2024 in Books: Musings, Metrics, and My Top Ten Picks
How I tried to read wider, track better, and enjoy every word.
Dear reader,
I kicked off 2024 feeling pretty confident, a little smug even. After all, I’d pulled off the 50-books-a-year feat a few times before—why not again? But halfway through, I was hit by the dreaded “pregnancy brain” (yes, it’s real, and no, I will not be taking questions at this time), and I wrapped up the year with a modest but mighty 41 books under my belt. That’s 82% of my goal. Not too shabby, right?
While I didn’t hit that round number, I did keep my reading habit alive (that’s the most important)1. I read in waiting rooms, in bed, during Braxton Hicks, and while mentally drafting a birth plan and a reading list for maternity leave. I even stumbled into some new obsessions (looking at you, Susana Moreira Marques). But before I get into recommendations, let me rewind and share what I set out to do—and how it all went down.
READING MORE PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING AUTHORS
As a journalist, I’m lucky enough to get my hands on early releases—and occasionally, I even get to chat with the authors. So one of my 2024 goals was to read more Portuguese-speaking authors2 in Portuguese3. Mission (mostly) accomplished. While I didn’t hit the numbers I was hoping for, over 30% of my reading came from Portuguese-speaking authors. Not quite where I’d aimed, but is still progress (maybe this year I can achieve 50%?).
I also attempted to complete the Diverse Baseline Challenge, which involved reading at least three BIPOC authors per month, guided by themed prompts. Spoiler: I flopped. Of the 36 books I intended to read, I only made it through eight. Still, no regrets—it led me to some unforgettable voices I probably wouldn’t have come across otherwise, like Native American Joy Harjo and Angeline Boulley, or Chinese-American Sunyi Dean. Worth every page.
The rest of my reading year? I let vibes lead the way. Pregnancy was unpredictable, and so was my TBR. I mostly leaned into my love of romcoms (always a comfort) and did a bunch of buddy reads of children’s and middle-grade books4. If you have little ones—or any kid in your life—I highly recommend it. It’s a lovely way to connect, and there’s so much high-quality lit out there for younger readers.
HOW I TRACK MY READING (YES, I’M THAT PERSON)
Some people nest by folding onesies. I nested by looking at spreadsheets. Plural. Color-coded. Beautiful.
Yes, I love tracking what I read and obsessively updating my personal library records. I use both Goodreads and StoryGraph (I can’t pick a favourite, but I do recommend the latter5). I also rotate through several reading trackers and have an embarrassing number of templates downloaded “just to try”.
In 2024, my MVP was the AubreiKTemplates reading tracker. I loved it so much that I already snagged the 2025 version. It’s automated (thank god, because Google Sheets is still a mystery to me), and it even lets you track diversity and representation data6, which I find incredibly helpful.
MY 2024 FAVOURITES
Since I read 41 books and loved far too many to count, I’ve split my favourites into two Top 5 lists: one for Portuguese-speaking authors, and another for international reads.
I’ve linked each book that’s available in English to a platform that supports independent bookstores. So, if you decide to pick them up, I’d love for you to shop locally or from an indie store rather than the usual big players. For the books in Portuguese, I’ve done my best to translate the titles into English (full disclaimer: I’m no translator, but I hope they capture the essence of the originals), and I’ve linked them directly to the publishers’ websites.
PORTUGUESE FAVOURITES
A Desobediente – Biografia de Maria Teresa Horta (The Unruly One – Biography of Maria Teresa Horta) by Patrícia Reis
I read it for work and got to chat with the author—what a treat. The biography unfolds in fragments, with a jumbled chronology that somehow works perfectly. It offers not just a vivid portrait of Maria Teresa Horta but also a mosaic of the decades she’s lived through. It's a must-read.
Terceiro Andar Sem Elevador (Third Floor Without Lift) by Susana Moreira Marques
In 2023, my editor lent me Agora e Na Hora da Nossa Morte (Now and at The Hour of Our Death), which left me in tears. Not long after, I read Lenços pretos, chapéus de palha e brincos de ouro (Black scarves, straw hats and gold earrings) before interviewing Susana for Time Out Lisboa. I’ve been hooked ever since. In Terceiro Andar Sem Elevador, she invites us to see Lisbon through her eyes—thoughtful, fragmented, and deeply human.
