My Top Reads of 2024

A 3-year old tradition that I will perhaps savour for years to come. Perusing through my reads of the year is probably my favourite thing to do because it beautifully encapsulates how the year went by. The books I’ve read are a reflection of how I’ve been, portraying where my mind and heart was at. I will forever be grateful for them.

Having said that, this year reading for pleasure has been a sporadic occurrence. A lot of my work involved reading very serious research papers, and that left me with very little energy to pick up a book for pleasure. Consequently, I indulged in a lot of movies which I can't complain about. Nevertheless, as of the day I write this blog I’ve read a total of 40 books in 2024. The themes of most of my reading were either to decipher the blurry yet harsh reality of the world today or a quick escape from the reality to a world far far away. My list here will also reflect these themes.

It is quite hard to stick to a number when it comes to choosing my top books, so the list is quite long. It really shouldn't matter because the more books I loved in a year, the better the year!

So here we go!

My Favourite-est Reads:

If I had a gun to my head and could recommend only two favourites this year, then these are the two.

1. Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

This Booker prize winner of 2023 deserves all the hype and more. The book follows an unnamed protagonist and their family living in a dystopian country on the precipice of extremism leading to impending doom. It's undoubtedly a harrowing read because though dystopian in genre it rings true to the reality of the world we live in. Paul Lynch takes us through the most intimate corners of the protagonist’s mind as she loses everything that she calls her own, alongwith her sense of normalcy one day at a time. You may question the decisions she makes, but if put in her situation I can imagine most of us living life with the same kind of denial and wishful thinking as portrayed by her.

Although this book put me in a slightly horrid mood while experiencing the real news of war in parts of the world at the same time, it is a read that will stay with me for years to come. The closest I can compare this to is Milkman by Anna Burns, which is another brilliant book on extremism written beautifully by an Irish author.

I may not show the courage to give this a reread in the near future but I know I will return to this book one day, because sadly the world and our reality may take me back there.

2. Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

A read that reflects my need to understand our reality and its blurry lines of right and wrong. I fell head over heels to the hype behind this non-fiction book about Naomi Klein's experience with being mis-identified as her doppelganger Naomi Woolfe. It is an account of how Klein’s life experiences and interactions with people in the offline and online world shifted as a result of this, while also portraying her own attempts to identify with herself and her doppelganger. In this process, she delves not only into questions about her own “brandless” identity built through her work over the years, but also the various political and moral opinions that her doppelganger chooses to voice in public.
Klein uses the idea of a doppelganger and misidentification as a tool to describe the changing waves of political opinion in the US and Canada. Though this book primarily focuses on the politics of the Western world, I was deeply enamoured by Klein’s intellect and her ability to see both sides of the coin without getting too emotionally invested in her analysis. While reading this book I enjoyed living inside the mind of such a prolific writer and researcher, while also finding myself being slightly envious of her intellect. I wish I could analyse the politics of my country like she does hers.
I loved this read to say the least and will definitely pick up some of her backlist titles.

My Favourite Fiction: 

Because there should never be a limit to how many books you can love.

1. White Teeth by Zadie Smith

“I know I am going to feel a void when I finish reading this book”, reads my journal entry describing White Teeth by Zadie Smith. And sure it did.
White Teeth by Zadie smith is a masterclass in humour, and I am still baffled that it was her debut novel. Even 24 years after its publication this read continues to touch the right nerves when it comes to geopolitics, extremism and moral compass. On the outside it tells the story of two families living in Britain and their various bizarre life encounters that entangle them for generations to come. Smith uses humour and wit as a weapon to describe the broken political pasts of many countries who borne the pains of British imperialism and the way it percolates to its generations. The struggle to find identity and a place to belong is tucked within the core of this story. Her wit disarms the reader from taking offence, especially in a world where faint minds take offence on a daily basis.
Yet another read that resonates the questions that my mind carried about world politics and the generational trauma caused by it. Just like Klein, I am so glad that I get to live inside the mind of Zadie Smith. She is my all time favourite and I highly recommend her books. If you like the works of Elif Shafak but set mostly in the UK, you’ll love her too!

2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

My first Ursula Le Guin!
This delay can be blamed on my long-drawn hesitation to Science fiction as a genre. A need to escape my reality led me to finally embrace it which quickly turned into one of my favourites. Though my love for the genre began with Becky Chamber’s The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, it was The Left Hand of Darkness by Le Guin that stayed with me and continues to do so.
“What is not to like in this book?” read my journal.
I agree! To start with, Le Guin's writing style makes this book so lyrical that putting it down was out of the question. The world building is intricately penned with a lot of detailing, which makes you forget that you are in a fantasy land.
The book is set in a fictional planet called Gethen and we follow Genly Ai’s journey here. Gethen is dominated by its harsh winter and stands apart for its laws of gender and reproduction. I’ll leave it at that because the lesser you know about this planet, the better. Although I will say that Gethen’s societal laws, especially its gender roles, have a lot that we can learn from.
Throughout my reading, LeGuin poked into the contours of my brain, questioning my own belief system and a book that can do that will always be remembered. This is part of a series that can also be read as standalone books, but I have every intention to complete it.
LeGuin is simply brilliant and having the privilege to live in a world built by her was spell binding!

3. Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan

Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan stands true to its title. It focuses on the ordinary ways in which we fail at being humans. The book starts with the premise of a missing child and a family in the neighbourhood being held accountable for this disappearance, particularly the little girl in this family of four. A journalist finds this story interesting and in an attempt to blow it up for readership and fame, he decides to connect with the family to uncover why a child would be held responsible for such a heinous act. What family experiences would have led to it? The book then breaks into various parts in which we live through their past.
What transpires from there, I shall not reveal here.
I found the premise of the book very gripping. Its take on the tact of media to easily turn a local incident into a scandalous gossip, for the sake of publicity, is the truest depiction of the media today. The story spirals through some of the rawest representations of human behaviour and thoughts, which is very maturely handled by the author. There are some parts of this book that I still think about on various occasions!
It is a small book that will keep you thinking for days. This I can say is MY KIND OF BOOK, it's my catnip.

4. Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

A book that inspired my latest painting, Blue. This book to me is an art form that transcends literature. It's sad, depressing and easily the most bizarre read of them all. But I absolutely loved it!
The premise of this book surrounds a married couple, Miri and Leah. Leah is a Marine biologist who goes on regular submarine research visits, a usual routine for Miri, until that one trip in which Leah gets stuck in the depths of the ocean and doesn't return for months. The book begins when Leah is back from this trip and we follow on to know what transpires. At the crux of the story, we feel the presence of a larger entity looming amidst us which cannot be truly deciphered. This I thought depicted the way we feel the presence of an indescribable unknown looming over all of us.
This book is a tiny yet an extremely slow read. It goes into the interiors of Leah and Miri and what we find is not a sweet little love story that warms our heart but a heart wrenching tale of love and separation.
Read it with an open mind. If you enjoy endings that aren’t tied neatly together, then this is probably your jam.

My Favourite Non-fiction:

There’s only one besides Doppelganger and I wish I read more non-fiction for pleasure. But, my research reading took up most of my non-fiction reading time.

Lonely city by Olivia Laing

This book probably doesn’t need any introduction. An immaculate collection of essays about loneliness seen through the lens of art created by a series of artists who have spent most of their lives exploring loneliness. Laing disseminates loneliness not only as a psychological state of being but also as a way of life resulting from societal isolation and deprivation. Through this work and the innumerable works of art described within it, we see how loneliness can lead to a sense of urgency to fight, or sometimes, simply as a voice against injustice and inequality. She uses these artists as inspiration to unravel and make meaning of her own trials with loneliness in a crowded city like New York.
Yet another incredibly smart author with a strong point of view that sets her analysis of reality a step away from the mundane. Her meticulous research and astute eye for interpretation keeps the reader completely absorbed from start to end.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes to read about art and who generally loves Laing’s writing.

My Favourite Short Story Collections :

Two incredible reads that surprised me and will stay with me. Surprising, because I am usually not a fan of short story collections.

1. Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin

I have picked up this book from the library a couple of times but haven't ever got to reading it, until I finally did. And what a fantastic book!!
Short story collections are generally not my cup of tea, but I was hoping for nothing less than perfection from Baldwin. This collection of around 7 short stories narrates tales revolving around racism, isolation and its lasting impact on relationships, memory and generational trauma. It transcends the pages of the book into real feelings that it leaves you with. His choice of words and narration is so touching and deep that it makes your experience what these lives would have felt like. The weight of racism that drowns a whole generation and sadly many to come becomes unbearable. Yet, we live in a world wherein it never truly dissipates.
The story that lends its name to the title of the collection was the one that lasted with me the most. Calling it a favourite is difficult as the story is one of the most heart wrenching stories I’ve read so far. The premise revolves around the childhood memory of a White cop, whose family along with the neighbourhood leaves to witness a local “event”. The ability of Baldwin to do justice in delivering the point of view of someone who is at odds with him, yet leaving you feeling devastated, is unmatched. He delves into some interior perverted and oppressive thoughts of an oppressor that makes you feel physically uncomfortable. Soon you feel like Baldwin thrusts into your chest to slowly and carefully crush your heart as you decipher more details about the “event” that marks his memory and the rest of his life’s purpose.
This story has etched itself in my mind and heart like no other story has. Depressing yet beautiful literature. I hope to read more Baldwin this year.

2. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

What a brilliant storyteller!
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is a series of short stories that narrates the morally grey lives led by ardent Church going ladies, who live on the sidelines of society. Deesha Philaw pulls out the veil of morality and righteousness of a society of churchgoers. On the outside these stories come across as tales of neighbourly gossip but it goes beyond to show the truth behind exploitation of simple lives led by simple people. She beautifully shows that no matter where you stand in the morality scale, the wants of human beings will find its way to you, which dismantle the whole idea of a moral high ground held by a few.
This collection is extremely approachable and one that I believe everyone will enjoy. It is funny, tugs at your heart, but is an important read that I believe many will benefit from.

Favourite Classic

A small escape from today’s life. This is a part of a small project to consciously read more classics from around the world.

The Makioka Sister by Junichiro Tanizaki

The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki

This classic took me back into the quaint lives of a Japanese family set in the years leading up to the Second World War.
The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki has been an old Booktube (Book-YouTube) favourite, and now, I know why. The best way to describe this is as a Japanese version of a Jane Austen novel. Set in the backdrop of the rising tensions of the Second World War, we go through the lives of the Makioka Sisters as they traverse through the daily pressures faced by women to live as per the Japanese societal standards. The 4 sisters though close knit, are characterised very differently from each other which denoted the changing views of women with the changing times. The youngest being the rebel and the oldest adorning the cloaks of the matriarch. Through the pages, you live life with them through their ups and downs, and get a chance to live within the Japanese culture and all its intricate details.
What stood out for me were the descriptions of food, clothes, nature, art and culture of Japan, interspersed with the rising tensions of the war. Its looming presence is felt throughout the story. There are moments of happiness and cheer in their lives but I suggest not going into the book expecting all round cheer. What you get instead is an yearly account of everything that normal life looked like in Japan before a devastating future, as a consequence of the war.
I highly recommend it if you like Classics, Japanese literature and reading about quaint lives of women set in the backdrop of war.

And those are my list of favourite books of 2024!

I hope you’ve had a good reading year and an even better one in 2025!