Best Books of 2024

[m_oonmoon]

This post is so delayed. I was considering not making one at all (and I haven't posted on instagram either like I normally would have done) but since I have time now, I figured why not. I'm not ranking them since I have not given this as much thought as I used to in the past years. In general, I read far less this year.

• The Woman Destroyed by Simone de Beauvoir

I remember reading this and being completely in awe of how much I understood the characters, even when I have never been in the same position they were in. I came out of this feeling like there is a universal experience of womanhood, to a certain extent. I am sure that's not true and can be taken as reductive of other women's experiences but it's a testament to de Beauvoir's writing prowess that she can make one empathize so deeply with her characters that one can almost follow the vicissitudes of their inner self.

• North Woods by Daniel Mason

This book features a big set of characters who are all connected by their relationship with a house in the woods of New England. The book spans centuries so it's interesting how one generation affects how the succeeding generations live, whether they know it or not. It's fascinating to see how the landscape changes and how it affects (and is affected by) the people who inhabit it. The image of the apple orchard is forever engraved in my head.

• Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

I love this book so much. It's a strong contender for top 1 if I were forced to rank these books. There is so much heart and tenderness in this novel. I am not a religious person at all but nevertheless felt that there was something beautiful about the way John Ames, the narrator, sees the world through the lens of his faith. I loved it so much that I immediately went and read the second book in the tetralogy. I was less impressed by that one, as it felt too winding without reaching a point. That does not dampen by enthusiasm for the series though and I am determined to finish it by this year.

• Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

I felt genuine excitement and thrill while reading this book. Much like Gilead, I also read the next installment as soon as I got hold of it. The second book did not disappoint but Harlem Shuffle is a more solid book, in my opinion. It's social commentary packaged in a fun heist. I was dismayed at how many people found this disappointing. From what i understand, they were looking for Ocean's 11 but got something else instead. Anyway, I'm glad I went into this blind because the experience was much more enjoyable that way.

• The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

Worlds of Exile and Illusion cemented my commitment to read anything of Le Guin that I can find so when I came across this book i just had to get it. It did not disappoint. I found the premise to be very interesting and it was executed very well. Le Guin does not offer solutions and it's fun to think about it long after you've finished the novel. I wrote a review of sorts here, if you're interested.