2024 Reading Wrap Up || Favorite Books of the Year!

[@JennyMorris-ll5ct]

I also read Heidi this year, a reread for me and also fell in love with it again as I did in my childhood,

[@gabrielaspaull6238]

Wonderful wrap up! I am planning on trying many of these books. Thank you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jensreadinglife]

You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. 😊

[@michelled.3849]

Goodness Jenn! I want to get every single book you love!!!!

[@jensreadinglife]

lol! That’s the danger of Booktube, isn’t it??? 😂

[@pennyhouston9959]

So many good recommendations here! My TBR just keeps growing! I am also trying to learn crochet and am watching You Tube videos - there are a lot out there.

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this! Do you have any crochet KZbinrs you really like?

[@pennyhouston9959]

@@jensreadinglife A few that I have found that I like are simplydaisy, Kristin's Crochet Tuitorials and Bella Coco. Good luck!

[@MarthaBlevins-fo4cm]

Thank you for sharing so many wonderful books with us! I loved hearing you talk about books I read as a child, and it makes me want to read them again as an adult! I have so many memories of books I loved as a child/young adult. I need to reread them in the coming years!

[@jensreadinglife]

Revisiting childhood books is so wonderful. I have so much nostalgia for them. I’m so glad I’ve become a rereader because it has enriched my reading life so much! Thank you for watching. 😊

[@evansbowen6897]

It is fun to find a book tube with similar reading tastes and some good recommendations. I read Middlemarch in 2023 while recovering from ankle surgery --it was such a comfort. Laura and Heidi were my constant companions when I was young in the 70's. Those strong girl who loved nature were perfect friends for my difficult childhood.

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you have found me and we have similar book tastes! Bookish kindred spirits are the best. I loved Caddie Woodlawn growing up and I think she made me fall in love with plucky young girls in novels! Books are such a wondrous escape…especially when life is hard. ❤️

[@evansbowen6897]

Ohh. I loved Caddie too and Anne Shirley. Girls who kept wonder in their hearts.

[@jensreadinglife]

@@evansbowen6897 that's a great description - kept wonder in their hearts. I'm going to remember that! 🥰

[@simonthomas1672]

What a fabulous list. I haven't heard many people talk about Near Neighbours in discussion of Furrowed Middlebrow titles, so it's great to know that one is so good. Btw, with Marilynne Robinson, I might suggest going to Lila next. I think Home and Jack work best read as a pair (and you can read the books in any order).

[@jensreadinglife]

I think you will love Near Neighbors, Simon! It’s right up your alley. Plus I leaned the phrase ‘Tea Jenny’ from it and have adopted that as my new nickname. 😁 Thank you for the Marilynne Robinson guidance. I will read Lila next!

[@gwenhughes8650]

This is my first video of yours and I loved it! I keep typing out a comment and deleting it as I get further into the video, but I think we have very similar taste and I can't wait to read some of your recommendations! 😊

[@ADuchessInside]

First of all, that blouse is so pretty! 😊 Did you not read Farmer Boy during your Little House reading last year? Even though it’s about Laura’s husband’s childhood, not hers, it’s still a good one to pick up. Fun and cozy, with the most mouth-watering descriptions of the food Almanzo’s mother cooks. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it. You read so many good books in 2024! Very many of which are on my own TBR, shock. 😂

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you! The blouse was a Christmas gift from my mom…she has excellent taste! I didn’t read Farmer Boy but I picked up a copy last year and it will be the first book I read to continue on with the series. And it is SHOCKING you have many of these on your TBR shelves! 😂

[@ADuchessInside]

@ Be sure to have some snacks handy while you read Farmer Boy. It’ll make you want to eat! 😂

[@jensreadinglife]

@ thanks for the tip! 😆

[@susanmay4215]

Jen, I was confident you'd love Peace Like a River. Still, I'm so glad that you love it like I do. My father, when he was still living - about age 91 - read Peace Like a River at my request and was caught up in the story, just as you described it. Propulsive, great word!

