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My favorite books of 2024 by genre. Today's fiction picks are deeply emotional as well as well written. THE HORSE by Willy Vlautin, SANDWICH by Catherine Newman and PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers.
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A collection of stories of women. Some are new parents, some are mothers with grown children, some are just tired. Each one left me hanging somewhat which is probably why they feel true. Each one is a jagged raw edge and will feel authentic to women going through similar stages in their lives. 3 1/2 stars  Katherine is married to a doctor and their grown children are happy - life is good until she gets the feeling that someone is following her. As things escalate she finds an ally in a good samaritan with skills in dealing with people up to no good. All signs point to her husband but could it be someone else who is wanting to get rid of her? There is still a good story here but I felt that too many coincidences were happening to make it and the ending plausible. Her fans will be happy but I think this one was not published when the author was alive for a reason. 3 stars  1964 Helen is working as an art therapist at a mental institution and covertly having an affair with one of the married psychologists she works with. Her sister worries that she will never settle down and Helen herself doesn't see her life progressing. When a traumatized man who has spent most of his life hidden in a house by his elderly aunts is admitted to the institution Helen tries to help him reconnect with his art and the outside world. She also tries to help her teen niece who is struggling to find independence from Helen's sister. In the end it is Helen who must find a way out of a dead end relationship and take charge of her own life. This is a thoughtful look at people more comfortable in the shadows and the author takes her time drawing these shy creatures out into the sunshine. 3 1/2 stars  Magda is a psychiatrist who has the difficult problem of having to analyze herself while on a roadtrip with her recently deceased best friend. Sara planned the trip years ago for their 70th birthdays but now it is Magda who must grieve the loss of Sara, of their friendship and lost years in general. Driving cross country with your friend's ashes riding shotgun isn't everyone's idea of a fun time but Magda feels like she owes it to Sara to do this trip. Skirting across country she does meet some interesting people who set off some sparks and comes away with a better understanding of Sara and herself through Sara's old letters and many one way conversations with the urn and defunct text messages. This is a thoughtful jaunt not completely without incidents but it does beg the reader to let go of regret, take a leap of faith and grab those second chances for love that may come along the way. A solid roadtrip readalike would be GRACELAND by Nancy Crochiere. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator doesn't get any better than Cynthia Nixon. 4 stars  Libby is at her best surrounded by the book characters in her beloved children's books and her dog. But she has just been given an alarming death sentence and life has become a complicated puzzle she can't unravel. Her editors don't care because she is overdue to hand over the final chapter in the book series, the fans are getting restless and Libby is at a loss as to how to continue it. She finds help in super fan Peanut who offers her spin on how the book should proceed. Of course the path to the town and what happens after is not without potholes. She just might find that in order to save the book children she might have to save herself and a few others along the way. A heartbreaker of a story with wonderful broken characters who, along with Libby, fit like perfect puzzle pieces so beautifully. All those obsessive Harry Potter fans might be looking into a mirror and it touches on how high we place some authors atop a pedestal they can't help but fall off of. For book fans of THE WISHING GAME, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY and the tragic characters of ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK - this is your kind of book. 4 1/2 stars  Many single women found themselves on the doorstep of hotels like the Biedermeier in the 60's New York. Safe, somewhat affordable and respectable they allowed many women their first taste of being on their own in a room to call their own. Welcome to The Biedermeier where a diverse group of women gather, each trying to live up to high expectations of what the modern independent woman looks like with a few who just want a rich husband! The montage of characters from the woman who tries to keep the hotel financially afloat , to the floor managers who try to keep half an eye on all the little chicks to the residents themselves - are all funny, tragic and tough as nails. This slim novel packs a lot of history of the hotels and the changing society of 60's New York written in a slice of life approach that will charm and delight. Readers of Fiona Davis THE DOLLHOUSE or fans of MAD MEN will find much to love. 4 stars  Mike Brink's mind is still a puzzle to him and others but he is one of the few true savants who can solve the unsolvable. He is beckoned to Japan by the royal family for the challenge of a lifetime - solve the ancient wooden puzzle box under the rays of a full moon unopened for over 150 years. The true challenge is to survive the dangers within the puzzle and avoiding the bad guys who also want what is in it. This leads Mike and a few friends on a merry jaunt across Japan one step ahead of the dangers within the clues and those bent on stopping him. The ancient history of Japan and the grace and beauty of their culture makes for the yin of a high speed dangerous chase with the yang of ancient wisdom, patience and skill required to open the box. Danielle Trussoni once again takes us on a journey of wonder and takes her place among the historical thriller masters that tie in the art world like Dan Brown, Steve Berry and Daniel Silva. Even though this story continues with the characters in THE PUZZLE MASTER it is easy to follow the storyline as a standalone. 4 stars  Many single women found themselves on the doorstep of hotels like the Biedermeier in the 60's New York. Safe, somewhat affordable and respectable they allowed many women their first taste of being on their own in a room to call their own. Welcome to The Biedermeier where a diverse group of women gather, each trying to live up to high expectations of what the modern independent woman looks like with a few who just want a rich husband! The montage of characters from the woman who tries to keep the hotel financially afloat , to the floor managers who try to keep half an eye on all the little chicks to the residents themselves - are all funny, tragic and tough as nails. This slim novel packs a lot of history of the hotels and the changing society of 60's New York written in a slice of life approach that will charm and delight. Readers of Fiona Davis THE DOLLHOUSE or fans of MAD MEN will find much to love. 4 stars  11 year old John Reddy Heart and his glamorous and mysterious mom arrive in a small New York town in the 60's. John Reddy is the stuff of dreams for all the girls and the envy of all the boys until a murder happens at the Heart home and John is the only suspect. He is charged and suddenly his attraction is seen as dangerous. The book feels like a beauty salon/barbershop conversation that runs over several decades. The writing style is poetic or exhausting. An ode to high school full of yearning, confusion and loneliness. 3 stars  |
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