Marci Evans’ Annual Book Round-Up for 2024
If you’ve been reading my posts for a bit, you already know that each January I post an annual book round-up.
2024 was a less typical reading year. I have been spending a lot of time reading scientific literature, which means I’ve read fewer work-related books and more books just for fun. Below I’m sharing the books I rated 5 stars on Goodreads but you can head over to my Goodreads profile if you want to see the rest!
Here are my 5 star books by the date I read them.
Bright Young Women: A Novel by Jessica Knoll
This book is brilliantly researched and written – a revisioning of the events and impact of a famous serial killer but from the perspective of the women. The way Knoll pulls the various plot lines through time and between characters was expertly executed (no pun intended). And while the content is difficult, reimagining the story as told by two female protagonists was incredibly gratifying. This book totally exceeded my expectations. The audio performances are fantastic.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
There are so many important works of fiction I’ve yet to read and this one had been on my list for years. WOW. There is a reason Walker won the Pulitzer for this one. Her writing and these characters went right to my soul. The depth, the wisdom – good golly this hit me deep. I’m really going to miss Celie.
A Trick of the Light & How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series (soon to be 20 books long) is one of my very favorite series. The writing, superb. The characters, complex and compelling. The plot always keeps me guessing. Even if you like stories of murder, but also want depth and truly excellent storytelling, there is no one better.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Ooh this was great fun – a novel about 3 women whose lives come crashing together during WWII when they are hired (secretly) to work as code breakers for Britain. I love a good historical fiction and the author’s end notes about the real people her characters were based on made it all the better. Great writing, excellent character development, a plot that kept moving with unexpected twists along the way. Fantastic audio narrator too!
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
I’m not usually one for horror but a client urged me to read this one and I’m so glad she did. I had a hard time rating this book because reading it was so horrific and stressful. And yet, the writing and the story itself is utterly brilliant. Due tells a fictionalized story of a real time and place we should know about and reckon with. This book is excellent but it will haunt you.
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan
As someone with virtually little education or understanding about the historical context for the current day conflict in Palestine – I searched for a book to step me through the history but in an accessible way. Tolan provides this in spades. He tells of this slice of history through two families, primarily two people, who lived in the same home at different times. Tolan weaves together the history alongside the narrative of these two families which helped me to remain connected to not only the “facts” but the heart of the issues. I found a great deal of value in this book.
The Word is Murder & The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
You may have caught on but I LOVE a great murder/detective book. And I cannot express how much I adore Anthony Horowitz. Both of these books, which are part of a longer series were both page turning fantastically fun.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
This book is pretty close to perfection for me. A page turning mystery coupled with characters that are so rich, complex, and REAL. I loved spending decades with Patch and Saint despite the agonizing paths this story takes. Lots of twists, turns, thought provoking issues to think about. At the heart of this book is relationships – how they affect us and how deeply we need them.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Alright, line this book up for the summer. This mystery is set at a summer camp and alternates between two timelines and how events past and present collide. Great writing and plenty of suspense to keep me guessing until the end.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
I saw this book EVERYWHERE and honestly went in expecting to like but not love it. Oh my gosh I loved this book. It was a page turning thriller of a read. I didn’t realize I was in for such suspense! This book covers so many fascinating topics: plagiarism, authorship, publishing, writing, cancel culture, social media, and, of course, racism. It was interesting, thought provoking, and Kuang writes such nuanced characters that I had such a variety of feelings about. Of course I should hate the protagonist! But I didn’t! I found myself rooting for her in a dark and twisted way. Now that is horror for you and I didn’t even know that’s what I was headed in for.
Mind Your Gut: The Science-Based, Whole-Body Guide to Living with IBS by Kate Scarlata and Megan Riehl
As a clinician I am so thrilled this book exists. It is comprehensive but manageable and filled with so much practical and actionable advice. The authors truly focus on a multi-faceted approach and highlight the importance of keeping as liberal of a diet as possible. I can’t imagine there being a better book on IBS out there.
Body Image Inside Out: A Revolutionary Approach to Body Image Healing by Deb Schachter and Whitney Otto
Deb and Whitney have written the body image book I’ve longed to hand to all of my clients. Through relatable vignettes and engaging exercises, they answer the illusive question, “what do I do with how badly I feel in and about my body?” Our bodies have never been the problem. And Body Image Inside Out shows readers that not only are our bodies not a problem to be solved but that turning towards our negative body image has the power to reveal what we most need to know about ourselves. If you have ever struggled with your body image, there’s something in this book for you. Clinicians, get this book on your shelves STAT. You’ll be armed with indispensable tools to utilize with your clients.
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson
If you haven’t followed Dr. Richardson’s work, she is a preeminent scholar and American historian at Boston College. Her substack has 1.8 million followers. This book, an epic recounting of our nation’s history, provides vital insight to understanding our politics of today. I consider it ESSENTIAL reading.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
I did not expect to fall in love with this book. But fall in love I did. I have gifted this book more than any other book this year. It tells the history (or a history) of Iran from the 1950’s to present day through the friendship of two girls who become women. Kamali’s writing is so rich you feel you are smelling, seeing, and hearing everything she is describing. I was truly captivated by the story, the characters but also the Iranian history, culture, and cuisine. A darn near perfect book.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout is one of my very favorite authors. She writes about what it is to be human but does so with such language and care that her stories and characters pull my heart. As I read her words, I think, “yes, that’s it, that’s exactly how it is.” Her books are also set in Maine which is fun for a New Englander like me. Keep in mind that this book is part of a series, so I strongly suggest starting with book 1 of the Amgash series, “My Name is Lucy Barton.” Give it a go and thank me later.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Coates is a lyrical, masterful writer. His writing always challenges me to pause, reflect, and allow my mind and heart to consider a lived experience wholly different from my own.
In this book he writes on themes related to narratives and mythmaking, which is something I talk about in my work all the time. Our minds are story making machines, sometimes to our own disadvantage and pain. He takes us various places to explore the space between myth and reality. In particular, his reflections on his visit to Palestine were deeply illuminating for me – not only for building a more nuanced understanding of the Palestinian occupation but also for deepening my understanding of African American history here in the US.
James by Percival Everett
If you haven’t heard, “James” is a re-telling of Huckleberry Finn but from the perspective of the slave Jim. If you are like me, you hear Huck Finn and think, “no thank you, I did that in 7th grade and do not need a re-do.”
OMG YES YOU DO. Because I had never read Percival Everett before I had no idea he was a literary genius. This book was Wrenching, powerful, brilliant storytelling…oh and a nice side of sweet revenge. There’s a reason it won the National Book Award – get your hands on this one.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I read this book at Christmas time which was quite perfect. A beautifully written, urgently needed, perspective shifting call to engage with the earth and others differently.
I’m moved by the author’s depiction of a gift economy and want to live in her world. I’m always so touched by Robyn’s wisdom. Listening to her kind but deeply moving voice was almost hypnotic. The audiobook was a lovely addition to my nighttime puzzle hobby.
What it Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World by Prentiss Hemphill
Only a beautiful and generous soul could write such a moving, thoughtful, and wise book. Prentiss blends the individual healing work and social justice work in helpful and accessible ways with prose that went right to my heart. Lots of underlining – a book to come back to. I especially loved the chapter on courage.
Please tell me what your favorite book was from 2024. What book should I add to my shelf?!
Come over to my Instagram and let me know!
Wondering what I recommended last year? You can read the book round up from 2023 here.