I first discovered the book logging function and the reading challenge of Goodreads during the pandemic. I though it sounded fun, after all I had no idea how many books I was actually reading. So I set my first ever goal to 25 books ‘cos GR said the average was 20. Well I stormed through that value before the first shutdown was over.
I have been using it ever since.

For 2024 I set a target of 120 books. Yes, this is extreme, but there have been years where I managed that. Unfortunately, those years seem to be behind me as I read 76 books. I am kinda disappointed about that. But then I reminded myself that the counter was just a way to track, it was the quality of the books that was important and the enjoyment I got out of them. I will resent spending a week finishing a boring book more than spending 2 weeks reading the same thing over and over again, as long as I was still getting all the love out of it.

I know we are well into 2025, but I still wanted to take a moment to reflect of last years reading journey. Some people break up their books into genres, but that’s boring. So I’m going to break it down into what I think it did best or how it moved me. I will link my reviews where I have them. Remember these aren’t recommendations just personal preferences, you can go and work out your own opinion on any of them.

DOESNT DELIVER ON ITS HYPE

I’m going to limit this to books that I think don’t think worked because of craft reasons, rather than something I just didn’t connect with. I’m also going to stick to the well known ones, rather than kicking authors who are still trying to build something.

American Gods by Neil Gaimen – What a bloated, structureless mess. Read the blog cos I had A LOT to complain about.

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse – Prof positive why you shouldn’t ‘pants’ your trilogies.

So this is Ever After by FT Lukens – No plot to speak of, no engagement with the underlying premise.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria E Schwab – Her books are formulaic as hell; but worse, they never deliver on the gothic romance. The protagonist ALWAYS has some normal love interest, making me feel like I get all worked up with nowhere to go.

GOOD LIFE ADVISE
(aka best nonfiction ever)

Manage your Money by Sam Beckbessinger – everything you needed to know about your finances.

Show your Work by Austin Kleon – As much life advise as creative how to. (inspired additional articles about audience engagement and internet trolls.)

Finding Endurance by Darrel Bristow-Bovey – without a doubt the most beautiful and impactful non-fiction I have ever read

EXCELLENT WORLDBUILDING
(Transportative)

Dune by Frank Herbert – Complex, immersive and a excellent coming of age story. Some good villains too.

Dead Djinn Universe by P. Djeli Clark – I have read The haunting of Tram Car 015 and A Master of Djinn. And while I didn’t connect with the characters in the latter novel the world is beautifully thought out and oozing texture.

Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin – Its like my geology text book came to life. Add to that a genius use of story structure to tell a complex tale. Chef’s kiss. (actually this should probably go in the hangover section)

FAIRYTALES

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik – Also has a touch of the gothic, with beautiful layering and setup-payoff dynamics.

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi – for a short book it packs a huge punch.

HANGOVER WORTHY

These are the books I spend weeks re-reading. Any of these could fit in more representative categories and some probably aren’t craft wise even that good. But I fell in love with them.

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo – The complexities of negotiating who you are against who you think you should be.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – all the best parts of an Agatha Christie book but with enough fantastic elements – used cleverly – to keep it engaging.

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters – Another deep character dive and exploration of what a clever author can do with structure.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

They both die at the End by Adam Silvera – this would also be hangover worthy if I had the courage to read it again. It got me deep in the feels.

A list of Cages by Robin Roe – this has and will stay with me for a long time. Cant believe it’s classified YA.

I also want to mention some delightful local fiction I devoured:

Jo-Anne Richards (The innocence of Roast Chicken, My Brothers Book) – A genius at building the mystery

Black Dog Summer by Miranda Sherry – looking at family trauma

Okay, that is a lot of books and I could go on endlessly, but I think it sums my 2024 experience. I may not have read the most books. But the quality and variety of my reading has definitely improved.

Goals for 2025

80 books.
More nonfiction.
Followup on series I have already started (Witchking, Fifth season).
Learn more about authors as I read them.