I know I don't usually post on Tuesdays, but as it's the last day of the year, it seemed appropriate to add a post this week to review my reading over the past year.
These aren't my final statistics, as I very likely will finish one last book today (I have less than 100 pages to go in Colored Television), but they're good enough. I set an arbitrary goal of reading 110 books this year, and I met and surpassed it. My total wasn't as high as it was in recent years, but the intention was to read good books, and the number is pretty much irrelevant.
In keeping with the "number is irrelevant" theme, I've picked out some of my favorite books that I've read the past year and divided them into two lists: new releases and backlist. I looked at all my five-star reads over the past year, and I ended up with six titles in each list (there was actually one more that's not included here, but it was a reread, so I've omitted it from these lists). These are listed in the order I read them this year, not in any sort of ranking.
Favorite Books of 2024, Backlist
- Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher
- Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
- Small Island by Andrea Levy
- A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
- I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
- Absolution by Alice McDermott (technically a 2023 release, but close enough)
- How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
- The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
- Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- Orbital by Samantha Harvey
I like your backlist! I have always been afraid to read A Little Life. I'm not sure exactly why (I think I could manage the subject matter) but the cover may have something to do with it. Maybe I'll finally attempt it in 2025. I also loved Absolution and God of the Woods. I'll look forward to your inventory of "acquired but not read yet" books. I may have a couple of those on my shelves and my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteI also love the backlist! Brilliant brilliant! (God of the Woods made my list, you will see it tomorrow!) Happy New Year, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on many of your favorites. It's always fun to look back over what we've read in the course of a year.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about your reading. We have some books in common, mostly on the Backlist, and some not in common. I love the way that happens among most readers.
ReplyDelete2024 was also a quality over quantity year for me too - so glad that your reading year was so enjoyable and I love your variety! I'd be interested in knowing what the 13th five star book was?!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a fabulous year of reading in 2025!
Fun and interesting to see your lists. I read God of the Woods and liked it, but it did not make my top list. Looking forward to seeing your inventory - I should make one as well (so many books on various bookshelves that I have not yet read...not to mention my Kindle).
ReplyDeleteA great way to sum up your year in reading, Sarah! I look forward to reading along with you in 2025. XO
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