I look forward to this post every year, and I’ve had several clients and friends tell me they look forward to it too. Who am I to deny the people what they want? 🙂
I read 51 books in 2024, the third year in a row I’ve read 50 or more. That’s not counting the 6 manuscripts and 2 journal articles I edited. I also continued the periodic freelance writing gig I got last year.
I am a binge reader who likes to dive deep with certain authors or subjects before my attention flits off to something else. For 2024, I revisited topics of longstanding interest to me (Tombstone, Arizona; true crime; ancient Rome; the American Civil War; espionage history; food history) and developed some new interests (Renaissance Italian politics, Roman Britain). I also discovered two new favorite historical mystery series (by Andrey Kurkov and Ruth Downie). I kept up with some of my favorite authors (Crystal King and Paulette Jiles) by reading their new releases and rereading previous books I’ve especially enjoyed. To be honest, I ended up rereading books far more this year than I have in a long time. I am not entirely sure why, but it’s like visiting an old friend I’ve not seen in a while. I have no regrets! For the rereads, I’ve only noted the ones I have not recorded in previous years’ reading tallies.
Here are some of the books and series I found especially interesting, enjoyable, excellent, and/or thought-provoking. I also included some of the books I wanted to read and didn’t get around to–there’s never enough time for all the books I want to read!–and a few I’m already looking forward to next year.
