My Year in Books: 2024

I was just thinking about writing a post about the books I’ve enjoyed this year. I was feeling not a little daunted. But then an email from Goodreads dropped into my inbox . It’s done the hard yards so I don’t have to. Here are a few highlights: although the examples in the featured photo seem to include representatives of both my most enjoyed and least remembered books.

They’ve missed a few of my ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews here. What about Stowaway: The Disreputable Exploits of the Rat by Jo Shute? Or Bee Sting, mentioned below? There was Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry. Clear, by Carys Davies. And Orbital, by Samantha Harvey. Tomb with a View, by Peter Ross. I might have missed one or two others as well. I really HAVE had a really good reading year. For which I must thank two book bloggers in particular. Susan, who blogs at A Life in Books. And Kim, of Reading Matters fame. Both read a wide range of My Kind of Fiction, and write thoughtful and enticing reviews for the books they enjoy, whilst warning me off just a few of the ones they come across.

I’m reminded of the very first book I read this year: the Norwegian Hanne Ørstavik‘s Love. That got ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

And the very last (up to press – there are still 13 days left of 2024): also a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐read – Malachy Tallack’s That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz.

This is information overload really. I hope that clicking here will lead you to thumbnails of the books I’ve read this year, and by clicking on individual titles, to their reviews. But in January, I’m migrating to The StoryGraph, because it’s independent from Amazon. The StoryGraph might be a bit stats heavy for me, but I’d like to give it a go. Might you join me?

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

58 thoughts on “My Year in Books: 2024”

    1. I often say I will re-read books that deserve another go. The reality is that there are always ones I haven’t read at all on my tottering pile. Among others, Orbital, The Bee Sting, Daniel Mason’s North Woods and especially Benjamin Myers’ Cuddy all beg to have more time spent on them.

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  2. Two books a week is too much for me, though modest by your standards, Margaret. Although I invest in them totally while reading, my ageing memory completely forgets them a week afterwards. I keep the ones I really enjoy in a cupboard and the rest go back to the charity shop. I don’t keep up with Goodreads either, so it’s probably not worth my while visiting Storygraph. Stats and graphs totally bore me. I’m a bit of a waste of space, really, but I’m mostly good natured. Wishing you lots of wonderful reads for Christmas!

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    1. I can’t read that much either but find all the good books I read disappear so having a reminder online shelf can be good! Was just about to buy a book on Amazon and a reminder came up I had bought it! So Amazon good for something! ( Finally found it too in a pile!)

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    2. I don’t ‘do’ stats and thngs like taht either Jo. But the Goodreads data is a by-product of my recording every book I read, Which I do because, like you, my reading memory (OK, my memory generally) is like a sieve. Have a wonderful Christmas catching up with family and all things English.

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      1. The only struggles I will have with the language are remembering not to say Obrigada! Is it just you and Malcolm at Christmas, having done your visits, or with friends locally?

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  3. I’m so pleased so of my recommendations hit the spot for you, Margaret, and well done your library for making it easy to find them. The Bee Sting’s sitting on my shelves waiting to be read. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.

    I’ve been a keen fan of your blog since spotting your photographs on Six Degrees. Looking forward to seeing more of them in 2025.

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    1. Thanks so much Susan. I’m amazed at how reliable a witness you are for me whe it comes to book choices. I feel quite miffed on the few occasions I disagree with your opinion! Have a good Christmas, and may the fellow planning his visit down your chimney have many interesting books in his sack!

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  4. Yes, indeed, quite a year in books. Congratulations. I can see the reason for using Goodreads and my kindle goes straight to Goodreads and Amazon. Really difficult to steer clear of this giant. But it would be good to keep a record. Think the visuals given you are good and help promote the books too. Trying to promote Independent publishers is hard too. I liked the Communist’s Daughter you recommended once.Very European literary style. Slow but moving!

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    1. Ah yes – that was a good one! I’ve never got on with reading via Kindle etc so that particular Amazonian dilemma isn’t one I have to wrestle with. But Amazon doesn’t throw fantastic parties for its regular Book Group customers, as ours did last night, complete with fiendishly cryptic literary quizzes and book give-aways.

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  7. Your reading stamina puts me to shame! I used to read at a similar rate but have really dropped off over the last ten years as other interests started to occupy more time – plus stopping the daily commute when I always read has made a big difference. But I nevertheless find your reviews invaluable in helping to make sure that when I do read I’m likely to enjoy my choices!

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    1. Oh, thanks so much Sarah. I on the contrary have been reading more in the last few years. I have even given myself permission to read sometimes during the day! But in bed, often in the wee small hours, remains the favourite

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  8. I enjoyed Cuddy, The King’s Mother and Earth, so I’ll have to investigate some of your other 5 star titles! I’m glad you’ve had such a good reading year – let’s hope 2025 is even better.

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    1. We obviously share similar reading tastes. Excellent! I loved Cuddy, but I really do need to read it again to get even more out of it than first time round. Yes, here’s to Reading, 2025 style!

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    2. I may be about to give up before I start with StoryGraph! I can’t find how to record the books I’m reading, and it’s toatlly baffling. I may buy myself a nice notebook and keep a reading journal instead.

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      2. I’ve just spent some time looking at StoryGraph, and decided it’s not for me. I couldn’t care less about lists and stats, and in this instance, I’m not really after finding a community. I get what I want in the book department from the book bloggers I follow, I’ve deleted it. Let me know what you decide!

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      3. A quick update from me re Storygraph, I finally got around to it and rather like it. I wouldn’t engage with the communities aspect, in fact Im finding that aspect a lot less pushy than goodreads. It’s just me and my family and I follow a few people as it recommends people who share the same books and ratings. The reading stats and graphs are amazing. I’m sorry you didn’t get on with it, a reading journal is a lovely idea though.

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      4. I just COULDN’T get my head round StoryGraph. But then I can’t cope with spreadsheets – at all- and I’m not into stats and graphs. In the end, I’ve started another WP blog. I’m not particularly interested in acquiring readers. It’s simply my book journal, me-for-the-use-of. Sounds as if we’re all happy!

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  10. Many thanks for the introduction to the Story Graph. I have signed up to Bookly and my sister suggested Libib. I haven’t been on my Goodreads account for a while. I have also given thought to starting a reading journal, using a fountain pen (a gift my sister). All the very best of the holiday season, Margaret.

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    1. Well, Rebecca, I think I may follow your excellent example. My fountain pen doesn’t get too many outings these days. And an excuse to buy a quality notebook – why not? A Christmas present to myself! And have a wonderful Christmas season, with lots of chances to curl up with a good book.

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      1. Feeling wide awake now! I had remarked that I read much less than you do (36 books this year so far) and have no overlap at all. The nearest is that I read Steeple Chasing which Peter Ross wrote after Tomb With A View. I like his gentle style. My favourite fiction was by Ajay Close, What We Did In The Dark, based on the life of novelist Catherine Carswell. I plan to read What Doesn’t Kill Us by the same author over Christmas – based on living in Yorkshire during the Ripper years, which we both did, so I’m looking forward to that. Impressed I remember all this from last night! I must have slept well.

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      2. I’m not your person for statistics, but given our different countries, our not always overlapping interests, I might have been more surprised if we did have books in common. But it would have been nice if we had!

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  13. Ah, I just figured out how to have that Goodreads image! I’ve very stingy with my five star ratings, so mine all fit on and I’ve got the message ‘5 star reviews all round! I loved these books this year’ instead 🙂 I also liked Brotherless Night a lot, though I didn’t give it 5 stars.

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