2024: My Year in Reading
As the final chapter of 2024 comes to the end, I’m not only reflecting on the books I’ve read, but on the year as a whole. It was a year of growth and challenges — both personally and professionally — and through it all, books were my steadfast companions. They offered comfort, inspiration and an excuse to step outside when I needed a break from reality.
In a year where life often felt demanding, I didn’t always have the mental focus or time to dedicate to reading or listening. Still, I’m proud of the numbers below, because each book — and each review — represents a conscious decision to prioritize creativity over other activities.
Reading mirrors life. At times, you experience one incredible read after another, but other times you’re stuck in a slump that seems unending. But perseverance often leads to better days, and this year reminded me of that truth.
Last year, I set a few reading goals, and I’m pleased to see I achieved most of them, even though every month I felt like I was falling behind:
“Not Like Me” Authors (non-white, non-cisgendered, non-gay males): All, they made up 42% of my reading — on par with last year
Non-White Authors: Nearly half (45%) of the authors I read were non-white — slightly fewer than last year, but a reflection of an ongoing effort to diversify my shelf
Queer Authors: This year, 39% of my reading came from queer authors — a strong showing, though slightly lower than previous years
DNF (Did Not Finish): I set aside three books that didn’t work for me, though I probably could have let go of a dozen more
By the Numbers
27,361 pages read and 470.08 hours listened, a 10% increase in both pages and a listening hours over 2023
7,946 pages – 29% of the year’s total — came from just 12 books. While my “chonky read challenge” was fun, it also ended up stressing me out more than anticipated
Audiobooks continued to dominate my reading habits, comprising over 65% of my reading, but my love of the hybrid read/listen continued its slow decline
Fiction, per usual, was my category of choice, with 58 of my 78 reads being novels
My most prolific months — March (3,786 pages) and February (56+ listening hours) — stand as a testament to the power of the sun after a long winter
I completed every book from my 2020 TBR pile; furthering my preferred FIFO reading method
Looking Ahead to 2025
Next year, my goals are simple:
Finish all the books added to my TBR in 2021
Be quicker to DNF books that aren’t resonating
Tackle four longer (600+ page) books rather than committing to a full “chonky read challenge” again
I’m especially grateful for the book community I’ve found — whether through local bookstores, Silent Book Club meetups, Instagram or visitors to this website. Your shared love of reading keeps me inspired, and for that, I thank you wholeheartedly.
Uncertainty about what the future holds is a concern for many as we approach 2025. Yet, in times of doubt, I tend to focus on what I can control, and a big part of that is choosing books to read.
Stories have the power to bridge divides, challenge assumptions and ignite change. Now more than ever, I’m committed to seeking out new voices, embracing diverse perspectives and encouraging others to do the same. I believe that if more people read with intention, we could rediscover respectful discourse.
Thanks again for another year of following along.
Happy reading and listening,
Andy
Reviews for each of these books can be found on this website. Thanks to Goodreads for, once again, doing the design work for me!
