2024 In Books - Part One

We’ll cut right to the chase; I read exceptionally less than I did in 2023. It’s my dogs’ fault really. You see, they pestered and pestered until we bought them a fence so they could roam free. And for those of you saying “you know dogs can’t talk, right?”, I would say I don’t like you very much.

This meant less audio books (and to the person also saying “you know that’s not reading, right?”, I would say please get out of my house), but, unrelated, I had less energy to read this year than I have in the past. I don’t mean that I enjoyed reading less, quite the contrary actually, but what it did mean was that I didn’t have the energy to burn through pages at the clip needed to match my output from last year. I enjoyed enjoying the books I picked up, and not having it feel like a chore.

Still, I ended up with 22 books and over 10,000 pages read.

And, overall, the top to bottom quality was a welcome improvement. My worst book of 2024 ranked a full 24 points higher than my lowest rated book of 2023, and my best was amongst my favorites of all time. For reference, see here for my best and worst of 2023.

Before I dive in, a quick note on methodology. I grade on a 100 point scale, broken up across 10 categories graded out of 10 points. A few notes on grading:

90-100: Foundation text. Exceptional.

80-90: near universal recommendation, or exceptional for fans of the author/genre.

70-80: if asked what I think of it, my response begins with “it was good.” Fans of the author or genre will enjoy.

60-70: fans of the author or genre will likely enjoy, but it may not be everyone’s favorite. Usually some singular flaw.

60 and below: some critical flaws that prevented me from fully enjoying it.

So, I grade like the old nun who tells you, “a C is average.”

Also, I will provide no guarantee against spoilers–read at your own peril.

Without further ado, here’s my three best from 2024.

My 3 best of 2024:

3. Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

G’damn do I love this series. I was skeptical of how it would continue after Morning Star, even more so after reading Iron Gold, the series' weakest entrant. Pierce proved me wrong in the most intense way possible. Visceral and heart wrenching, Light Bringer is a perfect penultimate tale, and I can't wait for its epic conclusion. I faulted this book almost nowhere, but there are a few places: theme, tone, and quality, byproducts of Brown’s style, that are effective yet simplistic, thus lowering their overall score.

For a series littered with iconic epic conflicts, Light Bringer delivers in droves; the Battle for Phobos is an instant classic sci-fi set piece. It’s brutal. It’s violent. And yet, very rarely does it cross the line into overtly gratuitous. Each death, lost limb, and cataclysmic collision fuels a nuanced theme that full resonates with the modern reader.

Overall, I ended up at an 85/100 for Light Bringer. Carried by compelling characters, a well developed world, plots that would make George RR Martin proud, Light Bringer also finds space between the bloodshed to explore the human costs of war, aging, and ambition. This is a must read series for any fan of sci-fi.

2. Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers

Now for a novella on the completely other end of the spectrum from Light Bringer! This novella is one of the coziest pieces I’ve read in a long time. If sipping coffee on a fall Saturday under a blanket were to morph into a book, it’s this one. The world this novella manages to bring to life in only 147 pages is nothing short of exceptional, and solidifies Chambers as one of the premier wielders of the English language.

Witty, heartfelt, and, quite frankly, fun, Dex’s journey is as cozy as their tea. This is one of the most universal “must reads” I’ve had in quite some time. Overall, Psalm For The Wild Built came in at an 89/100, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I eventually raise that. If I have to find fault, it is that often the world is a little too nice, and there could have been some deepened environmental conflict. Otherwise, the only other complaint I have is that English lacks a gender neutral singular pronoun, but that’s not the author’s fault.

I loved this book. Most years, it would have taken the top spot.

1. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

I wrote more extensively about this novel HERE, so I won’t retread my steps too much. It’s not lost on me that in the age of epic arcs, licensable world building, and constant spinoffs, both my top two books are tremendous pieces of stand-alone narrative.

This is simply one of my favorite books of all time. On review, I lowered it slightly down to a 95/100, citing some weaknesses in the prose, but otherwise, my love for this book has only grown. The lament for what was once great, and is now but a shadow of itself, coupled with the unyielding desire to fight for the long lost ideal offers characters with depth I haven’t experienced in some time. Themes related to religious strife, immigration, and leadership vs. ambition are easily relatable for the modern reader.

If you’re a fantasy or historical fiction fan, this is a must read.

I'll be back tomorrow with my bottom three along with my complete rankings.

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A/N:

If you've enjoyed this, please leave a like and an insight below. If you really enjoyed this, tips to fuel my coffee addiction are always appreciated. All formatting is designed for desktops. Want to read more? Below are the best of the very best of my works: