A Year in Review

I haven't really posted on here, except accidentally when I click the "share to blog" link on Goodreads. I forgot I even had a blog! However, I just decided that maybe I'd like to try posting occasionally. As a full time teacher/librarian and mother of three, I'm not sure how realistic it is to be honest. I love reading and talking about books with people, but the chaos of life is often overwhelming. Still, I thought I'd try and see how it goes! If I practice for a while here and stick with it, maybe I'll actually share this at some point. 

I read 106 books this year. I read a combination of audiobooks, physical books, ebooks. I'll start by highlighting some of my favorite reads this year in no particular order:

The Measure by Nikki Erlick - This one has a fascinating premise and held my interest the whole time. It was emotional, fast-paced, and has stuck with me. It led to some really interesting conversations with my husband and family. It's a great one for a book club, or for anyone who just wants a thought-provoking read!

Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White - I went on a decluttering binge in February, and this one was actually somewhat life-changing. I am still working on it, but White's suggestions about how to declutter and live under your "clutter threshold" have really helped my home be more manageable. I also appreciated her book "How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind." My house is very much still a work in progress, but this has helped more than I can express. 

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire - I just love this series of novellas! Some have been better than others, but this was a really good one. I wouldn't recommend starting with this one though (as it is book eight). Start with Every Heart a Doorway and if you like it, there is a whole series of novellas you might love too! 

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer - This one was so nostalgic for me. It wasn't perfect - It has some major plot conveniences that were, at the very least, noticeable and may be annoying to some people. However, overall I thought it was great. It was exactly the kind of book I love and gave me the nostalgia I feel for Harry Potter, Narnia, or His Dark Materials. There is no magic in this but it felt magical. IT was clearly inspired by Charlie and the Colcate Factory (but with and for adults). That said, I was disappointed when I read her second book that came out this year  (The Lost Story) because it wasn't anywhere near as good as this one. Hopefully I'll like her next book better, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this one! 

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - My mom lent this one to me and either because of the title or the premise, it just didn't seem like something I'd like. However, I'm glad to say I was wrong. This was SO well-written and interesting! The author said he envisioned it as a sort of update on Huckleberry Finn and I could see that. It also reminded me sort of of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and The Odyssey. Honestly, most of those things wouldn't have really intrigued me, but this book was so much better than I expected and I really got into it. I really liked the main character and the family he created. The problems and characters were complex and compelling. I definitely want to read more from this author. It was an unexpected surprise!

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson - Another magical book that is exactly the kind of thing I like. I highly recommend it if you like whimsy and The Princess Bride. 

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers - A lovely book where not much happens, but it feels like a warm cup of tea. The premise might sound weird, but trust me, it was calming and thought-provoking. The second one was also wonderful. I haven't read more by Becky Chambers yet, but it is high on my list for 2025! 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez - This is definitely on the best romances I've ever read. I don’t know that it is truly a romance because there is so much more depth to it and romance is not the only focus. It explores difficult relationships with family members with care and authenticity. I actually cried at one point because there was a pretty heartbreaking scene, but there were plenty of laughs too. Abby Jimenez has quickly become of my favorite authors (although I have to read more of her backlist)!

Marmee by Sarah Miller - Little Women is one of my favorite books so while I was excited to try this, I was also slightly skeptical. Sometimes retellings are not very well done. However, I am happy to say that that is not the case with this retelling from Marmee’s perspective. I don’t know if I would’ve appreciated it in my younger years, but now as a mother of three, perhaps Marmee is the one I can most relate to. The author retails the story from Marmee’s perspective, and it is believable, charming, and adds layers to her character that were not explored in the original. It was perfectly executed, and if you are a fan of Little Women, I highly recommend it!

Honorable Mentions

There were plenty of others that I enjoyed this year! Here are a few honorable mentions! 

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison - I love a good dystopian sometimes, and while this was depressing, it was also an excellent read. 

Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell - A lovely collection of short stories, many of which were Christmas/New Year themed (so I think the cover is misleading). Still, the stories were highly enjoyable! 

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin - If you like Jane Austen, this is a cute update. 

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline - I was skeptical of this one because it had some pretty negative reviews, but I'm guessing it is mostly from people who thought the sequel was unnecessary. I suppose it was, but I still loved it and thought it was almost as much fun as the last one. 

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck - Weird premise; beautiful and poignant writing. Made me tear up more than once. 

America Redux by Ariel Aberg-Riger - A visual feast for those wanting to know about the little-known parts of American history and marginalized people. I learned a lot! 

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins - This one got me out of a reading slump with its fast-paced mystery and gothic vibes. 

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James - An action-packed sci-fi that kept me guessing the whole time!

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin - This was another surprise from my mom! I loved the writing style and I'm looking forward to reading the next one! 

The Women by Kristin Hannah - I've enjoyed some books by Kristin Hannah, but the last one I read by her (The Great Alone) was too much for me, so I wasn't sure about this one. However, the hype got to me.  I'm glad to say I enjoyed it. 

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant - I read this one right after the election. Sometimes you just need some murderous mermaids, you know? 

The New One by Mike Birbiglia - I love Mike Birbiglia and read this right before my husband and I saw him live. He's very relatable and and I appreciate his respect for his wife in his humor and writing. Here, he writes complexities of parenthood. 

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh - This one lives up to its name if you are looking for a cute holiday romance!

I hope you find something to love here too!