My books of the year
Best of 2024
At the beginning of the year, I made some vague noises about keeping a record of every book I would read and promptly failed to do so.
Happily, this newsletter provides a handy catalogue of many of the better books I’ve enjoyed over the last 12 months so I’ve gone through the archive and pulled out some of my favourites.
I’m also in the process of putting together a mega list of the new books for 2025 so that will be coming your way soon.
Hits, Flops and Other Illusions by Ed Zwick
A properly dishy and engrossing memoir from a legendary Hollywood director. I loved it.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Sci fi rom com. An imperfect book that could have done with another draft but the conceit is brilliant and the writing is lovely.
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Two lost souls fall in love on a rainy walking holiday. A funny, lovely read for when it all feels a bit too much. Last week I heard myself suggesting a walking holiday to my husband so it appears there is now empirical evidence that I’m in my 40s.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Dysfunctional Irish family saga. The most propulsive (and stressful) plot I’ve read all year.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
I don’t know why but this book went slightly under the radar. A newly divorced woman arrives at a luxury Rhode Island hotel in a state of intense emotional distress and becomes an accidental guest at an overblown wedding. A lovely, wise and moving read.
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
At least one superfluous plot line undermined my enjoyment of this book but I still think that Lombardo is a tragically underrated author and the master of the heart wrenching family drama.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
A very good novel that explores marriage, middle age malaise and the evolution of wellness. I promise, it’s really quite clever and not at all gimmicky on the wellness stuff. Well worth your time.
Funny story by Emily Henry
Two wronged exes hatch a plan to make their former partners' lives hell. By no means her best book but I defy you to find anyone better at writing swoony, picturesque and charming rom coms. I could read her all day, every day.
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
It’s hard to describe the plot without it sounding completely mad so I’m re-posting the blurb:
An exhilarating, twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. The economy and precision of the language is so impressive but it’s also sexy, strange, sad and very preoccupying.
-
What are your books of the year? What will you be reading over Christmas? Talk to me in the comments and I’ll add them to my holiday stack.
See you next time!
Hannah
So the Safe Keep took me two goes to read - proof that sometimes it's your mood, not the book! I'd read about 60 pages, couldn't get into it.
Weeks later I thought about how great your recommendations usually are and tried again. This time found it engrossing and brilliant and now can't stop raving about it.
So thank you, again!
Gaaah, The Safekeep is very high on my book shopping list, but unfortunately so are too many others atm 😩😩