Actually, that title, January to June, is a little deceiving. I didn’t read a book that should go on this list until April. And, I have read some fantastic books that come out in the second half of 2024, including one that’s released on July 9. But, I’m staying true to the spirit of this post. Years ago now, Jen Forbus asked me to send a list of my favorite books read in the first half of the year. This year, I’ve picked six. I already have the feeling, though, that two or three from this list won’t make my end of year list.
I’m listing my six favorites here with a reminder that you’re welcome to discuss your favorites on July 4 or July 11. Do you have three to five titles you consider favorites? Feel free to share for “What Are You Reading?” Thursdays!
As of now, Kelley Armstrong’s Rip Through Time novel, Disturbing the Dead, is on my favorites list. I like the story of Mallory Atkinson, a 21st century police detective stuck in the body of a housemaid in Edinburgh in 1869. But, I really like the way Armstrong incorporates the historic laws, medicine, and roles of women into her stories. Disturbing the Dead is the third in the series, and my favorite. It’s also the only one that made me cry. In this one, Armstrong gives readers a look at the life Mallory left behind when she was strangled in 21st century Edinburgh, only to return in the body of a housemaid. That’s the segment that made me cry.
Nolan Chase’s A Lonesone Place for Dying is the second book that’s on the list for now. Ethan Brand is a lawman in the northern United States, having to deal with economic and border issues. Fans of Longmire will recognize the type. After serving two tours in Afghanistan, Brand returned home to Blaine, Washington. But, he came home with an amputated foot, a prosthesis, and quickly became addicted to opioids. Then, Frank Keogh, the local police chief, recruited him. He worked for the police department for fifteen years before Keogh retired and Brand was appointed the new police chief. There’s resentment. One of his team ran against him. One has been on a two-month suspension, and Brand has to decide to terminate him or not. The mayor is not a fan. The richest man in town supported his opponent. And, on his first day on the new job, he finds a threatening note on his door. There’s even a body discovered by the railroad tracks. There had only been two murders in Blaine in the fifteen years Brand had been on the force. Now, there’s a third, and the mayor is confrontational, saying Brand isn’t up to the job.
The only juvenile book on my list is Kate DiCamillo’s Orris and Timble: The Beginning. It’s the first in a trilogy, but it stands alone. It features an unlikely hero, Orris, a rat who lives in an abandoned barn. He’s papered his little nest with pages from discarded books, and he has his treasures, a red velvet slipper, a marble, and, most important to the story, a sardine can with the words, “Make the good and noble choice!” When Orris has the opportunity to rescue a young owl, Timble, he has to overcome his fears to “Make the good and noble choice!” The illustrations are wonderful, but it’s the story that’s unforgettable.
Emily Henry’s Funny Story is the best of her books since Beach Read, with two protagonists to root for in this romantic comedy. Henry gives us two characters in their thirties who were hurt by their parents, and now by their partners who dump them to get together. Daphne and Miles end up rooming together until they decide to pretend they’re dating. And, that leads to romance.
Hope to Die is Cara Hunter’s sixth DI Adam Fawley police procedural. It’s everything a police procedural should be, with a solid team of police officers, a thoughtful lead, and a complex case that contains twists even up until the last chapter. After a death at Gantry Manor when a young man is shot, Fawley and his team have to dig into the past to investigate the disappearance of a child, wondering how it connects to the recent death.
As I said, Hope to Die is a well-written, complex police procedural with the investigation laid out carefully. There are a few spoilers for the previous book in the series, The Whole Truth, but if you start at the beginning of the series, that might not matter. Hunter provides an added feature, a summary of the police officers in the book, with their character traits, marriage status, and status on the team. It’s so helpful! This is one of my favorite books of the year so far.
Jenn McKinlay upped her game with her latest romantic comedy, Love at First Book. Of course, I picked this one up expecting to like it. It features a librarian who heads to Ireland to take two jobs, working as the assistant to her favorite writer, and helping in The Last Chapter, the local bookstore. Love at First Book is a love letter to bookshops, books, and loving mothers. As Kier, the bookstore owner, and Emily, the librarian, banter, they challenge each other with their knowledge of book passages. But, Emily yearns for something Kier might not be able to give. I loved this book enough to buy my own copy even after I read it.
