One of my favourite things to do at this time of year is to reflect on the reading year that was, and Jamie aka The Perpetual Page-Turner makes this very easy to do by providing this list of questions.

Number Of Books I Read: 66
Number of Re-Reads: 1
Genre I Read The Most From: literary fiction/YA (not really genres, I know – but in those categories I read a lot of thrillers, mysteries, realistic fic)

My Goodreads Year in Review can be found here.

1. Best Book You Read In 2024?

All the Colors of the Dark – Chris Whitaker

This is an epic story because it takes place over many years. It is also a story that moves swiftly. There’s a lot of dialogue in this story and so despite its length it almost begs to be read in one sitting. I think Whitaker’s super power is his characters. I loved Saint and Patch, who are revealed to us through their actions and their dialogue. But they are not the only characters to love. There’s Chief Nix, Norma and Sammy, too. I felt like I knew and cared for each and every one of them.

Runner Up: The Serpent King -Jeff Zentner

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

I Did it For You – Amy Engel

Maybe if I hadn’t read The Roanoke Girls or The Familiar Dark first, I would have liked I Did It For You more than I did. I read a lot of thrillers, and this one stacks up just fine against many of them. But I was really hoping for the sucker punch The Familiar Dark offered, or the dark family secret hidden in the depths of The Roanoke Girls. For me, this just didn’t have the same emotional depth as those two books. That said, the last third of the book definitely outpaced the first two thirds and while I suspected one thing, I was surprised by another revelation. So, not a total miss – really not a miss at all, just not as good as I’d hoped.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

Tim Johnston’s Distant Sons surprised me when I realized that the two main characters, Sean (Descent) and Dan (The Current) were known to me. I was delighted to spend more time with them. Johnston is a must-read author for me.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

My most recommended books this year have been: The Serpent King, Shiner, Distant Sons. Loads of people are already reading All the Colors of the Dark, so I don’t feel as though I have to talk about that one as much.

5. Favorite new author you discovered in 2024?

Jeff Zenter. I can’t tell you how much I LOVED The Serpent King. I will also be reading everything of Amy Jo Burns I can get my hands on.

6. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I am not going to pretend to understand anything about the science that happens in this book, but I honestly don’t think that it matters all too much if you do. I really liked this sci fi/thriller hybrid novel.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

I couldn’t put Talking at Night down. It isn’t a thriller, nor is it action-packed. But I read it in two long gulps.

9. Book You Read In 2024 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

It is unlikely I will re-read anything next year that I read this year. So many books, so little time.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2024?

11. Most memorable character of 2024?

It would be impossible not to include the titular character of Demon Copperhead in a list of memorable characters. That said, I would also include Wren Bird from Shiner, all the characters from All the Colors of the Dark, and Dill, Travis and Lydia from The Serpent King.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2024?

Hmmm. House of Hollow or Shiner, maybe.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2024?

Lots of food for thought in Demon Copperhead.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2024 to finally read? 

The Serpent King (2016) has been in my classroom library for ages, but when someone on Litsy mentioned they thought I would love it, I moved it up the ladder.

When I think about the qualities of a five star book, I am looking for a great story, great writing, realistic characters. Icing on the cake is a book that makes me laugh – which I did. Sometimes these characters, particularly Lydia, say amusing, quippy things. The needle goes up a notch – don’t ask me why – if a book makes me cry. The Serpent King definitely made me cry.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2024?

“Nothing stops when we’re gone,” Lydia said. “The seasons don’t stop. This river doesn’t stop. Vultures will keep flying in circles. The lives of the people we love won’t stop. Time keeps unspooling. Stories keep getting written.”-  Jeff Zentner, The Serpent King

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2024?

Shortest: The Realm of Possibility – 210 pages (and it’s a novel in verse to boot)

Longest: All the Colors of the Dark – 608 pages

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

I was shocked at the writing – and not in a good way – in Jessica Ward’s novel The St. Ambrose School For Girls

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!) (OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)

Patch and Saint – All the Colors of the Dark

Will and Rosie – Talking at Night

Honourable mention to: Marnie and Michael –You Are Here & Emilie and Nick – The Do-Over

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

James and Tully from Mayflies

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2024 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

These are auto buy authors for me.

All the Colors of the Dark. I LOVED We Begin at the End, too.

I also had a lot of fun with How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

And I loved You Are Here by David Nicholls (One Day, Us, Sweet Sorrow)

21. Best Book You Read In 2024 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.:

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2024?

Will from Talking at Night. He was totally my kind of guy.

23. Best 2024 debut you read?

I don’t think I read a 2024 debut.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Hands down Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter is a frothy confection of a novel and although I tend to like my romances more tart than sweet, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Emilie as she tries to find a way out of the time loop she seems stuck in.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2024?

The Serpent King 100% made me cry. I cannot tell you how much I loved the three teens in this book. These characters are so heartbreakingly human that when tragedy strikes, it rips your heart out. I also welled up reading All the Colors of the Dark and Mayflies.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I am not sure how ‘hidden’ it was, but I really enjoyed Sweet Dream Baby by Sterling Watson. It captures the innocence of youth, and the sharp tang of sexual longing and sets it all to the soundtrack of the music of the period. The book doesn’t go where you expect it to and ends up being quite a bit darker, too. I pulled it off my shelf, where it has been languishing for ages, and it was a pleasant surprise.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

I guess that would have to be The Serpent King and All the Colors of the Dark. But I would also add Mayflies.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2024?

