Books #33

[nbt]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

Aside from The Passengers which was a reread, I’d have to say Prima Facie

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

Seventeen by Joe Gibson

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

Again, Prima Facie. But also special mention to The Satsuma Complex, Clickbait, Remarkably Bright Creatures and Geneva. I believe all of these, I enjoyed so much more because I listened to them rather than read them.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

The Next Mrs Parrish was very boring, which was a disappointment after I loved the first.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

My average rating is 3.6, but I actually rated 49 out of 128 books, 4 stars

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

I don’t tend to preorder books or even look ahead to see what’s being released. I try and read new books by my favourite authors quite quickly, but am very much a mood reader

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

After having a couple of years of reading 100+ books, I’m actually going to set my goal to a more achievable 50 next year. I have 6 physical books from my bookshelf picked out and these are

Abroad in Japan
The Shining
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Rachel’s Holiday
I am Pilgrim
Blue Sisters

I’d also like to read my kindle every day

 

[epl000]

@nbt Reading your kindle every day is a good goal - v achievable but also a good habit to get into. I might steal that one

 

[Hannahebee]

I also surprised myself by enjoying a cheesy F1 romance, Before You

I'm glad you enjoyed Before You @StrawberryBanana90.

 

[ToolaRoola]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

It has to be Remarkably Bright Creatures as it's the only book I gave 5*. The Women by Kristen Hannah would be up there with it (I only marked it down because I was annoyed everyone fell in love with her ).

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

Rough Justice by Wendy Joseph KC.

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller is another favourite but as I saw the play first, the book fell slightly short to me.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

Picking something I've not mentioned above, I really liked The other half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

RBC took my heart completely unexpectedly

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

My average is 3.5

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

I've never pre ordered a book and pay zero attention to what is coming out!

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

Again, I need to read my physical books. I've not read one for 2 years now.

Get my Kindle list down. I started the year with 142 unread and ending it with 167 even after reading some.

 

[HoGi]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
The Change by Kirsten Miller

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
I only read 2 non-fiction this year so need to improve on that next year. It would be Seventeen by Joe Gibson

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
Good surprise, The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary, for a rom com it was quite pacey and kept me engaged.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
3.75

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
Witchcraft for Weyward Girls by Grady Hendrix
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
The Names by Florence Knapp
Claire Daverley's as yet untitled novel
Author of The Stranding, Kate Sawyer has a new book coming, so as soon as that is available for preorder I will order that too.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
I want to try and clear some of my TBR and unhaul some books. I might set my goal as 3 a week, so 156, as I am not far from that this year.

 

[StephenTJackson]

2024 Reading Roundup

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
This will come as no surprise, The Will of the Many by James Islington. I've been raving about this book all year, my favourite book of the year, and one of my favourite books of all time.

The whole premise of the story, the world building, the concept of "will" the characters, the depth of all the development of characters and works building all perfectly balanced within the plot and pacing of the story.

A genre I didn't particularly read, but fate led me to this book and it made my year. No other sci-fi/fantasy etc. book I've read all year has had anywhere near the same impact or been of the same quality.

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
The Earth Transformed - Peter Frankopan. This was just the most fascinating account of how environmental events have shaped the planet, the development of the planet, societies, economies etc. Just really interesting, presented so well, Frankopan just keeps you really really engaged throughout. Highly recommend this book.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
N/A - don't listen to audio books.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
The Ministry of Time - Kaliane Bradley. This was a book so ridiculously hyped up by the industry and praised as being a truly great book.

However, it was the exact opposite. It was terrible. An interesting idea, and a great premise for a novel, unbelievably badly executed. A main character that was just present for the entire story, but not actively participating. Romantic relationship that came out of nowhere for me and didn't feel authentic and real.

The Ministry aspect of the story was undeveloped for me, and really could've been so much more, even the people pulled out of their time, more could've been made of them adapting.

It just didn't work. And wasn't good. It could've been so good. But it was just so bad.

Doctor Zhivago - Boris Pasternak, a classic but I don't know why. It's just an entire book where nothing happens.

The Secrets of Strangers - Charity Norman, this was brilliant. The characters you got so invested in. The back stories. The way you cared about them, and ultimately end up rooting for the "bad guy" who you think is good, and the "victim" is the real bad guy.

Honourable Mention (Good Reads)
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus
The Mars House - Natasha Pulley
Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out - Ryan Love

Dishonourable Mentions (Bad Reads)
One Love - Matt Cain
Frontier & Floating Hotel - both by Grace Curtis
The Fury - Alex Michaelides


If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
I don't rate books particularly. But I've have a good year of reading. Got through plenty, too many average books. Would've liked to have done more non-fiction, but it's so hard sometimes to read a heavy non fiction, you need to be in the right headspace for it. Have explored more sci-fi fantasy as a result of reading The Will of the Many, but have been left disappointed by the rest of what I've read in that genre.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
The books I have pre-ordered are technically already published as hardbacks, but I'm waiting for the paperbacks, so they go with what I already have. Ordered The Suspect by Rob Rinder, surprisingly enjoyed his first novel. Also ordered Witness 8, the Eddie Flynn series are just brilliant start to finish, love them.

