365 days of reading.
my 2024 reading wrapped.
I have always loved reading but really prioritized it over the last year within the chaos of life.
As a whole, dedicating more time to reading has decreased my screen time, gave me back a comfortable silence, and grew my curiosity again.
I read 23 books.
In 12 months.
Over 6,500 pages
And I think that’s pretty cool.
My monthly recaps started in October so I included the links for the remaining months.
Looking back at my list, you can tell what was going on in my chaotic life this year - I’ll give you some insights.
January: The beginning of my reading journey, I wanted to get back to the basics.
Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Rating: 5/5
Review: No notes. This book should be read in schools for the basic concepts of love and respect.
February: Productivity was at a high, I just knew I was going to be the next power bitch and you can see that through my Feb picks.
Synchronicity by Carl Jung
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: I’m not going to lie. This was one of the hardest books I got through this year because it gets very scientific - like quantum physics scientific - which is not my area of choice but if you’re into that, this book might be for you.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Rating: 4/5
Review: This is great if you are trying to get your life in order - nothing more, nothing less.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: After reading about European and American philosophers, I wanted to explore other regions. Again, this was specific to me and my interests but a good short philosophical read.
March: Still feeling good - in my healing and learning era so I continued with the philosophy reads.
Jung: The Key Ideas by Ruth Snowden
Rating: 3/5
Review: After reading Synchronicity, I wanted to learn more about Carl Jung and his backstory as a philosopher so I found this book which is essentially a version of “Carl Jung for Dummies” and when it comes to philosophy, I could classify myself as a dummy.
Lighter by
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: Another banger by Yung Pueblo. This is a great book if you are moving forward with your life - from trauma, pain, struggle.
April: Healing and thriving *Ashley Darby voice*
Salvation by bells hooks
Rating: 4/5
Review: This book is incredible but you have to be in a mindset to receive as a black person. I think the concepts are things that needed to be discussed within our community for years but we’ve avoided it. I will say it was hard to start and maybe because I wasn’t in a place to take in heavy concepts but once I was in, I was hooked.
Freud: The Key Ideas
Rating: 3/5
Review: After reading the Carl Jung version, I had to pick up the Freud one. Long story short, Freud was a strange man with an expansive brain and imagination.
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Rating: 3/5
Review: This book surrounding self-sabotage and I think we can all be guilty at times so it was nice to dive deeper into the topic in a more poetic way.
May: I did a lot of travel this month so reading was at a low.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 5/5
Review: Jodi P. did her big one on this book. This was such a great novel about racism and how perspectives can evolve. I was glued to this book and stayed up late to finish the last couple of chapters.
June: During my 8 hour flight to Ireland, binged this book and realized I need to go back to therapy.
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Rating: 3/5
Review: If you’re not into therapy, don’t read this book. It wasn’t a book about therapy but it’s written by a therapist who was going to therapy. It was very slow to start for me but it had a heartwarming ending in a realistic way.
July:
Counterfeit by Kristin Chen
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: If you’re looking for a beach read, add this one to your list. It’s an easy read, the storyline has a little action and a little relatability if you’re a mom. Even though it’s fiction, it gives a little look into the world of designer dupes and the role that they play in retail and society as a whole.
August:
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid:
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: I enjoyed this book. I wish it didn’t have to result in black trauma and pain but overall it’s a good story.
September: My ex and I broke up this month (for the second and last time) and instead of breaking down, I lost myself in reading. I call that healthy healing.
Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: I’ve never been a huge murder mystery fan but I tried to branch out. It’s the typical story of a random person being killed and a mysterious rich family behind it - you can almost guess how it ends.
Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest
Rating: 3/5
Review: This book is more of a Daily Bread, one passage a day book which I tried and ultimately failed and ended up reading the rest in 3 days. The messages in this book are incredible and if you’re in a stage of transition in your life, this is a good read.
What Remains by Carol Remains
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: I won’t lie. I read this book because she was an ex-Real Housewife of NYC so I wanted to know her backstory but it was very interesting. It was nice to hear more about her career and relationship with her husband while he was dying. If you’re a caregiver or have been one to a terminally ill person, this is great read for you.
October: When you’re single, you have plenty of time to read.
Review:
November: My ears were to the Substack streets and I feel like it influenced my choices for November.
Review:
December: I spent most of the month sleeping because 2024 was exhausting.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didon
Rating: 4/5
Review: I’m probably biased but I just love Joan’s writing. Her storytelling is unmatched and this book specifically took me back to so many places in time. As a warning, this is a book of different essays opposed to one storyline.
To another year of great books.
Loved this - you smashed it with the reading in 2024 🫡 Such a great selection of books here, and I'm definitely adding 'Small Great Things' to my TBR!
This is such a great spread of books for the year, congrats! I added a few to my TBR, a few were already there, and I’ve read a few of these as well. I already read a lot but I’m being intentional about reading even more this year so I love lists like these that expose me to new stories!