essence beautifully, making it an unforgettable experience.

My Review of The Miranda Obsession

Overall Favorite of the Year

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This story is a poignant and beautifully written story with unforgettable characters. The kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished, leaving you missing the characters as if they were old friends.

My Review of Remarkably Bright Creatures

Closing The Chapter on 2024

As I reflect on my 2024 reading journey, I’m reminded of how books have the power to provide refuge, inspiration, and insight during life’s most chaotic and transformative moments. From deeply moving tales of resilience and connection to immersive explorations of history, science fiction, and human creativity, this year’s reads have been nothing short of transformative.

If you’re a fellow book lover, I hope my favorites spark your curiosity and encourage you to explore new stories that resonate with you. And if you’ve read any of these titles—or have recommendations for me—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s celebrate the joy of reading together and look forward to another year of incredible stories in 2025!

All the Artwork was rendered by Xine Segalas in NightCafe