Yikes! Where did 2024 go? I know that I did not read as much as I usually do – my attention span was suffering a bit this year – but I still read quite a few great books. I’d love to hear what you read, too!
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy: A mother writes to her baby about the harrowing days of early motherhood – deeply moving, fierce, and raw.
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl: A joyful book about backyard wildlife, Renkl writes 52 brief essays inspired by the activity in her yard. There are also lovely collages by her brother.
Twists of Fate by Paco Roca: I read his newest book, Return to Eden, and then went back and explored his older works. This graphic novel tells the story of a former Spanish Civil War fighter who is forced to join a “The Nine”, a unit that fought all over in World War II – it’s a gripping tale that I wasn’t familiar with.
Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan: Set during the early years of a three decade Civil War in Sri Lanka, Sashi tells the story through the stories of her brothers and how each was affected by the war. Luminous, emotional, epic.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino: Adina is an alien, sent from another planet to observe life on Earth, born as a human girl in Philadelphia, who faxes her observations to her superiors. Sounds weird, but it’s deeply moving, funny, and delightful – really a coming of age story about belonging and what it means to be human.
The Hunter by Tana French: A sequel to The Searcher, we delve deeper into the village of Ardnakelty and the history of Trey’s family. Love a well-written, dark mystery.
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan: This is a collection of stories by the amazing Irish writer – just read it – she’s so good.
Clear by Carys Davies: This started out as standard historical fiction and turned into something completely different. Set in 19th century Scotland during the Clearance, when farmers are being forced off their lands, it follows an impoverished minister to a remote island, charged with telling it’s lone inhabitant that he has to leave. Language, love, loneliness – ah this is a beauty.
James by Percival Everett: Lots of hype but well-worth it. Totally surprising and turns the story on it’s head – read this one too.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar: A debut novel by a poet about a young man from Iran, raised in the U.S. by his father, suffering from ennui and sadness, and his search for meaning through martyrdom. It’s really hard to explain the plot without giving it away, the writing is hypnotic and humorous – I loved this one.
~ Dori
Read it or Weep 