Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Here we are at the last Tuesday and last day of 2024. Do you have any big New Year's Eve plans? We don't usually do anything, so I hope to finish an editing project for a client.
This Tuesday, we are talking about the best books we have read in 2024. I find it hard when reading under 100 books a year, but let's see what makes the list and why.
Best Book in a Series
While the inevitable romance between Marty Claridge and Clark Davis will always be my favorite of the movies and books, it is the story of Missy and Willie LaHaye's journey West that has a special place in my heart. The author not only portrayed the struggles of the pioneers well, she developed a sense of community for the wagon train members, showed how different people approached the journey, and ended on a note of hope. Love's Long Journey by Janette Oke is my favorite of the Love Comes Softly series.
Best Book Ending a Series
after the Author Retired
I consider it a blessing and an honor when an author reaches out to me prior to the release of every book and asks me for a review. Such was the case with Charlotte Hubbard. I met her through her virtual book tours and then we connected through Facebook, with her giving me the heads up as each new book was coming. I reviewed every one she sent me.
When I learned she was retiring, I was thrilled for her, and knowing no more books in the Promise Lodge series were headed my way also made me a bit sad. I've said goodbye to her other series before, but Miracles at Promise Lodge would truly be the last books of hers I read.
What I loved about Miracles at Promise Lodge is that it was the same amazing writing, characters, plot, and ending I've always loved about Charlotte's work. In this one, the bad boy comes in, a woman catches his eye, and then he does something silly to jeopardize future happiness. Along the way, the stories of other characters continue, and though the epilogue wraps up some stories, there is room for future ideas. If Charlotte ever decides to come out of retirement, I hope she knows I'm eagerly waiting for her next book.
Best Surprising Book
As you might recall, I joined Audible so that I could read more professional and personal development books. These are types of books I can't always sit down and read in paperback or hardcover, even if I end up buying them after listening to them. Bob Proctor's philosophy of how shifting your paradigm can transform your finances, health, and lifestyle resonated with me, which I totally didn't expect.
Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life is not your typical audiobook. It is an interview between Dan Strutzel and Bob Proctor. The audiobook also had additional content. I didn't have high hopes when I started this book, but I will be reading it again this year to put me in the right frame of mind.
Best Local Author
You might remember that Ellie Dias was part of our local writing group for years. The pandemic ended that because we never could seem to get the group together again, but I remember loving this book from its infancy. Where Evil Lives explores the question: Is it nature or nurture that drives psychopathic behavior? While I don't read a lot of dark stuff these days, I found Where Evil Lives intriguing.
Best Celebrity Memoir
Having read Melissa Gilbert's first memoir, I didn't know if I wanted to read this one. However, the Little House on the Prairie fan in me doesn't let me pass up a book from one of the cast. I had owned Back to the Prairie since it was first released, but didn't read it until it was a Modern Prairie book club choice. Please don't misunderstand. Her first memoir was engaging and well written, I simply didn't like the language in it.
Back to the Prairie hit closer to home for me. Gilbert found herself getting older and wondering what she really wanted out of life. She made a big change and hasn't looked back. This was a deeply personal book in a different way (if that makes any sense). And like I said in my review, you can see the origins for her Modern Prairie brand developed from here.
Best Self-help Book
If it weren't for my Audible membership, I likely wouldn't have known that Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote a book. He's actually written more than one, but Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life was a recommendation based upon my past Audible reading. Honestly, the swearing was off putting, but the advice is sound. I downloaded it more for the "Seven Tools for Life" part than listening to the author read it, but it made him more relatable somehow. And who can't admire a man who puts something his father once said to use and creates a wonderful life for himself and others?
Best Magical Romance
This qualifies as me reading a book in a genre I don't usually indulge in--fantasy. That Jingles is a short story just means I could also have called it the "Best Short Story" of 2024. When Christmas is involved, I am usually up for just about anything, and if you have a story that blends romance, magic, and destiny around the holidays, it can work for me even if fantasy isn't my thing. Jingles is so well done. It has every element one could want out of a magical romance set during Christmas, and the author's keen eye for detail makes it even better.
Best Poetry Collection
I didn't read as much poetry as in previous years, but what I did read was excellent. Knowing by Mark Cox hit me hard. I felt a lot of it deep in my soul, which considering the author's candor and his ability to provide insight into the human experience, isn't shocking. His poems center around family, loss, relationships, regret, growing older, and many other aspects of life we prefer to keep hidden.
Best Books on Grieving for Young People
Because these two books are geared toward totally different age groups, I couldn't choose just one. I loved them both.
That Day by Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet is a beautifully told, stunningly illustrated story about the day a young boy realizes his grandmother will always be with him. It is the day of his grandmother's memorial service, and people all around him are dressed in black and white, but one important person is no longer there, and the boy can tell his grandfather is missing her too. He then goes on a short journey of discovery. It is recommended for ages 3 - 7.
It Won't Ever Be the Same by Korie Leigh, Ph.D. is for teens who have lost a significant person in their life to death, divorce, or for some other tragic reason. So much care went into designing and formatting this book. Calming colors, meaningful artwork and quotes, the exploration of how the brain reacts, and the connection between body, mind, and spirit are all handled so well. The author also provides the reader moments to reflect.
a Unique Main Character
I had the chance to see this manuscript before it was published. Loved it from the very beginning. Harold Bergman is a former Wichita police officer turned private investigator. He is a World War II veteran, whose father hoped would become a rabbi. Unfortunately, living in a world where laws of God and men make no sense, Harold chose a different path. In a book filled with more than one quirky character, Bergman stands out. Masterfully told and well researched, The Day of Calamity is the first in a series. The second book is already out. Can't wait to read it.
Looking forward to browsing your lists later today. Happy New Year's Eve!
13 comments:
Love your list of favorites! I really want to read that Melissa Gilbert one, but I had totally forgotten about it...so thanks for the reminder. And I hope you have a very Happy New Year! :D
Great to see you here, Lark. Rumor has it Melissa might be working on a third book. Haven't heard anything in a while, so we shall see. Happy New Year!
Adding KNOWING to my TBR. Happy New Years!
Back to the Prairie sounds interesting.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-best-books-i-read-in-2024/
Glad you found so many great books to love this year!
Happy TTT!
Hope you like it. Thanks for visiting, Anne!
It really is, Lydia. I found it so relatable. Hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks, Susan. By the looks of all your completed reading challenges, you did too. Thanks for visiting.
So many great looking books. The one on Melissa Gilbert really interests me. I hope you have a great 2025. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Yvonne. Hope you get to read Melissa's memoir. Appreciate the visit.
Wishing all of you a blessed New Year!
I hope you have a Happy New Year, Cheryl! I brought in the New Year quietly, which is just the way I like it. :-) I enjoyed reading your list of best reads for 2024. I read so little poetry this past year. I do better when I join a poetry challenge, I think.
Happy New Year to you as well! I almost fell asleep before the ball dropped last night. Hope you get a chance to read more poetry this year. Thanks for visiting!
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