A Book A Week

With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time for one of my favorite yearly traditions. Since 2012, I’ve written a review for every book I’ve read and shared them here on the blog. Reflecting on the year in reading is always a joy—looking back on the great books I’ve discovered, the stories that stuck with me, and the moments they enriched.

2024 turned out to be my most productive reading year yet. I managed to read 95 books, falling just 9 shy of doubling my goal of 1 book per week. Among my 10 favorites, listed below in alphabetical order by title, you’ll find a diverse mix of genres, authors, and themes. It’s a small but vibrant showcase of the variety that defined my reading this year.

Camino Ghosts by John Grisham

John Grisham’s Camino Ghosts is a gripping legal thriller and the third installment in his Camino Island series. Returning to the Florida island, the story follows bookstore owner Bruce Cable and writer Mercer Mann as they uncover the haunting history of Dark Isle, where Mercer is drawn into a fight to protect the land from a corporate development.

Grisham’s masterful courtroom drama, compelling plot, and powerful characters make this his best Camino Island novel yet—a fast-paced, emotionally satisfying read.

Read the full review here.

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

In Granite Harbor, Peter Nichols crafts a gripping murder mystery set in the coastal town of Granite Harbor, Maine. When a teenage boy's body is discovered at a historic site, the town is shaken, and two perspectives take center stage: the local detective and the eerie, unnamed killer. 

Nichols blends a chilling mystery with deep character development, immersing readers in a tense, small-town atmosphere. Granite Harbor is an unforgettable, pulse-pounding read that lingers long after the final revelation.

Read the full review here.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

In Horror Movie, Paul Tremblay weaves a chilling tale of nostalgia, regret, and the haunting secrets of a cult horror film. Set in 1993, a low-budget, guerrilla-style movie is made with an unknown actor playing a terrifying monster, but the film is never released. Decades later, the surviving actor is asked to remake the film, only to confront the dark events that occurred on set. 

Tremblay masterfully blends shifting perspectives, a retro horror vibe, and a critique of Hollywood’s obsession with reboots, creating a tense, gripping narrative that builds to a shocking, inevitable conclusion. Horror Movie cements Tremblay’s place as a master of the genre.

Read the full review here.

James by Percival Everett

In James, Percival Everett reimagines Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through the eyes of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck on his journey. While staying true to the original plot, Everett adds depth and urgency, particularly with Jim's escape and the ensuing manhunt.

With sharp social commentary, rich character development, and Everett's signature wit, James is a compelling and thought-provoking reinterpretation of Twain's classic that enhances its humanity.

Read the full review here. 

Knife by Salman Rushdie

In Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, Salman Rushdie reflects on the brutal 2022 stabbing that nearly claimed his life, an attack tied to the enduring controversy surrounding his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses. Offering a candid account of his recovery and philosophical reflections, Rushdie grapples with the miracle of his survival and the violence aimed at silencing him. 

Through introspection, humor, and imagined dialogue with his would-be assassin, Knife delves into profound questions about mortality, human nature, and resilience, making it a powerful meditation on life, death, and the strength of the human spirit.

Read the full review here. 

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

In Like Happiness, Ursula Villarreal-Moura explores relationships, power, identity, and memory through Tatum, who grapples with her complex bond with author M. Domínguez. Living in Chile with her partner, Tatum's past is upended when assault allegations against M. resurface, forcing her to confront the unresolved emotions that have defined her life.

Villarreal-Moura’s debut beautifully captures the raw humanity of its characters. It offers a robust, thought-provoking narrative that showcases her emerging voice in literature.

Read the full review here. 

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a heartwarming sequel that builds on themes of love, acceptance, and belonging from The House in the Cerulean Sea. 

Arthur Parnassus, dedicated to protecting magical children, faces a government hearing designed to discredit his family. As the confrontation escalates, Arthur must fight for their future.

Klune explores societal marginalization, celebrating the power of love and empathy as antidotes to hate. This novel is a poignant reminder of the importance of finding—and protecting—your tribe.

Read the full review here.

