As is tradition in the !!ninth!! year of my blog, I am going to wrap 2024 by listing my five favorite books (published in 2024) and my most popular posts. This year I’ve added a category – best book I read that was published previously to this year.

My favorite books of the year (published 2024)

For your convenience the titles and images are my Amazon affiliate links but I strongly encouraging buying from your local bookstore or borrowing from your local library.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This book is on a lot of “best of the year” lists, as it should be. If you haven’t read it please do! Here is my full blog post on this book from earlier in the year. A topic not covered much in historical fiction, the Vietnam War, plus a woman’s perspective as a combat nurse, this is an excellent read. It also inspired me to read a couple more books about Vietnam, including one I’ll mention below.

James: A Novel by Percival Everett

This is a brilliant retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim the slave. Even though it has been several years since I read Mark Twain’s masterpiece, my memories of it revealed themselves in tandem to this story. However, I recommend reading or re-reading Huck Finn before this book for an even better experience. Although Twain’s book was funny, this was more serious and thoughtful. The one time I did laugh out loud was scene with the Duke and the Dauphin – they are still so ridiculous!

A Table for Two by Amor Towles

This is a short story collection from one of my favorite authors. Still, I was skeptical about the format. Read my full blog post here.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

A mystery, thriller, with several layers of obsession told in a literary way. Using beautiful language, random facts about pirates, an Elton John song, endearing characters and friendships, this book is a unforgettable experience though also disturbing.

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber

It’s hard not to be obsessed with the Titanic – this book took me back to the movie with real historical figures and anecdotes but with new main characters at the forefront.

Other favorite reads published in previous years

I had a big surprise this year from reading something that sat on my shelf forever:

Read my post on why I loved The House of Sand and Fog.

And after reading The Women I was inspired to read The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, also about Vietnam. I really think everyone who wasn’t alive (or was very young) during that time period should read this book.

Most popular posts

After nine years of writing this blog, it’s interesting to me to see what posts get the most hits:

As in the past several years, my most popular post is on the poetry collection “Poem Counterpoem” featured in the TV show This is Us.

Books Inspired by Hemingway and His Wives

When literature and TV collide (about an HBO TV series from several years ago, people must still be watching it!)

The Amor Towles post I already linked to above!

Family Fun in Durango & Silverton Colorado (it’s so fun for me when I see a travel post getting hits)

Thank you for reading my blog and for reading along with me! Happy New Year and Happy Reading!! As my 14-year old said recently, “Reading is trending!”