For my leisure time this year, in between school and writing, I really focused on reading, making it a goal to read for at least an hour or two every day. I didn’t always make this goal, but I did more days than not, and as a result, I read/experienced 195 books during 2024. That amounts to 85 Print Books, 64 eBooks, and 46 Audio Books. My three top genres were Nonfiction, Science Fiction, and Fantasy. There were also a smattering of short story collections and writing craft books thrown in, as well as a few graphic novels (not individual comics, but 3–400-page collection of story arcs, so I’m counting them). A significant portion of the books I read were indie books.
In the past, I’d kept track in Goodreads, but I got uncomfortable with the idea of all my ratings being public, and I also wanted to use my own incremental ratings system that Goodreads doesn’t support. I tried to switch to Story Graph at one point, which seemed like it was set up more to my liking, but it didn’t have a lot of indie books I read and uploading them, which was advertised as being easy, was actually kind of a nightmare, so I eventually abandoned the apps and kept track in my own personalized excel spreadsheet. Color-coded, natch. So here is my list of top twelve books I read this year, as well as a few unranked honorable mentions. As in year’s past, these are books I read for the first time this year, not necessarily books that were published this year. Most of them are from the past couple of years, however, save one.
Honorable Mentions
Stories are Weapons – Annalee Newitz (NonFiction). A look at the history of propaganda and Psyops focusing on how they’ve been used throughout the history of the United States. This is a really interesting look at the way the powers that have attempted to manipulate public opinion, for mostly nefarious purposes. It talks about how labor unions and Indian tribes were demonized, as well as communists, and how these things relate to current issues like book bans and the current ‘Trans Panic.’ They also go into how to combat these types of campaigns and how to avoid falling for them in the first place. A fascinating, very readable, book.
Starter Villain – John Scalzi (Science Fiction).This is a book about a basically non-descript young man, fresh off a losing streak that has upended his life, inheriting from an uncle he barely knew his criminal empire. Yes, this is played for laughs in places, but mostly it takes its premise seriously, and has a lot to say about what people do with power and how that affects them and the people around them. It has a very satisfying ending and also features probably one of my favorite characters this year, a sapient cat named Hera, who really should be running the world. A fun read, but surprisingly deep in places, as can be said of most of Scalzi’s books.
Build Better Worlds – Michale Kilman and Kyra Wellstrom (Craft/NonFiction). A guide to anthropology for people who create invented worlds, be they game designers, writers, or researchers looking to game different situations. It’s a very readable overview and it raises a lot of questions that you need to think about in creating worlds that hold together and make sense. I blew through this book in a couple of days, and it has definitely made my own worldbuilding stronger.
12. A World without Work – Daniel Susskind (NonFiction). A history of technological innovation throughout time, and how it has affected labor markets and the daily lives of common people. That sounds like a dry subject, but given current events it is very relevant. Susskind discusses how these things, sometimes considered inevitable, can be dealt with so they do the least damage to the smallest number of people. Also a look at what might happen in the future, and outlines a new vision for a society where most human labor has been rendered superfluous by technology. All told, it’s an incredibly hopeful book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the present technological moment.
11. Translation State – Ann Leckie (Science Fiction) Another entry in Leckie’s imperial radch series, with all the fascinating worldbuilding you’ve come to expect. This one deals with a group that had been mentioned before and details a society of beings that are specifically to be the go-between for other species, and all the drama that would entail. Many of the characters are queer, but its central conflict/challenge is also a Sci-Fi metaphor for queerness that I thought was brilliant. This is kind of a head trip of a book, but it has relatable alien and human characters who you can root for, which a lot of these types of books forget to include.
10. How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe (NonFiction) A scientific and historical look at ADHD and how it presents and can be dealt with. Does not neglect the emotional side of things, and McCabe, as would be expected by her YouTube channel of the same name, deals with each of these issues with grace and relatability, sharing her own struggles and those other people have sent into her. It’s probably the best practical guide to the disorder I’ve ever read, keeping it person-centered and not academic. Highly recommended if you have, or love someone who has, ADHD.
