If you are a regular reader of this series, let me warn you. This list could end up feeling like a bit of a letdown. It sure felt so to me. Not only did I end up with a far lower number of books, most of them barely left an impact.
But then, life has been busy. In a good way. So much so that most of the year I kept telling myself how I finally understood, instead of my usual internal scoffing when people would say that they didn’t get the time to read. I have felt that struggle this year, trying to manage my reading with scraps of time strung together. The struggle was far more intense with much worse results in my writing practice, but that is a story for another day.
You can supplement my reading list of this year, with all the previous editions.
You can also wait for my first ever children’s book reading list, hopefully out next week. This has resulted from all the literary times spent with my almost 2-year old daughter. Psst psst, some of my distraction in the adult reading could have come with just how much I have enjoyed exploring toddler books.
As always, all titles below are clickable and lead to their Goodreads page. Ironically, one of my reading resolutions next year is to read more without hopping on to Goodreads and letting it colour my expectation. Anyway, enough chatter from me. Let’s move on to the books.
JANUARY
Surprisingly, I wasn’t too taken by the book. The premise is interesting and yes, it was fascinating to know about the vocation of a death doula. And no, the book was not morbid unlike what I feared. It somehow ended up feeling like a regular plain jane book of sorts which is what left me surprised. The kind of book that you struggle to finish and are left wondering what to feel.
2. Mornings in Jenin – Susan Abulhawa
This was one of the few book club reads for me this year. With the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, this is an enriching read to even understand the conflict. There are many human angles to it and you see how the same event can shape so many people, and often differently. You understand how humans can act, be it in desperation or despair or resignation. How they often get so taken by their own woes and feelings, not recognising the impact of it on their loved ones around. It was an immensely sad book and one that makes you truly grateful for the geographic contours of your birth.
3. The exhibitionists – Charlotte Mendelson
This was a gift. It made for a good read with many intentionally unlikable characters. But then, that’s the challenge for a good novelist, right? When have humans been surrounded by people for whom they can claim to like all.
FEBRUARY
4. What after money and fame? – Sonia Golani
This was an author book exchange, between me and Sonia 😊 It’s a short non-fiction book where she conducted interviews with top business leaders in the country. If I were to reframe the book succinctly, then it essentially explored with them their idea of Maslow’s tip of the pyramid, namely self actualisation. It was simple and thought provoking.
MARCH
5. Sakina’s kiss – Vivek Shanbhag
I have an admission. I don’t understand symbolism, especially when it is forced and honestly distant. Which is possibly why poetry has never been my thing. With this book (another book club read), the reader was supposed to connect way too many thoughts. Plus, I think it was a little too money-hating for my capitalist soul.
6. My life in full – Indra Nooyi
I finally read the much-touted memoir and I was so glad I did. Nooyi is of course well known for being vocal about how women can’t have it all. Throughout the book, I had conflicting thoughts. She is, inarguably an intense workaholic, the levels to which I may never really get to. Yet, there were many of her experiences that left me envious. I guess the book makes you introspect as to what is the cost you are willing to pay for the success that you aspire to. Life is, finally, all about choices.
APRIL
This is one of those slow, glacially-paced unfolding sagas that require you to have immense patience. It’s a book where you are simply there for the journey, rather than the destination. Yet, we all have our types of books that we enjoy and those that we don’t. For me, this genre falls in the latter and I may not particularly veer towards another Ann Pratchett for some time, Goodreads ratings be damned.
8. The Elephant in the womb – Kalki Koechlin
One of the wonderful, thoughtful books gifted to me by a friend, this one was a very interesting look at pregnancy and motherhood. Written by the ultra-feminist actress, it plays up all the aches and pains in vivid, visual details. While I think I was over the worst part of my challenging journey, it was nice to laugh back at some of those times.
9. A million dreams – Dani Atkins
This was a delicate delicate book with such a tender premise. A couple finds out that their eight-year-old son, conceived by IVF, is not biologically theirs thanks to a mistaken embryo transfer. The premise had me hooked and the book did not disappoint. What is disappointing is that it hasn’t been more popular in the five years since it was published.
