To be perfectly honest, this year has sucked. Suffice to say, I will not be sad to see 2024 go. Yet, there were still some small bright spots along the way in the books I truly enjoyed. So, let's look at those bright spots.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Synopsis: Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star. Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.
Why it made the list: For some reason, whenever I saw this book on Goodreads, the cover kind of turned me off because it looked kind of goofy. Well this just goes to show the saying is true that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, because I loved this book. It's a lot of fun, with many twists and turns to keep you wanting to turn the pages while also feeling sort of cozy at the same time. All while set in space. That, as you might call it, is my jam. It seems people love the other books in the series as well, so even though they don't appear to be straight sequels, I have them all on my to-read list.
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
Synopsis: Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy! The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems.
Why it made the list: It's been some time since I read the Eragon series, excuse me, the Inheritance Cycle, but when I saw this book had come out I knew I had to read it. Murtagh was always my favorite character, so a whole book dedicated to him and from his perspective? Yes, please. And it did not disappoint. You've got a broody hero dealing with some real feelings of guilt who gets in over his head and... man just thinking about it I almost want to read it again. Call me a Murtagh stan, I guess.
Synopsis: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?
Why they made the list: It's no secret that I am a fan of these romcom style books. Seriously, each one of Emily Henry's books could be a romantic comedy movie, and I bet we'll see them in movie form soon enough. I wasn't as big of a fan of Happy Place, but Funny Story took me right back into my, um, happy place. There's just something comforting in knowing it's going to end happily but still wanting to see the twists and turns along the way.
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of The Deep Sky comes a thrilling anti-colonial space heist to save an alien civilization. Maya Hoshimoto was once the best art thief in the galaxy. For ten years, she returned stolen artifacts to alien civilizations—until a disastrous job forced her into hiding. Now she just wants to enjoy a quiet life as a graduate student of anthropology, but she’s haunted by persistent and disturbing visions of the future. Then an old friend comes to her with a job she can’t refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction. Except no one has seen it in living memory, and they aren’t the only ones hunting for it. Maya sets out on a breakneck quest through a universe teeming with strange life and ancient ruins. But the farther she goes, the more her visions cast a dark shadow over her team of friends new and old. Someone will betray her along the way. Worse yet, in choosing to save one species, she may condemn humanity and Earth itself.
Why it made the list: I read Kitasei's previous book, The Deep Sky, and didn't love it (didn't hate it either), but this one? Great. Yes. More. Kitasei has a great way of making her science fiction feel very realistic even when dealing with alien civilizations and visions of the future. You've got a complex heroine and a fun heist story amidst it all with some Indiana Jones vibes mixed in. If any of that sounds intriguing, then definitely give it a go.
Other books I enjoyed this year, but wouldn't necessarily call my absolute favorites: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
You can check out all of the books I've read on my Goodreads page, but let me know if you've had any favorites from this year that I should check out!
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