9. Some Desperate Glory – Emily Tesh (Science Fiction) A time loop science fiction book about overcoming fascism and embracing your queer identity. In the future, Earth has been destroyed, and one of the last human remnants lives on a single station, and trains its entire population to take revenge. This gets complicated from there. The characters are relatable and the situation fascinating, as the time loop aspect become apparent. Also, some truly intriguing and alien alien characters. And it has my favorite kind of ending, which is all I will say about it.
8. The Anisian Convergence: Fallen Hunter; The Futility of Intent; Into the Aether; Focus on the Wind; Last Bid for a Dying Earth – Mike Wyant, Jr (Science Fiction) Yes, this is an entire series, not an individual book. Sorry Not Sorry. This is an amazing, big-idea science fiction saga that centers a variety of queer characters and presents them with a series of heartbreaking choices. Serious archeological/Babylon 5 vibes as well in the middle of all the disaster Queer drama. This series is very entertaining, but also has a lot to say, which is the highest praise I can give anything.
7. Doppelganger by Naomi Klein (NonFiction) A look at the recent history of how social media had become a disinformation, reality-eschewing machine, filtered through the author’s personal experiences with the subject. It’s a fascinating look at how we got here, as well as how we might reach people who have been lost to us and restore our democracy and sense of shared reality. Especially relevant given the recent election.
6. The Bright Sword – Lev Grossman (Fantasy) What happened after King Arthur died? It’s one answer to that question, pulling at the threads for various Arthurian legends, while also acknowledging that there is no such thing as a ‘Canon’ sequence of events. Many of the characters are queer, disabled, and POC, and it shows us the futility of looking to new heroes to save us, when really, we need to learn how to save ourselves. Great characters and a retelling of many different legends, as well as a ‘Next Generation’ approach to the story.
5. When Among Crows – Veronica Roth (Fantasy) Polish legends come to life in modern Chicago, as a fallen Knight seeks help from a variety of magical creatures in an attempt to give up his power and make amends for his crimes. Great characters, who are all part of a magical world that feels fleshed out but not overwhelming. Also, a charming queer ‘last chance’ love story. This was a complete surprise, and I really enjoyed it.
4. The Saint of Bright Doors – Vajra Chandrasekera (Fantasy) The son of a man who may be a prophet, and who may be a god, and that man’s greatest enemy, navigates life in a modern fantasy metropolis and tries to at first fight, and then lean into, his destiny. Brilliant worldbuilding that reminds me a little bit of China Mieville, as well as characters you can root for but who are also a hot mess (my favorite kind). An utterly original head-trip, it’s unlike anything I’d read before. I literally had no idea where it was going, but all the surprises were very pleasant ones. Also, the main character is queer, which was a nice added touch.
3. Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott (Craft) There’s not much I can say about this classic that hasn’t been said before. It’s not really a writing manual, but a manual on the writer’s life, what it’s like to live as a creative person who wants to be productive in the middle of a complex world that doesn’t always want to make time and space for you. I read it at just the right time, and it helped me get through a very difficult year. If you want to be a creative person, you need to read this book.
2. Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ Klune (Fantasy) A sequel to Klune’s breathtaking, heartfelt, The House in the Cerulean Sea, it continues the story and adds new depth to all of its relationships. A look at found family and the power of queer love to inspire and redeem us. A novel about holding on to hope when the entire world seems like it’s arrayed against you. It was everything I wanted from a sequel to my favorite book of all time.
1. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi – Shannon Chakraborty (Fantasy) An aging pirate queen is manipulated into coming out of retirement and getting her crew back together for one last job. Along the way she will have to look for a magic artifact, rescue a possibly kidnapped young noble person, and deal with her own ex-husband, who happens to be a demon. It’s all in a day’s work for this crew. An enthralling adventure, and a start to a well-thought-out series of books I hope are forthcoming. The world-building, based in the late Middle Ages/early renaissance middle east, is well-constructed and fascinating. In a year when I read a lot of amazing books, this was my favorite.
So, there we are, my favorite books I’ve read this year. What stood out to you from your own reading?