[@jensreadinglife]

Propulsive really describes it…but also slow and meandering. It’s such a unique and wonderful book. You were right that I would love it! 😁❤️

[@elaineshultz9544]

I used to read a ton of Rosamund Pilcher in the 90s and The Shell Seekers was my favorite. Peace Like A River also one of the best books I have ever read. Heidi was a childhood favorite.

[@jensreadinglife]

You clearly have great taste in books! 😁❤️

[@paulamoreshead1694]

Thanks for a delightful wrap up! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@taneesewilson8844]

I have a few of your 2024 reads like Darling but I’d forgotten it was a retelling of TPOL which I’ll be adding to my tbr now. A nice and informative review of the books in each of the genres that you’ve read for 2024!😊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this video. And I hope you love Darling! 😊

[@mandyc1280]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Hannah Coulter. 5⭐️ read for sure!

[@jensreadinglife]

It’s an amazing book! I can’t wait to read more Wendell Berry. 😊

[@chavamatthews7702]

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Great wrap up. Heidi is one of my all time favourite books. I read it as an adult after having loved the animated series as a child.

[@jensreadinglife]

I didn’t know there was an animated Heidi series! I’ve only seen the Shirley Temple movie version. I don’t remember it much but maybe I’ll have to watch an adaptation after my reread in March!

[@chavamatthews7702]

@ It’s a quite old and very hard to find. I believe it was storyboarded by Hayao Miyazaki. I watched an Afrikaans dub as a kid and so did my daughter when she was a toddler. She still remembers the shock of realising they weren’t speaking English.

[@andreacavanaugh9046]

Loved watching this! I also love Hannah Coulter - such a great book! This year I read Leif Enger’s new book I Cheerfully Refuse and really enjoyed that as well!

[@andreacavanaugh9046]

Oh, and I’m really intrigued by Darling! I read the Nancy Mitford books in college and loved them. This sounds so fun - planning to ask my library to order it!

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this. And thanks for the Enger recommendation…I’m adding it to my TBR!

[@CandlewickLibrary]

I just read volume one of Emma M. Lion. I loved it.

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad! It’s a great series. 😊

[@janetsmith8566]

I still have that witch of blackbird pond! Boy, that takes me immediately back to those times - great reading! ❤

[@jensreadinglife]

It’s such a good book! And I love books that can transport me back to a specific moment in time. 😊

[@delltaylor9678]

What a great list! I have read several of your choices and loved them too. I will be adding many of these to my TBR. I just love you and your channel … our rates are so similar. I loves Sipsworth this year and Peace Like A River has been a favorite since I read it years ago. I always love spending time with you and look forward to 2025. Thanks, Jen, for a wonderful channel 😍

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you so much for your sweet words, Dell! I’m so glad you are here and that you enjoyed my wrap up. 🥰 I’m looking forward to sharing more wonderful books with you all this year!

[@leesawarshauer7928]

My favorite book was The Women! It was great. Got some new books to check out!!

[@jensreadinglife]

I know lots of people loved that one this past year. I’m glad you enjoyed my video! 😊

[@brenana77]

I was here! I love your channel and watch them all. Your recommendations are spot on for me.

[@jensreadinglife]

I am so glad! Thank you for being here. 🥰

[@judykovach6912]

I learned sooo much more about history while reading LHOP as an adult!… thinking lots just goes over the heads of younger kids! I’ve done deep dive study on topics wi books… did you know there’s a music book that goes w each of the books?… yes!… check library!😁. Looved witch of black bird pond!🤗. Soo endearing of Kit….

[@jensreadinglife]

I did not know about the music books but I will have to check them out. Part of the reason I love the audiobooks is for the music!

[@judykovach6912]

@ love cherry jones!

[@MMjones6459]

I'm currently rereading Dervla McTiernan’s Cormac Reilly series. It's a journey into the world of Irish crime, with memorable characters and gripping mysteries. A new one is due out this year.