The Ascent by Adam Plantinga

Adam Plantinga’s The Ascent is a thrilling debut novel that blends his 22 years of law enforcement experience with a gripping prison break story. The book follows Kurt Argento, an ex-cop seeking justice for his wife’s death, and Julie, a graduate student visiting a notorious prison. When a security malfunction unleashes violent criminals, Kurt and Julie must ascend six perilous floors to safety.

With its dark, detailed setting and relentless suspense, The Ascent offers a thrilling, emotional ride, making it an exciting start to Plantinga's fiction career.

Read the full review here. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods is a captivating mystery set in the 1970s at a summer camp in the Adirondacks. When Barbara Van Laar, a member of a wealthy local family, goes missing, the search reveals eerie connections to her brother Bear’s decades-old disappearance and the presence of an escaped killer in the woods.

Moore's nonlinear narrative alternates between characters and timelines, slowly revealing hidden motives while immersing readers in the haunting atmosphere of the forest. The God of the Woods is a masterful, thought-provoking mystery with a shocking and satisfying conclusion.

Read the full review here. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The Wedding People by Alison Espach explores the contrasting emotions of weddings through Lila, a bride planning her dream celebration, and Phoebe, a woman grieving infertility and divorce. Mistaken for a guest, Phoebe is drawn into the festivities, forming an unexpected bond with Lila. 

Espach skillfully combines humor and empathy to tackle heavy themes like depression, suicide, and loss. This thought-provoking novel offers a unique take on life’s challenges and is a summer read that balances dark subjects with moments of connection and grace.

Read the full review here. 

Have you read any of these books? What was your favorite read of 2024? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. This year has been a landmark reading journey for me, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store. Whatever the future holds, you can count on me to share all my bookish thoughts right here on A Book A Week!

2022 was a banner year for A Book A Week in more ways than one. In January, I celebrated my milestone 10th anniversary of the blog. It is crazy to think I've been doing this for as long as I have. The connections this outlet has afforded me have been the number one thing sustaining me through all these years. I'm so grateful for the friendships I've made and the fantastic books I've been exposed to. 

In addition to this being a landmark year for the blog, I also achieved a personal best of reading 59 books this year. There are always way more books on my TBR than I have time to read. I'm at a point where I enjoy reading most of the books I pick up (I usually set a book down if I don't like it), so distilling my reads down to 5 favorite titles proved to be more challenging than usual. I was surprised that the books I most enjoyed were also all published this year. That speaks to the quality and diversity of selections that were published this year. Without further ado, here are my Top 5 Favorite Reads of 2022 listed in the order that I read them. 

Unmasked by Paul Holes

Part memoir, part true crime, Unmasked sees Paul Holes recall his life as a criminal investigator on some of the most high-profile cases in recent history. From bringing the Golden State Killer to justice to investigating the murder of Laci Peterson and the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, Holes has had a front-row seat to the headline-grabbing crimes that have captured our nation. He writes of balancing the pressures of his demanding work with trying to be present for his young family. The book succeeds as both a fascinating inside look at the mechanisms of solving a crime and as a memoir of one man who has dedicated his entire life to seeking justice.

Read the full review

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alsion Espach

The loss of a child brings the kind of inconsolable grief that defies comprehension. Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance sees Alison Espach present her own contemplations upon grief and loss through the eyes of a young woman directly in the process of dealing with it. Espach doesn't pretend to have answers. Instead, she writes an intimate novel that allows her characters to naturally go through life, making decisions that seem authentic to each of them. I was riveted by this challenging yet rewarding work. 

Read the full review

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

It is hard to comprehend that Nightcrawling is a debut novel. Mottley has crafted a narrative akin to the best writing from the most seasoned and celebrated authors. Inspired by the true story of a young girl who was physically and mentally taken advantage of by a group of corrupt police officers, Mottley weaves the crumbs of that reality into a sobering portrait of poverty in America. Nightcrawling is a phenomenal debut from a promising author who is worthy of all the hype and praise she has already received.

