Hi there!!
So… It’s been a minute.
Last year, I set out to read 12 books. I succeeded… but I forgot to post about it at the end of the year! So, here’s a quick and very late update on my 2024 Reading Resolution. With some exceptions, I’m typically a “forget the plot as soon as I finish reading and recommend books solely on vibes” type of reader, so I won’t get into each book I read, but here’s some assorted quick thoughts on my reads. You can also check out my Goodreads, where I left a few reviews last year.
2024
A Bigger Picture is a memoir written by climate activist Vanessa Nakate, about how she became inspired to join the fight against climate change. She explains how Africans, while contributing the least to the climate crisis, are already dealing with devastating effects from it, and will likely continue to bear the brunt of its impact. She writes all about her childhood in Kampala, Uganda, and how people around her were affected by climate change. It’s really incredible seeing the journey she went on and how she, a teenager at the time, decided to be part of the change to make things better for her family and everyone around her. I highly suggest this one, she also gives a lot of tips on how we can all get involved in a cause that is important to us. I was so happy to finally finish this one, since I got it for Christmas in like 2023 and never got around to finishing reading it.
I read two R.F. Kuang novels, Yellowface and Babel. Being a huge language nerd, I was particularly excited to read Babel. I originally heard about the book on one of my favorite podcasts, Lingthusiasm, which is hosted by two linguists and talks about all kinds of interesting linguistics topics. The idea of a magic system based on the space between the meanings of words in different languages is still one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard of. I loved the historical aspect of Babel, and I loved the characters. I also enjoyed the themes, for the most part. The story features a group of students of color at Oxford, in the prestigious institute of translation in the 1800s. And basically, the story starts out with them being so excited and honored to attend the school, and ends with them revolting against the system that is oppressing people like them in other countries in order to function. It’s a powerful story.
I finally got around to reading (well, listening to) Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, and it was absolutely heart-wrenching. I’m kind of at a loss for what to say about this book other than go read it if you haven’t- it’s so earnestly written, and like many others have said, it kind of recontextualizes watching any media that she was in, especially iCarly. I am so glad that she was able to tell her story, her way, and that the book did so well, and I hope she is continuing to heal and grow. And I hope to read/watch more of Jennette McCurdy’s work in the future!
2025
So, I have read six books so far, and once I finish my current book ( which I need to do by the end of the week because it’s due back to the library, lol ), I’ll be on track (1 book/month)! The first book I read this year was a little book called The Art of Dreadlocks that my mom’s had for many years, which was a nice read, since I started my loc journey last August. Next I read two Toni Morrison books, Love and then The Bluest Eye. Both were thoroughly devastating in their own way. Toni Morrison just has a way of putting the reader in the moment with her characters that I really enjoy, especially in Love with all the family drama. I definitely want to continue reading through her works.
I then picked up The Hunger Games trilogy, which I cannot believe it took me so long to finally get on the wave, but I absolutely get the hype. I was enthralled from the moment I started the first book. I think Katniss Everdeen is the best of the YA dystopian protagonist girlies of the era (I guess that makes sense, since I think she was the first). She’s tough and cynical, yet super loving. She does everything within her power to save her family. I don’t know what it is with these YA novels recently, but I’ve never enjoyed love triangles in fiction until now- both Katniss, Peeta and Gale, and Bree, Sel, and Nick from Legendborn(genuinely have no idea where it’s going, I’m so hype!!) have had me fully invested. I was locked in, and btw, I was very much Team Peeta, except when I was Team Gale for a minute. Don’t ask me about the Legendborn triangle because I have no idea.
Speaking of the Legendborn Cycle, I also read Bloodmarked last year, which was an absolute rollercoaster. So much happened- and so many different locations! The Crossroads lounge, Volition, the Institute…! I thought the concept of Volition was very, very powerful- a safe place, where Black folks commune with their ancestors in peace. Such a beautiful thought. And I love angst so the whole Sel resisting his true nature and concealing it from Bree thing was a ride. I’m currently in the middle of reading Oathbound and I don’t even know what to say, honestly, but I’m enjoying it. I’ll probably write a post unpacking the whole series once the fourth book is out.
This has been a great year for reading so far, and hopefully I’m able to keep it up and meet my goal again this year. It’s currently set to 12 again on Goodreads, because I didn’t want to get too ambitious just yet. But I think I’m gonna make it again! And I think next year, I’ll up it to 15. Either way, I’m ecstatic to actually be reading again, and I’ve got a TBR longer than the Constitution, so I’m definitely not in danger of running out of reading material! I hope that you’ve also been able to find some time to read recently, too. 🙂 I’ll post a 2025 update at the end of the year (fr this time) and we’ll see if I meet my goal or not!