2024 Book List

Rating: 3/5

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin

Many people recommended this book to me specifically. Therefore, I couldn't help but read it. Unfortunately, I could not stand the main characters. They were terrible people to each other and their friends, and no real growth happened. The only redeemable character was Marx. He was complex and thoughtful, and his family dynamics seemed far more interesting than any of the main characters. Another qualm I had with the book was the video game aspect. It felt as though the publishers probably told the author to dumb down the video game content in case it alienates readers without any gaming knowledge. I thought it was kind of a joke.

Rating: 4/5

Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo's Most Unlikely Noodle Joint

Ivan Orkin

A fun cookbook and autobiography by Ivan Orkin. It is about his love for Ramen and how he explored his personal growth and identity through a relationship with Japan and culinary cultures across the world. I also really want to try the Ramen recipes!

Rating: 3/5

The Cheat Code: Going Off Script to Get More, Go Faster, and Shortcut Your Way to Success

Brian Wong

A self-help book much like any other written by a CEO with primarily a marketing background. A lot about presentation and how to manipulate people, sorry, "pitch" to them. Did have some interesting things to say about managing investor relationships.

Rating: 5/5

Pachinko

Min Jin Lee

This is the story of four generations of a family hoping to survive in a world that rapidly changes, all within the first seven decades of the 20th century. At heart, this book is about family and often about the stories of immigrants and third-nation children. All the characters felt real, interesting, and hopeful. There are views and stories here that I encourage everyone to read and consider regardless of where they are in the world.

Rating: 4/5

Ritz and Escoffier: The Hotelier, The Chef, and the Rise of the Leisure Class

Luke Barr

A historical review of the birth of luxury, leisure, and hospitality. It was fascinating to see how two figures could change what it means to expect comfort and welcome while traveling or being away from home. Seeing a story of vision and ambition play out with a focus on housing and feeding people was interesting, considering most rags-to-riches stories involve exploitative company environments and iron-fisted control leading to changes. These figures worked to protect their workers, make a name for the service industry, and change a few laws along the way.

Rating: 4/5

Spinning Silver

Naomi Novik

My second book by Novik, I was actually on the hunt for a different book. Nonetheless, this fairytale retelling was creative and touching. The world relies heavily on some understanding of the history of the Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and Russia and how that history found the communities filling only certain roles in society and constantly aware of their "otherness" as defined by the surrounding non-Jewish community. I found this touch of realism fascinating as it added new ways to reflect on the storylines experienced by the different characters. For the romantasy readers out there, there is also a bit of a fun enemies-to-lovers trope to hold out for.

Rating: 3/5

Cheri

Colette

Colette crafts a story about an older courtesan and her young lover at a pivotal moment in their lives. The core of this short story is the realities of a marriage taking the young man away from their isolated bliss of passion and storied relationship. Personally, it felt a bit as though I was overhearing someone gossiping about a scandal they heard concerning people they knew well but were also mystified by.

Rating: 4/5

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguo

Ishiguro certainly deserves all the acclaim he has gotten through the years. His writing is evocative and flowing, guiding the reader throughout his crafted story. The book itself outlines the existential crises of a traditional English butler. What I particularly liked about the book was that it outlined the philosophical processing of a non-philosophical character. A person whose entire identity has been his job is now encountering thoughts about what it means to be dignified and even in love. I enjoyed it, but I did not see the character growing much due to the journey within the book.

Rating: 4/5

Siddartha

Herman Hesse

Unlike Ishiguro, who has a self-professed nonintellectual exploring philosophical ideas, Hesse has a highly intellectual character exploring similar ideas. The journey to enlightenment for Siddartha is condensed to 120-ish pages, yet still packs a book full of learning into the importance of living life in your own way. I appreciated the ability of the character to reflect on life and insist that the path to enlightenment is unique to each person and possible for everyone.

Rating: 3/5

The Last White Man

Mohsin Hamid

My recent attempt at listening to an audiobook while going to the gym. This book has facets that would make it great. Hamid's writing is direct and blunt in a way I would compare to Hemingway. However, the story itself often flipped between heavy-hitting and quaint. The social commentary is incredible, but there are occasional moments where the blunt, dry delivery detracts from the raw human emotions associated with the characters undergoing the changes they experience. Perhaps that was the point, that the changes are not actually that drastic, but at the same time, the changes offer certain learnings and experiences to the characters that lead them to grow as individuals. This growth feels undercut as their internal monologues remain straightforward and monotone.

