I had so much fun chatting books and 2024 reading with you, Renee. Listeners, please let us know what you thought and if we share any favorite books of the year. Thanks for listening. 🤓
-EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA FOR FAERIES BY HEATHER FAUCETT
-LEAVING BY ROXANA ROBINSON
-THE GOD OF THE WOODS BY LIZ MOORE
-MY BRILLIANT FRIEND BY ELANA FERANTE
-BABEL BY RF KUANG
-TWO STEP DEVIL BY JAIME QUATRO
-THE EMPUSIUM BY OLGA TOKARCZUK
-BROOKLYN BY COLM TOIBIN
-HAVEN POINT BY VIRGINIA HUME
I tried to cut this list down by 3 books but I found it to be too difficult. I chose my books because they stood out to me and were very memorable. They are not in any particular order.
Thanks for sharing your list! I love that Leaving made your list too. Babel and Two Step Devil are so memorable for me this year. I keep thinking about The Prophet. You had a lot of backlist winners too. The Dive From Clausen's Pier is one of the rare books I've reread, such a thought provoking read!
I enjoyed listening to you and Katy today. I need to incorporate some nonfiction next year. Making this list has given me a reason to research authors for next year, re-reads, and new titles.
WE can read more nonfiction together:) I bought some nonfiction books for myself yesterday - Darren got me a gift card to Barnes and Noble and I indulged in early xmas books for myself:)
I'm just out there supporting the store and the authors haha. Now I just need to make the purchases a priority and not be swayed by all the shiny new releases!
I enjoyed listening to you and Katie yesterday. I was out shopping and bought THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN from Katie's list and GIOVANNI'S ROOM from your list. I am quite sure one of my goals for 2025 needs to include stop buying so many books, ha.
Thanks Linda, I'm so glad you enjoyed us and we influenced a little book buying for you:) The Caretaker made my best of list last year, I loved that book so much. Also loved What Happened to Nina this year
I love this so much!!! I hope you thoroughly enjoy Love Elixir. What Happened to Nina was fantastic. I’m hoping my irl book club reads it in the new year.
My top 11 books for 2024. They are not listed in any specific order. I rated these books based a little bit of everything. Most important in criteria was the enjoyment i received from reading the book. Next, i chose these books based on the story and the message they conveyed. Lastly, some books were selected for their writing. And it goes without saying that if the book provoked strong emotions in me, it most likely ended up on this list.
TIME OF THE CHILD BY NIALL WILLIAMS
FAITHFUL PLACE BY TANA FRENCH
LEAVING BY ROXANNA ROBINSON
THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL
Thank you for sharing your list and your process for selection! I love hearing the details about how others choose their top books. We have 2 in common for the year yay. Well as far as top reads, but I also loved and gave 5 stars to You Are Here. Thank you for reminding me about Richard Russo, I want to read that series and I know you said start with book 1
I’m sure we would have had more books in common had we read the same books this past year. I do want you to know that I went to my Amazon unlimited music app and I am listening to father of the rain by Lily King since it was your number two book For the year. I am all about the book that you are anticipating for 2025 and I believe the title was dream state. Is it being released on someone’s birthday? Lol funny because Greg Hurwitz orphan book is going to be released the day after my birthday. And I cannot wait for that book. I had a hard time organizing this list of my favorite books for the year in order of ranking. Sometimes I think that my books get shuffled because the most recent five star book will dominate the top of my list because it’s fresh in my memory.
I really hope Father of the Rain is a story you enjoy as much as I did. It's definitely a slower paced story. Let me know either way:) I recently got the upcoming audio of the new Orphan X Nemesis and I can't wait to start it, Scott Brick is narrating again so it'll be a treat no matter what.
I am listening to Father of the Rain right now which is why I saw your message so quickly. I am around five hours into the book already and love it. I will be sure to let you know how I feel at the end.
oh I'm thrilled to hear that. I know I'll relisten to that someday. Yes keep me updated. My husband went to the Ohio State game so I'm perusing Substack and making a list of Jan 2025 releases that look good:)
When one device loses charge and I need to recharge, I pick up another device and I’m listening also to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I’ve never read it and decided that I would this year. In between that I’m baking chocolate crinkle cookies wedding cookies and orange drop cookies.
Absolutely LOVED hearing the two of you together! What a wonderful episode! I, too, am disappointed with my nonfiction reading in 2024; you ladies have given me a couple of ideas to start the new year, so thank you!
