The Best Books I've Read in 2024 so far

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Eric!🌷I share your enthusiasm for North Woods, Tom Lake, River East River West and Enter Ghost. After watching your video some time ago, I bought My Friends and am going to read it soon. I’m also intrigued by Lublin. Among my memorable reads this year I count The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and Ordinary Human Failings. One book from 1965 stands out too, Things by Georges Perec. It’s a modern French classic and I’ve had it on my shelves forever. I loved it! During the summer I’m going to read Life: A User’s Manual by the same author.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! 📚 I’ve been meaning to read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and I’ve never read Perec before but I’ll have to at some point.

[@inkylabyrinth]

Love seeing River East, River West on your list! It's also on mine, along with I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, Housemates by Emma Copley Eisenberg, To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers, and Come & Get It by Kiley Reid. I loved Enter Ghost as well. 2024 reading has been treating me very well so far! Thanks for sharing your faves.

[@michaeldornan7737]

I have read and loved River East River West, am now half-way through My Friends. I am a huge fan of Hisham Matar. Have already read A Month in Siena and An Anatomy of Disappearance, which are so different but always so soft-spoken which is his way of telling a story like a true master. I shall carry to read all his work. Eneter Ghost is next on my list ...Thanks a lot

[@ylonnjackson8866]

I absolutely loved “James”. I’m actually leading a book discussion on it in the fall so I’m grateful for your interview with the author on Patreon. I’m finishing “North Woods” now and I really liked that, a definite 9. Regarding “Tom Lake”, listen to it on audio and I think you gain more. Meryl Streep is the reader and it’s as if it’s her personal life. You just can’t stop listening! On your recommendation I’ll be reading “My Friends” very soon. I love your podcast. Thank you for helping me sort out good books to enjoy. ❤

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Ah wonderful! Thank you!

[@jacquelineturner7206]

My favorites so far are: James; Fayne; Cahokia Jazz; Mr. Loverman (an oldie); How to Say Babylon; Ordinary Human Failings; Whale Fall; You Are Here. North Woods was my favorite book from last year. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@rebecca.reader]

I loved Not a River too. Such a subtle yet powerful book! I really want to read more of her work. My favourite book that I have read recently is The Bee Sting. Not a recommendation for you as I know you have already read it, but what a book! Happy reading for the second half of the year, Eric.

[@the_snicklefritz]

Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky was a surprise top read of the year so far. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since reading it in March

[@marymansson2085]

I shared your comment with Claire. They will enjoy hearing this.

[@leolamoon11]

Wonderful list. I have read Enter Ghost and River East, River West which are beautifully crafted novels. I love the structure of Enter Ghost. It’s a very soulful book. And River East, River West has really stuck with me as well. Those three characters are very memorable. Will be dipping my toes into North Woods as I recently checked it out from the library. Can’t wait to read James. I love Percival Everett’s writing, his voice is quite singular. Thank you for the fantastic recommendations. I do love a best of video!

[@warrenhall1101]

Such a smooth, confident delivery. Thanks for the information.

[@TKTalksBooks]

On your list I read: North Woods (5 stars); Not a River (4.5 stars); My Friends (4.5 stars), Tom Lake (3.5 stars); Enter Ghost (4 stars); River East River West (3 stars); A Flat Place (4.5 stars)

[@clarepotter7584]

My favourite so far as been 'Glorious Exploits' by Ferdia Lennon. He has such a good understanding of human psychology I think and such an interesting choice to use Irish dialect, it really worked for me. 'River East...' was very enjoyable, thanks for the recommendation.

[@dwaynejohnson992]

Tom Lake. Hope and healing for the many impacted by the dis-ease and bloat of Empire.

[@ericgeneric135]

Thanks for this list! My favorite books I've read so far this year are James by Percival Everett, Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru, Knife by Salman Rushdie, Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H., and Wellness by Nathan Hill.

[@alvarosalandy7969]

I do have to thank you for recommending North Woods. It's such a nice reading experience. Furthermore, reading recently published books is a new goal for me.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That’s great to hear! 📚

[@Eva-sv5sn]

I read My Friends after seeing it appear in your videos, and it's one of my top reads so far! I also got to experience the Count of Monte Cristo at the start of the year, which I loved.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I’m so glad you read it and found it so powerful.

