Small Things like These is a great Christmas book. If you're considering reading it, now is the time. The cadence is incredible. I was shocked when I realized over and over again that I had been reading for only 30 seconds, but my mind had constructed so many visuals and I knew the story so much deeper than 30 seconds prior.
Great list !!! Stoner was not only my top read of the year, but it is also now in my top all-time favorite reads. There were a few on the fiction list that I have not read that sound very intriguing to me. Thanks for putting this video together.
Yessssssss love how so many people love I Who Have Never Known Men!!!! (That’s my fav book this year) YOU NEED TO READ IT ANA!!!!!!! Truly so amazing and profound while also being such a quick read
Please explain. I wanted to love it. It‘s right up my alley - or it should be. But nothing happens and no deep thoughts are being had. The protagonist doesn‘t know life how it used to be and she doesn‘t encounter anyone who did either. I thought this would be a clash of ideas and upbringings or reflections on modern life. Ultimately she just hikes around alone for the rest of her life. Personally I much preferred ‚The Road‘ for those reasons
Just finished reading Doppelganger - very impressed, and even more important now than when it was written. I was very taken with No Logo when it first came out, but lost track of her for a couple of decades
My top 5 of this year: 1) The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters 2)Elena Knows by Claudia Pineiro 3) The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See 4)The River we Remember by William Kent Krueger and 5) Recipe for a Good Life by Lesley Crewe. All fiction. I read Doppleganger and really liked that too.
Ana I’m so happy to hear you’re interested in Lonesome Dove! It was my fav this year (along with into the wild, thanks for getting me into Mr Krakauer!)
Hi Ana! I love your channel, and just wanted to let you know that I read 'East of Eden' after you recommended it a couple of years ago and I LOVED IT SO MUCH, I owe you a gift basket. It was so wonderful, it made my best of youtube video for 2024, so thank you girl :) Keep making unique videos, you're wonderful!
My favourite this year was definitely black swans by eve babitz!!! I read this at the beach in Sicily and it was just a whole vibe :)) loved this video!!!
a tree grows in brooklyn will always be a fav of mine- shout out to my high school english teacher for recommending it to two anxious 14 year old girls. i buddy read it with my best friend and it rocked our worlds. glad to see it going around on the internet this year!
If anyone is gonna read julia foxs memoir, seriously consider listening to the audiobook. She narrates it herself and its such a whirlwind of a journey.
Books that stood out to me this year: "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. There is a reason it is considered a classic and it did not disappoint. Leonard Cohen's moving poetry collection, "Stranger Music." When it comes to the brevity of language, its directness, Eileen Myles's "a working life". Don't let the simplicity of their prose fool you though. It is purposeful and part of their poetics, not to mention authentic, coming from a working class background
I read a lot this year but if I had to choose my top 5 books of 2024, I would say the following (read them all in spanish, but hope the translated versions are great): 1. House of the spirits (Isabel Allende) 2. Our share of night (Mariana Enriquez) 3. Blind Sunflowers (Alberto Méndez) 4. The summer that melted everything (Tiffany McDaniel) 5. Cousins (Aurora Venturini) I also really enjoyed many Amelie Nothomb's, Ernaux's and Murakami's.. As for non-fiction I adored "That wich has no name", by Piedad Bonnett, and "With the end in mind" by Kathryn Mannix, and regarding poetry, definetly "Joana" by Joan Margarit. Hope this inspires future readings for somebody! I loved hearing everyone's favourites.
Between Two Kingdoms is an intense memoir, beautifully written, compelling read. I just read a book that amazed me. I, me, read a western! Such an unexpected, unusual selection for me----that i agreed to check it out & its so long: Lonesome Dove!!!! Loved it, so so fantastic, great book! Wow!! Also, before that, i read East of Eden...loved it. Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors now. Reading everything. Now, Grapes of Wrath. I cant believe YOU havent read it!!? What a talented beautiful writer!!
I do feel represented on this list bc even though I didn’t read Small Things Like These this year I am gonna reread it on Christmas and that will make it one of my favorite books of the year if you think about it.
