2024: My Year in Reading and Blogging

What the Statistics Don’t Cover

Irrespective of numbers, I had what I consider a good reading year. Assembling my list of the best books I read in 2024 was more difficult than usual because this year I purposely chose to read books that fit within the paradigm of Life Stories in Literature; therefore, they were almost all good books that fit their purpose and thereby received high ratings.

I also read a couple of dense nonfiction books about the authors’ reading experiences and evaluations. I was surprised at how interesting those books were, but they still required a lot of extended concentration and slow reading, including note taking.

Although I had a good reading year, I did not do well with blogging. As I put together my Best Books of 2024 list, I realized that I’ve only reviewed one of the books on Notes in the Margin. I know I say this every year, but this year I really mean it (sure. . .): I have to do better here next year.

On December 26^th I received this certificate from WordPress:

So there’s that.

But because I want each book review to be a masterpiece of depth and perception, I often put off writing. I think I may have to start doing a monthly round-up of books read with shorter comments: you know, pithy remarks, but still deep and perceptive. That would certainly be better than nothing.

It’s a constant struggle: Do I take the time to put together a review of the book I just finished, or do I pick up the next book waiting for me? Because there are always so many more books waiting for me, that’s what I usually choose to do—choose being the key word here. Yes, it’s a conscious choice, and I can choose to do better.

Thanks for listening. Despite my lamentations, I’m looking forward to 2025. Happy New Year!

© 2024 by Mary Daniels Brown