MAY
10. Desperately seeking Shah Rukh – Shrayana Bhattacharya
This was a book club read but also one I had wanted to read for all the positive reviews it was garnering. Once I did read the book, struggling to finish it, I was left wondering what all the fuss was about. Desperately seeking the evil in men apart from SRK? Might just have been a better title. Or it could be Bitter women and force fitting SRK. There was random economic data strewn all around which had little or no connect to the narrative. Another book which has now made me wary of Goodreads.
11. Heaven and earth grocery store – James McBride
One of the books on Obama’s list and almost every popular book list. It was a nice dramatic story. But, I think I have now started looking for something extra, especially in the writing quality that would hook me to it. With this book, I did wonder whether I was missing the gravitas of it because I do not understand the depth of the race issues. Either way, it’s a good read but not a must-read.
JUNE
12. Sophie’s world – Joestein Gaarder
Another book club read. Although, it was our pick for Fiction, this read much more like Non-Fiction. It’s a nice primer into philosophy which starts off strong but really stretches to unnecessary lengths. The thread of Sophie, her life and her attempt to know who wrote those letters are interesting enough.
13. The two lives of Lydia Bird – Josie Silver
A nice enough book about a woman dealing with her grief. I thought the book dealt quite well with the challenge of letting go of a loved one along with seeing only the good with them in their absence. It was an easy read.
14. I will find you – Harlan Coben
For me, this book was unputdownable. A man in prison for his son’s murder, is convinced by his sister-in-law that the said son is alive, as evidenced in a photo. The book follows his quest to prove it right and find his son. If you like thrillers, this was one heck of a potboiler. Have a few hours to kill? Need something entertaining and quick? This is your book.
JULY
15. The silent patient – Alex Michaelides
This was my second book by Michaelides, although the more popular one. The twist in the end was good, but a little difficult to believe. Personally though, maybe my irritation from his previous read book (The Maidens) lingered too and the playbook felt way too similar. Anyway, his numbers speak for themselves and the book is probably worth trying for anyone who loves thrillers.
16. The Kamogawa food detective – Hisashi Kashiwai
One of the books from the wave of Japanese short story fiction hijacking our book shelves currently. This is a sweet anthology of six tales with people coming to this non-descript restaurant asking the father-daughter duo to recreate a food dish. Reading it, you realise food is such a multi-sensory love language and how intricately food is woven with our memories. Yet another reason for me to veer away from Goodreads as looking at the 3.69 rating I may not have given this delightful read a chance.
AUGUST
17. The magician’s nephew – C.S. Lewis
This book could also easily feature in the kiddie book section, but really I read it for myself. On a holiday, I found this classic in one of our accomodations and it felt easy enough to finish within our stay. I had watched a Narnia movie long long ago. But, the book just brought back a rush of memories of reading as a kid, what with all the childish rebellion and the magical realism. May not be for all adults but it made for a good change of pace for me.
The book was recommended by a friend and I embarked on it hoping to understand more about wine. I got out of the book realising what a complicated world it is, and I have a very long way to go to even start sniffing this ambrosia in the right way. But, it was fascinating to read all about sommeliers and the way they sharpen their senses and the details which make wine the fascination that it is. If you are even a wee bit interested in wine, jump into this book to open yourself up to a whole new world.
19. The book thief – Markus Zusak
Even in my second world war fiction-fatigued state, I realised what a wonderful book this was. What shines through all the adversity is the beauty of human kindness and generosity in our darkest hours. Yes, the book is bleak befitting the period and geography that it covers. And there are kids involved through their critical growing up years. Yet, there is the warmth of human relationships, often forbidden at the time. All in all, it was a beautifully sketched story in one of the most painful chapters of the 20th century.
An old old book that somehow found it’s way to me recently. I am a big fan of Carol Dweck and her work on positive psychology. The problem was that I had read enough about it already in other books that this left very little new to be discovered. But, if you are not acquainted with the idea of growth mindset, this book is definitely for you.
Hands down, my favourite book of the year, it was quite a surprise. Yet again an old book which suddenly seems to be popping up in popularity. I loved it on so many levels. Writing style – check. Story – check. Thought provoking – check. Funny – check, check and check. No more spoilers from me. Go, check it out.
