And just like that, 2024 is over. Thank you 2024 for all the memories and the lessons. We’ve successfully completed a 365-day revolution around the sun. As the old adage goes, with every end comes a new beginning. With 2024’s conclusion is the opening of a new door. We are provided with 12 new chapters with 365 blank pages ]upon which to paint new memories. I hope that we will paint these blank canvasses with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime, may it be with the people we love or all by ourselves.
As has been the tradition in the past few years, I will be kicking off the new year by looking back to the previous year, its hits, and of course, its mishits. It is also an opportunity to take a glimpse of how the coming year is going to shape up. This book wrap-up is a part of a mini-series that will feature the following:
- 2024 Top 20 Favorite Books
- 2024 Book Wrap Up
- 2024 Reading Journey by the Numbers
- 2024 Most Memorable Book Quotes (Part I)
- 2024 Most Memorable Book Quotes (Part II)
- 2024 New Favorite Authors
- 2024 Beat the Backlist Challenge Wrap-up
- 2025 Books I Look Forward To List
- 2025 Top 25 Reading List
- 2025 Beat the Backlist Challenge
For the third year in a row, I was able to complete at least 100 books. It still feels surreal considering how this has been a lifetime dream of mine. After 2022 – the first year I managed to cross the three-digit mark – I thought I would never be able to replicate the feat. Lo and behold, I was able to achieve the same in 2023, eclipsing my 2022 book tally by almost thirty books. Building on this reading momentum, I once again completed over 100 books in 2024, just one book short of my 2023 total tally. Never in my imagination did I think that I would ever achieve this goal. But I did by my insatiable appetite to explore worlds beyond. I hope I get to sustain or build on this momentum in the coming years.
The 129 books I read in 2024 were written by 122, one writer short of the record I set in 2023. This is still a good number. The writer who I read the most work of was Fredrik Backman, with three. The three books are from his Beartown Trilogy: Beartown, Us Against You, and The Winners. The other writers who I read at least two works were Doris Lessing and Patrick Modiano, this is my first time reading works by these Nobel Laureates in Literature; Fyodor Dostoyevsky, it has been seven long years since I read a work by the Russian literary titan; Kyung-Sook Shin; and, Marga Ortigas, this is also the first time I read a work by the Filipina writer). Further, of the 122 writers I read in 2024, 69 were new-to-me writers. Several new-to-me writers left deep impressions, making me want to explore their oeuvre more. In this wrap-up update, I will be featuring writers who gave me some of the most memorable reading experiences I had in 2024. Happy reading!
Author: Percival Everett (born December 22, 1956)
Nationality: American
Books Read This Year: James
Books I Am Looking Forward To: Telephone, The Trees
I am kicking off this list with a name I have long been looking forward to. Admittedly, I was not really too keen on reading Percival Everett’s works when I first encountered him. I think it was in the early years of the pandemic that I came across him. His Telephone was ubiquitous but it barely left an impression on me. A year or two later, I would come across the American writer once again when his novel The Trees was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He now has my full attention. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a copy of the book. There was a reversal of fortune in 2024 when I could obtain a copy of his latest novel, James, without much of a hitch. I actually included the book in my 2024 Top 10 Books I Look Forward To List. The promise of reading a retelling of a literary classic tipped toward the book’s favor. For sure, the book did not disappoint. Everett’s writing was resplendent and his reimagined landscape of the slavery era Deep South was vivid and riveting. Everett immediately gained a fan in me with the book which was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize. I was rooting for it to win the prestigious prize but it went to Samantha Harvey’s Orbital.
Author: Mia Couto (born July 5, 1955)
Nationality: Mozambican
Books Read This Year: Woman of the Ashes
Books I Am Looking Forward To: Confession of the Lioness, The Sword and the Spear, The Drinker of Horizons
Like Everett, it was during the height of the pandemic that I came across Mozambican writer Mia Couto. I barely had any iota about him nor have I encountered any of his works. His name came up after I searched for the best work of African literature. Couto, I learned, has earned several prestigious literary prizes such as the Neustadt International Prize for Literature. I just realized that we share the same birth date. Exploring his oeuvre also provided an opportunity to further my foray into African literature; I have also not read any work by a Mozambican writer nor have I read a novel set in Mozambique. Curious about what Couto has in store, I listed Woman of the Ashes as part of my 2024 Beat the Backlist Challenge. The novel riveted me while expanding my literary and historical horizon. It provided me glimpses into a nation and a group of people I rarely read about. These wonderful elements were craftily woven together by Couto’s masterful writing and storytelling. The book is a good primer to Couto and his works. The novel is also the first book in a trilogy which I look forward to completing.
Author: Kaveh Akbar (born January 15, 1989)
Nationality: Iranian, American
Books Read This Year: Martyr!
