book reviews 2024

Here it is, year seventeen of my book lists, and with it being my favorite number since forever, can I take this as a positive sign that I'll have a wonderful year of reading? Eh, every year is a wonderful year of reading, whether it's a dozen books or nearing 100. Those years of long-ass reading lists are only a memory lately, but you never know. This year will bring some big milestones for our family, so 2024 will be remarkable regardless.

20. 12/31/24

You don't have to have a dream: advice for the incrementally ambitious by Tim Minchin

I saved this one for a while after it came in, because I wanted to savor my reading and I didn't want my first read through to be over yet, you know? Months of it sitting on the desk in the kitchen staring at me, and me thinking, not just yet... But today seemed as perfect as metaphorically perfect can get. Three of Tim Minchin's graduation (or similar ceremony) speeches are collected here from 2013, 2019, and 2015, along with his 2024 thoughts and reflections on said speeches. I find his musings consistently brilliant, not because I think they're always right but because I think they're always earnest and authentic. That's what again drew me in here, and what continues to be my goal-- to be authentically myself and earnest about what I care about. Thank you, Tim, for sharing these thoughts with me today, and I anticipate occasional re-reads will be productive in the future.

19. 12/30/24

All the Rage by A.L. Kennedy

Twelve short stories make up this book, but I don't think I could tell you what actually happened in any of them, because while passages were beautiful examples of exquisite word choices, the narratives were confusing AF. Lots of internal dialog and unreliable narrators, it seemed. I'm not sure, but I just couldn't get a firm footing with any of them, really.

18. 12/28/24

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

A quiet day with no to-do list allowed for me to sink into this novel with very few pauses, and after finishing it only minutes ago, my cheeks are still streaked with tears. Three days in the life of a nurse in Dublin during the 1918 influenza pandemic feel like a lifetime, long enough for major revelations and life-changing events. The initial tone and theme were very reminiscent of CALL THE MIDWIFE, but even grittier and sharper. I was utterly enveloped in this story, with its aching harshness about the time and place, along with the dark realities of labor and delivery. This was written before the Covid-19 pandemic's start and published in 2020, but I'm glad I didn't read it until now, when much of the personal fear has subsided. It was eerie and deeply sad to see pieces in this piece of historical fiction represented in familiar ways to what we experienced 100 years later, especially in the messages to the people from the government. Damn.

17. 11/10/24

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

(purchased book)

This remarkable novel from the prominent and immensely talented contemporary American writer Jesmyn Ward is difficult to read without feeling the pain of all the characters, alive or dead, but not fully gone. Perspectives switch from chapter to chapter, giving readers insights into each of their personal histories within the context of the larger history of Mississippi and the US. Ward writes in a way that forces me to slow down and savor her phrasing, to think deeply about the scenes she paints with words. The characters she has created here are lingering in my thoughts.

16. 7/13/24

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

(borrowed book)

My kid has been trying to get me to read this for quite a while now, and I don't know why I hesitated. I even read CIRCE before this, thanks to a book club. I wasn't prepared for how invested I'd become in these characters, witnessing their love grow for almost twenty years, from childhood through to their too-young deaths. Again, I found myself googling characters and events in Greek mythology as I read, because my background knowledge is quite slim. But I quickly fell into a spell through Miller's writing, the story flowing like water with Patroclus' narration. His eternal devotion to Achilles was beautiful to witness, as it was just so damn genuine, even in the war-time moments when he couldn't understand who Achilles was becoming. The end of this book had me sobbing, especially when Achilles' goddess mother finally shows one ounce of kindness. I was left with the idea of the universality of so many aspects of human nature, specifically the idea of legacy, and more pointedly, how the pursuit of it leads to the downfall of man after man after man.

15. 7/8/24

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

(purchased book)

This Judy Blume classic was published in 1981, but I think I must have read it a few years later when I was 10 or 11. The teen protagonist is reeling from the death of her father, who was murdered while working in a 7-11 store, and I read this first either at or after the time period when my dad worked nights at a 7-11 store, so it definitely left its mark on me. I remember that I re-read it several times as a kid because it always provided an emotional release, and I was a kid with a whole lot of emotions. As an adult, I recognize how Blume beautifully captured a kid's inner voice.