Rating: 3/5

Johnny Got His Gun

Dalton Trumbo

I have read a few books that attempt to get their political message across, but none are as effective as Trumbo's novel. The anti-war message seeps through every page as more details of the horrifying reality of the protagonist are gradually revealed. The score is because, for every hard-hitting line commenting on the realities of war, an equal number of lines were describing a truly horrific situation of the main character cut off from the world. Just as often as I was impressed, I wanted to simply put the book away from disgust.

Rating: 5/5

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Shannon Chakraborty

A delightful nautical adventure of pirates, demons, sea monsters, and found family. Some unique aspects of this book include the author's depiction of a middle-aged heroine coming to terms with her current reality as a mother and devoted Muslim and reflecting on her wild years as a swashbuckler in the Indian Ocean. Amina becomes a powerful character reflecting on religion, feminity, gender, and social power structures while battling sorcerers and mythical beasts. I particularly appreciated the humor, often used to conclude each chapter and make the reader feel like they are listening to a grizzled storyteller. Just plain fun!

Rating: 4/5

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Sarah J. Maas

It is well-written and has some interesting world-building that includes and throws out various widely accepted myths about faeries. Other than being a bit impulsive, I did not find the protagonist as frustrating as I had heard others describe them. It was the love interests and the romance premises/setups that I had the most issues with; a lot of SA and Stockholm syndrome turned romantic feelings and a lot of drugging. I enjoyed the extended climactic confrontation through the end of the book. I did not appreciate the answer to the riddle, which felt contrived and cliche, and I also did not think the final transformation of the protagonist was needed or well justified. Overall, though, I can see why this book has managed to hook audiences and keep people reading.

Rating: 5/5

The Master and Margarita

Mikhail Bulgakov

I struggled with how to rate this book. On one hand, it felt like a fever dream of the devil coming to Moscow and causing chaos, with only institution patients being the innocent ones who actually knew what was happening. However, this felt intentional. The book's second part was an incredible narrative about Margarita's heroics and willingness to face the devil to save her beloved. In the second part, we see the author finalize all the plot lines set in motion during the book's first half. My overall impression is that you can almost sense the cheek and cleverness of the author as the story unfolds. It seems easy for them to have this chaotic and detailed story unfold and wrap up nicely.

Rating: 5/5

If We Were Villains

M. L. Rio

Dark academia? Thriller? I don't know! What I do know is that this book made my theater kid and Shakespeare nerd heart very happy. While intentionally archetypical, the characters had moments of humanness that made the story devastatingly enjoyable. I could not put the book down. In particular, I found the narrative structure of an unofficial and drawn-out confession immensely entertaining. I devoured each act for the check-ins at the start of every subsequent one, culminating in a powerful epilogue that completed the book well. That is until the last few sentences, which I believe softened the book's ending from a resounding period into more of a question mark.

Rating: 4/5

A Court of Mist and Fury

Sarah J. Maas

The second book in the forever-trending Court of Thorns series. Better than book one in terms of world-building and character development. A fun adventure with cute moments. Other aspects feel like a complete revision of the original stories and characters, with a few moments that made me laugh and roll my eyes.

Rating: 5/5

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Scott Lynch

What a book! The start of the Gentlemen Bastards Sequence is a wonderfully dark yet human adventure. The found family trope has a firm place at the core of this story. I fell in love with many of the characters, even the so-called villains and antagonists. Lynch adds moments of darkness that are incredibly adult but also feel justified and help ground the stakes of the world in some reality. I am greatly looking forward to the next book!

Rating: 4/5

Neuromancer

William Gibson

It is one of the most successful sci-fi books of all time, having won a load of awards, and it has been on my list for a while. As a fan of the cyberpunk genre, I had to read this book. I found the story, in many ways, more romantic and beautifully written than the fatalist undertones usually present in cyberpunk-style stories. In many ways, I appreciated that as it continued to subvert my expectations and led me through cyberspace from Japan to the USA to Turkey to Space, all within a brisk 300 pages. I was here for every twist and every surreal encounter with the AIs at the book's core. Great read!

Rating: 4/5

A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin

Le Guin is an author I have heard about but never read. This book supports all of the incredible things I've heard about her. Unlike other fantasy stories that often put the reader within the hero's journey, this one had a feeling of oral storytelling. Here, the readers find themselves more like listeners, enjoying the tales of a legend told by an orator. I found this change refreshing, and it made for a joyous story. On top of that, Le Guin's "Afterword" gives insights into her choices for the characters, the world, and the story's morals. Here, she has a chance to tie in her views on feminist and critical race theory alongside her philosophy around conflict and war. I found this "Afterword" the cherry on a delightful cake. I look forward to reading more of her writing!

