Beautyland (a weird, beautiful book), Expiration Dates (romance and more), and The Count of Monte Cristo (action packed adventure I was shocked to love). I also read The Wild Robot to my class in May and I fell in love with this book. I laugh, I cried, I was so moved.
The Wild Robot was so good!!! I read it with my 7 year old and he couldn’t wait for us to finish it together….he came home from school having checked out the book and also had read the ending during free choice lol.
Oh I saw the film of the Wild Robot without knowing anything about it, and *loved* it - possibly my favourite film of the year! Very excited to hear it is a book 🍃
I loved husbands and lovers by Beatriz Williams. I got so transported into the historical fiction world and the modern day story as well. Also, I just read big fan after saving it for a little treat when I needed a pick me up and it did not disappoint. I am going to push my book club to make it our February pick 💕
The best kind of revenge bed time procrastination!!!! I loved how smart and well written the characters were in such a short space. Also the Trojan horse of a romance novella pushing for UBI? Kind of awesome
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari for sure has been my fave, though more on the scientific side, but also Goldfinch by Donna Tart, just so beautifully written, def a page turner
Same here, so insightful and the storytelling is mind-blowing. Science based books oftentimes tend to be tiresome, going through all those facts, trying to remember them all, but this one was just pure gold and I couldn't leave it. A page turner and eye opener, no doubt about it. :)
Also LOVED God of the Woods and Real Americans. Other favorites were The Vaster Wilds, The Rachel Incident, My Last Innocent Year, The Wedding People and Like Mother, Like Mother.
I read All the Colors of the Dark based on your rec and it was my top book of 2024 too! But somehow God of the Woods fell flat for me, I preferred Long Bright River. Looking forward to another year of reading!
Thank you! I’m reading Ina right now and have several on my night table. My book club just read the women and we all LOVED it!! It’s a hard story but an important one .
Great list -- thank you! I really loved The Undercurrent by Sarah Sawyer and The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I'm hoping to read The God of the Woods with my book club this year!
I loved Big Romance...just a delightful escape with smart writing and characters that are complex and thoughtful adults; a treat to read and happy to support this women-owned publishing/media company!
My favorite books this year were All Fours, Intermezzo & This is Happiness. I’m partial to Irish writers. I also really enjoyed The God of the Woods and highly recommend her earlier book, Long Bright River.
I also loved God of the Woods and Margo’s Got Money Troubles (enjoyed the audio version). I have several from your list on my TBR list. My fav of the year was The Wedding People, followed by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
I also loved Big Fan! There are two fun bonus chapters (with more steam!) on the 831 Stories website: https://831stories.com/pages/big-fan
I saw that, sof un!
Sandwich is a good one about a perimenopausal character!
I read that! I actually low-key hated it but I think I'm in the minority there!
Haha fair enough! I thought it was slow to get into, but I liked it more as I kept going.
Beautyland (a weird, beautiful book), Expiration Dates (romance and more), and The Count of Monte Cristo (action packed adventure I was shocked to love). I also read The Wild Robot to my class in May and I fell in love with this book. I laugh, I cried, I was so moved.
The Wild Robot was so good!!! I read it with my 7 year old and he couldn’t wait for us to finish it together….he came home from school having checked out the book and also had read the ending during free choice lol.
Ah, I love that! I still have students from last year come to see me and talk about the characters. The sign of a great book!
Oh I saw the film of the Wild Robot without knowing anything about it, and *loved* it - possibly my favourite film of the year! Very excited to hear it is a book 🍃
I am intrigued!!!!
Thank you for the recs! I haven't read any of these!
I loved husbands and lovers by Beatriz Williams. I got so transported into the historical fiction world and the modern day story as well. Also, I just read big fan after saving it for a little treat when I needed a pick me up and it did not disappoint. I am going to push my book club to make it our February pick 💕
Big Fan was SO good! I loved it.
I’m reading that now and it is incredible! I accidentally stayed up until 1:00 am last night reading it.
it's such a fun one!
The best kind of revenge bed time procrastination!!!! I loved how smart and well written the characters were in such a short space. Also the Trojan horse of a romance novella pushing for UBI? Kind of awesome
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari for sure has been my fave, though more on the scientific side, but also Goldfinch by Donna Tart, just so beautifully written, def a page turner
I LOVED both of those. Stolen Focus is one I'll keep thinking about!
Same here, so insightful and the storytelling is mind-blowing. Science based books oftentimes tend to be tiresome, going through all those facts, trying to remember them all, but this one was just pure gold and I couldn't leave it. A page turner and eye opener, no doubt about it. :)
Also LOVED God of the Woods and Real Americans. Other favorites were The Vaster Wilds, The Rachel Incident, My Last Innocent Year, The Wedding People and Like Mother, Like Mother.
thank you for sharing!!!!
I read All the Colors of the Dark based on your rec and it was my top book of 2024 too! But somehow God of the Woods fell flat for me, I preferred Long Bright River. Looking forward to another year of reading!
They were both SO GOOD!
Would love to read The Work- does anyone know if it’s available as an e book- it’s not on kindle or Libby. :(
I think its only available in paper form. (And even then, it took forever to ship!) Worth the wait.
Interesting! I'll order- the reviews are so good!
As a fellow Australian I feel very proud of Bri Lee even though I haven’t read her book 😂😅 She has an excellent Substack though: https://brilee.substack.com?r=1k9rn&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Thank you! I’m reading Ina right now and have several on my night table. My book club just read the women and we all LOVED it!! It’s a hard story but an important one .
I enjoyed that one too!
Great list -- thank you! I really loved The Undercurrent by Sarah Sawyer and The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I'm hoping to read The God of the Woods with my book club this year!
ooh it would be a great book club book!
I loved Big Romance...just a delightful escape with smart writing and characters that are complex and thoughtful adults; a treat to read and happy to support this women-owned publishing/media company!
I am rooting for them too! I think what they are doing is so genius. Excited to see what's next.
So many of my favorites on your list too. Other great reads:
Small Things Like These and Foster
The Creative Act
The Whispers -suspense
Table for Two
First Lie Wins -fun thriller
The Many Lives of Mama Love
Know My Name
A Normal Family
thank you for the list!!!
I loved James on Audible as well. Favorite book was probably Ministry of Time.
You are the second person to say this. I have a copy and need to prioritize reading it!
Fantastic list, Grace! I really enjoyed all of these books as well. ♥️
so glad <3
My favorite books this year were All Fours, Intermezzo & This is Happiness. I’m partial to Irish writers. I also really enjoyed The God of the Woods and highly recommend her earlier book, Long Bright River.
Adding some of these to my list for 2025!
I loved Long Bright River as well! She is an incredible story teller.
I also loved God of the Woods and Margo’s Got Money Troubles (enjoyed the audio version). I have several from your list on my TBR list. My fav of the year was The Wedding People, followed by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
I read those too! Great choices.