Should the sequel to The Will of the Many be published next year, that is what I'm most anticipating.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
Really, probably should try for less quantity because there was a lot of rit this year, less Amazon novella rubbish, more get through the shelves of physical books, the classics I have, work through them, be willing to DNF a bad book. Work through the shelves a bit more, be more selective with what I buy.

 

[Katykatykaty]

Spoiler: 25 Days - day 23

Well that was an explosive and tense chapter. I felt sick when the shop owner arrived, I could see it all going downhill very quickly after there had finally been some hope.
When Adam was being held at gunpoint and pointing at the gas canisters, I had images of The Hunger Games when Peeta tells Katniss to shoot Cato’s hand and knew it would be a great trick.

Annoyingly I accidentally clicked a page too far on my kindle clicker at the end and know that the next chapter is one minute long which makes me really want to read on but I won’t! I’ve come this far, can’t give in now!

 

[AllieBee]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

Favourite fiction: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Didn't read non fiction nor listen to audio books
Surprises: Good - Weyward, didn't enjoy to start but ended up loving it. Bad - Beartown.
Average rating: 3.97 on Goodreads
No plans to pre order book, I'm aiming to dent my tbr first, but I made the same resolution last year and failed miserably
Goals for next year: Keep my target at 104, I've managed 127 books this year.
Read In Memoriam.
Rechallenge myself with Beartown, I started but bailed, but am going to persist.
Try a different genre, I like crime thrillers, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, want to try some fanfic as its not on my radar and I have FOMO.
Make a big dent in my TBR.
Not to buy any new books till I've read at least 50 of my TBR.

That's it!

 

[Smca53]

Also ordered Witness 8, the Eddie Flynn series are just brilliant start to finish, love them.

I think you will (I hope) enjoy this, I read it last week and keep thinking about how I’m already anticipating the next one (which is due to be published July next year)

Your post has also convinced me to push The Will of the Many up my TBR!

 

[nbt]

Well, quite a short chapter but clicking on to the next page and seeing…

Spoiler: Day 25 - chapter title

”One Year Later” has me like arrrrrghhh. I want to know now!!

God I’m so tempted to read on today

 

[Lorny]

Well, quite a short chapter but clicking on to the next page and seeing…

Spoiler: Day 25 - chapter title

”One Year Later” has me like arrrrrghhh. I want to know now!!

God I’m so tempted to read on today

I was the same, I read day 24 just after midnight and thought oh it’s just one day, may as well finish it. I stood strong though I’ve come this far, I’m sure I can wait 🫣

 

[Katykatykaty]

I was the same, I read day 24 just after midnight and thought oh it’s just one day, may as well finish it. I stood strong though I’ve come this far, I’m sure I can wait 🫣

We can do it!!

 

[Blueblue123]

Well, quite a short chapter but clicking on to the next page and seeing…

Spoiler: Day 25 - chapter title

”One Year Later” has me like arrrrrghhh. I want to know now!!

God I’m so tempted to read on today

Me too! But I'll be good.

 

[anniemouse]

I was tempted too! But instead I read on with Everyone This Christmas has a secret as it was on Day 24 and then there was just an epilogue to follow.

 

[Harlot O'Scara]

2024 READING ROUND UP

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

- The Mirror & the Light - Hilary Mantel
- The Firman - Joe Hill
- Diva - Daisy Goodwin
- Recursion - Blake Crouch

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

- Empire of Pain - Patrick Radden Keefe
- Tomorrowland - Steven Kotler
- Hiroshima - John Hersey

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

Don't do audio books, I can't concentrate on them.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

Good surprise -The Fireman & Diva, I was expecting to like them but I absolutely loved them both

Bad surprise - Lorna Doone. It's supposed to be a classic but it's tedious.

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

I've given out quite a few 5 this year - clearly a good year! But I've also given out quire a few 2s, 3s and even a 1!

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

I don't tend to keep up with new releases tbh, unless one happens to catch my eye while browsing.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

Quantity wise, I'd like to aim for 75 next year but that might be pushing it.

I'd like to get more through my TBR but I know I'll just end up adding to it!

 

[ordinaryjelly]

Spoiler: 25 Days, Day 24

I am glad they were all rescued and appear mostly OK. Who raised the alarm though?

There are a lot of loose ends to tie up in this final chapter. I wonder if they will ask be or ipf we will be left hanging.

