Books that made me feel something in 2024

My last post of the year, revealing some of the discoveries I made about what I read and why I must keep reading.

I think this is last post of 2024 - I think. I always like to review my favorite/least favorite reads of the year and I have honestly struggled these past couple months to sit down and write - there is so much volume out there and contributing to the noise feels almost offensive at times.

I’ve noticed the hesitation to post in most of my forms of social media lately. Like I’ll put up a picture of something fun, or a good quote, but I’ve felt self protective lately. Maybe this state of detente will fade out, I don’t know. But I thank you for being on the journey with me.

I’m working on finishing reading my 50th book of the year - a loose goal I set and completed in 2023 with my sisters and signed on again this year. See last year’s top 9 My reading this year was a little different than last - I took my time and read slowly sometimes, ignoring the goal, or taking in different forms of content such as podcasts or substacks - still reading/listening. I made a post about books I didn’t like last year, isn’t that so productive of my past self? This year, it’s going to be simpler because no one’s got time for that.

1. Favorite book that came out in 2024: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (2024, Vintage)

   This book takes place in both Iran and the USA. It is a book of seeking, and full of surprises to the reader. I love reading books that share intimate details about different cultures that typical Americans like me have not had adequate exposure to. I love the painful course Cyrus Shams takes to find himself and the vulnerable pain the author depicts as he copes with what happens to him/he does to himself. It’s oddly humorous in its darkness, which is a quality I love in all kinds of writing. I later read The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali (also out this year on Gallery Books) and had a similar reaction. It also takes place in Iran & the USA, and though the story is quite different, it gave me a true somatic experience while reading about the culture of Tehran in the 1950’s and for that it gets an honorable mention within this category.

   

2. Favorite book that came out in another year: What you are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts (2023, Hanover Square Press) - I know I mentioned this book in my last post but thank god for this book. A book about books. And connection; how we are all connected. Taking place in Japan, it made me long to go to Japan (a longing I have felt for a long time)

   You may say that is was the book, but it’s how you read a book that is most valuable, rather than any power it might have itself

   

3. Best Non Fiction book: The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America by Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer (2024, Flatiron Books)

   I had the chance to meet these authors randomly on their book tour and I knew this was a must read for this year. I met them before the election and secretly hoped that what this book was teaching me was somehow untrue. It offers up an explanation of HOW Roe was overturned by antiabortion folks playing a long game that goes back much further than most would think. I am a regular reader of Jessica Valenti’s Substack Abortion, Every Day and this book is a primer in the backstory of what is happening out there. I am guilty of being appalled and shocked that it is no longer a women’s right to choose what to do with her body in so many places these days, and that they won’t stop with the overturning of Roe. Stories are emerging that are doubling down on the worst fears we have imagined. This book also stubbornly made me feel compassion for the people who truly oppose abortion and made me think about the why of that, and examine my own self for what choice I would make in any given position. It’s heavy. As a person who does not have children and used birth control through the years of fertility, usually totally fearing becoming pregnant, this book unraveled parts of me that had pushed down the possibility that I would oppose abortion in myself if I had ever become pregnant. Yet, I still 100% support the choice of the women to make her own decision for what is right for her in ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

   

4. Most annoying book: Leaving by Roxana Robinson (2024, W.W. Norton & Company)- why did I hate this book - because do we really need another book about privileged people making terrible decisions and being horrible to each other with no real consequences? I get it that this is a respected contemporary author, but I was really hoping the book would stretch the characters out from being absolute assholes or completely dormant. Leaving it behind.

   

5. Weirdest book: Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck (2024, S&S Marysue Rucci Books) - I feel like this book could have ended in the middle - because at the mid point I was so involved in the story of a lady’s husband transitioning into a shark that I was beside myself and overcome with emotion. It was written to be so believable - but then the second half sputtered out for me, and though I was invested in the story, it wasn’t as compelling. Still, I recommend this book.

In books, Wren saw how people made mistakes.

If you are interested in seeing all that I read this year, here is my Good Reads list. Good Reads is not a perfect site; it’s a bit antiquated and a lot of people I know have trouble with it, but it helps me keep track of things, so I stay for now. My year started with a lot of research about the tour I was going on (Patsy, Dolly and Loretta books) and then it went all over the place. Thanks for being part of my nerdy book journey. Tell me what you liked reading this year so I can add it to my never-ending want to read list. Tell me why you liked it and how it was different enough to stand out and be remembered on your own list.

Blessings to you as this year completes and we enter into the next unknown chapter in these very very interesting times.

xoxo mp