I read 27 since the start of 2024! I'm definitely feeling the pressure of my loftier goals this year (111 books) and trusting myself to DNF books (does anyone else get FOMO with books? Sheesh!) Here they are in ranked order, starting with my favorites!
A quick rundown of my 6 favorites:
The Weight of Blood- so I chose to start my year with my most unlikely genre- Horror- because it was The Tiffany D. Jackson!!! For every new book she publishes, it's an instant TBR. TWOB was published in 2022, nevertheless, this YA Carrie inspired retelling should not be missed (even if you're like me and never read the OG).
River East, River West - I've successfully recommended this one to a friend! It is rich, compelling, and will break your heart. But, as a warning, there are a lot of uncomfy parts about sex and alcohol, including abuse and minors.
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones is a coffee table book and an autobiographical tale of Dolly Parton's evolution of her iconic style. I appreciate that she is unapologetically herself and she dresses herself 100% for herself. She graciously credits many of her stylists and hair/makeup artists throughout the years. I had a lot of fun looking up her fashions throughout the years, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for this shero.
The Wishing Game is a book that is as warm as cinnamon sugar. I had such a good feeling while reading this. It's one of those books that a parent could read with a child, and the child will love it, but there are still adult messages too(ex: CW: pregnancy loss). A little bit Wizard of Oz, a tiny bit Lion, Witch, Wardrobe, but alotta bit heart and magic (without any magical realism).
Recitatif is a one-hour audio short story that will leave a lasting impression and have you wondering about Twyla and Roberta for much longer than that. Also, don't listen to the prologue. Zadie Smith narrates for over an hour (which, again, is longer than the book) and provides too many spoilers. Maybe, listen to the epilogue at the end, if at all.
Ready Player One- Let's just say that I want to get a puppy sister for my dog, Apollo. Obviously, I would name her Artemis, but because of this book, I'm naming her Art3mis. I'm obsessed with Cline's world-building, the friendships, and the general concept of living life online. What I would give to experience this book again for the first time (but let me tell you RP2 was not it).
Loved (Recommend to anyone for any reason)
The Weight of Blood- Tiffany D. Jackson
River East, River West- Aube Rey Lescure
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones - Dolly Parton
The Wishing Game- Meg Shaffer
Ready Player One- Ernest Cline
Recitatif- Toni Morison
Really Liked (Top choice recommendations)
Finding Me- Viola Davis
Maybe in Another Life- Taylor Jenkins Reid
This Time Will Be Different- Misa Sugiura
Pretty Good (Recommend lite)
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike- Phil Knight
Disorientation- Elaine Hsieh Chou
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store- James McBride
Okay (Fine- Liked enough)
Rules for Being a Girl Candace Bushnell
Call Me By Your Name- Andrè Aciman
Legally Blonde- Amanda Brown
The Woman in Me- Britney Spears
A Dowry of Blood- S.T. Gibson
First Lie Wins- Ashley Elston
Technically, You Started It- Lana Wood Johnson
Ready Player Two- Ernest Cline
Not For Me (Wasn't the intended audience or did not like)
What About Men?- Caitlin Moran
Reel- Kennedy Ryan
The Pisces- Melissa Broder
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris- Adriana Herrera
A Little Life- Hanya Yanagihara
Blood Sisters- Vanessa Lillie
DNF (Did Not Finish)
Matrix- Lauren Groff
Some Desperate Glory- Emily Tesh
What the Dead Know- Laura Lippman
Family Meal- Bryan Washington
The Rachel Incident- Caroline O'Donoghue
A Gentleman in Moscow- Amor Towles
Final Reflection:
I'm posting this in May. I'm very off-track with keeping up. I should probably go back to bi-monthly review.
For further reviews of each book, check out my Goodreads account!
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