Chasing the Boogeyman is a clever and compelling (fake) true crime book complete with photos, that is also a nostalgic look at coming home again. It is clear that Chizmar is a fan of the genre and he certainly does it justice here. I really enjoyed my read and I would definitely read more by this author.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I don’t think I read a book this year that made me mad.

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2023?

I have really enjoyed Night Nerves take on horror fiction this year. I am also a big fan of Canadian content creator, Nick’s Books are Sick. Both are also on Instagram.

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2024?

Although I didn’t love Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things, I loved writing about it because I love talking about vampires and this book references lots of my favourites. First of all, she quotes Buffy the Vampire Slayer right out of the gate (crypt?) and anyone who knows me knows that Buffy and I are tight. I like vampires in general; they are my favourite fantasy creature (except for the sparkly ones).

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2024?

I wrote a short story that was included in a local anthology, Lost in the Fog, and we had a book launch in November, which was cool. The book is available on Amazon.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2024?

Any interaction with other readers is lovely.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

I had a miserable few weeks in April when a close family member’s health declined. I barely read anything for about six weeks, which is why I didn’t make my reading goal. 😦 It was really hard to get any momentum back.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Corrupt takes the prize again with 766 views. What is it about this post?

This year my blog had almost 60,000 views, with an average of 172 views per day! When I started this blog in 2004, my average views per day was 4. 🙂

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I am gratified that people are visiting, even if they mostly lurk.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I think I only learned about The Folio Society this year. I don’t own one yet, but I am hoping to start collecting some of my favourite classics beginning in 2025. I also made an account on Fable this year, although I haven’t spent much time there. I haven’t used it very much yet. (I am The Ludic Reader there, too.)

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Nope.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2024 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2025?

My Brilliant Friend is my book club pick for our meeting early in January. I am going to start reading it at the beginning of the new year. It was recommended by a former student with whom I talk about books all the time. He loved it and begged me to read it. Despite its accolades, no one in my book club had read it yet.

3. 2025 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

This look interesting:

Just Want You Here – Meredith Turits (March 11)

From the publisher: An intimate and deeply moving coming-of-age novel about second chances and the inextricable bonds between lovers and friends.

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2025?

Nope.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2025

New year, same answer. Keep on keeping on. Maybe leverage Insta a little better. Or try to be more active on Fable. I dunno.

TOP TWENTY of 2024

20. The Do-Over – Lynn Painter (YA)

A frothy confection of a novel and although I tend to like my romances more tart than sweet, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Emilie as she tries to find a way out of the time loop she seems stuck in.

19. In the Path of Falling Objects – Andrew Smith (YA)

A compelling, brutal, nail-biting story about survival, brothers, and the horrors to be found at war and right here at home.

18. Sweet Dream Baby – Sterling Watson

Captures the innocence of youth, and the sharp tang of sexual longing and sets it all to the soundtrack of the music of the period. The book doesn’t go where you expect it to, and ends up being quite a bit darker, too.

17. Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

Essentially about one good man’s defiant act, this is a quiet, beautiful novella.

16. The History of Jane Doe – Michael Belanger (YA)

Anyone who has ever experienced life’s trials would certainly recognize themselves in these pages.

15. When I Was Ten – Fiona Cummins

The last half was pretty much unputdownable.

14. House of Hollow – Krystal Sutherland (YA)

A breathless romp through a malevolent fairy tale world, but it is also a mystery and a timeless tale of what sacrifices siblings might be willing to make for each other.

13. True Story – Kate Reed Petty

A horror story, a mystery, a revenge story: it’s well-written and fast-paced and thoughtful and I highly recommend it.

12. Hell Followed With Us -Andrew Joseph White (YA)

While the monsters might be dreamt from White’s very scary imagination, the big ideas- of acceptance, or personal autonomy, of the dangers of blindly following- are anything but fiction.

11. Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver

Demon’s story was generally grim, but he is a memorable character and I was invested in his survival.

0. Mayflies -Andrew O’Hagan

For anyone who has more behind them than ahead of them, this book will certainly speak to the person you were, the memories, and people you shared the journey with.

9. Dark Matter – Blake Crouch

Ah, the road not taken.

8. Girl A– Abigail Dean

Thus, this is a story about the aftermath of trauma as much as it is about the trauma itself.

7. You Are Here – David Nicholls

This book will make you want to plan your own ramble and open yourself up to the possibility of love.

6. Chasing the Boogeyman – Richard Chizmar

A clever and compelling (fake) true crime book complete with photos, that is also a nostalgic look at coming home again.

5. Distant Sons – Tim Johnston

This is a novel about people – some of whom who are just trying to do the right thing. I gasped. I teared up. I loved every second of this book.

4. Midnight is the Darkest Hour – Ashley Winstead

I read this in one sitting. It’s the perfect blend of Southern Gothic and mystery, plus a dash of angsty romance.

3. Shiner – Amy Jo Burns

Shiner is about the way “mountain men steered their own stories, and women were their oars.” It’s about finding your voice and making choices. It is about family. I loved every single second of it.

2. The Serpent King – Jeff Zentner

When I think about the qualities of a five star book, I am looking for a great story, great writing, realistic characters. Icing on the cake is a book that makes me laugh – which I did. The needle goes up a notch – don’t ask me why – if a book makes me cry and this one definitely made me cry.

MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR

All the Colors of the Dark -Chris Whitaker

The fact that I had to stay awake – in fact, couldn’t fall asleep even after I finished – to find out what happened to these people I had fallen in love with should tell you everything you need to know about this book.

Addendum: In December I read Talking at Night by Claire Daverly and it would have most certainly have made my top 20 list, if I had read it before the list was compiled in late November.