THE SECRET HISTORY ❤❤❤ my all time favourite !!! My favourite non-fiction: MADHOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Julian Sancton. The story of the Belgica, a ship on a polar expedition in 1897. Just great !!!
@@nathaniel6421yes, I saw your comment. For me THE SECRET HISTORY is unique. No other book has ever captivated me so much. It’s hard to explain. The atmosphere of this book touched me so deeply. I think you either feel it or you don’t.
Yes, I cried. Read several of the books on your list. “Stoner” by John Williams was a first time read and it now ranks among my favorites after decades of reading. “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan is a prime example of good things being in small packages. “Hidden Valley Road” what a genetic nightmare fell on the Galvin family. Thanks for compiling this list from your subscribers, I enjoyed hearing about books that were usually not printed in 2024. Great outro ☘️🎶
Today I finished what I'd consider my favorite book of the year - A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley. Rounding out my top 3 are Address Unknown by Katherine Kressman Taylor (small but mighty and impactful) and A Gentlemen In Moscow, Amor Towles. Your viewers have great taste! Lots of excellent books on this list. I believe Demon Copperhead is a retelling of David Copperfield, which may be why you're confused. It's on my list for 2025.
Starting in January of this year I reread for the fourth time “Earthly Powers” by Anthony Burgess. This is one of the great novels of the 20th century and in fact spans most of that century. EP is highly unappreciated and barely survives in the shadow of “A Clockwork Orange” but is much superior to it.
Surprised to see Far From the Madding Crowd on this list. Don't tell Jennifer @InsertLiteraryPunHere. As she said recently, "It's not that I hate his sentences. His sentences hate me." 😅
I cannot understand how to choose between Secret history, Bluest eye, Stoner or Small thing like these, for example. Each of these books have its own worth and meaning. For me, it's definitely Stoner. Much more longer book than Small thing like these, and about intellectual, but for me it gave much more material for thought. Small things like these felt too simplified, there was no depth, just banal Christmas story. Longer book maybe would give deeper and stronger perspective and look at those problematic parts of Irish history
I read the Secret History by Donna Tarrt after it kept being recommended by book tubers who I like. I was... Disappointed? I do not get the hype? All the characters are insufferable. You never find out about the poor man that was murdered really. The group are egotistical, unlikeable bottom holes. Lots of people rate this book, I wonder if I have missed something?
It's just not for you, and that's okay! My favourite books all have insufferable main characters and focus on things you wouldn't expect in a story, so the secret history is right up my alley. A lot of people also like it outside of those things for the beauty of the writing. But if it didn't speak to you, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you or with the book!
I could not agree more. I hated the characters. I know we are not supposed to love them to enjoy a book but in the end I finished it just to be done with.
Small Things like These is a great Christmas book. If you're considering reading it, now is the time. The cadence is incredible. I was shocked when I realized over and over again that I had been reading for only 30 seconds, but my mind had constructed so many visuals and I knew the story so much deeper than 30 seconds prior.
Great list !!! Stoner was not only my top read of the year, but it is also now in my top all-time favorite reads. There were a few on the fiction list that I have not read that sound very intriguing to me. Thanks for putting this video together.
So pleased intermezzo made it so high up! Was so pleasantly surprised by that book this year, Rooney did not disappoint (except with the lack of pizza
Yessssssss love how so many people love I Who Have Never Known Men!!!! (That’s my fav book this year) YOU NEED TO READ IT ANA!!!!!!! Truly so amazing and profound while also being such a quick read
saaame
Please explain. I wanted to love it. It‘s right up my alley - or it should be. But nothing happens and no deep thoughts are being had. The protagonist doesn‘t know life how it used to be and she doesn‘t encounter anyone who did either. I thought this would be a clash of ideas and upbringings or reflections on modern life. Ultimately she just hikes around alone for the rest of her life.
Personally I much preferred ‚The Road‘ for those reasons
Thanks!
I read the Bluest Eye this year, and her writing is always so sublime, even when the subject is difficult.
