We’ve made it to the end of another year! I don’t know about you, but 2024 was such a challenging year, full of more failures than triumphs. First, I finally finished graduate school, but it’s been hell finding a job since then. Then, I’ve figured out exactly what I want my future to feel like, but there’s a massive gap between where I am and where I want to be. And on and on it went. I’m really looking forward to putting this year behind me and making some concrete steps towards achieving all my 2025 goals. That said, one thing I managed to accomplish this year was my 65-book reading goal! I had to read ELEVEN books this month to make it, but make it I did! Here’s my December 2024 reading wrap-up.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud
About the book: This book follows the lives of four women controlled by the same man: Boysie Singh, a notorious gangster running the streets of Trinidad and Tobago. Popo knows Boysie is her path to a life of economic freedom and independence. Mana Lala is hopelessly devoted to Boysie and will do anything to keep him in her life. Doris thinks Boysie will be the perfect husband once she’s through with him. And Rosie just wants to get rid of Boysie and his ever-growing list of demands.
This was one of those books that left me speechless at some points and in tears at others. An absolutely brilliant read.
The Answer is No by Frederik Backman
About the book: Lucas loves video games, wine, Pad Thai takeout, and being alone. Lucas hates other people (relatable content). Of these things he is sure. But when the apartment board rings his doorbell demanding to see his frying pan, Lucas’ solitary life is completely upended by their eccentricities and shenanigans.
This was a great short story that made me laugh out loud. I’m even reading it with one of my language students in Iraq! I hope to get into a couple more Frederik Backman books in 2025, starting with Anxious People, which I’ve had in my digital library for literal YEARS. At this point, I’ve given up on ever cutting down my TBR.
The Lagos Wife by Vanessa Walters
About the book: Nicole Oruwari’s life is perfect. Well, that’s what she tells herself (and her family and friends). After she goes missing on a boat trip with friends, her aunt Claudine heads to Nigeria to find her. There, Claudine uncovers her niece’s darkest secrets and the truth about her disappearance.
I loved this one. The exploration of the ugliness of festering family secrets and upper-class marriages in Nigerian society was riveting. Vanessa Walters is excellent.
What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane
About the book: Richmond Dougherty was a man of many titles: a celebrated pediatric surgeon, a school shooting survivor, and a national hero. However, after a suspicious fall down the stairs in his home, his new title is “deceased.” Dr. Dougherty’s neighbours suspect his new wife of only 100 days, Addison, had something to do with his death. So does his ex-wife, Kathryn. So do their two children. And so do the police. Addison knows she didn’t kill Richmond, even though that was part of her grand plan to unmask her “heroic” husband. But if Addison didn’t do it, who got to him first? And who was Dr. Richmond Dougherty?
This one started strong with a compelling plot, but it fell apart for me as it wrapped up. A couple of twists that were meant to be shocking left a bad taste in my mouth, and the ending felt somewhat abrupt. I’m a massive fan of Darby Kane (this is my third or fourth of her novels), but I’m not sure about What the Wife Knew.
Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita
About the book: Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy tragically lost her husband and son after they disappeared on a hike over a year ago. But when new evidence suggests that her family was murdered and that their murders may be connected to a string of other deaths and disappearances, Cara reopens the investigation to find the truth.
This is another book that started strong and fell apart the longer it went on. A solid three-star novel.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall
About the book: Emma, Juliette, and Daphne Palmer’s parents were murdered in their Arden Hills home fourteen years ago. After the murder, the three sisters left their home, never to return. But when Emma finds out she’s pregnant, and her husband loses his job, they return to Arden Hills, where there are secrets about that night still waiting to be uncovered.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been more confused at the end of a book. This one really lives up to its title. The sisters don’t know, the police don’t know, and after reading this 325-page multiple-POV novel, I still don’t know. Indeed, no one can know.
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
About the book: Sydney Shaw is looking for Mr. Perfect, and she thinks she’s found him in her new boyfriend. He’s hot and handsome and works as a pathologist at a local hospital. But when a young woman in her building is murdered, Sydney starts to suspect that Mr. Perfect may be a serial killer.
I’m a big Freida McFadden fan, and this book reminded me why. It was good right down to the last page. I read it one sitting and loved it so much I jumped right into another one of her novels.
The Coworker by Freida McFadden
About the book: Dawn Schiff is punctual. Dawn Schiff is obsessed with turtles. And Dawn Schiff is missing. Her coworker, Natalie, is worried. But did Natalie have something to do with Dawn’s disappearance?
This was another fast-paced read, but it wasn’t as good as The Boyfriend. Freida, I’ll see you again next year!
The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee
About the book: The Best Girls is a powerful short story that explores the insidious nature of patriarchy and its pervasive harm in a poor, traditional family in Seoul, South Korea. In this family, only a boy is believed capable of restoring dignity and creating wealth, no matter how clever or hardworking the girls may be.
This was a sobering read and the first of six Amazon Original Stories in the Disorder collection. I put my Kindle down with a knot in the pit of my stomach. I’ll be reading more of Min Jin Lee’s work in 2025.
Loam by Scott Heim
About the book: The second novel in the Amazon Orginal Stories Disorder collection, Loam is the story of triplets Miriam, Louise, and Edward, who return to their hometown for their estranged father’s funeral.
I have very mixed feelings about this story. Amazon describes the Disorder collection as a portrayal of “a world losing its balance in terrifying ways.” That’s precisely what this book explored and it just felt a little too close to reality. Well done.
For Such a Time as This by Shani Akilah
About the book: For Such a Time as This is a collection of short stories about the lives of Black British Londoners and their friendships, romances, and relationships.
This was the perfect last read in a year of mostly Caribbean, Black, and African authors and several short stories. I loved that these stories followed a group of friends throughout, and each story felt rooted in all the perfect and imperfect moments that make up our lives. I have to give this one five stars. Utter perfection. Read it!
That’s it for 2024! This year was about exploring new authors and genres, and I’m excited to keep that same energy in 2025. Did you read any of these books? Do you have any recs for what I should pick up next year? Let me know in the comments!
Happy reading, and I’ll see you next year!
