"Books are a uniquely portable magic" said Stephen King. Here are the 56 books I read in 2024 that invited me into the portal of the imagination, my favorite place to be.
Not surprisingly maybe, I love your list Amy! I am a huge fan of Allende, and Ferrante (whom I have read in Italian and my daughter now is reading in French!). Ocean Vuong’s “on Earth we’re briefly gorgeous” has been a huge inspiration for my writing. But my absolute favourite (and surprise!): The Paper Palace!!! I devoured the book and went back to reading it as soon as I finished it. I have so much to say about it. I LOVED, LOVED it! I was looking forward to Miranda July’s “All Fours” and was surprised by how underwhelmed and disappointed I was by it. Especially part 1, which bored me. It got better later, but I wouldn’t list it among my favourites, even though I really like and respect July. Curious to know what you thought of it…
Thanks for your introductions to so many interesting novels. As you know, I'm amazed at the speed with which you read (and plowed through these books)! I'm delighted to see a few that I'm familiar with and one that I've actually finished (Liars--which, by the way, is more about sexual betrayal than just a marriage gone bad). I believe Book Club has been made into a movie (is that the same story?) and I remember enjoying it very much! Also, I'm excited to learn that My Brilliant Friend has new seasons now on HBO, which I have a subscription. I've watched a few seasons but the pandemic stopped its production. So I'll put that to my watch list :-) I was wondering how the translated novels read like, and am glad to hear that the writing is beautiful. I will come back again and again when I find myself hungry for novels! I know I can trust your taste for good literature!
Louisa, thanks for browsing my reads for 2024 and glad a few whetted your appetite. You are right about the main subject matter of Liars, that's true. This novel The Book Club is not related to the movie (the novel is far better!) I have not seen the HBO series of My Brilliant Friend yet but look forward to it. Keep coming back to my library. Open 24/7, no limits on how long you borrow a title:-) In fact, do stay the night: I welcome tumbleweeds!
I don't typically read serious fiction -- the longing left me when my brother died, and has never come back. (I do indulge in mysteries.) I've been loving non-fiction and I'm excited for next week's list of those books.
Mary thanks so much for dropping by to leave a comment. I am sorry for your loss with your brother's death and how it led to other losses for you. Glad you can lose yourself in a mystery! I've got some good titles for next week's list. Stay tuned!
This is a great list and ideas for my 2025 list. Whenever I complete a book I take a picture and put in the yearly book folder. Somehow I read 80 books this year (so far 🙂). I love Elizabeth Stroud as well. After I read “Tell me Everything” I went back to her earlier books which was so interesting, I know these people!. Ireally enjoyed All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and the Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. It was fun going back to read Richard Bradford’s 2 books written in 1968 and 1973. (Red Sky at Morning and So Far From Heaven). Thanks for your interactive post.
I am so happy you enjoyed my 2024 reading portal. 80 books! Amazing! Thank you for these suggestions from your list. And yes this practice of photographing a book when done; i make a rather haphazard record; yours is a much better idea. You will enjoy Elizabeth Strout’s world: indeed we DO know these people😀
All That She Carried by Tiya Miles, Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward, Annie Dillard and Hafez everything and anything, The Way Home by Kardea Brown, Nora Ephron’s writing, Soil by Camille T. Dungy.
Thank you Constellations, such a great list, writers that I also love, Ephron, Dillard, Hafez, Jesmyn Ward, and have heard great things about Soil. Not heard of the Miles or Brown books so will go seek them out now.
You’re welcome. ☺️ I actually just discovered Tiya Miles. Kardea Brown is a chef actually. She’s from Edisto Island, SC. She has a cooking show streaming.
Not surprisingly maybe, I love your list Amy! I am a huge fan of Allende, and Ferrante (whom I have read in Italian and my daughter now is reading in French!). Ocean Vuong’s “on Earth we’re briefly gorgeous” has been a huge inspiration for my writing. But my absolute favourite (and surprise!): The Paper Palace!!! I devoured the book and went back to reading it as soon as I finished it. I have so much to say about it. I LOVED, LOVED it! I was looking forward to Miranda July’s “All Fours” and was surprised by how underwhelmed and disappointed I was by it. Especially part 1, which bored me. It got better later, but I wouldn’t list it among my favourites, even though I really like and respect July. Curious to know what you thought of it…
What a great list! I'm saving this post, Amy.
