This year. Whoo boy.
I am incredibly grateful for my love of books. This was an outstanding year for reading. There’s little else from this year I want to remember, except for the books I read, my husband and kids and maybe that really insane 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. I love the French.
I am also incredibly grateful for this community, however large or small it may be, that love books along with me. I love the texts or DMs from friends and friends I haven’t met yet, with recommendations or questions … books are universal. Asking, “What are you reading?” is a never-gonna-fail kind of question for me because I always learn something about a person, maybe get a book recommendation out of it and can often open up a cordial line of communication in very trying times.
2024 was a fairly diverse reading year for me — new authors, established authors, women, men, authors of color … new work, recommendations from friends, fiction, nonfiction and even a celebrity memoir just for kicks. And it was the first year in a while where I can look back at the list and for the most part, feel as if I could solidly recommend them all to friends.
Want to connect more often? You can always find my latest post here on my blog. I’ve also ditched X for BlueSky – you can find me at @litzyditz.bsky.social.
Without further ado, the list from 2024 (PS: If you’d like all my thoughts on a book, click the title, linked, and that will take you to the full review):
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride
On a bunch of “Best of” lists from 2023, this was a fantastic piece of historical fiction, though it’s probably good to know going in that it’s somewhat of a slow jam — if you commit to the narrative, the characters take hold quickly.
New York, My Village, by Uwem Akpan
This had been on my TBR pile at my daughter’s recommendation, and it’s grown on me over the course of the year. The story of a Nigerian editor trying to make his way in the coldhearted world of NYC publishing houses.
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
A book club read for work, there were some interesting tactics I picked up from Clear’s work here, but I’m careful to point out when talking with friends about it that he’s coming from a place of privilege, so you either have to acknowledge that and just know you may have to adjust accordingly, or take what you can use and leave the rest.
Good Material, by Dolly Alderton
Kindhearted and entertaining read about love and breakups and trying to make a life of being funny when you just aren’t feeling it.
The Woman in Me, by Britney Spears
Everyone should read at least one celebrity memoir every year, and this was mine. Don’t judge. Me or her. It actually explains a lot.
Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang
Loved, loved this piece of fiction — reminded me of “The Plot” to some extent and found it to be thoroughly engaging. (Note to self: Go get “The Sequel.”)
Wellness, by Nathan Hill
The first of two north suburban Chicago novels this year — and I loved this more than Hill’s first, “The Nix.” I read stories like these and have to wonder how much of it could be real and know that the answer is “most of it” and …. yikes we live in interesting times.
Supercommunicators, by Charles Duhigg
Another dose of nonfiction on my personal quest to understand exactly, well, how people communicate. It also allowed me to revisit the practice of reflective listening, which is a great tool for anyone with coworkers, kids, a spouse, you name it.
Bright Young Women, by Jessica Knoll
One of a few thrillers this year, I’m a Jessica Knoll fan and while this might not have been my all time favorite by her, it was entertaining and well worth picking up.
Now is Not the Time to Panic, by Kevin Wilson
I’m also a Kevin Wilson fan, and this had been on my shelves for a while. Small town kids make mayhem, chaos ensues, lives forever changed. Good stuff!
The Book of Doors, by Gareth Brown
One of a couple of Sci-Fi-ish reads this year, I kinda love the idea of a set of books out there that contain all the superpowers you could ever want. It’s just a matter of whose hands you want them in.
The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio
Every time I try to explain this book, I kind of mangle it, but if you are interested in reading about a woman that essentially gets a dry run at every kind of spousal relationship one could have, this is it.
The Lemon, by S.E. Boyd
This was probably my favorite thriller of the year, also having sat on my shelves for a bit before I got to it. I truly wish I hadn’t waited so long. So much fun, so campy. I am dying for this to be made into a movie.
Same As It Ever Was, by Claire Lombardo
The second of my “North Shore Chicago” books this year, I dove in and didn’t come back up for air until I finished. Lombardo is such a fantastic writer and yes it’s crazy but so is marriage, so is parenting, so is life.
Sandwich, by Catherine Newman
I think I gave this one a bit of a short shrift having read it after “SAIEW” (above) but Newman did an exquisite job of taking me back to the Cape, where I’ve vacationed a handful of times. It is one of my favorite places and I loved the trip down memory lane.
Miracle Creek, by Angie Kim
From the mystery category …A friend recommendation that I will forever be grateful for in that now I have a new author I love, and need to catch up on. (Yes, “Happiness Falls” is on my TBR shelf.) So well-written and emotionally evocative.
The Material, by Camille Bordas
Fun fact — English is not Camille Bordas’ native tongue, but you’d never know, with her splendid take on Chicago’s student comic scene. One day, one night and a whole bunch of satirical wit mixed with some drama.
Come & Get It, by Kiley Reid
Crazy good in a makes-you-want-to-wince kind of way, Reid creates dynamic characters, flaws and all, set in an SEC university town.
The Most, by Jessica Anthony
I think I saw this one a shortlist for an award or two, and because it’s really short I thought, “Yay — add to my book total AND knock off an award winner.” I am so glad I picked this up — it’s some of the tightest, well-rounded storytelling I’ve read in years. Just people making all sorts of bad decisions. Loved it. Also would kill to see this streaming somewhere.
The Echo Chamber, by John Boyne
There might not be a better time to read this book than right now — a hilarious take on self-importance in the age of social media. So many twists and turns, also excellent fodder for a miniseries.
Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner
Also from the thriller category , and a “best of” favorite for 2024 — this was much more thriller than camp (see “The Lemon”) and feels like something much closer to “The Bourne Identity” and “Knives Out.” Sadie is a spy for hire in the French countryside trying to take down a sect of eco-terrorists. Intense and engaging read.
After the Burn, by Lelani Garrett
This was my “try something you normally wouldn’t” read this year and I was so glad I did. There’s something to be said about exploring diversity not just in authors but in storylines and characters and this story about a woman advocating for her worth was just that.
Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout
It’s quite possible I am not getting everything out of Elizabeth Strout that I could in that I haven’t read every one of her books, but the beauty of her writing is that I don’t think you need to in order to enjoy them. Loved this trip back to Maine and will try to circle back to her sooner than later.
All This & More, by Peng Shepherd
A little bit Sci-Fi and a lot of reality TV vibes make up this story of a 40-something woman looking to improve upon what she feels like is a bit of a sad sack existence. Sure, nothing could go wrong, right?
The Ritual Effect, by Michael Norton
In the nonfiction category, it was a confirmation read that my many little habits are totally OK. Yep. totally OK.
The Wager, by David Grann
This was a 2023 favorite and had been on my TBR list for a while, I just needed to gear up for some mid-1700s British warship drama. Not something I usually read. Now I get why everyone loved it. The fact anyone survived is amazing. The stories behind it are even better.
Reasons Not to Worry, by Brigid Delaney
This book could not have come across my path at a better time. I will not shut up about it. I am certain I am driving my friends crazy. It’s my crutch for the next months and years to come.
Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar
What a fantastic way to close out the year, with beautiful prose about love and redemption. If you are looking for a book club read for next year, don’t pass on this.
And if you want to see absolutely everything I’ve read over the last 15-ish years, you can find it here.
LitzyDitz 