The Best Books I've Read in 2024 so far

I've read a lot of excellent books this year so far, but here are my ten favourites that have created a lasting impact. Click ‘Show More’ for info.

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Books discussed & purchase links:

Northwoods by Daniel Mason

Lublin by Manya Wilkinson

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure

My Friends by Hisham Matar

A Flat Place by Noreen Masud

Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad

Bad Habit by Alana S Portero (translated by Mara Faye Letham)

James – Percival Everett

Not a River by Selva Almada (translated by Annie McDermott)

My full reviews of some of these books:

Northwoods by Daniel Mason

Lublin by Manya Wilkinson

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure

My Friends by Hisham Matar

A Flat Place by Noreen Masud

James – Percival Everett

Not a River by Selva Almada (translated by Annie McDermott)

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:18 Northwoods
3:06 Lublin
4:39 Tom Lake
7:09 River East River West
8:20 My Friends
11:01 A Flat Place
13:23 Enter Ghost
15:13 Bad Habit
16:54 James
19:25 Not a River
20:40 Conclusion

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Get in touch

[heiditremaine]

I will always be so grateful to you for recommending My Friends. A week after finishing it I missed Matar's voice terribly and was on wikipedia researching Libya, Gaddafi and the Arab spring. Now reading "The Return" which is equally wonderful. Thank you Eric

[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.

[jacquelineturner]

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.

[michaeldornan]

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

[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.

[warrenhall]

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

[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.

[ylonnjackson]

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. ❤

[leolamoon]

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!

[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

[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)

[ericgeneric]

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.

[clarepotter]

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.

[Eva-svsn]

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.

[alvarosalandy]

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.

[exotiknuella]

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

[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.

[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.