The Love List: 2024 Edition

my five favorite books and other good things

Happy New Year, friends!

Are we going to read this year, or what?!

Goodreads tells me I read 36 books in 2024, six more than my stated goal. This number was purposefully lower than I wanted bc if you read more books than your goal, Goodreads sends you congratulatory messages and gold stars - which plays well into my “words of affirmation” love language. Know thyself, friends 😊 (underpromise and overdeliver :).

I enjoyed everything I read bc I rarely finish a book I don’t like (although three of these books were just okay for me - despite being big sellers).

In no particular order…

Five Favorite Reads:

1. The Women by Kristen Hannah, audiobook through Libby, read by Julia Whelan, Historical Fiction. Although this could be 100 pages shorter (my frequent critique of KH, sorry!), it was an incredible story of the combat nurses who served in Vietnam. Frankie McGrath is an idyllic 21-year-old new nurse with zero experience who enlists in the Vietnam war after her brother is killed in action. This is the story of a terrible war that should have never happened, and the aftermath of coming home to America, where much of the country was hostile to veterans and dismissive of women’s contributions. I was surprised by how often I was brought to tears by this story. A lot of graphic surgery (which I enjoy).

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Young Adult. Couldn’t put it down.

3. Hello Universe by Erin Entrada, Middle Grade. Loved it.

4. You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith, Memoir. SO GOOD.

5. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, Adult Fiction. See below.

My absolute #1 favorite book of the year? Cutting for Stone. Phenomenal storytelling and writing (love, tragedy, redemption, a lot of surgery). This story has stayed with me for months. Writers take note: Abraham V. does not churn out a book a year. He’s slow, thoughtful, and ponderous - and it shows in the best way.

These four may not have made my “top five” but they made my top ten!: Demon Copperhead (audio); What Happened to Rachel Riley; Lady Tan’s Circle of Women; and Tree, Table, Book.

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The Ups and Downs of 2024:

In January, my parents celebrated their 50 wedding anniversary. My siblings and spouses were all there. 50 years! We’ve been incredibly blessed by this union and example <3

I did some art, painted some things.

I was lucky enough to travel to NYC, Cape Cod, Montreal, England, Scotland, and Iceland, and Iowa.

The McNifficents came out in paperback (and sold better than hardcover, following the middle grade book trend).

I had more school and library visits - and LOVED them.

Family reunions in New Hampshire, and Idaho, where my brother Eric married Mel. After the sudden death of Eric’s wife, Cassie, eight years ago, it’s been a long hard road…hang on, friends. Good things come.

Running, summer soccer, and strength training. I feel so lucky to have a body that can still do these things!!! Saucony is my go-to running shoe (and I still need a new pair of cleats…)

Gregor and I celebrated 27 years of marriage. I literally thank God for him every day.

Teen and Adult Children. What an amazing, surprising thing to have my children become some of my closest, best friends.

The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair was optioned for a series!!! More to come (God willing and the river don’t rise…)

Vaseline is the only lip product I’ll ever need. Am I right? It’s also the best for winter running - slab it all over your face (over sunscreen)!

Within the last month, at age 49, I got glasses for the first time. Ya’ll, my world is clear again! I’m no longer scare myself as a night driver.

I also got a pessary which has been life changing. A pessary, um, keeps the pelvic floor in place for us women. Cannot recommend more highly.

I continue loving my $13 Little Book Light, especially while wearing my most favorite pajamas in all of my life (matching pajamas with my three girls!).

I was gifted a KINDLE for Christmas. As a staunch PAPER COPY ONLY gal, my daughter, Cope, promises I will love it and will no longer feel compelled to haul around ten books (but where’s the fun in not hauling ten heavy books with you?)

(I shall return and report on the kindle.)

A New Beta Reader: I recently shared my new young adult draft with a 13-year-old girl I just met in a dormitory that I supervise on Thursday nights (ya’ll, my life is delightfully weird). Her comments via Google doc are totally on point and hilarious. For instance, her feedback on a piece of teenage dialogue? “No.” Writing tip: share your work with your target audience!

2024 wasn’t all peachy, but it was a good year. There were/are hard things. We lost a neighbor, friend, and loved ones: Suzy, Dave, Sarah. My daughter and her senior class lost their classmate weeks before school started. It has been devastating. We love you, Patrick.

After living with us for eight years, my father-in-law, Arthur, moved to an assisted living facility. Navigating hospitals, insurance, and a new home has been time consuming, draining, and emotional. I’m also thankful.

Book sales are down and disappointing across the entire publishing industry, esp the middle grade category. In 2024, my publisher was slow to acquire any of my drafts. But this is the year to sell a story! Right?!

I love reflecting on a past year. I’m glad to be here. I’m grateful to be alive. I’m grateful you’re here.

What about you? Any good things in 2024? Books? Shows? Travel? Relationships? I’d love to hear it all.

Amy 🕯️

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read with me:

The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair is part-mystery, part understanding of the human heart 💖

Ten Thousand Tries is Golden’s quest to save his dad and the soccer team ⚽

The McNifficents is one summer with six rambunctious kids and their miniature-schnauzer nanny 🐕 New Hampshire’s 2024 Great Reads for Kids selection!