in no particular order….

Even though this year seemed to last a hot minute (did you feel that too?), I actually managed to squeeze in some good reading. My new book group is partly responsible–that smart group of women has held me accountable (and fueled my addiction to a hot London Fog). My nightstand and desk, and side table, and… are towering with books waiting for 2025. Seriously, when the stacks start being stacks-in-front-of-stacks, do I have a problem? If so, I don’t care.

Closing out 2024, in no particular order of merit or alphabet, here are some of my favorite reads (defined as “books I keep thinking about”).* I’ve certainly left some worthy candidates off this list, but that’s what the interwebs are for – go forth and build your own stacks for 2025!

*to be clear, these were not all published in 2024, that just happens to be when I read them…because, piles & life.

Romance

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan. When your favorite audio book narrator writes a romance about an audio book narrator then narrates it….meta! Sassy, Smart, and a book-nerd bonus: I learned a lot about book narration.

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian. Sexy, Smart, Funny, Just the right amount of Baseball.

How to End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang. Heartbreaking, Heartwarming, I learned so much about a writer’s room.

Historical

The Women by Kristin Hannah. A new perspective (for me) on the Vietnam War, well-researched, worth the time.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks. A new perspective (for me) on the Civil War, Race, and Horseracing. Loved the multiple timelines.

Contemporary

There There by Tommy Orange. Great voice, multiple points of view, the urban native american story was fresh and vivid.

All Fours by Miranda July. Weird, wonderful, I couldn’t stop thinking about this woman long after I put the book down.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to eat kimchi. Great mother-daughter story.

Alternative

Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. It could happen, the food, the characters – all so vivid.

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I will never see Florida the same way again–until this book comes true, which seems likely.

Non Fiction/Memoir

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? By Jeanette Winterson. Heartbreak and laughter in double doses, I laughed so hard I cried. More than once.

The Power Broker by Robert Caro. It’s 1100+ pages – my white whale of a book since grad school (the first time). I WILL finish it by December 31st. I swear. (There’s a podcast, if you’d rather).

The Joy You Make by Steven Petrow. I felt like I knew Steven after reading this and (Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old) then I met him. He’s delightful. Read his books, they’ll make you laugh and think differently about your everyday.

One Tiny Bubble by Karen Krossing. Picture Book Science! Lovely, intriguing, lyrical, factual science. The Story of our Last Universal Common Ancestor (aka LUCA). Keep an eye out for more non-fiction coming from Karen soon.

Middle-grade and Young Adults

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E.Schwab. Narrated by Julia Whelan of Thank You For Listening (above). Twisty, multiple timelines, surprising, and delightful. Exactly what I wanted.

Olivetti by Allie Millington. Charmingly told from the typewriter’s point of view. Tom Hanks said to read it – I agree. Middle Grade.

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin. Full disclosure, I know Madeline. If I didn’t, I want to after reading this powerful, empowering, YES! if a book. Wild girls, society, friendship and loyalty. Young Adult.