Thanks Tara! Katie and I had so much fun- and who know's we may have some ideas for more audio together in 2025:) Can't wait to hear more about your New Year's reading plans
Thanks for sharing your top reads! You've put some new to me book titles on my radar and I'm very excited to check several of these out. Love seeing that The Current made your list
Great list. I'd add Martyr, In Memorium, and Loved and Missed to it. I know I'm in the minority, but I LOATHED A Little Life. I read it years ago. I've never hated a book so much. It wallowed in its own misery, taking joy in every act of self-abuse.
I think one of the great things about books is how they can "hit" every reader differently, you're not alone in your feelings about A Little Life. Thanks for sharing a few of your favs, I'm going to read In Memorium in 2025
This episode was so fun Renee. I enjoyed hearing Katy’s input and nice to hear you engaging with someone else and the back and forth between you. Added a couple new ones to my list. Thank you so much for recommending several of my favorite books this year- ones that I never would have found elsewhere (Leaving ❤️ !). I am glad your new endeavor is working and so happy to have followed you here to Substack. Also- kudos for finding one of my all time fave writers Tana French . The Likeness is my #1 so make sure to read it. Happy Holidays! 🎄
I had so much fun chatting books and 2024 reading with you, Renee. Listeners, please let us know what you thought and if we share any favorite books of the year. Thanks for listening. 🤓
My favorite 13:
-STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND BY LIZ NUGENT
-THE LOST QUEEN BY SIGNE PIKE
-THE DIVE FROM CLAUSEN’S PIER BY ANN PACKER
-THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY BY EDITH WHARTON
-EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA FOR FAERIES BY HEATHER FAUCETT
-LEAVING BY ROXANA ROBINSON
-THE GOD OF THE WOODS BY LIZ MOORE
-MY BRILLIANT FRIEND BY ELANA FERANTE
-BABEL BY RF KUANG
-TWO STEP DEVIL BY JAIME QUATRO
-THE EMPUSIUM BY OLGA TOKARCZUK
-BROOKLYN BY COLM TOIBIN
-HAVEN POINT BY VIRGINIA HUME
I tried to cut this list down by 3 books but I found it to be too difficult. I chose my books because they stood out to me and were very memorable. They are not in any particular order.
Thanks for sharing your list! I love that Leaving made your list too. Babel and Two Step Devil are so memorable for me this year. I keep thinking about The Prophet. You had a lot of backlist winners too. The Dive From Clausen's Pier is one of the rare books I've reread, such a thought provoking read!
I enjoyed listening to you and Katy today. I need to incorporate some nonfiction next year. Making this list has given me a reason to research authors for next year, re-reads, and new titles.
WE can read more nonfiction together:) I bought some nonfiction books for myself yesterday - Darren got me a gift card to Barnes and Noble and I indulged in early xmas books for myself:)
That’s wonderful. I know how much you love a Barnes And Noble haul.
I'm just out there supporting the store and the authors haha. Now I just need to make the purchases a priority and not be swayed by all the shiny new releases!
😂You’ve got this Renee. Enjoy.
I think you can have as many favorites as you like! Thanks for sharing yours.
My favorite books of 2024:
THE CARETAKER by Ron Rash
LEAVING by Roxana Robinson
WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA by Dervla McTiernan
SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell
MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES by Savannah Guthrie
I enjoyed listening to you and Katie yesterday. I was out shopping and bought THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN from Katie's list and GIOVANNI'S ROOM from your list. I am quite sure one of my goals for 2025 needs to include stop buying so many books, ha.
Thanks Linda, I'm so glad you enjoyed us and we influenced a little book buying for you:) The Caretaker made my best of list last year, I loved that book so much. Also loved What Happened to Nina this year
I love this so much!!! I hope you thoroughly enjoy Love Elixir. What Happened to Nina was fantastic. I’m hoping my irl book club reads it in the new year.
My top 11 books for 2024. They are not listed in any specific order. I rated these books based a little bit of everything. Most important in criteria was the enjoyment i received from reading the book. Next, i chose these books based on the story and the message they conveyed. Lastly, some books were selected for their writing. And it goes without saying that if the book provoked strong emotions in me, it most likely ended up on this list.