14. 6/24/24

Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery by Casey Parks

(library book)

Journalist Casey Parks had me enraptured with this book, at first more with the mystery part, and then, most definitely, with her own memoir part. Both are compelling stories about people who didn't fit in among their community, but Parks truly begins to delve deeper into her own story as she learns (and often, doesn't learn) more about Roy, a "woman who lived as a man" in her grandmother's hometown. Questioning her own motives in pursuing this story leads Parks to greater and greater self-reflection, and in the process, we come to know the people and places she grew up with. A childhood mix of love and trauma become an adulthood of uncertainty and longing. By the end, my tears were flowing, and I closed the book hoping for peace for all involved.

13. 6/13/24

Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere by Maria Bamford

(library book)

After recently watching Maria Bamford's (very loosely) semi-autobiographical sitcom LADY DYNAMITE, I learned she'd also written this memoir, and I thought it would be an ideal vacation read. I found myself not wanting to put it down as I lay on the porch swing laugh-crying inside. Reading this, I heard Maria's voice in my head, and it helped me to better contextualize the bizarreness of her show as I realized just how much was actually based on real occurrences. And all together, it made me appreciate her humor and unique voice all the more. I'm all for any open talk about mental illness, and Maria Bamford does it truly like no other. Totally bad-ass to truly be herself and lay it all out there.

12. 4/8/24

Fat Angie: Homecoming by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo

(purchased book)

Wow, the third book of the FA trilogy was one helluva roller coaster ride. Fully living up to a coming of age story, this finale saw Angie finally figuring out how to be herself-- including all the parts that she has been made to feel are wrong-- and, like most of us at 16, making some royally messed up mistakes along the way. The abuse experienced by Angie at the hands of her mother continued to be so damn difficult to read, but seeing her break free in the end with the solid prospect of finally having some adults in her life step up for her was reassuring. I'd love to see a follow up with Angie in her 20s or older someday!

11. 4/4/24

Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo

(purchased book)

Man, this sequel was TOUGH to read for at least the first third of the book, as the pain and abuse experienced by the teenage protagonist felt so real and utterly defeating. Just when I wasn't sure if I could keep watching Angie continue to suffer, she came to her own rescue, choosing to rebel in ways that I was surprised to find myself encouraging, as a middle-aged parent of young adults. But I've been rooting for Angie since the start of the first book, so when the adults around her refused to offer support or listen to her or even acknowledge her reality, it was beautiful to see her try to find peace for herself. Even through all her fear, Angie is brave AF, and I closed the book hopeful for her.

10. 3/14/24

Pageboy by Elliot Page

(purchased book)

I have rooted for Elliot Page since he first came out, watching his speech at the HRC event in 2014 and feeling excited for a person who seemed to be nervously, but genuinely, sharing their truth. Reading his memoir was such an eye-opening experience, because while I wasn't following his career closely, I was aware of his work and had no idea of the trauma he had survived and was still living through. He shares so many details of abuse and assault from childhood through young adulthood that it's hard to believe that he could have carried such a successful acting career throughout it all. His inner strength comes through here, even if he is the first one to diminish it. The weight of it all makes for a tough read, but the hopeful tone in the final stories is refreshing, and I'd love to read a joyful follow up memoir in a decade or two.

9. 3/12/24

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

(purchased book)

The only other book I've read by this author was NOTHING TO SEE HERE, which I absolutely treasured for its absurdity, so I was prepared for another strange story in this novel. Yes, I definitely found a ton of weirdness, but the weirdness was more relatable here, I think. The teenage narrator's weirdness and tendency toward obsession was something I connected with immediately, thinking back on my own formative years and my ability to become so engrossed in a thing that it became my identity. Yup, that tracks, maybe a wee bit muted, to today. This protagonist's creativity and teenage ennui work together to find meaning where others might not, and an obsession is born as a result. This obsession is shared with another awkward teenager unsure of himself, too, so the obsession and the bond become inseparable. As the plot revs up, and boy does it ever, I found myself initially surprised, before realizing that it all made perfect sense and could have truly happened in real life exactly as portrayed in fiction, because our world and its people are absolutely weird enough. I appreciated the uniqueness of this coming-of-age story that has recognizable themes in its kooky plot.

