Top Ten (ish) Novels of 2024

In which I muse about the fiction I adored in 2024.

#booktube #bestbooks #books #readingwrapup

Books discussed:

The Incarnations by Susan Barker

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

Brotherless Night by V V Ganeshananthan

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Suzanna Clarke

House of Names by Colm Toibin

The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker

Clear by Carys Davies

The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers

Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan

The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden

The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

England is Mine by Nicolas Padamsee

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

[PumpkinMozie]

“Every fiction book was contemporary in its time” such an important point!

[nicolastawiarski]

What a fabulous list, Louise 🌟 I’ll definitely be adding a lot of them to my wish list!

[RebeccaStultz-yf]

I truly liked the grouping of favorite books into these categories, Louise. Here a is one favorite of mine for each category from this past year.
*Historical fiction: Caleb’s Crossing - Geraldine Brooks
*Book for lingering: The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven - Nathaniel Miller
*Page turner: Send Down the Rain - Charles Martin
*Beautiful writing: Foster - Claire Keegan
*Debut: Rebecca, Not Becky - Christine Platt & Catherine Greene

Clear was a moving story beautifully told for me too. Most of the others on the list I have already put on my “want to read”lists.

[mayaf]

Beautiful list, some of the books are on my 2025 TBR. Thank you very much, Louise ! All the Best for 2025.

[caseywagner]

You do a fantastic book recap! I share your enthusiasm for several of these books, including Prophet Song & Glorious Exploits! I'm currently engrossed in The Safekeep, and have The Axeman's Carnival on hold at my library. Excited for your further recommendations! 🎉

[Robin-cp]

My favourite backlist novel I read in 2024 was The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - breathtaking!
My favourite new novel was Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán - I think you'd really like it, Louise! Narrated from a jail cell by a housekeeper/nanny, telling her life's story - we know from the beginning that a child is dead, but not how or why. This is not a crime novel, it's literary fiction and it's a heartbreaking tale of loneliness, grief and the enslavement of poverty and work. Poetically narrated in a way that slowly nibbles away at your soul...deeply moving. This is a gem of a novel!

Thank you for always bringing books to my attention that I don't hear others talk about! 📖📚💚

[omalleysmith]

Dear Louise, you are a delight. Thank you for reminding me of how much i LOVE the Goldfinch. I am overdue for a re-read of this one, and I think its a book that I'll get more out of on the second time. So happy you loved it too.

[dottypetrosky]

I highly recommend "The Axman's Carnivel" - couldn't put it down. I enjoyed your comments so much.

[wendycayless]

Bird nerd here so forgive my pedantry -the Australian Magpie which has been introduced into New Zealand is actually in the Butcherbird family and is not closely related to European Magpies which are in the Crow family. Settlers and explorers in Australia named a number of our native birds after European birds which they resemble but are not related to at all. Hence we have a large number of Robin species completed unrelated to European Robins but are Flycatchers, Fairywrens, Scrubwrens, Grasswrens, Emuwrens, Heathwrens and Fieldwrens unrelated the European Wren. Colonialism huh!
I loved Pet so am very keen to read The Axeman's Carnival. The Safekeep, The Glassmaker, Brotherless Night are all on my TBR too. You and Simon have convinced me to read Clear and Glorious Exploits. I was waiting for Stone Yard Devotional...

[marias.]

Goodness, I love hearing you book musings, thank you for another lovely video and Happy 2025! 🧡

[karenbrouard]

Oh so many of your favourites of 2024 are also on my list Prophet Song was a stand out book for me but also loved Glorious Exploits, Safe Keep and the House of Names. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a long time favorite of mine. I have Cuddy by Benjamin Myers onmy TBR and hope to get to it very soon. Happy Reading in 2025 and hope you find some gems

[Evegalewitz]

Happy 2025 Louise. Could not agree more about Ordinary Human Failings. It was a marvelous read. Brotherless Night and the Safe Keep are on my 2025 to read list. Very much try to read older fiction as well, I believe you may have recommended Maps for Lost Lovers by Nadeem Naslan which I just got a copy of and am anxious to read.
Currently listening to This Green and Pleasant Land from Ayisha Malik and just think it’s wonderful. Love your reading suggestions and your insights.

[booksandbags]

What a fantastic list. I've read many of them and agree with your thoughts. I adored the Goldfinch—Theo has my heart. I will need to add Clear and England is Mine to my TBR. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the nonfiction you read last year. The WP gave me so much reading joy.

[rachelknowles]

Ooohhh that was nice foreshadowing by the magpie!😮😂

[EmmaLiz]

My favourite book of 2024 was Brotherless Night. But im so pleased I read "The Gallows Pole" upon your recommendation because its definitely in my top 5.

[suenicholls]

😀💕xx thanks Louise. Brilliant list as always. 🥰

[susprime]

I'm finally reading Pachinko, historical fiction, I'll add The Incarnations to the tbr and The Glass Maker, spent my 40th wedding anniversary in Venice, 15 years ago, magical. I bought Clear, not sure when I'll get to it. I remember the hype on Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, "Harry Potter for adults, " first edition released in jackets of two different colors, white and gray, both shrink wrapped, book collectors started arguing right away about which one was the true first. I opened and read the white jacketed one, left the gray shrink wrapped, finally opened it and the cover had been put on the book backwards, gave that one to Friends of the Library sale. I have Brotherless Night, my husband has read it, same with The Prophets, he enjoyed them both and I'll get to them eventually. Loved The Goldfinch several years ago. Thank you and yes, it is a great smile you have there to brighten our days.

[andrearyan]

The Glassmaker was my top book for last year. I am looking forward to continuing the fabulous Louise Penny series this year with book number 3. Happy 2024 reading!

[beautynscience]

What a fantastic year of reading and such a great selection? Looking forward to more great videos in 2025 and Happy New Year!! What do you plan to read for this year's Savage Prompts?

[SavidgeReads]

Loved how you did these in groups/categories. pleased to see The Incarnations on your favourites list, I am about to start her new novel tonight! Also delighted to see a Myers on the list, you have some absolute treats ahead with his works. I loved The Glass Maker and Brotherless Night very much too this year, as you know. Phew, Clear was on there... and Ferdia Lennon!! Ooh I wasn't expecting that number one!