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Of the approximately 100 books I read in the last year, I gave 33 of them five star ratings. I also recommended over sixty of them as very good within their specific categories . Because I primarily read books only after reading either a review from a trusted source or upon receiving a recommendation from someone with similar reading taste to mine, I rarely dislike the books I read. I hope this list helps you identify books you’ll enjoy.
If the past year has been tough or confusing and the last few days have had you wondering what 2025 will bring, reread the quotation by Percival Everett atop this post. Whatever the coming year brings, reading will help you address its challenges while also presenting you with a means of facing, escaping, engaging with, and enjoying what’s to come. Note: Reading Mr. Everett’s novel James is a present you should give yourself.
I’ve been pondering the words “comfort and joy” in this holiday season, and I’ve come to believe that many of us search for comfort and joy in life and in the books we read. We also look for wisdom, knowledge, insight, differing viewpoints, humor, escape, and a glimpse of places we’ve never visited. May you find comfort, joy, and/or a challenge in these titles. “Read. Always read. No one can take that away from you.” Thank you, Mr. Everett.
More information about each of these titles is on my Annual List.
My Favorite/Best Novels of 2024:
James by Percival Everett
Old King by Maxim Loskutoff (Read this recent opinion piece by Loskutoff for his insight on the Unabomber’s influence in light of the murder of UHC executive Brian Thompson.)
Honorable Mention Favorite/Best Novels of 2024:
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (See Mysteries.)
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (2023)
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
The Best Historical Fiction (Pigeon Pie) of 2024:
Float Up, Sing Down: Stories by Laird Hunt
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton (2023)
Go as a River by Shelley Read (2023)
The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez (Read this now for timely insight into the history of the Panama Canal.)
James by Percival Everett
The Last Whaler by Cynthia Reeves
Old King by Maxim Loskutoff (While this is less than fifty years ago, I include it here because it includes important historical information about the Unabomber.)
The Best Feel-Good and/or Hope-filled Novels of 2024:
Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (2023)
Best Book with Humor and Heart of 2024:
Sandwich by Catherine Newman (The laugh-out-loud scene about menopause is exceptional. Being a family’s emotional center is exhausting and enriching as Newman shows with irony and love.)
The Best Novels Dealing with Grief and Grieving of 2024:
After Annie by Anna Quindlen (Read the opening paragraphs; you’ll see.)
Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella (2022)
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (2022) (A great depiction of dying and hospice explored through the humor that helps get you through it.)
The Best Mystery of 2024:
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
The Best Mysteries, Suspense Novels, and Thrillers of 2024:
Broiler by Eli Cranor
California Bear by Duane Swierczynski
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
Murder Outside the Box by Saralyn Richard
Spirit Crossing: Cork O’Connor #20 by William Kent Krueger
The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore
The Best Debut Fiction of 2024:
888 Love and the Divine Burden of Numbers by Abraham Chang
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
Go As a River by Shelley Read (2023)
The Last Whaler by Cynthia Reeves
The Best Young Adult Novel I read in 2024:
Where Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Trever
The Best Nonfiction of 2024:
By the Fire They Carry by Rebecca Nagle
I’m Sorry for My Loss by Rebecca Little and Colleen Long
The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger
Note: This list includes the books I read between December 1, 2023 and November 30, 2024. If I had read The Comfort of Crows and The Serviceberry during that time, they’d be on this list, but I read them this month so they aren’t included here. They will be on my 2025 list. Read more about them here.
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