Rating: 4/5

A Court of Wings and Ruin

Sarah J. Maas

Three books into the ACOTAR series, and what a conclusion to the Hybern Arc! I enjoyed the world-building and the complexity of becoming immortal explored through the relationships between the characters. Like the previous books, it maintains a relentless pace as plot point after plot point slams into the reader. This novel also has more explicit connections to various nations' old fairytales and folklore as it introduces characters (monsters) and prophecies.

Rating: 4/5

Midnight in Cairo: The Female Stars of Egypt's Roaring '20s

Raphael Cormack

Before this book, I had little insight into modern Egyptian history. Reading about how female singers, actresses, and cabaret stars were influential in establishing women's rights and propelling a country to the forefront of film production and music was fascinating. The author also does a great job of navigating the need for honesty regarding various politically charged topics. Considering the context and admitting when things were truly not great for women in the entire country, the author still highlights the worthy successes that should be recognized.

Rating: 5/5

Red Seas Under Red Skies

Scott Lynch

Heists, hijinks, and high seas! What more would anyone ask for from a fantasy novel?! Lynch leaves no stone unturned; every aspect of the book is intentional and detailed and falls into place with a satisfying chortle for the reader. In addition to his plot points, the dialogue and character relationships are a joy to unfold chapter after chapter. While I did have some questions about the recurring debate between the main characters and the conflict underlying the story, I found the circular nature of the novel and the parallels from start to finish intriguing enough to put aside some of my hesitancy. I am already hunting for the third book!

Rating: 4/5

The Last Graduate

Naomi Novik

The second book in the Scholomance series is a darker take on the usual magical school setting. I enjoyed the overall plot and challenge of this story quite a bit. The decisions the characters made were interesting and well-grounded within their character arcs. I heard the ending had a twist, but to be honest, while it was a cliffhanger, it was exactly the cliffhanger I was expecting, which felt a bit underwhelming. I am looking forward to getting my hands on the third book!

Rating: 5/5

Our Man in Havana

Graham Greene

My first traditional spy novel from the days of Post-WWII creative authors. Greene's book about the bumbling family man turned spy is a joy to read. It contained tropes that we now see popularized both in James Bond and also in satirical spies like Johnny English. I appreciate Greene's usage of the location; you can tell the author has the background of an avid traveler with an eye for detail, capturing an honest, albeit dark, picture of the places he visits. Excited for more of his novels!

Rating: 4/5

The Quiet American

Graham Greene

A second book by Graham Green and another book crossed off my list. I expected a suspense-filled spy novel set in the French-Vietnam conflict on the verge of US involvement. Instead, I got a deeply human story of coming to terms with love, relationships, lust, and what it means to be a witness to conflict. I found Green's ability to weave internal conflict into the foreground deeply engaging as the more violent conflicts seem to fall into the background until Fowler makes his decision, and both conflicts align for the conclusion.

Rating: 3/5

Foundation

Isaac Asimov

I enjoyed the style of Asimov's novel as he writes each section as a focused history of a single character and their behavior when faced with a crisis. I quite enjoyed the mantras and slogans developed by the characters as a philosophy for handling significant conflicts. While there were clear messages about playing the long game and avoiding needless violence and barbarism, there was also a bit of a cynical take on how to manage and lead large populations. Asimov shows how manipulation of religion and markets can be implemented at a large scale and lead to high subservience.

Rating: 3/5

A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway

The aspect of this book that I found most interesting was Hemingway's view of the war expressed through his character. Stereotypically, Hemingway is portrayed as the "macho man" author who writes and lives intense stories. But when you read the books, you will see that he actually has an incredibly negative view of war and the decisions being made during wartime. This was also obvious from his own introduction to the book. The aspects of the novel that were less impactful for me were the relationships between the characters. I found his portrayal of women in the book simplistic, making the characters feel unrealistic and unrelatable. This was a shame as the love story and connection between the characters were essential to their identities and motivations.

Rating: 3/5

Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin

Left Hand is my second novel by Le Guin, and the first of her Sci-Fi work. Again, her descriptive language and focus on rich, complicated characters is well worth the read. As with Wizard of Earthsea, I found the writing by Le Guin outside of the story in many ways more compelling. Her reflections on the reception of the book, especially its usage of gender as a flexible and compelling narrative exercise, were delightful. I am more convinced that I should continue to read her essays and non-fiction work as I find that commentary and reflection to be highly insightful and delightfully cutting.

Rating: 5/5

The Republic of Thieves

Scott Lynch

Finally, we get to meet Sabetha in the story! She is definitely the best of the little group of thieves, and I couldn't help smiling and laughing as the suave Locke melts to putty when in the same room as her. I found the flashbacks and adventures delightful and surprisingly light compared to the previous books. I did not find the epilogue particularly inspiring. However, the stakes seem to be returning after what felt like a nice holiday for the gang to reconnect and mature as individuals.

