My 2024 Reading Wrap Up: Stats, Best Books in Different Categories & My Top 10 Novels of the Year!

[@MargaretPinard]

Yay! Loved spotting Firekeeper's Daughter in yur stack--such a great debut! Her next book was different, still suspenseful, tangentially related. Excited for the next one!

[@SueJacksonDE]

I definitely want to read the second one from here now!

[@Michelelynnreads]

I listened to Tell Me More a few years ago on audio and liked it. I read Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson this year off my backlist TBR. I miss hiking so much, and hope to one day regain my health enough to go on some easy hikes. I love the audio of The House in the Cerulean Sea and I'm waiting for the audio for the sequel!

[@SueJacksonDE]

Oh, I bet Tell Me More was great on audio! I love how she can talk about deep, even difficult subjects but still make you laugh. And Somewhere Beyond the Sea was outstanding on audio! That was also on my Top 10 List for audios :) Walk in the Woods was a fun one! I miss longer hikes, for sure, but am very grateful that when I'm at my "normal" baseline, I am able to manage short hikes (usually a mile or less). It's been a rough few months, but I think I am finally coming out of this awful relapse - today is my 3rd pretty good day in a row!! And I saw such a huge difference recording this video - not just sitting up but my mind was so clear. Last week's Friday Reads was so rambling, I started with over 30 minutes and edited it down to 16 - ha ha! Brain fog was bad that day. Hope we both have a happy & healthy 2025 - with plenty of good books!

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Everybody keeps raving about Lonesome Dove. Sounds like you had a great reading year.

[@SueJacksonDE]

Yes, a great reading year, John! And Lonesome Dove is such an amazing novel! You should give it a try. Thanks for stopping by and commenting - you made me realize I haven't seen your videos in my feed in ages, so I will come by to see what you've been up to!

[@cindyurban150]

I'm interested in reading the book "Honey",because of your recommendation. Thank You Sue ! Feel better soon.

[@SueJacksonDE]

Great! It's a wonderful novel. Also check out his earlier novel, Edgar and Lucy :)

[@cindyurban150]

@@SueJacksonDE I will, Thanks for the suggestion !

[@PinkHawk191]

Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were my favorite books last year.

[@SueJacksonDE]

I've heard such rave reviews of those from so many people! Glad you enjoyed them.

[@booklover6963]

My favorite novel was also The Women by Kristin Hannah....My favorite middle grade Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman....My favorite memoir Will the Circle Be Unbroken by Sean Dietrich. My worst book of the Year Bear by Julia Phillips.

[@SueJacksonDE]

The Women was so amazing! I hadn't heard of thew MG or memoir you mentioned, so thanks for the recommendations!

[@savagereads]

It sounds like you had a fantastic reading year! It is so hard to pick a favorite novel from this last year but today I am thinking of two books that I really enjoyed; Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor and Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

[@SueJacksonDE]

Ooh, I haven't heard of either of those, so thanks for the recs!

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

You had some great reads this year and I jotted down a few titles I think I would like. I think my favorite book I read all year was God of the Woods by Liz Moore and then the best nonfiction book I read would be The Wager.

[@SueJacksonDE]

My husband read The Wager and enjoyed it last year. And The God of the Woods is definitely on my want-to-read list! SO many people included it on their list of favorites in 2024. Hope you enjoy your 2025 reading!

[@sabrinameyer3304]

I loved The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden, so beautifully written, it's historical, it's romantic, it's almost a mystery/family drama. Definitely recommend!! For non fiction i especially enjoyed First Love, essays on friendship by Lucy Dancyger. It's about female friendships, it's very personal, very memoir-like! Maybe you'd enjoy it too! I did read Honey too, it got translated to german, so it must have received some praise at least ;)

[@SueJacksonDE]

Oh, so happy to hear Honey was translated! If you haven't already, check out his earlier novel, Edgar and Lucy - really great. I hadn't yet heard about the two you mentioned, so thanks for the recs! First Love does sound right up my alley!

[@sabrinameyer3304]

​@@SueJacksonDE that sounds very intriguing, thank you!