SEPTEMBER
22. When breath becomes air – Paul Kalanithi
One of the well-known books, it was a very short read. It turned out to be expectedly sad with a promising life cut short. I was relieved to see that a lot of the book focussed on his journey to getting to where he did. Yet, when Kalanithi mentions his grief at being unable to see his daughter grow, it just crushed me and made me so grateful at the same time. Do not read this book in a weak moment.
OCTOBER
23. What you are looking for is in the library – Michiko Aoyama
A charming, lovely book of anthologies packed with wisdom for life. Six different lives and life situations, one surprisingly perceptive librarian, a book each to change their lives. It’s possibly a day long read. Any day that you feel despondent or low, just pick this book up. The first story didn’t do that much for me. But, it just kept getting better and better.
24. Never lie – Freida McFadden
For this book, the author seemed to have gotten the memo that higher the number of random murders/deaths in the end, more exciting and popular the psychological thriller. Sadly, it also seems to be working if the Goodreads rating is anything to go by. I struggled through the build up, waiting for the penny to drop. When the plot did supposedly unravel, I was probably gaping like a goldfish in disbelief. Yup, an absurd rubbish plot it was.
Little did I know that Colleen Hoover has written a psychological thriller, that is so much more interesting than her far more popular “It ends with us” series. Be forewarned that this is a dark, dark book. It kept me hooked. I knew there would be a catch, and the end was still satisfying. If you can read through some eery stuff, try this book out.
NOVEMBER
Having read another book by the author (People we meet on vacation), I had sworn off trying anything by her. With this one, the premise about two authors facing writer’s block and trying to write each other’s genres seemed interesting. And I argued to myself that it could even be like research for the aspiring writer in me. The book started out strong on the aforementioned premise. Alas, mid-way through, it started proving my decision to avoid Henry’s works like a far wiser bet. Read it only if simpering hearts and cheesy romance is your thing.
27. Inheritance games – Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Went in with great expectations, came out with naught. Great, Harry Potter-esque plot with a Poor Little Girl (PLG) being the chosen one to inherit the estate of an eccentric billionaire, at the cost of two daughters and four grandsons. Through the book, the kids keep running around apparently trying to solve puzzles while the PLG is in awe, getting used to the new luxury status and being targeted all at the same time. But, the book doesn’t answer any of the pressing questions while just trying to build up suspense from all possible angles. Damp squib much?
DECEMBER
28. Hello, beautiful – Ann Napolitano
Oprah Winfrey’s 100th book club read was fairly interesting. A nice enough family saga which reminds you of how the closest people can get separated over decades when they refuse to let go. If you dig this genre, then it is worth a read.
29. The women – Kristin Hannah
Possibly the most talked about historical fiction this year and the highest Goodreads rating I have ever seen especially with close to a million ratings. I have been a fan of Hannah for a long time and pretty much womansplained to a friend about how this is not chick lit because the term disregards women-focused historical fiction. But, I was still just halfway through the book. I think the book does highlight many important aspects like the nurses during Vietnam war, their struggle, the recognition they deserved and the dearth of it once back home. I also thought that she dealt with PTSD very well. What irritated me thoroughly was the force fitment of romance at every damn corner and angle. Did Frankie really need three relationships in the story and one other man to reject? Plus, the book could also have done with a sharper editor to snip off atleast 50 pages. If you skip some of those bits and parts, you still get to read a good book.
30. The wedding people – Alice Espach
Okay, so this was the book which has finally given me the resolve to disregard Goodreads ratings. Supposedly, the winner of the Goodreads choice awards, I am still reeling at just how terrible the book was. The premise of a woman attempting to commit suicide in a hotel and waylaid by a wedding party sounds enticing. I licked my literary lips thinking it could well be another “A man called Ove”. Sadly, the book is a primer on how to write horribly for a very good premise. Goodbye, Goodreads.
31. Magpie murders* – Anthony Horowitz
A book club read that is still wip but thoroughly enjoyable. What’s not to like a whodunit that seems oh so normal but promises a delicious twist.
32. The Thursday murder club* – Richard Osman
One of the two books that I am finishing at the cusp of this year. Four octogenerians out to solve a crime is as intriguing as it gets. So far so good.
So, that was my 2024 in books. How was the year for you? Marked anything from this list to read in the year ahead? Anything that you would recommend I add to my 2025? Let me know in the comments below.
If this post has whetted your appetite for more book recommendations, check out all the posts done in the previous years:
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