At the start of the year, I usually craft a list of books that I look forward to being released during the year. It was while doing this list that I first came across Iranian American writer Kaveh Akbar. His debut novel, Martyr! was a prominent presence in most anticipated book releases list. This immediately piqued my interest, prompting me to include it in my 2024 Top 10 Books I Look Forward To list. It was a challenge obtaining a copy of the book but I was finally able to obtain one nearly toward the end of the year. Akbar, I learned, is a seasoned poet; it was in poetry that he thrived before deciding to dip his toes into prose. For sure, Martyr! was quite a literary experience that provided me an overview of what Akbar’s prose could offer. I instantly fell in love with the book. It is easily one of my favorite reads of 2024. I guess I am not the only one who loved the book because it is prominently featured in several Best 2024 Books lists. Both the story and the writing were captivating. It was apparent that Akbar was born to write. While there is very little chance of me reading his poetry, I can’t wait for him to release more novels.
Author: Hisham Matar (born in 1970)
Nationality: Libyan, American
Books Read This Year: Jacob’s Ladder
Books I Am Looking Forward To: In the Country of Men, Anatomy of a Disappearance
Another name I first encountered while searching for books to include in my 2024 Top 10 Books I Look Forward To List is Hisham Matar. The Libyan-American writer’s about-to-be-released novel, My Friends, was a familiar presence in similar lists. Without ado, I included the book to my own list. Besides, Matar is highly regarded in literary circles. My Friends showed me why. As if to emphasize the novel’s excellence, it was longlisted for the Booker Prize; three of the 10 books on my 2024 Top 10 Books I Look Forward To List were nominated for the prestigious literary prize. It is one of my best reads of the year. Reading about Libya and its recent struggles was also a welcome literary journey. My Friends was also a thought-provoking read that probes into the complex ideas of nationalism and the various definitions of home while exploring the intricacies of friendships and the relationships we build with those around us. Needless to say, I was quite impressed with the book. Matar was a consummate storyteller and I look forward to reading more of his works.
Author: Abraham Verghese (born May 30, 1955)
Nationality: Indian, American
Books Read This Year: The Covenant of Water
Books I Am Looking Forward To: Cutting for Stone
Early in 2023. while researching for books to include in my 2023 Top 10 Books I Look Forward To List, one of the names that I encountered was Abraham Verghese. I have never heard of him nor have I read any of his works before. However, the moment that I encountered his latest novel, The Covenant of Water, in several similar lists, I just knew that I had to read it. Unfortunately, it was a challenge obtaining a copy of the book despite my efforts. Albeit a year late, I can’t help but sing songs of praise for The Covenant of Water which is, personally, a modern masterpiece. It paints an intimate portrait of India, providing a window into its colorful history, and the diversity of its people and culture. Its practices, traditions, and superstitions were woven into the novel’s rich tapestry. This was exacerbated by the complications of the caste system and arranged marriages, and the legacy of colonialism. The social upheavals that riddled modern Indian history also formed an evocative backdrop for the story. All of these wonderful elements were carefully and dexterously woven together by Verghese – a doctor by profession – into a lush tapestry that pops out. The book left me in awe and I felt incredulous when I learned that it was Verghese’s first novel in over a decade.
Author: James McBride (born September 11, 1957)
Nationality: American
Books Read This Year: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
Books I Am Looking Forward To: The Good Lord Bird, Song Yet Sung
It was midway through 2023 when I first came across James McBride and his most recent novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Story. The book was ubiquitous in Best 2023 Books So Far lists. While it flew under my radar at the start of the year, it commanded my attention the moment I encountered it. The book was receiving paeans. It was a no-brainer for me to include it to my infinitely growing reading list. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store exposes the fault lines that lie underneath the surface of Chicken Hill, including internalized and systemic racism, discrimination, sexual abuse, predatory behaviors, and even corruption. Nevertheless, Chicken Hill is a community that comes together amidst this darkness. Shining through are stories of love, kindness, social justice, and resilience. McBride’s dexterous writing vividly painted a tightly-knit community that, on the surface, was divided by a sea of dichotomies. With its brilliant master strokes that integrate social injustices, history, and elements of mystery with the resilience of the human spirit, the novel captures the qualities that make the human spirit soar. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is an excellent and heartwarming story that restores our faith in humanity.
Author: Doris Lessing (October 22, 1919 to November 17, 2013)
Nationality: British
Books Read This Year: The Grass is Singing, The Good Terrorist
Books I Am Looking Forward To: The Golden Notebook, Briefing for a Descent into Hell
I first encountered Doris Lessing over seven years ago while on one of my random trips to the bookstore. I came across a copy of The Golden Notebook which immediately caught my fancy; it was also listed as one of the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. A couple of years later, I learned that Lessing was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature; in fact, she is the oldest writer to have received the award. It was, however, another work by Lessing that introduced me to her oeuvre; I still have to obtain a copy of The Golden Notebook. The Grass is Singing was Lessing’s debut novel. It was a quick read but it provided me glimpses into some facets of her storytelling. It was, unexpectedly, a crime and mystery novel but, at its heart, is the legacy of colonialism in Africa; she spent parts of her life in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The Good Terrorist, on the other hand, provided me a different dimension of Lessing’s oeuvre and storytelling. Political undertones made it a riveting read. It also reminded me of another female Nobel Laureate in Literature, Nadine Gordimer. Now, I can’t wait to read The Golden Notebook and explore Lessing’s body of work further.
