2024 year in books 📚

Another year, another chunky load off my to be read list ✌️

My reading tendencies were a bit of a rollercoaster this year—with some months seeing me fly through 6-7 books and others watching me barely crawl to the finish line with one (late stage pregnancy, I'm blaming you).

Books read: 72

DNF: 1 (Paris Hilton’s autobiography was genuinely, painfully unreadable—and I really, really tried)

First up, here's a list of every book I gave 5 stars to in 2024:

• ‘Fresh Water for Flowers’ by Valerie Perrin

• ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ by John Boyne

• ‘The Battle of Versailles’ by Robin Givhan

• ‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara

• ‘Inside Vogue’ by Alexandra Shulman

• ‘When God Was a Rabbit’ by Sarah Winman

• ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’ by Coco Mellors

• ‘Glossy’ by Nina-Sophia Miralles

• ‘Bright Young Women’ by Jessica Knoll

And down below is a short 'n' sweet rundown of some of the best and worst contenders for my self-appointed yearly book awards...

My favourite book: ‘Fresh Water for Flowers’ by Valerie Perrin

A novel so perfect that it pained me to finish it. Hauntingly moving, exquisitely executed, a solid 11/10 on every level. I read it while lounging by the pool in the South of France, so maybe that helped a bit (it’s translated from French and set in Bourgogne)—but honestly, I’d have loved it anywhere. It’s by far one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read; emotional, nuanced, and utterly captivating. I passed it on to my parents afterward and they both loved it just as much as I did, so full marks all round. A banger. I fucking loved this book.

Honourable mention: ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ by John Boyne

Intimidating to start at almost 700 pages but the pay-off...oh, THE 👏 PAY 👏 OFF 👏 Absolutely gorgeous from start to finish with one of the most stunningly woven plot lines I’ve read in a long time. Adored every word. Loved the characters. Fully deserving of the 115,271 5-star reviews it has on Goodreads (including mine).

The book that made me cry: ‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara

Cry?? CRY???!! This book made me WEEP. Not one, not two, but three people recommended it to me this year and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. It broke my heart, found me sobbing my heart out on four separate occasions, and swept me up so fully that I barely did anything else other than read for four days (even while walking into town because I couldn’t put it down, which I don’t recommend because lamp posts really do come out of nowhere). What an absolute achievement this book is, and so positively drenched in human kindness despite the overarching themes. It’s absolutely not for everyone (my best friend fucking hated it), but if you’re a fan of long-ass books focused solely on character development—this is probably one of the most accomplished and impressive you’re ever, ever, ever gonna get. You won't know what to do with yourself afterwards and will genuinely miss the characters.

The book I think everyone should read: ‘The Course of Love’ by Alain de Botton

This little baby should be compulsory reading for anyone and everyone in a long-term relationship. I ordered this after Harry Lawtey (the semi-hot actor from Industry) recommended it as his favourite book in a Vogue profile (and, as we all know, I’m a sucker for a book recommendation). It follows fictional couple Rabih and Kirsten’s lifetime together, showing just how much love, effort, forgiveness, and compassion it takes to make a relationship work throughout the years. Think of it as a non-preachy, fictional manual for being a bloody better partner.

The it’s a no from me book: ‘All Fours’ by Miranda July

Yes, I know everyone loved this book but I absolutely despised it. Spent the entire thing wishing it was over. Hated the main character. Hated the storyline. Hated the setting. Hated how weird it was. Hated that I didn’t love it like the internet told me I would. Hated that I paid full price for it. Hated hated hated it. A reminder that no matter how many influential people rave about a certain book all summer long, it does not mean that book will be for you. Because, for me, the only place for this book is in the bin (I actually resold it on Vinted for a fiver and felt partially vindicated…but also sorry for the next person who must now endure and pretend to love it).

The book that redefined great storytelling: ‘The Scandal’ (or 'Bear Town') by Fredrik Backman

Another title in a long line of titles confirming that books written by journalists are always the best type of books. Someone shared a quote from it on Twitter one morning and it was on its merry way to me from Amazon within 30 seconds. And it was exquisite. The story is set in a small Swedish town whose identity revolves around hockey, and how one violent act from the team’s star player splits the entire community. The writing is impeccable and the storyline so effortless and full-bodied. I loved it. The perfect literary read.

My favourite line: From ‘If I Could Write You Into Life’ by Rosie Phillips

I will see you in every blossom, feel you in the morning dew; with your passing, now and always, the spring belongs to you.

March this year was one of the hardest, saddest, shittest months of my life. This last line comes from a poem from Rosie Phillips' collection of poetry that was sent to me by a friend. It made me cry for about an hour straight. I will never forget these lines, nor the comfort they brought me during one of the worst periods of my life to date.

My second favourite line: From ‘MILF’ by Paloma Faith

You can never accuse me of not keeping things nice and balanced in this round-up, because my second favourite line from this year’s reads was:

“As surprising as it sounds, at times the best foreplay or the sexiest thing a partner can do for us is take away some of our to do list.”

Yep, balance baby. And, granted, this line isn’t going to be winning any literary awards anytime soon or get emblazoned in countless peoples’ arm tattoos, BUT it still struck the chord to end all chords with me. Paloma continues; “Sometimes someone watching all you do and then completely unprompted doing half of it, is the greatest turn on you can have.” And I’m pretty sure every woman reading this will know exactly why this line was my second pick of the year. Preach, sister.

As always, please share your favourite book recommendations from the past year with me in the comments. I'm simply dying to know what everyone else read and loved this year!

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New around here? vibes & voicenotes is a feisty little newsletter in which I bluntly discuss culture, life, motherhood, content recs, general fuckery, books, and anything else that tickles my fancy. Consider this the home of sarcastic musings, aggressive pontification, and the kind of voicenotes you’d only send after your sixth glass of wine. 🍷