Just finished reading Doppelganger - very impressed, and even more important now than when it was written. I was very taken with No Logo when it first came out, but lost track of her for a couple of decades
Great list thank you. Yes please. Let's get up that non-fiction alley.
My top 5 of this year: 1) The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters 2)Elena Knows by Claudia Pineiro 3) The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See 4)The River we Remember by William Kent Krueger and 5) Recipe for a Good Life by Lesley Crewe. All fiction. I read Doppleganger and really liked that too.
Love how the whip sfx always makes a guest appearance.
Love your videos Anna! Thanks for all the entertainment & reading inspo this year. Sending love to you
Ana I’m so happy to hear you’re interested in Lonesome Dove! It was my fav this year (along with into the wild, thanks for getting me into Mr Krakauer!)
I loved every second of this video!! East Of Eden was the first Steinbeck book I read but, Grapes of wrath is my favorite. Rose of Sharon is my hero💖
Hi Ana! I love your channel, and just wanted to let you know that I read 'East of Eden' after you recommended it a couple of years ago and I LOVED IT SO MUCH, I owe you a gift basket. It was so wonderful, it made my best of youtube video for 2024, so thank you girl :) Keep making unique videos, you're wonderful!
My favourite this year was definitely black swans by eve babitz!!! I read this at the beach in Sicily and it was just a whole vibe :)) loved this video!!!
a tree grows in brooklyn will always be a fav of mine- shout out to my high school english teacher for recommending it to two anxious 14 year old girls. i buddy read it with my best friend and it rocked our worlds. glad to see it going around on the internet this year!
It is kind of English. Demon Copperhead is a modern day retelling of David Copperfield.
'Giovanni's Room' is Perfect.
If anyone is gonna read julia foxs memoir, seriously consider listening to the audiobook. She narrates it herself and its such a whirlwind of a journey.
I loved Small things like these it was excellent happy to see it at the top! I would love a recommendation video for audiobooks!
Books that stood out to me this year: "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. There is a reason it is considered a classic and it did not disappoint. Leonard Cohen's moving poetry collection, "Stranger Music." When it comes to the brevity of language, its directness, Eileen Myles's "a working life". Don't let the simplicity of their prose fool you though. It is purposeful and part of their poetics, not to mention authentic, coming from a working class background
I read a lot this year but if I had to choose my top 5 books of 2024, I would say the following (read them all in spanish, but hope the translated versions are great):
1. House of the spirits (Isabel Allende)
2. Our share of night (Mariana Enriquez)
3. Blind Sunflowers (Alberto Méndez)
4. The summer that melted everything (Tiffany McDaniel)
5. Cousins (Aurora Venturini)
I also really enjoyed many Amelie Nothomb's, Ernaux's and Murakami's..
As for non-fiction I adored "That wich has no name", by Piedad Bonnett, and "With the end in mind" by Kathryn Mannix, and regarding poetry, definetly "Joana" by Joan Margarit.
Hope this inspires future readings for somebody! I loved hearing everyone's favourites.
Between Two Kingdoms is an intense memoir, beautifully written, compelling read. I just read a book that amazed me. I, me, read a western! Such an unexpected, unusual selection for me----that i agreed to check it out & its so long: Lonesome Dove!!!! Loved it, so so fantastic, great book! Wow!! Also, before that, i read East of Eden...loved it. Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors now. Reading everything. Now, Grapes of Wrath. I cant believe YOU havent read it!!? What a talented beautiful writer!!
You're quite a character 😃
Enjoyed it 9/10
love the end of the year of the list especially with our opinions!!!!!! the group project was definitely a success!!!
I actually feel you would love the Count of Monte Cristo so much!!! I’m almost done with it and it really is such a great read!
I do feel represented on this list bc even though I didn’t read Small Things Like These this year I am gonna reread it on Christmas and that will make it one of my favorite books of the year if you think about it.
I must say I enjoy your personality and your taste in books:)
Most of them I own already, but have yet to read. Sula was amazing. Need to reread asap.
Ana Wallace Johnson!
Yesss to the Top 100 non fiction of all a time list video, please!
THE SECRET HISTORY ❤❤❤ my all time favourite !!!
