2024 Pithy Book Reviews
#1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: I have lots to say! I recommend it for sure. This was the first 2024 Dear Nina Book Club pick.
#2. The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life With Friendship at the Center by Rhaina Cohen: This book should be essential reading for anyone who wants to see role models for living life with friendship at the center. Think Golden Girls and Grace and Frankie– but in real life, also younger people, and some men! Rhaina will be a guest on Dear Nina in late February.
#3. Running Mates by Emily Locker: It was so refreshing to read a book about political opposites that didn’t demonize one side or the other. I loved the characters and appreciated their growth by the end. Emily was on episode #88 of Dear Nina, “Differences of Opinion With Friends and The Potential of Friendship Between Cousins”
#4. The Last Love Note by Emma Grey: I enjoyed the story, which was a bit heavier than it seems it’s going to be at first. The narrator for the audio is excellent. I haven’t read something that deals with a brewing romance in a long time, and that was so fun.
#5. Here for
#6. 1000 Words by Jami Attenberg: If you’re looking for inspiration to sit down and write, Jami’s words and the words of her guest writers are a good, quick hit.
#7. Your Truly by Abby Jimenez: I read the first 350 pages in one night. I don’t even know what happened. I just looked over and it was 3:30AM. I easily finished the next day. I was swept up in the romance of this one. And it was nice to read a book set in Minneapolis.
#8. The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz: This was took me a while to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I’m a sucker for books about families with four kids because I have four kids.
#9. The Marriage Box by Corie Adjmi: I looked forward to picking this one up every time I got in bed. I was so curious how Casey, the main character, would manage her situation. I for sure recommend this one!
#10. Everyone But Myself: Julie Chavez: was listening to this memoir but it’s on pause while I listen to the next one on the list
#11. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: It’s part Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Twilight meets Harry Potter. Slow to start. By the last fourth, I was into it.
#12. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas: LOVED this one and really much more so than the first one. If you’re struggling with the first book, get through it so you can see what happens in this one.
#13. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas: This one was good in the last third, but it took a long time to tell this installment on the story. I discovered the 1.5 speed and it helped.
#14. Blank by Zibby Owens: A troubled marriage, frustrated writer, and some friend drama– a fun, quick read for me! And I got to moderate Zibby’s Minneapolis book event at ModernWell, which was a blast.
#15. Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon: There are some theme in this one that are similar to my previous read, Blank. Both feature a troubled marriage and a new start. I am always partial to characters in their 60s. I have no idea why! But Sylvia is a love. I was cheering for her all the way.
#16. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas: The worst in the series. Nothing spicy until 87%. More of a novella and a “Christmas” (winter solstice, obviously) special. My humorous video review went semi-viral on Instagram.
#17. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas: Um wow. The spiciest one of the bunch and my second favorite. Here’s my reel on my order from best to worst.
#18. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner: Thank you to netgalley.com for the copy of this one. It took me a while to finish this book even though I liked it. It was just so dark without anyone to root for. That said, I’m so glad I finished and I appreciated this study of one family as a whole.
#19. Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections by Anna Goldfarb: I loved this practical and loving take on being the best friends we can possibly be and being careful who extend that time and effort to as well. Anna has become a friend of mine after being on my podcast in 2022 and again in June 2024 when we discussed her 14-day friendship cleanse from the book.
#20. Funny Story by Emily Henry: I really enjoyed this one. I guess I’m becoming more of a romance reader. Some good friendship talking points, too. Loved the Midwest setting–this time in Michigan.
#21. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: currently listening. Reminds me of Funny Story a little bit. Always love a story set in Minneapolis!
#22. It Could be Worse by Dara Levan: Allegra’s story is one of resilience in the face of emotionally abusive, controlling, and neglectful parents. It’s a deep character study that had me rooting for Allegra from page one (and rooting against her parents.) Listen to Dara and I talk about camp friendships in episode #100!
#23. The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin: I liked this book about college friends and the ways they stayed supportive and close through the years, even with some ups and downs in their friendship.
#24. First Love: Essays on Friendship by Lilly Dancyger: I liked this one and especially appreciated the structure and storytelling.
#25. The Wedding People by Alison Espach: I really enjoyed this one! It went by quickly and I was rooting for these characters.
#26. Yearbook by Seth Rogen: Really fun audio that I do recommend but warning there’s lots of discussion of drug use (which was not my favorite). Still, I like Rogen’s writing and storytelling.
#27. Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams: I liked this one a lot! Good romance and characterization. I don’t normally love novels that go back and forth in time for historical and modern times but this one worked well for me.
#28. The Joy of Connections by by Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, Allison Gilbert, Pierre Lehu: I underlined something in every chapter of this book. I absolutely loved the wisdom shared here. My husband said my episode with Allison Gilbert was one of his favorite in 3.5 years of my podcast!
#29. Leaving by Roxana Robinson: Haunting. A very lonely sort of book. It’s mostly very sad, but so well written. I’m glad I went on the journey with these characters even though it left me blue-ish for a few days.
#30. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten: I did the audio and cannot recommend it enough. One of my favorite listens of the year. My friend Debra and I did a book chat and cooking class with friends. You can see a quick reel of it here.
#31.
#32. You are Here by David Nicholls: This was a really sweet, clever, well crafted book. Nicholls also wrote One Day, which I enjoyed many years ago. I recommend this one for sure.
#33. Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell: Gladwell’s audiobooks are always so well produced. This one took me a while to get through because some parts are just kind of boring. I did learn some things though and it was interesting to engage in the follow up to the ever-popular Tipping Point.
#34. All Four by Miranda July: Finished the audio, but can’t say I enjoyed it. Still, I did get to the end, which is not true for every book I begin. This is a not a spoiler to say that when I reached the last lines my first thought was, “I hope Jordi has a better friend than this.” A bit shocked re: National Book Award finalist.
#35. The Snarling Girl and Other Essays by Elisa Albert: Currently reading
#36. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante: currently reading but barely and probably need to move this one to 2025 . . .
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