[@jensreadinglife]

I love the Cormac Reilly series! I don’t know a new one was coming out this year though so thank you for that! 😁

[@MMjones6459]

@jensreadinglife the author announced during her US tour for "What Happened to Nina?". She said it's the most asked question she gets ☺️

[@michelelearner297]

I read a lot of Mrs. Pollifax books as a kid, and I remember adding her name to some kind of list for school of "people you'd want on your team in a difficult situation." My favorites are the first 5 books, followed by books 6-8. Dorothy Gilman also wrote some other very good novels. This may not apply to large numbers of people on your channel, but for me, books like those in the Mrs. Pollifax series are a much-needed break from my professional field. I'm happy to read things that are depoliticized, but not oblivious!

[@jensreadinglife]

She is definitely someone I’d want on my team in a difficult situation. I am glad you find these books to be an escape from your work life! I think more of my subscribers than you think want the same thing. 😊

[@mattiez3545]

Wow, I admire you for reading 181 books. I read Heidi as well and just adored her. It was such a cozy read. You read a lot of books I would like to check out. Thank you for sharing your favorite books from last year. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m glad you enjoyed this! Heidi is just so wonderful, isn’t she? 🥰

[@bobpatience7947]

Thank you Jen! I added many of your books to my TBR. Happy New Year! Karin

[@jensreadinglife]

Happy New Year! I’m glad you enjoyed this. 😊

[@jf8559]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sounds like a wonderful year in 2024! Hope your reading year in 2025 holds as many if not more delights.

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you so much! Same to you! 😊

[@verodunstan7864]

Thanks Jen! My TBR is quickly growing.

[@jensreadinglife]

You are welcome, Vero! 😊

[@WaterBearReads]

Hi Jen! What a lovely mug! 'On the Banks of Plum Creek' is on my Winter TBR. I love the 'Little House' books. Manderley Press publishes such beautiful books. I love 'Heidi' so much. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you Heather! My mug was a gift from my best friend and is one of my very favorites! The Little House books are just so fabulous as is Heidi. I love discovering books that my childhood self would have loved and my adult self still does! 🥰

[@mistycypret9486]

Wow! My TBR has really grown after watching this. This year I have also read more books than ever. My favorite series I read this year for the first time Miss Read The Fairacre Series. I absolutely loved it and it will definitely be a reread. I love your idea of writing all the books you have read down and into categories. I will be using that tip this year. Thank you! With all the books you have read this year which one was your absolute favorite? (This will help me on where to begin on my tbr list 😉) I hope you have a great New Year!

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I read the first Fairacre book this year and am looking forward to continuing the series. It’s really hard to pick an absolute favorite…I think my top three (at least at this moment in time) are Hannah Coulter, Heidi, and Vittoria Cottage. 😊

[@natalieanagnos5747]

Great wrap up!

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you! 😊

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I hope your 2025 reading year brings you as much joy as 2024. My 2024 reading year was fabulous, as was the year before that. How lucky am I? 🍀As far as poetry is concerned, I place poetry in its own category. Having said that, the Dewey Decimal system houses poetry with nonfiction. Other categories that I personally consider separate are graphic novels, children’s books, and short stories. We all have our own system. Whatever works for you!😀

[@jensreadinglife]

Thanks MJ! I wish you another fabulous reading year as well…3 for 3! 😁 Some people have very strong feelings about book categorizations but I’m with you! Whatever works!

[@joyceredman2136]

Try taking a crochet class at your local Jo-Anns Fabric store or a local yarn shop. The instructors can give you lots of tips and tricks not covered in books.

[@jensreadinglife]

I wish I had any of those where I am! Our local Jo-Ann’s just closed and rents here where I live make it hard for small businesses like yarn shops to stay open. ☹️ I may try our local city rec departments and see if any of them have crochet classes.

[@cathycrandall5264]

@@jensreadinglifeKZbin has some outstanding crochet teachers who walk you thru step by step+ if you mess it up, you can just rewatch it until you get the hang of it😊 And a lot of them have completely free instructions for how to make all kinds of crochet items🎉

[@susanmay4215]

P.S. I too loved Love & Saffron and Sipsworth. Both are on my best of the year list 👍 And I was sitting here, nodding on my sofa because I am a big fan of The Blue Bedroom short stories. Flowers in the Rain is wonderful, too. Finally, I'm hoping to read Hannah Coulter this year ☺️. Your review makes me all the more excited.

