My Top Books of 2024
Plus my top Substacks, just for fun <3
I read fewer books this year than I did last year. Who knows why—I blurbed a little bit less, I read longer books, the world is a garbage fire. So many reasons. Maybe I’ll catch up in December! That would be lovely. I am trying to read more backlist books, maybe I’ll make myself a little pile to read over the holidays. Yes, I think I will do that. But in any case, without further ado, here are the books I loved the most in 2024. Note that I did not say the best books, because there is no such thing. I’m just one person, and I didn’t read everything. I didn’t even read the Sally Rooney. I might, someday. This is nothing more than an honest list of the books I enjoyed the most, no more, no less. I think you’d like them, too.
I knew that this one would stay with me, and it did. I wrote a whole post about how great this book is, and how great Kelly is, so I won’t go into great lengths here, but yes, yes, yes. Kelly forever. Perfection.
The hits are a hits for a reason! Is it irritating to talk to someone who has recently read The Power Broker? Yes, I’m sure it is. But what else are you supposed to do with your facts about Robert Moses?? Every New Yorker should be required to read it.
Sob sob sob SOB! Perfect romantic novel by my beautiful friend Rainbow.
Speaking of beautiful geniuses, I liked Tavi’s zine so much that I read it three times. If you went to the Eras Tour, you should read it.
The Tale of Desperaux, Kate DeCamillo
I read this one cuddled up with my eight year old and loved every second of it.
The audiobook was forty hours, I believe? I would have listened to eighty.
Ooh, one you can preorder now to enjoy in a few months, when it comes out! I will say, there are a lot of divorce novels out there right now, and this one is totally different than the rest. The one is FUN and GIDDY and delicious.
Middle-grade graphic novel memoir about belonging and making friends. Funny and beautiful. Sorry not sorry that so many of these people are my friends.
Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout
Some people care about Marvel movies and some people care about Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge being in a book together and I am the latter.
Friday Afternoon Club, Griffin Dunne
I’m not a full-on Didion-head and so I really thought this wasn’t for me, but I listened to the audiobook and was totally charmed by Griffin Dunne. I am a sucker for a memoir in which the author is not afraid to a) truly spill and b) show themself to be a full human being. There is a scene in which Griffin puts a rubber band around a cat’s paw and then absentmindedly leave it there for weeks and I don’t think I will ever, ever forget it.
The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro
Again, sometimes classics and classics for a reason. Just glorious.
Top Substacks of 2024:
Mac and Jon! Did you know that two the best children’s book writers have a Substack where they write about picture books? They do! It is brilliant and funny, just like them.
Hunter Harris! Because a little celebrity commentary does the body good.
Carson Ellis! I like everything that Carson does, including her substack. Carson is a unique genius because she makes me feel like I could probably learn to watercolor or embroider. Could I? I don’t know.
Hetty! You know what I want to eat, all the time? Tofu and vegetables in new combinations. Thank god I have a Hetty for that.
Carla! Carla makes good food and is funny.
Maris reads all the new books, which makes me feel like I don’t have to. Thanks, Maris!
I completely agree with your Marvel reference to Elizabeth Strout’s books! I don’t know anyone else who was as excited as me about Olive and Lucy (and Bob) being in one book. If I could only read one author for the rest of my life it would be Elizabeth Strout.
Love you!