The Quirky Spine

Another year, another stack of books conquered (or at least attempted). We’re only 10 days into the new year – it’s a perfect time to do a year end wrap up of my reading from 2024!

I definitely spent far more time with my fictional friends than my real ones. I exceeded my original goal of 52 books and clocked in at 66 books! I even finished the 52 Book Club challenge!! I used both goodreads and StoryGraph to track my reading. I read mostly e-books through my Libby App and Kindle. I read 7 physical books from my shelves.

10 Literary Moments from 2024

• My heaviest reading months were January and December. I started strong by jumping into the challenge with both feet and a substantial TBR pile. I ended “strong” only because I was trying to catch up from before. Even though I had read 52 books by that point, I still had several prompts from the challenge missing.
• My least read month was August. Lots of speculation into why this month was so low (only ONE book!). The day job may have gotten in the way for this one.
• I co-created an in-person book club!! I have never actually been a part of a book club, though it’s something I have always wanted to do. My introverted nature begged me not to, but I stepped out into the uncomfortable-ness and I have loved every minute of it!
• Friends and colleague recommendations were at an all time high. I love when my nerdy book loving people get together to talk characters, settings, and are you kidding me with that plot moments! I am part of a “potluck crew” at work and we spend a lot of our time discussing our latest reads.
• New bookshelf arrangement. I had help rearranging my bookshelves. We went from a haphazard collection, to a beautifully color coordinated layout. It brings a sense of harmony to the room.
• 60 New authors this year! I spent most of my time reading authors who were new to me. I am always on the hunt for great authors. My favorite new authors include Taylor Jenkins Reid, Geneva Lee, T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Matt Haig, and Benjamin Stevenson.
• One did not finish this year. And, I cannot remember what it was at this point.
• 8 nonfiction reads this year. My favorite nonfiction read was Wordslut by Amanda Montell. If you like words, language, and how society changes language, this book is for you.
• Worst book of the year. Kairos by Jennie Erpenbeck. Only finished it because it was for book club. Not my cup of tea at all.
• Best book of the year. I think if I had to choose one – based on enjoyment and desire to re-read it, it would be Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.