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2024 - My Year in Books

On the last day of 2024, it is lovely to be writing to you all. I have a glass of lemonade with 2 cocktail cherries by my side, a ramekin of Quality Street which I am sure is multiplying faster than a set of randy rabbits. Here in North Yorkshire, t is chucking it down with rain, a number of New Year celebrations cancelled already due to threatening high winds, rain and snow. But I am happy as twinkly lights are up still over our village and Christmas has been wonderful.

We have enjoyed a perfect blend of relaxation, family, friends, reading, Board games, good eats and of course plenty of new books. How was your Christmas? Did you celebrate Jolobokaflod? I received 2 wonderful books for Jolobokaflod, Countdown to Christmas by Jo Thomas and A Book for Christmas by Selma Lagerlof. The latter is a gorgeous book, linen covering with a beautiful image that we will order for above our mantlepiece.

Now, my thoughts turn to the New Year, but first we need our annual look back over 2025. Goodreads has delivered on the stats. And just as in previous years, I'm looking back at the books I read and selecting my favourites.

The Stats

So the good news is that I achieved my reading challenge! I set a target on Goodreads of 50 books, because I turned 50 in 2024 But I actually read 66 books (132%). Woohoo!

Favourite Rediscovery of the Year

Christmas in the Snow by Karen Swan - Classic Karen Swan - snow, a glamorous location, an incident in the past and it's effect on the future. Wonderful.

Winter Solstice - This has featured in the past on the blog, and this Christmas I read it again. I credit this novel with calming me right down after the usual mad-run up to Christmas and putting me in the festive spirit.

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow - Imagine reading about the atmosphere created following the falling of snow. Beautiful crime mystery, quiet and brilliant.

Favourite Fiction Novel

October, October by Katya Balen - One of the 12 books I received from my friends to celebrate my 50th birthday. Gorgeous young adult novel about the importance of nature, and spreading your wings.

Weyward by Emilia Hart - Recommended by my well-read father-in-law, this tells the story of 3 women from different times and what it means to be Weyward.

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden - Brilliant, atmospheric novel written as a homage to Jane Eyre. I could not put this down.

Favourite Crime Novel

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - Back in November I had my crystal ball out and predicted that this would feature on my favourite books of the year list. It's excellent, and I think I liked it more than the Thursday Murder Club.

The Trial by Rob Rinder - A real page-turner with plenty of insight about being a Barrister. I'm pleased to say, Santa brought me the next Rob Rinder novel and I can't wait.

The Mysterious Mr Badman by W.F. Harvey - I read this whilst on holiday in Grenada and had the most wonderful quote at the start of my review which still tickles me today.

Favourite Comfort Read

Snug in Iceland by Victoria Walker - One of my #12booksofchristmas I loved this novel which featured a shop set-up, and a romance in Iceland (the country not the frozen goods store).

Village Centenary by Miss Read - I've read a number of my beloved Miss Read books this year. It feels fitting, as it is all about the centenary of the village school.

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore - This is the 2nd year in a row that Laurie Gilmore has appeared on my books of the year list. This is Autumn in a book, perfect for fans of The Gilmore Girls.

The Book I thought would never end

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - This took me about 15 years to read from start to finish. It felt a lot longer.

Books of the Year

And so, we come to it.....drumroll please......My top 3 books are....

1st Place - Miss Smilla's Feeling For Snow by Peter Hoeg AND Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher

2nd Place - Christmas in the Snow by Karen Swan

3rd Place - We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

And that is your lot for 2024 folks. What's been your read of the year?

All that remains is to wish you a very Happy New Year, know I am sending you all the very best for a wonderful, joyous and peaceful 2025.