We might have to agree to disagree on this list (there are more I could include but sticking to my theme of only sharing 5!) Everyone’s idea of what makes a good book is so different. And I also think that our mental state and where we find ourselves in life when we are reading affects what we are drawn to or like in that moment. So read into that what you will :)
Personally, I am so thankful for the Goodreads app or there is no way I would be able to tell you what my top books of 2024 are because I absolutely cannot hold that info in my head. These books all received 5 stars from me, a rating which I take very seriously.
#1 The Many Lives of Mama Love / Lara Love Hardin
“Lara Love Hardin recounts her slide from soccer mom to opioid addict to jailhouse shot-caller and her unlikely comeback as a highly successful ghostwriter in this harrowing, hilarious, no-holds-barred memoir.”
I resisted this book for a while because I didn’t think I wanted to read a book about a soccer mom opioid addict. BUT I was wrong. This memoir is so easy to read - agonizing at times but a wonderful redemption story. It also made me feel tremendously grateful for my life.
#2 The Women / Kristin Hannah
“An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided. Women can be heroes.”
This is another book I resisted. Mainly because I found the author’s book The Four Winds so depressing (literally not one happy thing happens in the whole book.) BUT I loved The Nightingale, so I decided to finally give it a shot. What I loved about this book was the education I got regarding Vietnam, what was happening at that time in the US and the understanding of the terrible way the soldiers/nurses were treated when returning to this country. Plus there is a little bit of a love story :)
#3 Thursday Murder Club Series / Richard Osman
Yes, I’m cheating. Technically this isn’t one book, it’s four. And we are luckier for it! Just one word - delightful.
“In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.” How can you say no to that? The characters are so well written and hilarious that I found myself laughing out loud and rereading their dialogue to truly savor it. I zipped through all four of these books and was so sad when they were over. Good news! I hear they are making the first one into a movie!
#4 Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books / Kirsten Miller
“A bracing, wildly entertaining satire about a small Southern town, a pitched battle over banned books, and a little lending library that changes everything.”
I leaned away from this book because of what I perceived would be too political a book. (I’m realizing now that most of these books I didn’t want to read at first…what’s that saying about judging a book by its cover ;) I LOVED this book. It wasn’t as heavy as I anticipated, the characters are unique and intriguing and I loved the plot development. I also found it made me more hopeful about the world (but I read this pre-election.)
#5 Wellness / Nathan Hill
“A witty and poignant novel about marriage, middle age, tech-obsessed health culture and the bonds that keep people together.”
I’ll admit, this novel initially confused me. The way the author writes and the way he begins the book had me questioning what I was reading. But I was quickly drawn in. I found it fascinating the way the author slowly unwinds the character’s backstories so that by the end you fully understand them and the choices they have made. And if you are married, there are many layers you will recognize even if you don’t fully relate to them.
That’s it for this week! As always if you want to follow me on @alischwebel I would love it :) And feel free to drop me a note via DM or in the comments below.
I know we are all busy, so the fact that you took the time to read this post means so much. I am truly so glad you are here. And if you like what you are reading, consider sharing “me” with your friends!