That makes me so happy. Thanks!
Thank you for this.. learning and growing in my “mature” years too…I like to think I am continuing to Awaken..yes, one day at a time.. 🩷🩷✨💫
Thank you NancyAnne! So glad you enjoyed reading. Here’s to a continued Awakening!
Thanks for your introductions to so many interesting novels. As you know, I'm amazed at the speed with which you read (and plowed through these books)! I'm delighted to see a few that I'm familiar with and one that I've actually finished (Liars--which, by the way, is more about sexual betrayal than just a marriage gone bad). I believe Book Club has been made into a movie (is that the same story?) and I remember enjoying it very much! Also, I'm excited to learn that My Brilliant Friend has new seasons now on HBO, which I have a subscription. I've watched a few seasons but the pandemic stopped its production. So I'll put that to my watch list :-) I was wondering how the translated novels read like, and am glad to hear that the writing is beautiful. I will come back again and again when I find myself hungry for novels! I know I can trust your taste for good literature!
Louisa, thanks for browsing my reads for 2024 and glad a few whetted your appetite. You are right about the main subject matter of Liars, that's true. This novel The Book Club is not related to the movie (the novel is far better!) I have not seen the HBO series of My Brilliant Friend yet but look forward to it. Keep coming back to my library. Open 24/7, no limits on how long you borrow a title:-) In fact, do stay the night: I welcome tumbleweeds!
I'd gladly stay the night as a tumbleweed at Amy's Bookstore!
I was hoping you would compile a list again this year. Thank you, Amy! I’ll be turning back to this often. 💕
So glad you enjoyed browsing my library. Come and "borrow" a title anytime!
I don't typically read serious fiction -- the longing left me when my brother died, and has never come back. (I do indulge in mysteries.) I've been loving non-fiction and I'm excited for next week's list of those books.
Mary thanks so much for dropping by to leave a comment. I am sorry for your loss with your brother's death and how it led to other losses for you. Glad you can lose yourself in a mystery! I've got some good titles for next week's list. Stay tuned!
I’ve a few of your 2024 books. I’ve not finished one. My project 2025. Completion !
Hope I’ve inspired you Jennifer. Happy reading (to the end😀).
This is a great list and ideas for my 2025 list. Whenever I complete a book I take a picture and put in the yearly book folder. Somehow I read 80 books this year (so far 🙂). I love Elizabeth Stroud as well. After I read “Tell me Everything” I went back to her earlier books which was so interesting, I know these people!. Ireally enjoyed All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and the Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. It was fun going back to read Richard Bradford’s 2 books written in 1968 and 1973. (Red Sky at Morning and So Far From Heaven). Thanks for your interactive post.
I am so happy you enjoyed my 2024 reading portal. 80 books! Amazing! Thank you for these suggestions from your list. And yes this practice of photographing a book when done; i make a rather haphazard record; yours is a much better idea. You will enjoy Elizabeth Strout’s world: indeed we DO know these people😀
What a wonderful and generous collection! Thank you, Amy. ♥️🌌📚
Thank you Constellations for stopping by to survey my library for 2024. Glad you enjoyed it. What was your favorite read of the year?
All That She Carried by Tiya Miles, Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward, Annie Dillard and Hafez everything and anything, The Way Home by Kardea Brown, Nora Ephron’s writing, Soil by Camille T. Dungy.
Thank you Constellations, such a great list, writers that I also love, Ephron, Dillard, Hafez, Jesmyn Ward, and have heard great things about Soil. Not heard of the Miles or Brown books so will go seek them out now.
You’re welcome. ☺️ I actually just discovered Tiya Miles. Kardea Brown is a chef actually. She’s from Edisto Island, SC. She has a cooking show streaming.
Celebrate it all, friend. ♥️💫