Rating: 3/5

The Metamorphosis and Other Stories

Franz Kafka

A gift from the University of Oxford to all of its students. The current exhibit on Kafka's translations at the Weston Library meant all students received a copy of the famous stories. I had only ever seen Metamorphosis in a play, so I finally had a chance to read all of the stories in which they were written. Kafka can certainly keep readers entertained with dark and twisted short tales. I found myself breezing through the stories, but I cannot say I truly enjoyed them all.

Rating: 3/5

South of The Border West of the Sun

Haruki Murakami

I had heard that Murakami had a rather blunt and interesting way of writing about intimacy and interactions between his male and female characters. This book encapsulates that description very well. The perspective from one single main character was incredibly well written, but it also made the character unlikable. I do not believe the reader needs to like the characters they read about, and I believe the blatant placement and self-reflection on the character's flaws were intentional. Ultimately, the tragedy in the love story is that it does not seem any character truly came to terms with their past lives and traumas.

Rating: 4/5

Land of Milk and Honey

C Pam Zhang

The story takes a tone on how greedy people spurred on climate disaster, and the wealthy's immediate response is to shut away and build their own secrete communities, leaving little to nothing for the public. Our main character sees it all and then decides to return to the world and place her hopes on people, chefs, and communities that want to find joy in life and food within the constraints outlined by the limitations of resources and society's response. Ultimately, the ending shows a lot about the complexity of people with visions trying to save the world. Yet, the true power was in people who committed to Earth and staying together.

Rating: 4/5

The Golden Enclaves

Naomi Novik

Another series completed. Novik's trilogy came to a close as the characters dealt with the known and unknown actions of their escape from the Scholomance. Personally, I found the big reveal connecting the magic powers and systems all together to be a bit transparent and easy to predict, but I enjoyed the feeling of vindication as all my predictions came true.

Rating: 4/5

Ninth House

Leigh Bardugo

Having only read her Six of Crows duology and seen the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone, I considered myself a newcomer to Bardugo's writing. I was not sure what to expect of her "adult" novel. I found the dark academia take on Yale and New Haven quite fun. There were bits of commentary about the elitism of the institutions, like other dark academia books. Still, I found a lot of the commentary to be a narrative around consent, power, and who believes victims when they share their stories. These topics wrapped in a compelling story made the book a joy to read through rapidly. I did find some of the twists better than others, but the ending was still quite satisfying. I will be looking to read the next one.

Rating: 3/5

There There

Tommy Orange

I am usually a fan of multi-perspective stories, especially when an event or location ties all the characters together. Therefore, I found this book quite enjoyable in that regard. I also do not know much about the life or experiences of the urban American Indian population, and I value any book that provides insight into a new (to me) community. I started this book as an audiobook in the airport. I struggled to enjoy the terse, direct language and descriptions of Orange's writing. Rather than leaving it as a DNF, I thought I should try it once more as a physical book. This helped immensely and led to an enjoyable read. I did find the dialogues and discussions between characters more engaging and enjoyable than the supporting prose. I enjoyed it, but it is definitely an intense read covering many adult topics.

Rating: 4/5

The President's Hat

Antoine Laurain

This is another book with multiple characters and perspectives tied together by a central object. I found each character to be so lively and enjoyable that I wanted the book to keep going. In particular, I enjoyed the story's connection to real figures and events in history. It is written with a clear love for art, life, and politics, which I enjoyed.

Rating: 3/5

Burma Sahib

Paul Theroux

By not knowing much about George Orwell's life outside of his writing, this novelization of his early life in Burma was quite revealing. By weaving together a compelling personal story with known events of Orwell's life, Theroux makes for a gritty review of British colonial occupation. Also, for those grappling with whether to ever start that book they dreamed of writing, perhaps it offers some clarity and calm in the midst of overwhelming environments as it did for Orwell.

Rating: 4/5

The Brothers Karamazov

Fyodor Doestoevsky

I ended last year with a book by Dostoevsky; it seems like I will do so again with his final book. The Brothers is a beast of a book to read and finish, but I recommend it sparingly; perhaps have it as a book on the side while reading other things. There are not so many characters that you lose track of, but many individual events and short stories come together to reveal what is happening in the small town among the brothers. I found the narratives and discussions on what makes a holy man similarly interesting and entertaining to certain conversations in Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose. The book's final act, going through the legal drama, was also an enjoyable conclusion to the long adventure laid out beforehand. Yet another good book to end on.