Read the full review

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

What would you do if you knew the exact length of your life? In her debut novel, Nikki Erlick takes this grand "what if" concept of moral ambiguity and unleashes it upon an ensemble cast of well-crafted characters. Erlick effortlessly shifts perspectives as she tells the stories of people coming to terms with the lengths of their lives. The Measure is a novel that dares its reader to contemplate their own life and place within the world. You'll be thinking about it long after you turn the final page.

Read the full review

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

It is rare to find a nearly perfect book, but this one is. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a big book filled with big ideas, all grounded through some of the most brilliantly crafted characters I've ever read. We follow these characters through three decades of life, feeling companionship, exhilaration, frustration, and heartbreak. Zevin shifts perspectives between the main characters, ensuring the plot moves in a way that is authentic and ever-compelling. By the end, Sam and Sadie are completely known to us, as real as the people we know in our own lives. I don't often heap universal praise upon a novel, but this is easily my favorite book of the year. 

Read the full review

Have you read any of these books? What was your favorite read of 2022? As always, thanks for supporting A Book A Week. I can't wait to share all the great reads that 2023 will bring. 

Before I begin celebrating my 10th year of blogging, I'm taking a moment to reflect on some of the great reads that I enjoyed in 2021. In total, I read 53 books this year. While I'm proud of reaching my book a week goal, I'm even more excited that I was able to achieve my goal of reading works from more diverse authors. In total, I read 25 books by women, 13 by BIPOC authors, and 9 by LGBTQ+ authors. In seeking out works by a more diverse group of authors, I was introduced to a wider array of stories and perspectives. I've never been one to rank favorites, but here are 5 of my favorite reads of the year listed in the order that I read them. 

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

My favorite book by Tudor to date, The Burning Girls sees the author explore religion, parenthood, trauma, and grief, all packaged in the guise of a supernatural thriller. In the book, a pastor and her daughter escape a tragedy in the big city by moving to a small farming community. As the pair attempt to settle in and leave their past behind them, the haunted past of their new home begins to emerge. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful meditation on religion, a harrowing story of a mother and daughter learning to live and love each other, or a "can't put down" thriller that keeps you reading into all hours of the night, you'll find what you're looking for in this book. 

Read the full review

Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan

I've played and studied music for most of my life, so I found Rhapsody to be the perfect combination of historical fact and imaginative fiction. The book tells the story of real-life musicians Kay Swift and George Gershwin as the pair form a complex relationship as both musical muses and lovers. Kaplan's rich descriptions of the music and the characters who created it paves the way for an emotional connection to a story that until now has only lived in the history books. 

Read the full review

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

The most subtle and serene read of the year, Once There Were Wolves tells the story of a biologist as she introduces a pack of wolves into the Scottish Highlands. The vastness of the landscapes and sheer scope of monitoring a pack of wolves is juxtaposed with the more internalized conflicts that the characters face. McConaghy writes with a quiet sureness that gives even the simplest moments a sense of gravity and enchantment. Months later, I still find myself reflecting on this work. 

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A Promised Land by Barack Obama

Barack Obama has always had a way with words, and the first volume of his presidential memoirs is no exception. A Promised Land sees the former president thoughtfully reflect upon the run-up to and the duration of his first term in office. Whatever your opinions of his politics, I think that there is great value in reading a memoir like this one. The eloquence and candidness with which Obama presents his story made this my favorite work of non-fiction this year. 

Read the full review

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

I missed reading this book when it was released in 2016, but I won't soon forget it after reading it this year! The Butterfly Garden evades nearly every attempt to describe or classify it. The novel is part thriller, part horror, part psychological suspense, yet even those genres fail to fully capture the essence of what this story is. The story focuses on a group of women held captive by a sadistic man known only as "The Gardener".  Even in the most inhuman of situations, the connection of humanity shines through on every page of this book. I was haunted, mesmerized, disturbed, and moved. 

Read the full review

Have you read any of these books? What was your favorite read of the year? As always, thank you for your support. I can't wait to kick off the 10th anniversary of A Book A Week and share in a new year of reading with each of you!