8. 3/8/24

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

(library book)

Dang, I could not put this down! Taken at surface level, this novel provides an intriguing premise right from the jump, along with a first-person narrative whose voice starts strong and bold. As the intrigue builds, though, we witness the narrator begin to unravel, slowly at first followed by a rapid decline, that, to be honest, was entertaining AF to watch. What seemed at first to be simple ignorance- the effects of white privilege personified- descends into a self-indulgent madness that spirals out of control, and I was left drained of any ounce of compassion I might have ever felt for the narrator. I also quite enjoyed the glimpse into the world of publishing, for as unhinged as the perspective may have been, I'm confident much of that was spot on. Highly recommend.

7. 3/1/24

Weyward by Emilia Hart

(gifted book)

My husband gave me this novel for Xmas after hearing it talked about on NPR. Look at this cover-- have you ever seen anything so beautiful?! Birds and bugs on a book cover means it was a perfect gift for me. I binged this entire book today, enraptured by its three distinct narratives of women separated by centuries but connected by bloodlines and trauma. What some might call 'witchcraft' works as a major theme here, but with an emphasis on a connection to nature beyond just the usual knowledge of the power of herbs and other plants, which I adored. I found it to be a compelling and suspenseful read, but folks should be aware of domestic violence and rape depictions that could be difficult to get through.

6. 2/26/24

You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything by Walt Hickey

(library book)

If this was a textbook for an American Studies type of course, I'd definitely want to take the class! I was utterly fascinated by the information presented about how entertainment affects us-- from literal physical effects on our bodily systems to the larger worldly influence of pop culture on national identities and perceptions. The visual representations of data are unlike anything I've ever seen. This is likely the most fun I've ever had while reading and processing a nonfiction text.

5. 2/14/24

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

(library book)

Murder mystery isn't one of my go to genres, but you wouldn't have figured that considering how quickly I read this one, starting on my lunch break and ending just after midnight the same night! I loved the cheekiness that was there from the jump with a map of the house that looked pretty familiar to anyone who's ever played Clue, along with several Agatha Christie nods and references. Can murder be slightly lighthearted? I think this book fits that bill, and I actually had a fun time reading it, even if I only guessed half of the twist. Props to my friend's murder-mystery-loving kid for the recommendation!

4. 2/10/24

People Collide by Isle McElroy

(library book)

I'm not sure how to describe this novel, other than to say I was wholly taken with it. It's like the seriousness of THE METAMORPHOSIS crashed into the ridiculousness of FREAKY FRIDAY, weaving a story that explores gender, marriage, identity, sex, and relationships. I had no idea what to expect as I neared the final pages, and while I'm not left with any feelings of closure for the story or the characters, they had me fascinated for a short time.

3. 1/26/24

This is Salvaged by Vauhini Vara

(library book)

This collection of short stories is full of vivacious characters who are almost immediately fully brought to life in only a few pages. Most of the protagonists are girls or women, and their stories are intimately and carefully told. "The Hormone Hypothesis" tells of friendship among middle-aged women, and I appreciated the realistic portrayal of the bonds that can be made during a pivotal stage of life like this. Each of the ten short stories here is brilliant and beautifully written- a snapshot in life- and while I could have read more, I was pleased with the short time I spent with all of the characters.

2. 1/15/24

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

(library book)

Jesmyn Ward weaves with words, creating a magical story that is both otherworldly and as deeply entrenched in real, human experience as possible. Here she writes a first person narrative of enslavement in the American South, replete with terrors that should be unimaginable. She also writes of love, especially a maternal love that carries beyond an earthly life. Ward's writing truly is like no other's, affecting and achingly gorgeous.

 

1. 1/7/24

Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones

(library book)

Big Leslie Jones fan here. Love her for her authenticity, because her comedy always feels absolutely real, and she always looks like she's having a helluva time doing it. Her memoir bares a lot of the pretty tough times, and it's clear that she worked her ass off to get all of her successes. There's more of her challenges here than I expected, so don't go in thinking it's going to be a ton of laughs. Major respect to Leslie!