My favourite non-fiction: MADHOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Julian Sancton. The story of the Belgica, a ship on a polar expedition in 1897. Just great !!!
See my comment on The Secret History. I do not get it?
@@nathaniel6421yes, I saw your comment. For me THE SECRET HISTORY is unique. No other book has ever captivated me so much. It’s hard to explain. The atmosphere of this book touched me so deeply. I think you either feel it or you don’t.
Yes, I cried. Read several of the books on your list. “Stoner” by John Williams was a first time read and it now ranks among my favorites after decades of reading. “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan is a prime example of good things being in small packages.
“Hidden Valley Road” what a genetic nightmare fell on the Galvin family.
Thanks for compiling this list from your subscribers, I enjoyed hearing about books that were usually not printed in 2024. Great outro ☘️🎶
Doppelganger is literally a MUST read
I've been devouring books by Barbara Comyns..... ♥
Today I finished what I'd consider my favorite book of the year - A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley. Rounding out my top 3 are Address Unknown by Katherine Kressman Taylor (small but mighty and impactful) and A Gentlemen In Moscow, Amor Towles.
Your viewers have great taste! Lots of excellent books on this list.
I believe Demon Copperhead is a retelling of David Copperfield, which may be why you're confused. It's on my list for 2025.
my number one is on the savage side by tiffany mcdaniel❤
I literally finished I Who Have Never Known Men today and it is amazing and brilliant and I almost don’t know what to do with myself.
Starting in January of this year I reread for the fourth time “Earthly Powers” by Anthony Burgess. This is one of the great novels of the 20th century and in fact spans most of that century. EP is highly unappreciated and barely survives in the shadow of “A Clockwork Orange” but is much superior to it.
Yellowface R.F Kuang and pop. 1280 Jim Thompson are my best this year
I’m reading the graphs of wrath right now and it’s a lot
I need your hair blowout routine because your hair looks gorgeous.
read a lot of good books this year but found no new favorites 🙃
Is it only me or anyone else who has not read any of these books?
Surprised to see Far From the Madding Crowd on this list. Don't tell Jennifer @InsertLiteraryPunHere. As she said recently, "It's not that I hate his sentences. His sentences hate me." 😅
Interestingly, Naomi Klein references bell hooks in Doppelganger.
I didn't know RUclips could do dubbing 😮
THOMAS HARDY STAN CLUB
I wish i understood the love for Down The Drain. I love Julia Fox, I oove celebrity memoirs, I hated that book 😢
Why did you hate it?
I cannot understand how to choose between Secret history, Bluest eye, Stoner or Small thing like these, for example. Each of these books have its own worth and meaning. For me, it's definitely Stoner. Much more longer book than Small thing like these, and about intellectual, but for me it gave much more material for thought. Small things like these felt too simplified, there was no depth, just banal Christmas story. Longer book maybe would give deeper and stronger perspective and look at those problematic parts of Irish history
IM SO EARLY!!!!
You’re very very stylish
Not anywhere near done with this video, but has to comment to say I hated Doppelgänger. DNFed shot halfway through :/
Who is Digging for God?
I read the Secret History by Donna Tarrt after it kept being recommended by book tubers who I like. I was... Disappointed? I do not get the hype? All the characters are insufferable. You never find out about the poor man that was murdered really. The group are egotistical, unlikeable bottom holes. Lots of people rate this book, I wonder if I have missed something?
I think it’s a matter of taste
The fact that the characters are insufferable is the point of the book actually
It's just not for you, and that's okay! My favourite books all have insufferable main characters and focus on things you wouldn't expect in a story, so the secret history is right up my alley. A lot of people also like it outside of those things for the beauty of the writing. But if it didn't speak to you, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you or with the book!
Same I was very disappointed. Goldfinch on the other hand was pretty good
I could not agree more. I hated the characters. I know we are not supposed to love them to enjoy a book but in the end I finished it just to be done with.
Great video! 💌 Why are you (as a non Irish person) making fun of the Irish accent though? Several times. Genuinely asking what is funny/the point.