This year, as in the last two, my challenge was to read 50 books.
I read very slowly, especially in English. I added to the challenge this year by committing to at least rate, if not review, every book I read. It wouldn't be called a challenge if it were easy, right?
Well, I finished 37 books in 2024. That is 70% of my challenge, which is a pass but unacceptable in my household. I'm learning to let that go (but that's another post). I always read with a highlighter and a pencil (for marginalia), which is why it’s taking me so long.
Of these books, only two were in Hebrew, and 22 were fiction (almost 60%). I rated all of them on Goodreads but wrote only a handful of reviews. I want to do a thorough job when writing a review, but I never find the time. I did a few book reviews this year, and you can find them all here.
I'll do a top five from each category this year: fiction and nonfiction.
My top five fiction books this year, in no particular order, were:
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
This book is about a Palestinian family and how the conflict chases them, first from their home in Jaffa and then from the home they had made in Nablus. Essentially, the conflict has rendered this family a family of nomads who struggle to find their place in the world. I know it sounds cynical, and people may say I'm callous, but I can relate so much. While I come from the “stronger” side of this particular conflict, I feel like I haven't been able to find my place in the world. I work hard to integrate my roots with my blossoms, but being an immigrant is difficult.
Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession
I wrote about this book here.
In the Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan
It is an excellent thriller about an AI cop and a jaded investigator who now has to work with said AI cop. It's basically Lethal Weapon meets Happy Valley. It is super well-structured and an easy read. The AI cop character raises all kinds of timely issues. It's highly recommended if you're into cop action/drama.
Babel by R F Kuang
This was an arduous read, especially as I read it alongside a couple of other nonfiction books about the British Empire and racism in the UK. But it's so good. It does exactly what I want to do with my work: examine systemic injustices through individual stories, all while being an engaging read.
Hungry Heart by Eshkol Nevo (in Hebrew)
A collection of short stories from my favourite writer. Somebody said (I can't find a source for this; I tried) that a good short story takes you out of your skin and then stuffs you uncomfortably back in (or something like that). That was the feeling I got from most of these stories: a feeling of being stuffed back uncomfortably into my skin. They're beautiful and painful and so damn good.
My top five nonfiction books this year, in no particular order, were:
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
This is a collection of essays by the inimitable Roxane Gay. It explores feminism, racism, intersectionality, body image, and Scrabble competitions. It's a ride.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
A collection of poems. This innocent-looking book is not for the faint of heart. Gorman explores racism in the US in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a tough read, but it's so beautiful. Reading took me forever (I started in 2023!) because it was punching me in the gut every time. Eventually, I learned my lesson and read one poem daily so as not to overwhelm my poor mind.
Gentle Writing Advice by Chuck Wendig
It kept me going, honestly. It was also nice to read and think, "Hey, I know this already.”
How to be Everything by Emilie Wapnick
The book that solidified my perception of myself as a multipotentialite (aka a human being).
Why I'm no Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
While I already knew and heard most of what's in this book, it was good to have a reference and to be able to trace the quotes. Also, it's short.
In 2025, I challenge myself again to read 50 books. I plan to read for two hours every day. I’ve come up with a system where I copy highlighted passages into my Notion, so hopefully, that means that I’ll have an easier time writing more book reviews. I wrote six in 2024, so I challenge myself to write ten book reviews this year. Let’s see how it goes. As always, you are welcome to join me here.
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