Reading Glasses Podcast Episode Summary: Ep 391 - Best Books of 2024!
Release Date: December 26, 2024
In Episode 391 of Reading Glasses, hosts Mallory O'Meara and Bria Graham delve into the literary highlights of 2024, unveiling their top book choices across various genres. This episode encapsulates their thorough discussions, personal insights, and the collective preferences of their listener community, the Glasser voters.
Opening Discussions
The episode begins with Bria Graham and Mallory O’Meara sharing their current reads. Bria discusses her engagement with "The Girl in Red" by Christina Henry, a post-apocalyptic retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood, while Mallory reveals her struggle with "The Cautious Traveler's Guide to the Wastelands" by Sarah Brooks—a historical fantasy set in an alternate 1899 where a Trans-Siberian railroad navigates a surreal, disease-ridden landscape (00:31).
Listener Feedback: Top Glasser Books of the Year
Mallory introduces the listener-voted top Glasser books, categorized into Top Three, Middle of the Pack, and Honorable Mentions. The Top Three books, receiving the most votes, are:
- "Funny Story" by Emily Henry (05:30)
- "The Husbands" by Holly Grazio
- "Map of the Other Lands" by Heather Fawcett
The Middle of the Pack includes titles like "Eyes of the Best Part" by Monica Kim and "A Letter to the Luminous Deep" by Sylvie Cathral, while Honorable Mentions feature "Diavola" by Jennifer Marie Thorne and "Horror Movie" by Paul Tremblay.
Top Books Reveal
After a brief interlude sponsored by Miracle Made Folks, the hosts reveal their personal top books of 2024, highlighting both shared favorites and individual picks.
Shared Favorites
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"Horror Movie" by Paul Tremblay (12:35)
- Both hosts praise Tremblay's ability to depict the indie film industry with chilling precision. Mallory notes, "Paul is the king of getting under your skin," emphasizing the book's lasting impact.
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"The Husbands" by Holly Grazio
- Bria appreciates its humorous take on modern dating, stating, "It's a metaphor for the apps," while Mallory commends its clever narrative and relatable protagonist.
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"The Night Guest" by Hilda Neutsdottier
- Translated by Mary Robinette Kowal, this compact horror narrative captivates with its premise of mysterious nocturnal activities (15:09).
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"Margot's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe
- Both hosts laud Thorpe's smart and hopeful portrayal of a young woman navigating financial and personal challenges, with Bria highlighting its non-judgmental approach to sensitive topics (16:14).
Individual Favorites
Bria Graham’s Picks:
- "The Eyes Are the Best Part" by Monica Kim: Praised for its psychological and body horror elements (18:37).
- "Book of Love" by Kelly Link: Described as a masterpiece blending literary fiction, fantasy, and horror (19:06).
- "The Age of Magical Overthinking" by Amanda Montel: Recommended for its insightful exploration of modern internet culture (20:54).
- "Of Liars" by Alexis Henderson: Celebrated for its Dark Academia themes and magical elements (22:29).
- "Mystery of Time" by Kayleen Bradley: Recognized as accessible and engaging science fiction with romantic undertones (36:07).
Mallory O’Meara’s Picks:
- "Book of Love" by Kelly Link: Also her top overall pick for its multifaceted storytelling (19:06).
- "Grief is for People" by Sloan Crosley: Lauded for its honest and compelling portrayal of grief (20:50).
- "Summer's End" by Juno Black: Highlighted as an exemplary cozy mystery within a series (25:28).
- "Grief in the Fourth Dimension" by Jennifer Yu: Acclaimed for its smart, sad, and beautifully compelling narrative (34:45).
- "Bog Wife" by Kay Chronister: Noted for its unique gothic elements and surreal storytelling (36:45).
Special Categories
The hosts introduce several special categories, recognizing excellence in specific genres and formats:
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Best Translated Book:
- Bria: "Kamigawa Food Detectives" by Hisashi Kashiwai, translated by Jesse Kirkwood, praised for its cozy narrative centered around food.
- Mallory: "Wormwood" by Layla Martinez, translated by Sophie Hughes and Annie McDermott, admired for its unique haunted house portrayal (42:03).
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Best Graphic Novel:
- Mallory: "The Night Mother" by Jeremy Lambert and Alexa Sharpe, commended for its stunning artwork and captivating story.
- Bria: "Hack Slash Back to School" by Zoe Thgood, celebrated for its fresh take on the Hack Slash universe (43:02).
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Favorite Audiobook:
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Best Debut:
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Books Needing More Buzz:
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Books to Be Adapted:
Reflections and Closing Thoughts
Throughout the episode, both hosts reflect on their reading experiences in 2024. Bria expresses satisfaction with her curated list, emphasizing the strength of her top choices, while Mallory candidly discusses the challenges she faced due to a tough personal year, resulting in fewer reads and more book dumps. Despite these hurdles, both remain enthusiastic about their selections and grateful for the supportive Glasser community.
Mallory concludes with heartfelt thanks to their listeners, highlighting the importance of community support during difficult times and encouraging continued engagement through emails and their Slack channel.
Notable Quotes
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Mallory O’Meara on "Book of Love":
"If you are Guillermo del Toro, spooky fantasy kind of person, please buy this book. It's amazing." (19:34)
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Bria Graham on "The Husbands":
"It's funny, it's clever. It's very timely." (16:14)
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Bria Graham on "In Utero":
"It was hard, but it was so smart." (55:09)
Conclusion
Episode 391 of Reading Glasses serves as a comprehensive guide to the literary landscape of 2024, offering both shared and personal recommendations across a breadth of genres. Mallory and Bria’s passionate discussions, enriched by listener feedback and thoughtful categorization, provide valuable insights for book lovers seeking to navigate their reading lists for the coming year.
For more details on the books mentioned and to join the conversation, listeners are encouraged to visit the show’s newsletter and engage via email at readingglassespodcast@gmail.com.