Oliver's Books of 2024
Thursday 05 December 2024
What are my favourites among the books that I've read this year?
This year, I've read some brilliant books. I've rated 18 books 5/5 stars, which is uncharacteristically generous!
However, the following books, listed in chronological order, are my favourites. These are the books I will come back to, and would recommend that you try out!
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Possibly not the most original first pick, but this is a cracking book which I finally got around to reading this year. The character development was excellent, and I thought the approach to storytelling was different and eminently enjoyable. Other people I've spoken to either loved it or hated it, but I very much enjoyed it. Would recommend!
Ninth House
Probably one of my favourite books of the year. In a cross between Harry Potter and The Secret History, Leigh Bardugo has succeeded in building an incredibly vivid, intricate world. The plot is fab, but for me the detail that this book contains was what really set it apart. You really feel like you're there, which is such a great feeling! There's also a sequel, and apparently a TV series in the works... Excellent.
The Song Of Achilles
Another cutting-edge recommendation! The Song of Achilles was another brilliant book - a true page turner, I felt invested in all the characters, and was able to empathise with them too (not always a given in books like this). The Ancient Greek setting was the cherry on top!
Jog On
I think Bella Mackie is a phenomenal author - I love her combination of sarcasm and dry wit, and I think How to Kill Your Family is one of my favourite books in the genre. I really enjoyed 'Jog On' too; it wasn't always a cheery read, but it had an important message, and provided a lot of food for thought.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
A book that has been recommended to be roughly 2-trillion times, The House in the Cerulean Sea lived up to my expectations. The beautiful prose and vivid descriptions help to make it a stunning read, and help bring you all the way into the world of the book. Brilliant.
I Must Betray You
My final recommendation is I Must Betray You. It's been been on my want-to-read list for ages, but I finally got around to it this year. The book showed the horrors of life in Ceaușescu's Romania in a very clear way - there were no deep, graphic descriptions of violence. Everything was very deliberate, and always contributed to the (excellent) storytelling. A gripping read.