O Que É Meu (What Is Mine) by José Henrique Bertolucci
Part of Companhia das Letras' literary non-fiction collection, this book explores grief, cancer, and colonisation through the story of Bertolucci’s father, a Brazilian truck driver from 1965 to 2015. It’s heavy, yes, but it packs quite a punch and is written in an accessible style that makes it a powerful, worthwhile read.
As Melhoras da Morte (Fell Better From Death) by Rui Cardoso Martins
Ten years after E Se Eu Gostasse Muito de Morrer (What If I Really Wished to Die), Martins picks up the story of Cruzeta. Where the first book had a grenade-toting narrator on the brink, this one is more about surviving—and finding life after loss. It’s a meditation on grief, death, and how life somehow carries on.
O Meu Pai Voava (My Father Flew) by Tânia Ganho
Written in the wake of the author’s father’s death, it’s a short, sharp, and stunning read—a tender reflection on loss and memory that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
INTERNATIONAL FAVOURITES
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
A dark fantasy that turns out to be a raw, raging love letter to motherhood, storytelling, and survival, especially regarding breaking intergenerational cycles of violence. I could write an entire essay on how this one cracked me open.
Babel by R. F. Kuang
Winner of the Nebula for Best Novel, this book takes you to a fantastical Oxford and lays bare the colonialist roots of modern institutions—and how translation can be both bridge and betrayal. As Kuang puts it, “sometimes what we’re trying to dismantle is the very thing we love and want to be part of.” An ambitious, brilliant novel that lives up to the hype.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
A gorgeous, gut-wrenching memoir about losing her mother, reconnecting with her Korean heritage, and healing through food. The prose flows beautifully, and the food descriptions? Chef’s kiss.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
A YA thriller that’s equal parts mystery, cultural reflection, and coming-of-age tale. It’s not a genre I reach for often, but this one had me hooked from start to finish. Completely gripping.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I read this after watching the Apple TV adaptation (one of the best mini-series in years, no joke), and the book was still a total delight. The protagonist—a brilliant chemist and single mom—is unforgettable. Her daughter’s a gem too. Feminist, funny, and full of heart.
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In 2024, books were my lifeline. In a year where everything seemed to shift—my body, my brain, my very concept of time—, I found joy in every chapter. They were the one thing (besides the occasional indulgence in junk food, which, frankly, was also crucial) that made me feel a little more like me.
Anyway, I’d love to hear how you make space for stories.
I finished the graphic novel A Companheira (The Companion), by Agustina Guerrero (might write and share a review in the future), and I’m more than halfway through Sunrise on the Reaping, by the legendary Suzanne Collins. I can’t believe how many people have already died. I mean—I can believe it, but that doesn’t make it any less gutting. I’m holding out hope that Haymitch gets to land at least a small blow of revenge on the Capitol.
There’s so much I’m still trying to figure out. Why does the title refer to a sunrise—hope, rebirth, or something far darker? And is this character I’ve become emotionally attached to already doomed? (Probably. Definitely.) There’s a new, more insidious flavour of dread now. Who’s rewriting history—and who’s resisting the edit? I keep asking myself: What kind of revenge is even possible when the system is this rigged?
I have so many questions—and no emotional stability left.
We’re already deep into 2025, but hey, who says we can’t still savour 2024’s bookish highlights? Today, I’m sharing some thoughtful and fun wrap-ups from fellow readers, packed with insights, reflections, and plenty of inspiration to fuel your own reading list. Whether you’re looking to fill in the gaps or just discover something new, these posts are full of great suggestions:
My top ten books of 2024, by Libby Page;
A year of reading: 2024 in books, by Laurel Clayton;
The ten best books I read in 2024, by Heather Fawcett;
All the books I’ve read in 2024, by Pandora Sykes; and
My 2024 reading wrap-up, by Regan.
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When people ask how I manage to read so much or wonder how there are people capable of reading even more than I do, I tell them it’s all about choice and habit: I choose reading over other distractions, and I make it a point to read every evening after dinner.
When I refer to Portuguese-speaking authors, I mean authors from Portugal, Brazil and the Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Partly because I write about books for a living, and partly because, well, it just felt right to give my attention to voices speaking (and thinking) in my own language.
I discovered the Skandar series by A. F. Steadman, and since it’s being translated into Portuguese, I’ve been reading it in English while my niece follows along in Portuguese.
Goodreads is owned by Amazon and StoryGraph was founded by Nadia Odunayo, a black entrepreneur and software engineer.
I recommend Some Thoughts on Reading Diversely and Promoting Diverse Books & Authors, by indie author Margherita Scialla.