Shawn Breathes Books presents the Besties & Worsties of 2024

[@FullyBookedMelissa]

Pouring myself a glass of wine and settling in for a great hour of booktube!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Now that's what I like to hear! 💕

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I love this way of looking back over a year of reading Shawn. It gives your viewer a much deeper sense of each book and why you loved/ hated it. Much better than long lists that tell you nothing of how the book effected the reader. 🍀👋☘️📖📕📚☕️🤗🤩

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

That was such a great comment, Jacqueline! I'd never thought of quite that way. 😍

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

Yaaaay it’s great when the reading year turns out better than you expected! It’s good to know you enjoyed Matterhorn! I have owned it forever (found a secondhand copy and knew it was mega well reviewed) and never got to it because I didn’t know if it would be my thing, but now I’m excited for it. Shame about Blackouts… I really want to read it because I loved We the Animals, but I have been on the fence for a year now and I wonder if I should listen to that instinct haha Committed by Suzanne Scanlan sounds like a book I need to get and read right now, it’s so up my alley I can’t believe I haven’t come across it before. Great video!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’m so delighted that Deluge is your number one. It was my number one of 2023. Ash was my favourite character too. I’d love to meet Stephen Markley.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Yes to all this! 💕

[@lindysmagpiereads]

This was such a pleasure to watch! We have 5-star reads in common-Orbital, Feeding Ghosts, Wandering Stars, Committed, Season of Fury and Wonder-and you had previously convinced me to order a copy of Ivy’s Tree, which should be waiting for me at the bookshop soon. Happy New Year and happy reading in 2025 Shawn! 🥂

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

What a lovely message! I hope 2025 is a banner year of reading for you too! 😍😍

[@elizabethmclean5277]

What a brilliant overview! Superior to the dozen other ‘Best of 2024’ I have watched. Hands down, the Most Likely to Re-Watch!! Running to the bookstore to buy Orbital and Ivy’s Tree. Best and best in 2025.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Wow, what a lovely thing to say, Elizabeth! Best and best in 2025 to you too! And I'll be so curious to hear your thoughts on Orbital and Ivy's Tree.

[@anenthusiasticreader]

This was utterly satisfying. I'm sorry the buddy reads we had didn't pan out, but I have high hopes for March and John MacGhern. Happy New Year to you!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

High hopes indeed for March, Sonya!

[@readandre-read]

This is definitely a new blouse and wine occasion! That Birding cover really is beautiful. I love that you were able to collect some favorite sentences from novels throughout the year. LOL, Blackouts was in my top five this year. I did love My Friends and Fingersmith. Fun video!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Well, we agreed on two of three! 😜 Happy New Year!

[@BookishTexan]

You and your video are brilliant! Minor Detail 🫣😢 Orbital …..😕 Wandering Stars 🙂 Ghost Mountain 🤩 Blackouts 🙂

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Well I'd like your permission to put comment on my resume! 💕

[@BookishTexan]

@ Granted!

[@SandyTCF]

New viewer here. Very much enjoyed this. Purchased Ivy’s Tree based on this review alone!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

That is wonderful to hear! Let me know you get along with it and I hope you'll comment again!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Oh and if you're interested, you can see my long form interview with the author, Wendy Burton, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIjJdYKKoceLqa8si=jR8LcMB6hy9z-HYh

[@SandyTCF]

@@shawnbreathesbooks oh thank you! Will definitely check that out! I have been a voracious reader for much of my life but after a few tough years found my reading dropping off. Somehow the reading bug has been reignited and I’m so happy to have found your channel!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

@ I’m excited for you! The same thing happened for me about 9 or 10 years ago.

[@SandyTCF]

@@shawnbreathesbooks read it in a day! What an incredible story and story teller! Going to watch the interview now!

[@59cubanita]

Love the shirt! And love your besties and worsties! Great categories. I am going to read Ivy’s Tree soon. 😊

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Yay! Thank you!

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Shawn, Thank you for your recommendation of “committed” I need to read that as soon as possible. Aloha friend.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Oooh, I'll be so curious to hear your thoughts/review, Marilyn! Happy New Year!

[@josmith5992]

I always think I know your reading so well and then you do this list and I remember and revisit these books in totally new and different ways! Always an utter joy to watch!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

💕😍😘

[@pineapplexpression]

Wonderful

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LouiseReader]

Happy New Year to you too Shawn! And yes a fabulous new blouse worthy of the occasion. I listened to The Hearing Test on New Years Day, I went in thinking it was a memoir! Which I didn't really question itl near the end of the book when something was glossed over in a sentence. And yes that anal gland sentence stood out to me too- a friend and I have a long running joke about such things. I have quite a few books from this list on my TBR, mostly from your enthusiasm. Committed Minor Detail Birding especially, and I really must get to Ronan Hession this year. I see Leonard and Hungry Paul popping up on many best of list this year.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Happy New Year to you too, Louise! Glad you approve of my Besties & Worsties blouse! 😜 Interesting to hear your thoughts on The Hearing Test. Will be very curious to hear your thoughts on all the other books and writers you mentioned!

[@myreadinglife8816]

Love the new blouse! Now I feel like I have to try Orbital but I am afraid it won’t be for me. The Deluge ❤

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

You’ll have to let me know what you think if you do! 💕

[@myreadinglife8816]

@ I have requested Orbital from the library. I’m fourth on the holds list. Stay tuned.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Love the blouse ❤

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thank you! 😊

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

And Invitation to the Waltz😊

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

😍

[@deegrows7589]

I’m currently reading Ivy’s Tree and I’m in love with Ivy!! I enjoy spending time with her. I’ve finally gotten a copy of Invitation to the Waltz and plan to read soon.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Well that's music to my ears! 💕 Happy New Year!

[@bookmark_kl]

Thanks a lot as usual, sir. Wishing you a wonderful 2025! happy reading,

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

You as well! May all your books be good ones this year!

[@azu_rikka]

Aaah, I wish everyone would use your categories for the top/flop of 2024. As you would say: I loved it with all my heart🥰!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Aww shucks, thank you so much! Happy New Year!

[@janethansen9612]

I placed Committed as my second top book overall in 2024. It was wonderful and I would also like to re read it with closer attention to the literary (and non literary) works referenced. I discovered this book through your discussion with Suzanne as your mystery guest. Another Shawn success! (I placed James as my number one).

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Well that's absolutely wonderful to hear, Janet! Happy New Year!

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

And ‘ Ivy’s Tree’

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

❤️

[@Comrade_Anka]

Those are some interesting categories. Do you automatically lower your rating if you hate some character in a book, even if you love the book or the writing?

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

That's an interesting question. No, not typically. That's why it's so unusual for me to do so with this one - although there were also other things about Christ on a Bike that didn't quite resonate for me.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

And oooh I see you're a new BookTuber! I just subscribed and look forward to watching your best-of video!

[@Comrade_Anka]

@ thank you! It’s not a good video, as most of first amateur videos are, but you have to start somewhere. I made myself a promise not to spend any money on it until I become consistent for at least 3 months 😂 Will see.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

If you want to see what a REAL amateur video looks like, go back to the first one I posted lol