[@Lynn_Ann_Jackson]

Such a great video, Eric! I am newly inspired to read several of the books I have considered over the past few months, as well as being introduced to a few that are new to me. Your videos are always a treat and so well thought out and informative…thanks so much!!❤📚

[@Myelinator]

Thanks so much for these recommendations - adding a few of them to my TBR! My favourites of this year so far: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore, Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (late to the party on this one), Brooklyn (and its follow up Long Island) by Colm Toibin.

[@exotiknuella]

Thanks for these recs. Not read any yet. All added to my TBR.

[@chrisallenmax]

Thank you so much for the recommendations! There’s definitely a few I will be checking out!

[@readandre-read]

Great list! North Woods and Tom Lake were on my 2023 best list. I love how you describe the subtle complexities in Tom Lake. Right now my #1 is James; runners up include Long Island and Blackouts.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! Blackouts was one of my favourite books I read last year.

[@chambersstevens3135]

U are the master of telling the plot of books. I can't tell if you are reading from notes. (It seems like you would have too) But it doesn't look like you are. I love the way you describe all of the books you have read.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks so much! In this video I was just discussing my impressions of these books from memory.

[@chambersstevens3135]

@@EricKarlAnderson Incredible. I am an acting coach in Hollywood. And I train people to do what you do effortlessly.

[@enjay5087]

I'd never heard of Bad Habits until you've spoken of it but it sounds fascinating.

[@lynnjohnson100]

I read Coast Road this week. It was a wonderful, literary read.

[@shelleytaylor1778]

Loved Tom Lake and Ann Patchett is my favorite author plus I grew up spending summers in Michigan. I finally got around to The Lincoln Highway this summer (another favorite author) and it was a great epic with memorable characters. Continuing on I read William Kent Krueger’s the River We Remember. All incredible storytellers I really enjoyed. Thanks you for your thoughtful recommendations. River East/West is on my pile.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! I meant to read The Lincoln Highway when it came out and you’ve reminded me I should get to it.

[@susiesky1]

Thanks Eric! I haven’t read any of these yet but many are on my TBR list esp James, North Woods & My Friends. I’ve read at least one review of Tom Lake that said it’s influenced by Chekhov’s Three Sisters. Does that make sense to you? Thanks!! 😊

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yes! That does make sense given her three daughters.

[@qinlkpah]

Ahh, I knew you would love Bad Habit! I may have recommended it once or twice :) Excellent list btw, lots of good and immersive storytelling

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! I hope even more people read it!

[@RubenDario-hr4iq]

I’ m so glad you like Almada’s novel. Her other two novels are also excellent.

[@hettiestroebel4952]

The piano turner from Daniel Mason is also an excellent read.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

So much fun to see what made it to the top. Here are mine: 5-stars: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent (NF-Dame Judi Dench, read with stickytabs) and What Is the Grass: Walt Whitman in my Life (NF-Mark Doty); 4 stars: Tom Lake (Ann Patchett), Western Lane (Chetna Maroo), The Painted Veil (W Somerset Maugham), and North Woods (Daniel Mason.) Honorable Mentions: A Secret Sisterhood...(NF-Emily Midorikawa), Also a Poet: Frank OHara, My Father, and Me (NF-Ada Calhoun), and The Table Comes First (NF-Adam Gopnik, read with a highlighter).

[@karenmoore4430]

Thanks Eric. I loved North Woods, Tom Lake, Enter Ghost. I would like to give Bad Habit a go.

[@marianamasbooks]

Great video! Some of these were already on my list and I’ve added others. A Flat Place sounds amazing ❤ My favorite read of the year has been You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you! 😊📚

[@pamwhite768]

I’ve read many of these, in fact I finished Enter Ghost today and would give it a 5 star rating! I agree with your enjoyment of North Woods, River East, River West, and My Friends. Tom Lake for me was an enjoyable read but not a standout. I look forward to James but I’m still at 25 week wait from the library.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Wonderful! 📚 Hope you find James as powerful as I did.