Author: Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
Nationality: American
Books Read This Year: The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
I am relatively unfamiliar with Honorée Fanonne Jeffers although I first came across her during the early years of the pandemic. Her first novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois was ubiquitous although I initially thought the book was published before the current decade. I eventually relented to reading the book because it has received wonderful reviews. I can understand why. The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is an ambitious literary masterpiece with a lush ecosystem where the past continuously collides with the present. In looking back to the past and capturing the interior lives of African Americans, Jeffers vividly captured their resilience in light of the changing cultural landscape and historical moments. It captures the thorny legacy of colonialism and slavery. While it is steeped in history, it was also an evocative coming-of-age story that probed into trauma, abuse, racism, discrimination, and academia. The novel is a vivid portrait of modern America. It is a story about love, healing, activism, and inconvenient truths buried by history and memory. Jeffers wove all of these elements together into an evocative literary masterpiece; her background in poetry made the story flow. The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois is as ambitious as it is grand, a triumph of literature from a gifted writer.
Author: Rohinton Mistry (born July 3, 1952)
Nationality: Indian, Canadian
Books Read This Year: A Fine Balance
Books I Am Looking Forward To: Such a Long Journey, Family Matters
Must-read lists and the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die have played a germane role in introducing me to writers whose oeuvres I have never explored before. This is true in the case of Indian-born Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry. His sophomore novel, A Fine Balance, was a prominent presence in such lists. When I came across a copy of the book, I did not hesitate to obtain a copy of it and even made it part of my 2024 Top 24 Reading List. A Fine Balance naturally flows, complimented by Mistry’s storytelling and writing. In this lush tapestry that casts a net over a vast territory, Mistry probed into one of the most tumultuous periods in modern Indian history. The Emergency incited suppression of rights and the harassment of the lower classes and castes. It was a challenging time but despite the adversities, the novel’s characters showed indomitable courage in wading through the sea of changes. Brought together by circumstances, they thrived in their makeshift family setup. Amid the despair, losses, heartbreaks, and defeats, they were able to find hope. Multilayered, and complex, A Fine Balance vividly captures the resilience of the human spirit. A Fine Balance was a superlative literary experience that made me look forward to Mistry’s other works.
Author: Maaza Mengiste (born 1971)
Nationality: Ethiopian
Books Read This Year: The Shadow King
Books I Am Looking Forward To: Beneath the Lion’s Gaze
There are several writers I wanted to feature on this list but I guess I have to cut it out at some point. Rounding up this list is Ethiopian writer Maaza Mengiste who I first encountered during the first year of the pandemic. Her novel, The Shadow King (2019) was nominated for the Booker Prize, immediately piquing my interest. Obtaining a copy of the book, however, proved to be a challenge. Mengiste’s sophomore novel opens in 1974 with a woman named Hirut sitting on the floor of a train station in Addis Ababa. The story then flashes back to the 1930s when a young Hirut served as a maid at the house of Kidane and Aster. Kidane, one of the most important officers in the Ethiopian army, was fond of Hirut. The period was tumultuous, with the shadows of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War looming. When Mussolini’s army invaded the country, Hirut, Kidane, and Aster were forced to retreat. More than Kidane’s role in rallying the nation against the Italians, the novel highlighted the often-forgotten role women played during times of upheaval. History has shown how women’s heroics were overshadowed by men. It was, overall, an engaging story that gave voice to heroes, rather heroines whose voices are often muted by history.
Below are other books written by new-to-me writers who made my 2024 reading journey more meaningful.
Charlotte Wood, Stone Yard Devotional
Yael van der Wouden, The Safekeep
Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend
Knut Hamsun, Hunger
Derek B. Miller, The Curse of Pietro Houdini
Kiyoko Murata, A Woman of Pleasure
Andrzej Szczypiorski, The Beautiful Mrs. Seidenman
Eloghosa Osunde, Vagabonds!
Oscar Hokeah, Calling for a Blanket Dance
Richard Wright, Native Son
Hwang Bo-Reum, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
Marie Vieux-Chauvet, Dance on the Volcano
How about you fellow reader, which authors impressed you in 2024? I hope you get to share it in the comment box as I am more than interested in knowing your answers.
The Pine-Scented Chronicles 
Well done on reading more than 100 books!
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