One of my goals for 2024 was to read more books! I am pleased to have read 28 books last year, even though most were children’s books. They helped me get through the workday and many airplane rides. All of my five-star reads are books I’ve already read. What can I say, I am a creature of habit!
Stats:
| Total Books Read: 28 | Ratings: |
| Memoirs/biographies: 7 | 5 stars: 4 books |
| Children and middle grade fiction: 15 | 4.5 stars: 4 books |
| Young adult/contemporary fiction: 6 | 4 stars: 9 books |
| 19 new books; 9 rereads | 3.5 stars: 2 books |
| eBooks: 3 | 3 stars: 6 books |
| eAudiobooks: 21 | 2.5 stars: 2 books |
| Audiobook on CD: 4 | 2 stars: 1 book |
January
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton 3/5 – It was interesting to hear about his childhood, his time on other productions, and his time on Harry Potter. He seemed to have humility and so much love for his co-stars.
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright 4/5 – This was a sweet kids book recommended by my editor. It centers on four kids living in Manhattan during WWII as they go on adventures around the city. Oliver was my favorite character and his time at the circus was my favorite scene!
I Don’t Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer 2.5/5 – I know Judy Greer from 27 Dresses and 13 Going on 30. But she didn’t talk about either of those productions. She talked about working at a club in college and being an only child in Detroit. I love how she talked about how much she loves her husband.
February
The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright 4/5 – A good continuation of The Saturdays as the Melendy family moves to the countryside. Mona and Oliver were my favorite characters, and it was cute to see the kids growing and having fun.
Dying of Politeness by Geena Davis 4.5/5 – This memoir was so good! Geena Davis’s life was super interesting! Spoilers: she was married 4 times, did a year abroad in Sweden her senior year, was a model in NYC, went to the Olympic trials for archery, and said she was in the best shape of her life when she was 40. I loved how this book had a clear message/theme and was chronological. It was wonderfully written, intriguing, hilarious, and at times, heartbreaking.
March
Eleanor Roosevelt: Fighter for Justice 2/5 – Not the Eleanor Roosevelt biography for me, I guess. I felt like some of the themes were too advanced for a 5th/6th grader but then it felt too simple for a 7th/8th grader, so I don’t know what age this book was for. Love that she married her cousin (several times removed, but still, her maiden name was Roosevelt) and I love that he cheated on her! Didn’t know that… truly a tragic life but at least she fought for civil rights and was able to be independent for a woman at that time.
April
Truly, Madly, Sheeply by Heather Vogel Frederick 3/5 – I love HVF, but there were some plot issues that irked me. Why would you buy sheep and then go on your honeymoon? Why not wait until you get back from your honeymoon to buy the sheep? Also, why are there so many kittens in this small town? They really should look into neutering/spaying some of those cats lol. For a small town Pumpkin Falls sure is famous for a lot of things. I like the characters but some choices were questionable.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy 4/5 – I enjoyed reading about her childhood, time acting before iCarly, and even her mental health struggles. It got to be too graphic for me towards the end. A sad memoir overall, so heartbreaking how parents can do that to their children.
My Remarkable Journey 4.5/5 – This book was good! The audiobook narrator was amazing! I imagine she sounded just like Katherine Johnson with the perfect West Virginian accent and the perfect infectious tenderness in her voice. It was such a delight to read; a wonderful chronological story of a beautiful, brilliant, and blessed woman! So humble, so grateful, so endearing.
May
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares 5/5 – This book is perfection. The perfect summer read, the perfect angsty teen read, and the perfect slightly cynical, slightly romantic young adult read. The characters are perfection, the storylines are amazing, the whole book is just to die for! The writing style is unique in the way that she can write something so surficial and hilarious with so much reverence and depth. So much heart went into this book, and it will forever be a classic for me.
The Second Summer by Ann Brashares 4.5/5 – A great continuation! I love Bridget’s storyline so much! And I love that she had consequences from the summer that actually affected her all year. Tibby and Carmen’s storylines are hard to read because they are being so bratty and childish, but hey, they’re 16 so its totally fine by me. The part at the end when Lena’s mom final opens up to her about her past with Greek men, wow. But Lena and Kostos, I mean is there even a relationship there or is it just physical attraction?
Ella Enchanted by Gail Caron Levine 3/5 – Not as good as I remembered? I liked Ella as a character. She is a great role model for girls since she is resourceful, intelligent, and kind. Char was a great leading lad, and I liked his relationship with his uncle and Ella. I don’t really like fantasy so some of the trolls/elves/fairy stuff got lost on me, but it is an enjoyable read overall.
June
Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares 4/5 – This is the third book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and it takes place after they graduate high and before they start college. I love Carmen and Valia’s storyline, and I love Win! Lena, Tibby, and Bridget’s storylines were meh to me. I didn’t really miss Eric but oh well. The ending is so good when they go to the beach. I mean these books make you wish for three best friends, or even just one friend that is so perfectly your best friend, that everything is solved. Still the emotional, heartfelt, serious, yet so unserious writing and I adore it!
July
Going There by Katie Courik 4/5 – Good memoir. I liked hearing about her childhood and early career (well not the misogyny). It was so sad to read about her husband, but I love the story of how she met him! I would never want to be a news anchor; the amount of hate she got, no thank you. Could have cut some stuff out, but I think this book was very cathartic for her. I love her voice!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling 4/5 – I mean, a classic. I love how everything serves a purpose and everything is plot convenience! It’s so wonderfully amazing to have a book so trimmed of extraneousness that everything serves its purpose. Also, justice for Ron, he is so spot-on in this book, so intuitive and hilarious, but in the movie he isn’t even half as good.
