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SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 2024

Books 2024


A few books from 2024.

We’re at the end of 2024 and books were read, 32 to be exact surpassing my goal of 30 books this year. Every time I read a book, especially a good one that hits me in the core, I am reminded of how much I love reading. What a joy reading and books are, how, even when the book is bad, I can still appreciate the feelings and reactions it brings forth, whether it’s awe of something beautifully written or a scoff in disgust of something that just really didn’t hit the mark.

This year, there were certainly a few duds here and there, enjoyable page-turners, and a rare few that have made space to sit and stay.

Books read in 2024 in chronological order:

  1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
  2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
  3. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
  4. Second Place by Rachel Cusk
  5. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum (Translated by Shanna Tan)
  6. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
  7. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
  8. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
  9. Earthlings by Sayaka Murata (Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori)
  10. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
  11. Until August by Gabriel García Márquez (Translated by Anne McLean)
  12. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
  13. Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto (Translated by Asa Yoneda)
  14. A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  15. A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  16. A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  17. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
  18. When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
  19. Butter by Asako Yuzuki (Translated by Polly Barton)
  20. Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto (Translated by Michael Emmerich)
  21. Greek Lessons by Han Kang (Translated by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won)
  22. The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada (Translated by David Boyd)
  23. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
  24. The Devil’s Flute Murders by Seishi Yokomizo (Translated by Jim Rion)
  25. Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Flesh and Fire series)
  26. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Translated by Deborah Smith)
  27. The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick
  28. In the Name of Luminosity and Transparency by Odysseus Elytis
  29. Mina’s Matchbox by Yōko Ogawa (Translated by Stephen Snyder)
  30. Who We’re Reading When We’re Reading Murakami by David Karashima
  31. The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto (Translated by Asa Yoneda)
  32. Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez (Translated by Megan McDowell)


This year saw a continuation of “romantasy” books spurred on by a few reads in 2023’s book list. I continued Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR series with reluctance on the recommendation of friends. I thought the first book was poorly written, but the second, A Court of Mist and Fury, completely threw me off in a good way. The quality contrast between the second and first was so great that I had trouble believing that the two books were written by the same author. I ended up reading the third book as well, which was enjoyable but disappointedly mediocre – making me think, I’ll just stop the series there.

I read the entire Flesh and Fire series by Jennifer L. Armentrout which consisted of four lengthy books. It was definitely a page-turner and I was hooked with the first book’s world-building and witty banter and tension between the two love interests. It went downhill though. By the third and fourth book, things were just going around and around in circles with needless repetition. It really should’ve been edited, chopped and condensed to three books.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki. Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa.

The standout this year was Yōko Ogawa’s Mina’s Matchbox. The book was a packaged, perfect novel where not much really happens. The main character, Tomoko’s nostalgic reflections and poignant relay of her year spent with her eccentric extended family was healing and soothing in exploring friendship and family secrets. I loved this book, its gentleness and touch of melancholy combined with peculiar and wonderful characters was a real treat. I particularly adored Pochiko, the pet pygmy hippo. 2024 was really a year about pygmy hippos.

Another memorable book was Butter by Asako Yuzuki with its beautiful and eye catching cover, the book invoked a desperate desire to eat slices of Échiré butter on its own first, then have it with freshly cooked rice and soy sauce.

Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto. The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto.

A recurring author in my 2024 list was Banana Yoshimoto, one of my favourites. Moshi Moshi was a highlight with Yoshimoto’s hallmark poignant and reflective, life-affirming coming-of-age story. Whenever I see one of Yoshimoto’s books at the bookstore, it’s always an instant purchase to add to my collection.

I had a couple of duds in this year’s book list too. The book that first comes to mind was Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors, which I absolutely couldn’t stand, although I did force myself to finish it so I can only blame myself. It just wasn’t for me as I have now found out, I detest trauma-porn books.

Who We're Reading When We're Reading Murakami by David Karashima.

Since reading a lot more translated texts in the past couple of years, I’ve been thinking more about the intricacies of translations and publishing translated literature. One evening, I suddenly remembered I had Who We’re Reading When We’re Reading Murakami by David Karashima sitting in my bookshelf. The book essentially goes through some of the processes of translating, editing and publishing Murakami’s works. Karashima shares interviews with publishers, editors, translators and Murakami himself, revealing the deliberate choices made during packaging and exporting Japanese works to the West. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and it was fascinating to get a look into the behind-the-scene processes and conversations of translating books I’ve read myself. I rarely read non-fiction books but I definitely want to try and read more next year.

Greek Lessons by Han Kang.

A few additional notable books this year included, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which was an engaging modern-day Greek tragedy, Han Kang’s The Vegetarian and Greek Lessons which heavily twists and squeezes your mind, and Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez, which was a dark and emotional envelopment and introduction to horror and literature from Argentina.

Next year, I’ll read 40 books.


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