My Top 10 Books for 2024
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Stephen King
I’m in my read a lot phase.
For me, reading and writing ebb and flow, never synchronously, and never at the same pace or volume. Right now, I am reading a lot, but not writing as much as I’d like. I know plenty of excellent writers who set goals for each, from how many books to read in a year to how many words or minutes to write per day—and I want to like those methods. I have tried to like those methods. But alas, I have settled for greatly admiring the discipline of my friends and colleagues who crush their goals this way, and I’ve found a different system that works for me.
I’m a list-maker.
An achiever by nature, my ‘atta-girls’ come from checking off my to-do lists and watching my have-read list grow. For years, I have kept a list in the back of my annual goal planner of book titles as I complete them, to include audio books, handheld books, and manuscripts I read for work.
“You can't be a good writer without being a devoted reader.” J.K. Rowling
Morning, Noon, and Night
I was going through a particularly dry spell in terms of reading some years ago. Then, during the summer of 2022, I dove head-first into one book that catapulted me out of my slump. It was Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens. I became so engrossed in the story that once I finished the book, I was hungry for more, and I haven’t stopped reading since. I read 31 books that year, followed by 28 books in 2023. And I am on track to complete about 32 books for 2024. I typically read devotionals, spiritual books, and self-improvement during my quiet time of a morning. I listen to audio books in the car and occasionally while I get ready for the day. And I tuck myself in at night and curl up on the weekends with fiction.
A Book Is a Book
I fall into the camp that believes simply: a book is a book. Whether you read it with your eyes or listen to it with your ears, you have invested the time and energy to absorb new content, perspectives, and story-telling. My breakdown for this year is: 5 audio books, 16 books for pleasure, and 11 manuscripts for business.
“Read, read, read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.” William Faulkner
My Top 10 Books for 2024
I frequently highlight the talented authors I work with, so for the sake of this Top 10 list, I am keeping it to books I have read or listened to outside of work. Definitely watch for a complete list of my authors’ published works later this month as I recommend a fantastic gift-giving line up for Small Business Saturday (Nov 30, 2024), which follows Back Friday.
Spiritual
Towards Rest (a collaborative published by Alabaster Co.) An artistic collaborative revealing surprisingly fresh insight into the demand that production and consumption have on our well-being. The collection of authors inspire curiosity about the spiritual nourishment of rest.
Jesus Over Everything by Lisa Whittle The author candidly exposes her own revelations of what she calls the “deadly overs” (such as overworking and overcommitment) in an argument for Jesus over everything that competes for priority in our lives. I appreciate Whittle’s straightforward delivery of truth, even when it steps on my toes—well, especially then.
Audio Book
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Performed by Meryl Streep “Performed” is the correct word when referring Meryl Streeps delivery of this delightful, endearing novel by Ann Patchett. Streep nails so many voices in the dialogue, I found myself wondering how she did it. An exquisite audio book!
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, Read by the author Politics aside, Vance expertly conveys his difficult upbringing and personal story with the shared impact of socioeconomics on a population of rural Kentucky.
Nonfiction (Memoir)
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad In a beautifully written memoir that reads like fiction, Suleika recounts her journey with her family and love interests as a very young adult getting her start in the world when she is unexpectedly thrown about recklessly by cancer and the healing connections she makes along the way.
Fiction
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica Urban thriller. My best page turner of the year.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Vintage. Charming. Mysterious.
Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen Feminine empowerment in the 1960’s workplace.
Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry A very hard look through the eyes of a mother of a child abuser.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & J. F. Boylan A family’s journey through a teenage murder trial.
Thanks for checking out my list! I hope you find something that piques your interest and keeps you reading avidly—especially if you are a writer. There is so much to learn when we observe how our colleagues are pushing creative boundaries, breaking rules, and blowing our minds with insight and emotional depth. Happy reading!
Free Publishing Guide from Andria Flores
If we haven’t met yet, I am Andria Flores: author, editor, and recovering perfectionist. For more articles like this one, connection to a supportive author network, and trusted publishing resources, subscribe to my newsletter today. When you do, I’ll send you my free Publishing Guide as a gift, and I won’t blow up your inbox every week. My 40+ page eBook is a step-by-step guide through the publishing process, including tips, tricks, and links that you can use along the way. Get yours here!
Let’s connect! Message me here.
