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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
James has been making a lot of lists. The Wedding People is one on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteJames is deservedly making waves! The Wedding People is one of those novels that touches on tough subjects with humor and grace. I highly recommend it!
Delete95 books is great! Congrats on that.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is the most books I've read...ever!
DeleteI like your list.
ReplyDelete"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."
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, especially since you managed to write (excellent) reviews for all of them! I devour my books, but when it comes to reviews, things get SLOOOOOW LOL. I can read a book in two days and spend two weeks writing the pesky review 😅.
Among these, Horror Movie is the one that calls to me the most. I'll keep it in mind!
Oh, and, happy new year!
DeleteHappy New Year to you! Horror Movie is such a fun read. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI was actually super disappointed with Horror Movie! I was hoping to love it.
ReplyDeleteThe rest I haven''t heard of.
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I got soooo wrapped up in the story haha
Delete95 books is awesome! And I'm always impressed that you review every book you read. I never quite manage that. I haven't read any of these books...yet...but several are high on my TBR list for next year. Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Ethan. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm really proud of all the reviews I've written over the years. Happy New Year!
DeleteI've seen a lot of good things about The Wedding People. I'll have to request it. Wishing you a happy 2025, Ethan!
ReplyDeleteHappy new Year
ReplyDeleteI wish my library would get more Grisham books. It feels they forgot he is still around
Happy New Year! He's still prolific as ever!
DeleteThanks for reminding me of just how many books I need to read this year! LOL! (I have Horror Movie, James, Wedding People, and Somewhere Beyond the Sea all on my TBR). Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAll worthy additions to your TBR!
DeleteHappy New Year! I have yet to get my top reads post out. It's coming this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI liked Horror Movie but have yet to read any of the others you have here.
I'm looking forward to it!
DeleteHappy New Year Ethan! I need to get back to James - I started the audio last year but somehow drifted away from it.
ReplyDeleteI bought Somewhere Beyond the Sea but haven't gotten to it yet.