every book I read in 2024
and some thoughts whilst looking back
I have always been an avid reader. I reread the same books as a kid because they were my pride and joy. I felt like I belonged amongst the words, within the narratives and imagined myself in these scenes as they played out.
2025 has come around and I want to spend some time going over everything I read this year. I read a grand total of 55 books! My goal was 52! Well done me!1
I wasn’t originally going to post this reading wrap up, but after seeing
’s post, I decided what the hell! let’s make this my first substack post of 2025!
Kingdomland by Rachael Allen — My first poetry collection of the year! I read this in the run up to God Complex, her next poetry collection, being published. Allen is a poet to watch out for!
Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly — I read when helping to decide the shortlist for the Waterstones Debut Prize, which it was selected for. This was my vote to win the prize overall however, Glorious Exploits won.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers — 5 out of 5 stars! Best book I read all year! This is a warm cuppa tea! I read this when I went through a bit of depression and this made things better. I’m been saving the sequel to read as my first book of 2025 to start the year off right.
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed — Is the second best Erl King and one of the better dark cottagecore setting novels I read this year. It’s a novella too!
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan — follows a Malayan mother who becomes an unlikely spy for the invading Japanese forces during WWII. It’s also a family saga and follows the mother’s children during the war. One hundred percent worth the read if you are fine with the heavy topics it deals with.
Freakslaw by Jane Flett — A chaotic, found family of circus performers arrive in a conservative, quiet Scottish town and work their (literal) magic. Lots of queer rep and (if I remember correctly) disability rep too!
Best Hex Ever by Nadia el-Fassi — The only romance I read this year and it was *chefs kiss*! Thanks once again to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ARC!
Be Not Afraid of Love by Mimi Zhu — is one of those where I read it at the right time in my life. I was at a crossroads mentally and this book helped me sort through the fog. It also started my love of self-help memoirs!
Fragile Animals by Genevieve Jagger — though this just missed the mark for me (I rated this 4.5), I still had to mention it. Think: Fleabag with vampires: she is a closest queer with catholic guilt and he is a vampire. You’re welcome in advance. Also! Shoutout to a customer in the café I work at that selected this because of the rec card I made: I never thought that someone may actually read my rec card never mind actually buying it! You made my day!
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson — oh boy am I glad I gave this a second chance! Nelson is a writer you should be watching! Open Water is a love story about two black artists in London, their families, black culture and to London itself.
Butter by Asako Yuki — was a surprise! I went in with the mindset it was going to be like A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers and I could not have been more wrong. Instead, Butter is a luscious commentary on misogyny, food culture and crime within in Japan. It’s extremely well translated to the point where I wanted to take a hefty bite out of my paperback because of how layered the descriptions of food were. Be warned, however: do not read on an empty stomach!
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid — This is Reid’s first young adult novel so I was curious to see how it compared to her other work. And it does well! Please just bare with this until the protagonist gets to the manor; her character arc improves once she is out of the toxic academic environment.
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson — Open Water cemented Nelson as one of my favourite authors. Small Worlds did not disappoint! Please, please, PLEASE write and publish another book, Nelson! You can’t see but I’m on my knees begging.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin — One of the best pieces of literature I have ever read. You’ll be doing yourself a favour if you do too.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield — Is really interesting and my first read of any of Armfield’s work. Without spoiling anything, this didn’t go how I predicted; then when I continued reading and revised my predictions, I was wrong again.
The Eyes are the Best by Monika Kim — is a debut writer you need to have your eyes on, pun (un)intended.
Roadside Picnic by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky — I read because it’s my partner’s favourite book. I wasn’t expecting to like this at all, yet even two months later, Red and his journey and the way it made me feel, floats on my chest. A science fiction classic for a reason.
She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark — is her first short story collection. Despite missing the same appeal as Boy Parts, She’s Always Hungry is unique and full of surprises. My favourite was the alien plant story. This was also my last read of the year as I didn’t get the chance to read at all in December. #hospitalityatchristmas
Thanks for reading!
Currents:
Bird and Blend’s Deckchair Dreaming Tea (or “chamomile & apple sleepytime tea” as it’s described on their website) — big shoutout to my sister who got me this and a BUNCH of other teas for Christmas. You might just make a tea drinker out of me yet.
Writing — Ethel Cain’s new album has inspired a urge in me to write. I wrote my undergraduate dissertation entirely to Preacher’s Daughter. I wonder what I will create with this one…
Love from,
Hannah
(ig, spotify, goodreads, letterboxd)
Although between you and me, I was secretly hoping to crack 60 books this year. I did between 2019-2021, which is understandable when you consider the state of the world at that point in time. But those three years seem like an age ago and I want to see if I can still do it.
loved eyes are the best part!
Some fantastic reads on this list. I will note some of these titles.