Best Books of 2024

As usual, I will start the year with a list of books I read the previous year that I think you may enjoy. I changed my comments this year by giving a brief summary of each, including a good review, should you wish more information. Books are in order that I read them. Highly recommended books get three stars:

***Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

Wonderful tragi-comedy. Set in the 1960’s, Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant and beautiful woman of science.  Because it is the 60’s, her intelligence and knowledge are trivialized; plus, she has to deal with the advances of lecherous men. 

Review of Lessons in Chemistry

Honor, by Thrity Umrigar

Difficult read, but very interesting.  Indian-American journalist returns to India, from which her family emigrated when she was young.  Through a series of events, she becomes involved in helping a woman who has had a horrifying experience:  She, a Hindu, fell in love with a Muslim man.  Their marriage is a dishonor for the Muslim family, and they take revenge.  I won't tell more, but you can check out the review.

Kirkus review of Honor

The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell

Historical fiction.  Based on the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici, who was married off to Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara in 1558 at the age of 13.  Her portrait is said to be the inspiration for the Robert Browning poem, “My Last Duchess.”

Lucrezia was raised in incredible wealth, but had a strict upbringing in what was expected of royal women of her day. She did show a talent for painting early on, which was encouraged by her family.  She received special tutoring, and instead of doing embroidery, as most women did, she painted. She was loved and well cared for by her family; however, her only role was to become the wife of another nobleman and to produce children.  How her life evolves, once she marries Alfonso, is the “meat” of the book. All I can say is that it isn’t a match made in heaven. I liked the book.  It’s not great literature, but it was an interesting read.

Review of The Marriage Portrait 

The Intuitionist, by Colson Whitehead

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book, but it is classic Colson Whitehead--exceptionally well written and interesting, with some things that are surreal.  It takes place during the early days of elevators, and a young black woman has been able to become an elevator inspector.  It seems that there are two camps of elevator inspectors--the intuitionists, who use their intuition to gauge whether an elevator is operating correctly, and the empiricists, who look at the mechanics exclusively.  There is a battle going on in the guild on which philosophy will prevail. The main character is an intuitionist who is very proud of her skills.  All goes well until there is a catastrophic elevator failure.   

Review of The Intuitionist

***Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese

This is the best book I read this year.  It is long and complicated, as most Verghese books are, but it is well worth the time and effort. I won't even try to summarize it.  Take my word for it.  Read it.

Review of Covenant of Water

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett 

In order to pass the time during Covid lockdown, a family with three daughters convinces the mom to reminisce about her time at a summer stock company.  While there, she had a brief romance with Peter Duke, who became a famous actor.

Review of Tom Lake

***The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers 

Ok, so it came out in 1940, three years before I was born, and I am just now getting around to reading it.  But I found it a compelling novel, one that I strongly recommend if you are just now coming to it.  It takes place in the rural south of the 1920's, where a family struggles to survive by having a rooming house. The narrator is the young daughter of the family. One of the roomers is a deaf mute, a polite, dignified man.  He becomes the object of fascination for a diverse group of  people, who pour out their lives to him, although he is unable to respond.  We follow the lives of all these characters, whose only connection is that they frequently visit Mr. Singer, the deaf man. 

Review of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

Trust, by Hernan Diaz (Pulitzer Prize nominee)

I can't summarize it any better than the first line of the linked review: "A tale of wealth, love, and madness told in four distinct but connected narratives."

Review of Trust

***When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi

Memoir of a young neurosurgical resident who is about to finish his residency when he finds out he has terminal cancer.  The first half of the book tells his life prior to the diagnosis; the second half covers how he deals with the short time he has left.  I'm not doing justice to the book.  Read the review for more info. This isn't a maudlin book.  It reminded me of Oliver Sacks' writing late in his life. Abraham Verghese wrote the introduction.

Review of When Breath Becomes Air

Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult 

An ok who-dun-it.  I finished it, so it was compelling enough to keep me interested. Felt like she wrote it for the book club circuit 

Review of Mad Honey

Camino Island, by John Grisham

Beach book, with just enough plot twist to keep you interested

Review of Camino Island

***The Yellow House, by Sarah Broom

Another excellent memoir.  Sarah is one of 12 children who live in a small yellow house on the outskirts of New Orleans.  Its bright yellow exterior covers the fact that the house is a ramshackle mess on the inside.  Her mother always keeps the family well dressed, and no one is allowed in the house to see their actual living conditions. When the children are grown, Katrina happens.  Broom chronicles what happens to the family and the house through the years, and as a consequence of the hurricane.

Review of The Yellow House