[@liahavisham3438]

Hi Eric! Is it necessary to read Huck Finn before James? I really want to read the latter, but I really don’t want to read the former, as in the past I tried to read a couple of Twains and needed to leave them 🙈 I know the story and events in Huck Finn, but maybe it is important to know it fully to grasp the social/literary commentary on James? Thanks!!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hi, if you know the story overall I don’t think it’s necessary. Hope you find James as powerful as I did!

[@HelenSchneider-tl3yh]

You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer was a pure joy to read. Great escape novel.

[@rebeccamaclean6242]

Have you read Clear by Carys Davies? I am so looking forward to reading James!

[@ianp9086]

I went to a reading by Percival Everett too and James is lined up for sometime soon. I loved Not a River and my other top reads have been Cuddy by Benjamin Myers and Knife by Salman Rushdie.

[@P.Ross192]

Great video! My top two thus far: The Djin Waits a Hundred Years - Shubnum Khan Malas- Marcela Fuentes

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Nice! I’ve been wanting to read Khan’s novel.

[@TKTalksBooks]

I read My Friends after watching your stand alone review of it. Phenomenal book. BOOKER SHORTLIST? I hope so!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

That’s great to hear!

[@debbierussell2830]

Thanks for this video! I'm curious - did you film this before or after you finished Orbital? Just wondering if it didn't make the cut, or if you finished it too late to make the list?! (I'm only curious because I just ordered the book!) Thanks Eric!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I did love Orbital and several other books I’ve read this year but this group is what immediately popped into my mind when thinking about my top reads.

[@jennrecord2784]

Tom Lake is my favorite of 67 books I have read this year

[@steveurick3044]

Brilliant as usual:)

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thank you!

[@jamesduggan7200]

Sorry : ( Besides a reread of four late Romances from Shakespeare I'm afraid I've nothing to add to this list. Thank you very much for your reviews. I do in fact get to some of them from time-to-time, such as Claire Keegan's "Antarctica" collection of stories. They are good, solid stories, so thank you for advertising it through your book club.

[@heathersneddon8866]

Liked North Woods but not Tom Lake. My personal favourite (so far) include Anne Michaels: Held Carys Davies : Clear John Boyne : Earth Jackie Kay : May Day Andrew O'Hagan: Caledonian Road Megan Nolan : Ordinary Human Failings

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Great! I need to get a copy of May Day. I love Jackie Kay’s writing.

[@hettiestroebel4952]

Another great read: Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yes, I read that a couple months ago and also think it’s great.

[@Nastya-readsandlifts]

I’ve got stuck mid-book with A Flat Place. Reading about abusive father triggered too much, that it was hard to concentrate on the beauty of the language and descriptions. Coincidentally I got stuck mid-book with another Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction nominee - Intervals. But for other reasons. Not a good time for heavy reads for me rn, I guess. But it seriously lures me in, and I pick up books about abuse, illness, death, and war (sounds almost like four horsemen, gosh 😅) on a regular basis.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

My best books so far this year Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K.Reilly Brotherless Night by V.V.Ganeshananthan Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Service by Sarah Gilmartin ☘️ Fayne by AnnMarie MacDonald Solider Sailor by Claire Kilroy ☘️ Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Haworth ☘️ Stone Yard Devotional by Charolette Wood Strong Female Character by Fern Brady The Caretaker by Ron Rash Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan ☘️ How To Build A Boat by Elaine Feeney ☘️ North Woods by Daniel Mason 🍀👋☘️📕☕️📚📖

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Fayne! ❤️

[@TheEmzies]

Also a fan of North Woods and My Friends. I have to admit being one of those who found Tom Lake a bit vanilla - I can appreciate what Patchett was trying to achieve but I just couldn't get interested in the mother telling the story of a love affair her family had heard several times before.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Fair enough!

[@neetupd8510]

My favourite reads so far are: 1.Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 2.The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 3.The covenant of water by Abraham Verghese 4.Homebound by Puja Changoiwala 5.My sister the serial killer by Oyinka 6.Yellow crocus by Laila Ibrahim 7.A bitch for God by Clark Thomas Carlton

[@hettiestroebel4952]

Loved Yellow Crocus

[@neetupd8510]

@@hettiestroebel4952 Indeed a nice book. It is a series of books...There are 5 books in all and the last installment comes out this September I think... Eager to read book#2(Mustard seed).

[@skisjsnan]

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