I did away with ‘top tens’ a few years ago, and instead I finish the reading year with a recap of the books that are still speaking to me (less about four and five-star ratings, more about what has stuck).
Some stories are completely absorbing – who doesn’t love the feeling of not being able to put a book down? I was engrossed in The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell; Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley; Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin; Temper by Phoebe Walker; and The Standing Chandelier by Lionel Shriver. The two that had me staying up late into the night were Yellowface by R. F. Kuang, and Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.
For the superb writing alone, standouts were Sunbathing by Isobel Beech; Limberlost by Robbie Arnott; and Graft by Maggie MacKellar.
Surprising (because they’re not my usual thing) – Sarah Holland-Batt’s poetry collection, The Jaguar; Georgi Gospodinov’s dystopian novel, Time Shelter; and Daniel James Brown’s historical sports nonfiction book, The Boys in the Boat.
Books that make me laugh out loud are few and far between, but this year there was a bounty including Katherine Heiny’s short story collection, Games & Rituals, and her novel, Standard Deviation. I also loved Samantha Irby’s essays, Quietly Hostile, and Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel Romantic Comedy.
And to the books that, if forced to choose absolute favourites, would top my list – Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey for it’s memorable voice; Big Swiss by Jen Beagin for its weird, dark humour and impressive writing; and Rob Delaney’s memoir, A Heart That Works – I cried, I laughed, and I have thought about it so many times since finishing it.
Thanks for your readership and I look forward to sharing more books in 2024.
Great to see Limberlost here… it’s been so interesting to see how many people just *loved* that book… I still can see that boat being revealed in my mind’s eye, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
Thank you for sharing your reading…I’ve learned a lot from you this year and am very grateful for your expertise.
All the best for 2024!
I see that some of your best books are on my reading list, which make me even more eager to read them. Especially, O’Farrell, Kuang and Groff. Wish you a good reading year 2024.
I really enjoyed your review of The Jaguar, but not enough to actually read the book (poetry!). I like the sound of Time Shelter – I’d do less driving and more listening to bands if I could go back.
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I haven’t read any of them but Groff, The Marriage portrait and Yellowface are in the plans for 2024. Best bookish wishes for the new year!