A year in books 2024
Highlights from my 2024 reading list
This won’t actually be a full year in books because, once again, I failed at my resolution of keeping a record of all the books I read this year. So highlights it is. The books mentioned are ones that I really enjoyed (and remembered) or I found really interesting.
Some of these may be affiliate links, depending on how lazy I was, but, if you are interested in any of them, I encourage you to check your local library first — support libraries and get books for free. Win win! Then, if you really enjoy it, you can buy your own copy … like I recently did with An Immense World.
Fiction
You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo. This was a new author to me … I now have the sequel on my shelf. If you like a fun adventure filled with a quirky crew, check it out.
The Lady Astronaut series (so far) & The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal. I liked the alternate history of the first series. And The Spare Man is a sci-fi murder mystery … two of my loves in one book.
Chaos Terminal by Mur Lafferty. This is a sequel to Station Eternity, which I picked up based on its cover and enjoyed — sometimes you can judge a book by its cover? I really enjoyed the quirky take on a sci-fi mystery. The Sundry are the best.
The rest of the Murderbot series by Martha Wells (which means books 3-7 and 4.5). I want more Murderbot. What else can I say? It’s fun and action-packed with a seasoning of snark.
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve ready by this author so far. The House in The Cerulean Sea is the gold standard, but the rest are also thoroughly enjoyable. If you enjoy great characters, all the feels, and a happy ending, you might like them too.
The Interdependency series by John Scalzi, starting with The Collapsing Empire. I picked up this series at the used book store, feeling like I should read more of the big names. Unusually, I read through the whole series one right after the other. The universe was interesting and I enjoyed some of the characters a lot.
The Blighted Stars by Megan O’Keefe. I’ve read most of The Scorched Continent series, this author’s fantasy offering, and enjoyed it so I thought I’d take a chance o her sci-fi. Once again, I enjoyed this so much that book 2 is now on my TBR shelf. The world-building is interesting and I like the developing relationship.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman + Jay Kristoff. I don’t yet have the sequel to this on my shelf but I wouldn’t be surprised if this one shows up.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. It’s just lovely. That is all.
I’m sure there are more that I’m missing because I forgot to keep my List of Books Read yet again. Next year, I’m pretty sure August Kitko and the Mechas from Space will be on the list — it’s what’s currently on my night table.
Non-Fiction
I know I’ve read more non-fiction than I’ve listed here — but I won’t subject you to recommendations on tomes about ancient seafaring or how The Plague shaped the world we live in.
African Europeans by Olivette Otele discusses the extensive history of people of African ancestry in Europe. This is a history that I certainly wasn’t taught growing up. The book was interesting but I’d love if it had gone deeper on some of the individuals mentioned, which I guess means I need to seek out some biographies.
The Bolter by Francis Osborne tells the story of Idina Sackville, member of the Happy Valley set, who couldn’t live the life society expected of her. I enjoy these types of biographies. She certainly wasn’t your average person — she certainly didn’t live an average life — but she’s also not a household name.
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by Gideon Defoe talks about, well, countries that no longer exist … including some that maybe never really existed. The only downside for me is that I wish it had actually been a book with maps … and maybe photos. I’d buy that.
Books for your TBR shelf
If that’s not enough for you — or you know someone looking to stock a new ereader with some sci-fi adventure — you still have a few days to grab a mega bundle of books by myself and my Armchair Alien co-conspirator for half the cost of the books individually.
Happy Reading!
— CR
Where to find my books
If you’d like to read any of my sci-fi or urban fantasy books, you can find them at your favourite online retailers. Or you can buy them direct from me on the Armchair Alien store.
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