2024: The Best and Worst Books I Read
My reading year was marked by mostly middling literary experiences, punctuated by a few standout moments.
While books rooted in academia captivated me — “I Have Some Questions for You,” “Stoner,” “Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio,” “Don’t Forget the Girl” and “Come & Get It” — I felt many of my reads were burdened by hackneyed plots, half-baked characterizations or death by pretentiousness.
Short story collections, anthologies and graphic novels provided much-needed variety, proving that it’s always a good idea to shake up your format. As for my quest to tackle the “chonky” novels languishing on my TBR list, well, many were ambitious but frustrating.
Strangely, picking my worst reads was easier than narrowing down my favorites. With only a few books earning five stars, this ranks as one of my most average reading years to date.
Overall Favorite Read
The History of Sound: Stories by Ben Shattuck (2024)
Shattuck’s short story collection is a love letter to the complexity of human emotions. From heartbreak to quiet triumphs, each tale offers a microcosm of life’s intricacies. Each story is sharp, delivering a range of emotions — from heartbreaking nostalgia in the title story to the tender devotion of “The Auk.”
The writing is as warm as it is incisive, and the audiobook’s stellar cast, including Nick Offerman and Jenny Slate, added depth to an already remarkable experience. This collection left me wanting more, and it was a stroke of genius to include loose connections between many stories so the reader could have some level of closure — a rarity with this format.
Runners-up: “Stoner” by John Williams (1965) and “Small Rain” by Garth Greenwell (2024)
My Other Favorite Reads
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Sensual, heart-wrenching and masterfully written, Aciman’s exploration of desire and connection is as evocative as its Italian villa setting. Elio’s coming-of-age journey resonates with bittersweet honesty, and while the film adaptation remains a masterpiece, the novel's introspective prose is unparalleled.
Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf
This graphic novel transcends its format, delivering a visceral and haunting exploration of the events at Kent State in 1970. Meticulously researched and profoundly moving, Backderf captures the human cost of political turmoil, making this both an accessible history lesson and a masterclass in storytelling.
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
A deeply introspective novel that captures the isolation and introspection of early COVID-19 days. Greenwell’s poetic prose and the intimate portrayal of his protagonist’s journey through love, mortality and survival are unforgettable.
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
A hybrid of mystery and literary fiction, this novel transcends the boundaries of both genres. Bodie Kane’s return to her boarding school unearths both a murder mystery and a reckoning with her biases and the systemic failures of the past. Makkai’s exploration of hindsight, true crime culture and internet voyeurism offers a richly layered experience.
Stoner by John Williams
A quietly devastating portrait of a man’s unremarkable life, Williams’ writing is hauntingly beautiful. While some might struggle with the occasionally frustrating pacing, the novel lingers long after the last page.
Honorable Mentions
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Akbar’s poetic prose and experimental narrative structure made this a standout debut. The themes of identity, family and self-destruction are explored with tenderness, humor and clarity.
Beneath the Bonfire by Nickolas Butler
Butler’s collection of short stories explore the complexities of modern masculinity in the rural Midwest, capturing themes of friendship, trauma, loss and identity with raw emotional honesty. While some longer stories feel rushed or incomplete, the shorter ones shine.
James by Percival Everett
A bold reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Everett’s novel elevates the source material by pivoting the narrative to a blood-soaked revenge tale, giving the author the runway for a timely examination of race, identity and systemic injustice.
Apt Pupil by Stephen King
Dark, twisted and deeply unsettling, this novella from “Different Seasons” offers a chilling exploration of morality, manipulation and unchecked ambition. It’s King at his most unhinged.
March Trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
An excellent graphic novel series chronicling the Civil Rights Movement through John Lewis’s eyes. Though some sections felt rushed, the trilogy remains an essential history lesson.
Come & Get It by Kiley Reid
Reid’s biting commentary on capitalism, race and higher education made this a standout character-driven novel. While the ending faltered, the sharp dialogue and intersecting plots kept me captivated.
Oscar Wars by Michael Schulman
Schulman’s exploration of Hollywood’s history through the lens of the Oscars is as entertaining as it is enlightening. A perfect read for film buffs.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Compelling historical fiction for all ages, this YA classic explores systemic racism with nuance and heart. The Logan family’s fight for justice remains as relevant as ever.
Disappointing Reads (including DNFs)
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
A queer reimagining of King Lear, Private Rites follows three estranged sisters navigating their father’s death in a drowned, dystopian world. While Armfield crafts an eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere, the novel feels disjointed, with underdeveloped characters and a melancholic tone that quickly wears thin.
Craven Manor by Darcy Coates
A promising setup crumbled under the weight of incoherent mythology and frustrating character decisions. I skimmed the final chapters out of sheer obligation.
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by Tananarive Due
Despite promising setups and intriguing characters, this collection faltered with flat endings. Few stories truly resonated, making this a disappointing introduction to Due’s work.
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann (DNF)
A 1,000+ page run-on sentence with no plot or clear purpose. While the mountain lion interludes were compelling, I gave up a third of the way through, exhausted by the structure.
Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out by Ryan Love
This cozy novel squandered its premise with predictable clichés and outdated stereotypes.
Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah
What could have been a heartwarming story of friendship and self-discovery was marred by clunky dialogue, manufactured drama and underdeveloped characters.
The Groom Will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile (DNF)
What began as refreshingly honest devolved into self-righteous essays. By the final chapter, I had no patience for Ortile’s judgmental tone and repetitive themes.
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
What once felt edgy now reads as a shallow, self-indulgent critique of consumerism and toxic masculinity. The dated writing and problematic themes sealed its place on this list.
The Overstory by Richard Powers
Bloated and pretentious, Powers’ Pulitzer-winning novel drowns its compelling ecological message in convoluted storytelling. It felt more like a lecture than a novel.
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
An unfocused mess of juvenile humor and mixed with scientific and personal anecdotes. Despite its important subject, it failed to resonate.
Murder Road by Simone St. James
An uninspired supernatural thriller, this novel relied too heavily on nostalgia and lazy plotting.
Blackouts by Justin Torres (DNF)
Torres’ experimental mixed-media novel felt more like an intellectual exercise than an engaging story. At its best it was confusing, but it was mostly a self-indulgent mess.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Overly ambitious yet hollow, the novel’s reliance on tired tropes and implausible twists made it a slog. It was aggressively mediocre.