[@jensreadinglife]

We are definitely bookish kindred spirits! 🥰 I think you will love Hannah Coulter. Wendell Berry’s writing is luminous.

[@Preoccupied_Platypus]

This was fun to see your 2024 highlights in this way! I’ve just added “Some Writer!…” to my list. I wasn’t aware of it, so thank you, Jen. All the warm and fuzzy memories of reading “Stuart Little” 🐭 with my son when he was a young boy, and I read “Charlotte’s Web” 🐖 🕷️ with my class each spring when I was still in the classroom. 🥹💗 Truly, what a gift to have had such meaningful experiences being able to reread some of my own childhood favorites. 🙏🏻 Also ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ for you!

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you! 🥰 I’m so glad you enjoyed this and hope you love Some Writer! E.B. White is such a wonderful author. It is so fantastic to revisit childhood favorites and rediscover my love for them!

[@michelled.3849]

I noticed you have a very good spoken vocabulary. I assume that has come along from being such an avid reader!

[@jensreadinglife]

Oh I’m sure! Though I’ve always had a pretty good vocabulary. Being an English major helped for sure. I once had a coworker tell me “you use really big words when you talk.” 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[@MJ-in-Canada]

@@jensreadinglife I'm another viewer who appreciates your vocabulary.😀

[@jensreadinglife]

@@MJ-in-Canada Thank you, MJ! I do love words in all their forms! 😁

[@KarasScents]

What a great list! I get so many ideas for good reads from you- thank you! Favorites for me were definitely all the Emma M. Lion books, and The Q by Beth Brower- have you read that one? You must! Take care❤️

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this! I haven’t read The Q but it’s on my TBR! 😁

[@kimberly.b123]

🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟 Enjoyed your wrap-up!

[@jensreadinglife]

Yay, thank you! 😊

[@carlaking3459]

⭐ ✨ Thanks for sharing!! ⭐ ✨

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@teresaglasco6082]

So many good books mentioned in this video! Charlotte's Web is the book that made me a reader. Can't wait to read Some Writer. Have you heard of Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff? I found it at booksale last year and it is on my tbr for 2025.

[@jensreadinglife]

Enjoy Some Writer, it’s wonderful! Yes, I own and have read Q’s Legacy…it’s another good Helene Hanff book! I need to reread it soon. 😊

[@Klongwell]

The Moonstone was my top read in 2024, followed by Fahrenheit 451 and Marmee.

[@jensreadinglife]

I’m hoping to read The Moonstone this year! And I’ve heard wonderful things about Marmee!

[@MyrtGyrt]

For excellent crochet instructions try “Crocheting in plain English” by Mary Righetti. I recommended it to my grown daughter who is learning to crochet. Hope it helps! 😊❤

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you for the crochet book recommendation! I will check it out. 😊

[@MyrtGyrt]

@@jensreadinglife you’re very welcome 😍

[@teresaglasco6082]

Congratulations on reading 171 books!!!

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you!! I still can’t believe I read that many! 😁

[@lizanelson4777]

⭐️ 🌟 💫

[@karronwhite9134]

⭐️ ❤📚

[@gracetaylor7351]

❤

[@deborahracette9755]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

[@cassandra3399]

⭐️

[@LisaPattinson-fv4hb]

✨✨✨✨✨

[@KristaLing-yb8ls]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@vanessaedwards-so1fi]

⭐⭐

[@elinmor89]

✨️⭐️🌟⭐️

[@Olivia-mom25]

✨✨⭐️💫💫

[@glendaslanina9939]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@susanbaird4552]

Great wrap up ✨✨✨✨

[@jensreadinglife]

Thank you, Susan! 🥰

[@cheristowers4483]

❤

[@vivaelterror]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@gracetaylor7351]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@JhoEful1]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️