Everything I've Read So Far in 2024
With recommendations!
It’s been six months since I started this lil’ book club, and I’ve been flipping through pages like Simone Biles at the US Gymnastics Championships.
Today, I thought I’d share the biggest hits and misses from the year.
But first, let’s break down the stats.
Not including Dracula (which I will finish today), I’ve read 23 books this year.
That’s almost 9000 pages!
Pretty shocking considering there are over 1800 unread emails in my inbox….
Those books span an impressive number of genres. Call me Beyonce, because I’m a crossover artist:
And, just like Beyonce, I think there’s something in my catalogue for everyone! Cuff it.
Starting with our book club titles:
So far we’ve read five books as part of My Side Plot.
If I could only choose one to recommend, it would be Talking At Night by Claire Daverley.
I couldn’t put down this will-they-won’t-they love story, but it’s not for everyone. Mostly because Daverley doesn’t abide by grammar rules. She is lawless. She does not use quotation marks. She loves sentence fragments. She uses run-ons. There are probably 100 commas on each page.
The results (imo) are a lyrical masterpiece. You can read my full review here👇
Runners-up (in order)
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin
A kinda-sorta love story spanning thirty years of an intimate creative relationship between video game designers. I cried a lot.
Ghosts, Dolly Alderton
An observational comedy about dating in your 30s. Great writing with a mediocre plot.
When Women Were Dragons, Kelly Barnhill
Set in the 1950s, women spontaneously turn into dragons, and a teenage girl doesn’t know how to feel about it. I also don’t know how to feel about it…
Funny Story, Emily Henry.
A woman moves into the apartment of her ex’s new fiance’s ex. For a book called “Funny Story,” I didn’t laugh much.
The most ✨unique✨ reads
If you want something memorable, go with Set My Heart To Five by Simon Stephenson.
This book was so silly, charming, insightful, and CUTE. A robot learning about love through watching old movies? Come on?!?
Runners up:
She Who Became the Sun, Shelley Parker-Chan
Described to me as “gay Mulan,” and 10000% delivered.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin
When else do you get to read about video games? I genuinely learned so much!
When Women Were Dragons, Kelly Barnhill
I didn’t love the book, but I can’t knock the concept.
For my twisted sisters 💀
Any season is spooky season with the right book!
I love dark stories too much to pick just one, so here are three books that had me lighting candles, wearing black, and dreaming of October.
Yellowface, R.F. Kuang.
Publishing industry 🤝 crime. This is a satirical masterpiece and one of my new fave books of all time. Kuang, you’re a genius.
Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo.
Gory magic on Yale’s campus? Yes, please!!!
Hell Bent, Leigh Bardugo.
A Ninth House sequel with literal trips to Hell?! EVEN BETTER!!!
Crush-able romances 💕
I’m not a huge contemporary romance fan (fae smut is different iykyk), but these three titles had me blushing like a cartoon character.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna
This was mostly about a woman finding a magic community, but it had a very sweet romantic subplot that I absolutely adored. 4/5 stars!
Time to Shine, Rachel Reid
Two hockey players on the same team fall in love over the holidays. I’m begging for someone to make this into a Hallmark movie.
Fan Girl Down, Tessa Bailey
Did I think I would ever recommend a golf romance? No. Was it amazing? Also no. Was it better than I thought it would be? Yes! If romance is your vibe, you might like this one!
Ready to weep????? 🥹
Y’all already know I’m obsessed with Frederik Backman. I cried pretty much non-stop through Us Against You ( the Beartown sequel). It’s a masterpiece. Backman is a wizard. Please go read everything he’s ever written.
If you’re trying to find yourself 🔍
Good Material, Dolly Alderton
A funny exploration of navigating a breakup in your thirties. Generally, Dolly Alderton is a great author to turn to when you’re feeling stuck, lost, or cynical about life.
Old Enough, Haley Jakobson
This debut follows a college student healing from trauma and growing apart from her high school bestie. It’s a bit preachy, but I liked it.
Books that weren’t for me, but might be for you! 🤷♀️
The Maidens, Alex Michaelides
This was simply not as good as The Silent Patient (though I did love the crossover elements Michaelides snuck in)
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
I respect that this is a classic, but damn was it boring.
Night Shift, Annie Crown
This book was a Wattpad fever dream about a nerd and a. college basketball player. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe I finished this.
Ace of Spades, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
This one was good, but there are better titles in the dark academia genre.
My Top 3 Picks 🏆
Drum roll, please.
Here are my biggest recommends from the first half of the year:
What a lineup! Go read ‘em and tell me what you think!
Our Next Chapter:
Our June book club pick is Worry by Alexandra Tanner, which I will review in 2 weeks.
This book is billed as “a Seinfeldian novel of existentialism and sisterhood,” and I’m really excited about it!
Read along with My Side Plot on Fable and Instagram
Last thought:
Epilogue
What have you read this year?
Anything I should add to my TBR?