What was wrong with Beth and Adam's relationship before they came?

Will Beth forgive Adam for taking them to this cabin?

Just who was snowmobile person and why did they have an issue with the family?

Why was snowmobile person happy to leave Bill for dead?

What was the point of the stocking, the rabbit foot, finger, the slides etc.?

Why were we introduced to Miss Miller in the first couple of chapters to never hear from her again?

I had a bunch more questions but my mind ha gone blank. I'll be back.

This has been fun. I know we can't do this every month, but I hope we can find a book with similarly short chapters, that last a month and have a storyline that keep us guessing. We all have such different opinions about how this will end and some of us have stepped into a genre we wouldn't usually touch.

@nbt thank you for bringing this to our December!

 

[Blueblue123]

Spoiler: Spoiler

I am glad they were all rescued and appear mostly OK. Who raised the alarm though?

Spoiler: 25 days, day 24

the previous chapter ended with Beth calling 911 but I agree, there are chunks missing. They obviously called the ambulance but surely they would have reported what happened to the police too.

 

[twilightgarden]

Spoiler: 25 Days Day 24

Short chapter today.
They all seem OK which feels very unrealistic to me. I was expecting the cleaning person to turn round and be snow mobile guy, remarkably unscathed after escaping from the petrol station
Is snow mobile guy definitely dead then? I was hoping for a chapter from his pov to see what on earth his motive was.
Intrigued by the title of the next chapter, there’s a lot to tidy up, I hope it isn’t a total cop out ending.
nonetheless this has been so fun to do and big thanks to @nbt for recommending it.

---

Spoiler: 25 days, day 24

the previous chapter ended with Beth calling 911 but I agree, there are chunks missing. They obviously called the ambulance but surely they would have reported what happened to the police too.

Spoiler

Maybe the police turned up then called the ambulance and I’m guessing fire brigade too?

 

[cherrymoon]

2024 Roundup.

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?
the sacred lies of minnow bly. My first five star read of the year. Absolutely devoured this book, I will never forget minnow, she’s left her mark on my heart.

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?
this is going to hurt by adam kaye. Fantastic insight and morbidly hilarious.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?
I’ve tried (and failed) to get into audio books so I only listened to one this year and it was none of this is true (notit ) but I enjoyed it.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?
I feel I will do my yearly roundup a disservice by not mentioning “the peen” not literary genius by any stretch of the imagination but I have never laughed reading a book so much and now have an arsenal of pumpkin puns to last me a lifetime!

I was sorely disappointed by the “I’m a therapist…” books. No amount of suspending disbelief could make me enjoy them, unfortunately

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.
probably 3/3.5

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?
No, I want to clear my tbr.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.
I’ve got about 20 physical books I’ve accumulated (honestly they just fell into my bag) this year so I want to read those first and foremost. I also need to clear my “mark for later” list.

 

[Smca53]

2024 Reading Roundup

What is your favourite fiction read of this year?

I’m stuck between Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift. Both had a big impact on me and I couldn’t stop thinking about them for ages after finishing them.

What is your favourite non fiction read of this year?

I haven’t logged any on Goodreads so I must not have read any this year (which is very unusual for me!). I have been getting into a wider range of podcasts this year though so think I’ve maybe been getting my non-fiction content from those.

What is your favourite audio book of this year?

I’ve only listened to a couple and haven’t really gelled with any of them.

What book/s surprised you good or bad? I.e did something not live up to your expectations or did any surpass any expectations you had for it?

ACOTAR - I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.

On the other hand, one of my beloved DCI Kett books was a bit of a letdown (Every Last Devil). I’m reading the next one just now though and thankfully it seems a lot better!

If you rate books what was your average rating and/or sum up your year of reading.

My Goodreads average rating is 3.3 I feel like I enjoyed my reading choices this year but I guess I’m a picky rater

Have you pre-ordered any books for 2025 yet / which books are you most looking forward to being released?

I enjoyed the current book club book, Happy Bloody Christmas (Jo Middleton), so much that I preordered the sequel for next year

I’m looking forward to Onyx Storm (Rebecca Yarros), but haven’t preordered.

Also very much looking forward to the ninth instalment in the Eddie Flynn series, having just finished the eighth one.

Do you have a list of books you are aiming to read next year or do you have any reading goals for the year ahead, this doesnt have to be quantity based or anything like that.

The rest of the ACOTAR series is on my list. But no other particular books (apart from those listed above).

I’m not sure what number of books I’m going to set as my target (maybe 50? It would be an improvement on this year, I’m expecting to end on around 45).

The last few years I’ve given myself lower targets for number of books, in the hopes it inspires me to commit to some of my longer TBRs. I think I’ll do the same again.

I think I’m going to try and properly get into audiobooks next year too. That’s going to be a focus. Also, less scrolling, more reading.