My Best Books-2024 edition

I far exceeded my reading goal this year which originally was 65 books and I think the reason I went beyond is because I'm reading more books digitally. I'm often reading under the covers in the early morning hours on my phone because of my sleep issues.  My daughter nicely bought me a kindle for Christmas because I don't like to sleep with my phone so I will be able to continue to read more digitally in 2025. I'll have to do more reading to keep my spirits up once DT takes office.  I don't recommend insomnia to help with your reading goal but for me it's better than doom scrolling.

There is a certain type of yummy book that works well for reading digitally. I'm not good with lots of characters or time changes. It is no surprise then that this is the year I discovered the fun of Elin Hilderbrand and I've quickly devoured several of her books. The Five-Star Weekend hit my 5-star mark.  Here are 13 more books I loved this year...

I loved Waubgeshig Rice's post-apocalyptic series Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves both very good post-apocalyptic stories featuring a world devoid of technology. The lights have gone out and the members of an Anishinaabe tribe on a reservation figure out how to live without and eventually send members of their Canadian community south to see how the rest of the world is faring. I also read this on kindle just so you know I can read more than just light-hearted beach reads.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: This is an amazing story and probably my top but it's really hard to choose. Tova takes a job at the local aquarium after her husband dies and she discovers a giant Pacific octopus roaming the halls at night. Filled with dynamic connections.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett: this was so good made better by the fact that I listened to Meryl Streep read the story to me. It took the book to a new level. This is a story about mothers and daughters and all that they know about each other. 

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: A friend lent this to me with the words "I think you'll like this!" and I did. Picoult and Boylan weave together a satisfying story about two unusual families who've tried to start over and are forever changed.

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter: favorite historical fiction this year because it's based on the author's family history. It has lots of characters and switching timelines so I have the hard copy.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: Other librarian friends talked about this fantasy story for awhile and I couldn't resist any longer. It's magical and filled with promise and delightful characters. They were right. Now I need to find time to read the second in the series. 

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: A teacher friend handed this to me in a book trade and I loved it. Short chapters, interesting characters, and lots of little mysteries to solve made it read fast enough

Leaving by Roxanna Robinson: My friend Tina told me this was worth it and she was right. I think I read it in just a few days. I loved Sarah and Warren and their love story both in the past and the present. Very beautifully done (but also frustrating).

The Electric Kingdom and Mosquitoland by David Arnold:  My brother-in-law sent me Electric Kingdom for my birthday and I loved it so much I followed it up with another Arnold book. Both were very unique and yet so different from each other. Both stories had charming characters. 

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré: My friend Sarah handed me this book in another book trade and now I've passed it around to other friends. While this Nigerian tale has a crushing sadness to it it is also filled with hope that things might change. 

The Trees by Percival Everett: I heard a review about Everett's book James and wanted to read it but there was such a long wait at the library so I picked up this other title and was blown away by the amazing way he told such a heavy story with humor and wit. I have yet to read James even though I did get it from Libby but it was not the right book for reading digitally. It really makes a difference to me. 

Oh so many good reads! I hope you find one on this list you might be inspired to read. I have another list coming soon. Happy New Year, happy new reading goals!