August
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling 4/5 – Okay, justice for Lupin. That man is probably the greatest character in the series. Straight up. Did you forget? Read this book. He is stellar, seriously the father figure Harry needs. Love the characters and the plot and the drama and Harry learning a useful spell! What would you give to read this book for the first time so you can relive the ending? Love this book. Her imagination is inspiring.
Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares 4/5 – This book takes place the summer after freshmen year of college for the girls. I enjoyed Carmen’s storyline because 18-19 years old is an apt age to befriend a girl who turns out to be a jerk. Bridget is in Turkey being her spicy, bipolar, slightly self-destructing self, and I kind of liked it. Tibby sleeping with boyfriend for the first time and feeling a ton of feelings and turmoil is amazing and realistic. Yes, she loves him, but she is only 18 and everything is complicated. It’s such a shame that the second movie absolutely ruins her character. Lena, oh girl, I was rooting for you, but this was not it, sweetie. The ending is dramatic and beautiful, I love it!
September
True Biz by Sara Novic 3/5 – I really liked learning about Deaf culture, and I liked the different POVs since we get the perspective of a Deaf golden boy, a deaf girl who has Cochlears, and a hearing principal who is a CODA. The strength of this book is that it is centered on a specific location with political, historical, economic, and social events tied to it. It felt very real, and it was interesting to read about the town. However, I feel like this book tried to do too much, and it lost its focus by trying to deconstruct too many issues. Learning about the Deaf experience through the lens of education, family life, the medical field, and social activities was great, but trying to dive into other issues is where it lost me. I did not like the girl main character as the book somewhat glorified her actions, which were illegal and not appropriate for a 15-year-old.
October
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson 4/5 – Such a good book! I did not know this book was set in 1970s rural northern Virginia. Poor Jesse really has no one, his family is not there for him at all. It is a slight comfort that the thing that happens at the end was based on real life, and it was a way for the author could explore her son’s trauma. The movie is really good and gives way more time to Terabithia! I swear in the book Terabithia is mentioned twice. Heartbreaking story but so well written.
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Patterson 4/5 – Firstly, I loved the narrator of the audiobook! This was a great book, and secondly, that is called character development! The characters were funny and unique, and I loved the foster children representation. I have mixed feelings for the ending, but I would want to read this book again.
Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Patterson 5/5 – I think I read this book when I was in middle school, and I still loved it as an adult. The Catholic representation! Yes, it was stereotypical and kind of bland, but I still loved it. Rosa is Me; I relate to her so much. I loved so many things about this book including the change of location halfway through, the character development, the kind priests, and the storytelling.
November
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han 5/5 – When you want to read a comfortable book about sisterhood and a cute little romance, this is it. The movie does NOT do it justice at all, except Lana Condor is stunning! This book is so cute and so good, I can barely find the words. It takes me back to high school. It is so 2015 and realistic, and I love the sister dynamics so much! Jenny Han really nails the sister and family dynamics, and I like how she makes Kitty a total brat! The romance almost feels like a side plot with Lara Jean’s journey of self-discovery and confidence and the family and sister relationships taking a lot of the page count. Also, Peter kind of sucks sometimes, but like I said, this book is about Lara Jean, not him.
Charlotte’s Web by EB White 3/5 – This book…well if you love animals you’ll love it. It wasn’t really the book for me, but it is a classic and an easy read. The characters are funny and memorable and Wilbur is a sweetie pie.
December
Stuart Little by EB White 2.5/5 – This book had me laughing out loud in my cubicle at work; it was so ridiculous. The adventures of this mouse born to humans is hilarious. The invisible car, the fact that he subbed for a class, tries to woo a girl as small as him, and is in love with a bird, I am not joking. Do you remember reading this book? It is so unserious. Stuart is a prissy little mouse and he cracks me up!
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements 5/5 – This book is amazing! Stop what you’re doing and go read this book right now. It’s stunning, a true modern classic for middle schoolers/early high schoolers. The pacing is great, the characters, the suspense, the plot, it’s just chefs kiss. One of Andrew Clements’ best works, I would say, and as you will see I kind of became obsessed with his books. This one will probably be my favorite. I relate to Alicia so much.
The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements 3.5/5 – A good book about a sixth grader who learns the highlights and pitfalls of being a leader. A good holiday read that isn’t too corny or in your face, and it has a good message. One of them being: I am so glad I’m not a teacher because kids be wild.
Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements 3.5/5 – Hello, please do not read this book right after you finish Things Not Seen. Please, let Things Not Seen sit in your brain for at a few weeks before diving into this one. Phew, this one is wild. I do love Gwen as a character, she is an absolute delight! And I love how she meets Bobby and it’s this sweet little tie in. But then I hate how convoluted it all gets with Bobby and Gwen and William. I really dislike the William storyline; I find it completely unnecessary and horrifying in every way. Not going to lie, this book kind of goes off the rails. It tries to correct itself, which may or may not work for you. Interesting book but not as good as the masterpiece of Things Not Seen.
Things That Are 3/5 – Okay, this one was a letdown. Spoilers: to find out that Alicia and Bobby are not a couple, just a…couple of besties? Are you kidding me? This is the inter-able relationship we need and desire, especially from the 2000s. Bobby was straight up obsessed with Alicia and thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met and now…? Heartbreaking! Also, the plot of this book is that Alicia wants to define the relationship and have a talk with Bobby. Well, too bad that never happens. They barely talk at the end, and it was unsatisfying, especially as an Alicia stan, a woman who loves talking, and as a woman in general. William comes back and adds NOTHING to the story. All I wanted was for Alicia and Bobby to live happily ever after. Where is my epilogue about them getting married and having musician babies? Justice for Alicia…
Overall, a great year of reading! Excited to read more in 2025.
The Remmington Triplets 