TIME OF THE CHILD BY NIALL WILLIAMS
FAITHFUL PLACE BY TANA FRENCH
LEAVING BY ROXANNA ROBINSON
THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL
ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK BY CHRIS WHITAKER
FIRST LIE WINS BY ASHLEY ELSTON
SOMEBODY’S FOOL BY RICHARD RUSSO
REBECCA BY DAPHNE DU MAURIER
YOU ARE HERE BY DAVID NICHOLls
THE MIGHTY RED BY LOUISE ERDRICH
CLOSE TO DEATH BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ
Thank you for sharing your list and your process for selection! I love hearing the details about how others choose their top books. We have 2 in common for the year yay. Well as far as top reads, but I also loved and gave 5 stars to You Are Here. Thank you for reminding me about Richard Russo, I want to read that series and I know you said start with book 1
I’m sure we would have had more books in common had we read the same books this past year. I do want you to know that I went to my Amazon unlimited music app and I am listening to father of the rain by Lily King since it was your number two book For the year. I am all about the book that you are anticipating for 2025 and I believe the title was dream state. Is it being released on someone’s birthday? Lol funny because Greg Hurwitz orphan book is going to be released the day after my birthday. And I cannot wait for that book. I had a hard time organizing this list of my favorite books for the year in order of ranking. Sometimes I think that my books get shuffled because the most recent five star book will dominate the top of my list because it’s fresh in my memory.
I really hope Father of the Rain is a story you enjoy as much as I did. It's definitely a slower paced story. Let me know either way:) I recently got the upcoming audio of the new Orphan X Nemesis and I can't wait to start it, Scott Brick is narrating again so it'll be a treat no matter what.
I am listening to Father of the Rain right now which is why I saw your message so quickly. I am around five hours into the book already and love it. I will be sure to let you know how I feel at the end.
oh I'm thrilled to hear that. I know I'll relisten to that someday. Yes keep me updated. My husband went to the Ohio State game so I'm perusing Substack and making a list of Jan 2025 releases that look good:)
When one device loses charge and I need to recharge, I pick up another device and I’m listening also to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I’ve never read it and decided that I would this year. In between that I’m baking chocolate crinkle cookies wedding cookies and orange drop cookies.
Happy to see REBECCA on your list! I enjoyed listening to YOU ARE HERE, Maggie O'Farrell is nice to see, and LEAVING is on my list too.
I read Maggie O’Farrell for the first time and loved her writing style and story telling.
This was so fun to listen to! I picked Fates and Furies as a reread for my book club and surprisingly, everyone liked it! It was a great discussion.
Oh that's great! There's so much to discuss, I bet that was a fun discussion
Absolutely LOVED hearing the two of you together! What a wonderful episode! I, too, am disappointed with my nonfiction reading in 2024; you ladies have given me a couple of ideas to start the new year, so thank you!
Thanks Tara! Katie and I had so much fun- and who know's we may have some ideas for more audio together in 2025:) Can't wait to hear more about your New Year's reading plans
Thanks for listening, Tara. We can encourage one another to read nonfiction. I know I have to be very intentional about it.
Loved listening to you girls chat about your top reads of the year! My top two were:
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES & THE GOLDFINCH. I made the mistake of watching "The Goldfinch" movie after reading... Ugh
I've heard that about the movie is I'm not going to watch it- I don't want my best book of the year tainted haha .
My top 10 (in no particular order and including series):
THE HOTEL by Daisy Johnson
THE CURRENT by Tim Johnston
The MIRROR VISITOR Series by Christelle Dabos
PRIVATE RITES by Julia Armfield
WHEN THE NIGHT COMES FALLING by Howard Blum
WINDSWEPT by Annie Worsley
THE MIDCOAST by Adam White
KNIFE RIVER by Justine Champine
The NINTH HOUSE Series by Leigh Bardugo
The SHADY HOLLOW Series by Juneau Black!
Thanks for sharing your top reads! You've put some new to me book titles on my radar and I'm very excited to check several of these out. Love seeing that The Current made your list
Great list. I'd add Martyr, In Memorium, and Loved and Missed to it. I know I'm in the minority, but I LOATHED A Little Life. I read it years ago. I've never hated a book so much. It wallowed in its own misery, taking joy in every act of self-abuse.
I think one of the great things about books is how they can "hit" every reader differently, you're not alone in your feelings about A Little Life. Thanks for sharing a few of your favs, I'm going to read In Memorium in 2025
I've only read like 4 among your faves but I'm checking out the others 👀
Let me know if you read any others!
Loved this episode! Thanks for sharing
Thank you!
This episode was so fun Renee. I enjoyed hearing Katy’s input and nice to hear you engaging with someone else and the back and forth between you. Added a couple new ones to my list. Thank you so much for recommending several of my favorite books this year- ones that I never would have found elsewhere (Leaving ❤️ !). I am glad your new endeavor is working and so happy to have followed you here to Substack. Also- kudos for finding one of my all time fave writers Tana French . The Likeness is my #1 so make sure to read it. Happy Holidays! 🎄
Thank you for keeping me company on my road trip home yesterday! Such a great episode and left with so many TBR additions! ❤️
Love hearing that!