2024
My Year in Books
14,442 pages read
42 books read
11 books for book club (*books); 9 books on audio and 12 on kindle – that’s half the 42!
A lot of new-to-me-authors or debut authors, but also a lot of familiar-to-me authors, such as Cheryl Strayed, William Kent Krueger, Gabrielle Zevin, Elin Hildebrand, Kristin Hannah, Anne Tyler, Louise Penny, Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, Fredrik Bakman, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Jenny Colgan. I’ll probably always seek out books by these authors. Also a few “short stories” or Amazon Original Stories (I’m a sucker for a cheap e-book when it sounds interesting!).

How about you? What was your 2024 in books like?

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
I’ve never been disappointed with a William Kent Krueger book. A good kick-off to 2024! He describes a few weeks in a Minnesota summer with a mysterious death and secrets…

* The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
This was our first book-club book for 2024! An actual wartime cookery program encouraging use of rationed supplies in creative ways.

Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
A short story memoir about Cheryl and her mother-in-law.

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
A book set at the holidays at a cozy inn. Great characters and a pretty predictable plot. But good to spend time with them.

The Hole We’re In by Gabrielle Zevin
An uncomfortable book about reliance on credit cards and financial free-fall of a family by the author of A Storied Life of A.J.Fikrey.

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
An influencer creates a Five Star Weekend for four friends from different times of her life. Hilderbrand’s books are never a disappointment.

* In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo
Read for book club – a group of Army wives who create a book club and then become estranged – but come together to help when it is important.

Spare by Prince Harry
Listened to the audiobook, read by the author. It was difficult to hear him talk about the loss of his mother. I hope he is well…

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah
A fictional account of Jackie Bouvier’s year abroad in post-war Paris.

* The Women by Kristin Hannah
I just noticed that I gave this 4 stars on Goodreads. I might need to amend that, as it is one of the few books I read in 2024 that evoked many emotions and that can come back when I think back on it. Such a time in history and a story that I haven’t read before.

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
A sweet short story about love and seeking perfection.

The Marriage Sabbatical by Lian Dolan
After 23 years of marriage, these empty nesters find that they don’t want to do the same things in their lives and take a year “sabbatical” to pursue individual interests… An interesting concept and beautiful settings. Written by my Satellite Sister, Lian.

* The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
For book club! What a strange reading experience. About 1/3 through I started over because I thought I missed something big – but it turns out that something hadn’t been discussed yet! It was a fun look at aging with very likeable characters. “You always know when it’s your first time, don’t you? But you rarely know when it’s your final time.” Going to be made into a movie with a bunch of great British characters! Can’t wait!

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González
A strange book, told moving back and forth in time, about the art world and who gets remembered.

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
I wish there were enough hours in the day to read all of Louise Penny’s books. The world she writes (Three Pines) is so lovely and the characters are fun to be with. Maybe someday I’ll read them all!

* The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Historical fiction about code breaking during WW2. Based on true events!

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Love and dating in Minnesota – with a curse thrown in!

* The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
My book club pick for 2024. Writing your truth and leaving it for others to find. A nice book about authenticity, vulnerability… being real.

Funny Story by Emily Henry
The thing I love about Emily Henry books is that they give the women more agency than some romantic books. Doesn’t disappoint!

The Guncle by Steven Rowley
My review: “Love, loss, humor!” It was such an unexpectedly wonderful little book about Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) helping his brother out after his wife dies by taking the kids for the summer. Just so good.

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
I devoured this book. Bite-sized chapters and intriguing story.

* The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane by Dee MacDonald
For book club – sooooo delightful! Women “of a certain age” looking for love! Great discussion about dating and growing older at book club.

The Guncle Abroad by Steven  Rowley
Not as wonderful as the first, but it was good to connect with these characters as they moved a little farther down the grief path. Still funny, still sweet.

Honey by Isabel Banta
About the desire to be famous, capital F Famous, in the music world.

The Golden Oldies Guesthouse by Dee MacDonald
Because I wanted to stay with the Penny Lane characters, I read another book about these women!

* A Thousand Voices by Lisa Wingate
#3 in a series, but I haven’t read the first two. About a young girl searching for her family.

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin
Connected by their friends’ marriage and struggling through jealousy and feeling abandoned by friends.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman
A fun listen about being in the sandwich generation – children growing into adults and parents needing assistance. Family get-togethers in cramped quarters on a beach. Love it.

* The Teacher by Freida McFadden
Whoa! An easy read with a monster twist!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
What a beautiful story about family. Loved it.

The Golden Gals’ French Adventure by Judy Leigh
Lots of character development and very little plot. “Kind of a slog,” is what I wrote after reading, but also “just the kind of book I like.” A “vacation for the brain.”

* Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
One of the best books I read in 2024. Just so wonderfully told.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
A difficult (at times) story told about two half-sisters and their different paths in life. Generation after generation from Ghana to England to the Civil War in the US.

Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin
A passionate food lover writes about her journey with home-cooking. It’s now living on my cookbook shelf!

* Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Just love his writing style, character development, and the conversations.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
What a story. I’ve really liked everything that I’ve read by this author.

‘Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson
A fun listen about friends who decide they need to take a break before Christmas, leaving their loved ones to take over! They get snowed in and are left to run the bed and breakfast. I love a new book around set around the holidays and this one wasn’t so treacly but fun.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
It was fun to listen to this, read by the author. I have none of her books, but that will change. She did have luck and privilege but also, she was intentional and hard working.

The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman
A crazy little short story by Mr. Backman. Fun characters, silly plot.

Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah
Searched my Kindle for a book set in winter and found this oldie (published in 2000) by Kristin Hannah, who never fails. An accident, a coma, an unknown life before this marriage… good intrigue.

The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
Jenny Colgan is someone who writes fun books set around the holidays and in England. This fun little story is about a search for a rare book and the intrigue of the underground book collectors.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
A fun listen about a famous author who beckons current authors to her remote British estate for Christmas – and to solve a mystery.