As I said, several of these might not be on my final list. I’m reviewing Kate Quinn’s new book in July. There are books coming up by Nora Roberts and Louise Penny. The second half of the year promises to be a good one. As of now, these six top the list for 2024.
I don’t say these are the best books so far, but they are at least somewhat unusal:
The Man Who Forgot to Remember by Bill Garwin; A guy who never forgets anything can’t quite bring up a list required by a mafia don.
Murder for Treasure by Dave Vizard; Captain Kidd’s treasure leads to a cozy.
Blue Green by Richard Wall; Chariot Race hooligans lead to skulduggery in the Byzantine empire.
Top Secret Kill by James P Cody; a lobbyist is also a sort of fixer in the 1970s.
3:00 AM by Nick Pirog; a guy only awake for an hour day gets involved in intrigue.
Or, at least they’re ones you remember, Glen. Sometimes, that’s it for me. Which books are the most memorable? If I can’t remember what happened in a book, it won’t make the list.
I, too, thought FUNNY STORY was excellent, and you already inspired me to start the Adam Fawley series. Now I think I’d better get the first Rip in Time book. I’ll give my January-June favorites some thought and provide it in a week or two.
That sounds good, Kim! I’ll look forward to your list. I did think Funny Story was Henry’s best in years.
Nice choices. I liked the Chase book too, though I don’t know if it will make my favorites list. Jackie is a big fan of the Rip Through Time series. I have the first Cara Hunter book on hold, so we’ll see.
Will get my list in on Thursday, as I will be away next week.
The Chase book probably won’t make my end of year list, Jeff since I already read the Kate Quinn that comes out July 9, and it will make the list. Nora Roberts and Louise Penny are always possibilities.
I’ll look forward to your list!
OK, I did it. But it is 8 books, so will whittle it down. The top two – one fiction, one non-fiction – stand head & shoulders above the rest for me.
I’m looking forward to the list tomorrow, Jeff!
I hope to read NOLON CHASE’s book (his alter ego Sam Wiebe) kindly gave me a physical ARC at Seattle LCC and it’s still on my TBR.
And I have heard many positive things about JENN’s book. It’s on my TBR wishlist.
Hope to send in my list on Thursday. As I mentioned my reading in the last 3 months has sharply declined for many reasons. Only 12 books read from April-June, none of them are standouts. By comparison, I read over 60 books from January-March.
It’s tough to not have any standouts for a few months, isn’t it, Grace. As I said, this was my list, but a few won’t make my final list.
I hope you’re able to send us your list this week or next, whichever works for you.
I’m sorry about those darn allergies and your eyes.
Several of us liked the Nolan Chase book. You’ll get to it eventually.
I’ve only read one on your list, but A Lonesone Place for Dying is next up for me on audio. And I’ve read the first five in the DI Fawley series. The fifth was very intense – there should be a special category for books you admire, but didn’t enjoy.
I agree, MM. Usually, I don’t finish those books unless I’m reading them for Library Journal.
Have read and loved two on your list – Jenn’s and Emily Henry’s. Now off to choose mine (it’s hard!).
That’s because you read so many good ones in the first half of the year, Kaye! I didn’t read as many good ones so my selections were easier.
Only one on your list that I have read is the Nolan Chase one. Very much enjoyed it.
I don’t think the others are ones you’d enjoy, Kevin. And, you definitely don’t want to read my blog tomorrow. Just skip it on Wednesday!
I have not read any of the books on Lesa’s list – however there are at least three that I am interested in reading. Did my list yesterday and it disappeared into cyber space.
In no particular order here are my favorites so far this year
Lee Goldbert – Calico A very inventive and addictive book combining a mystery with time traveling.
Harlan Coben – Think Twice Coben has reunited Myron and Win in a very good book. The Myron Bolitar books were always amongst my favorites and this did not disappoint. Win has always been one of my very favorite characters.
Daniel Silva – The Kill Artist The first book in the Gabriel Allon series – had read many of the others but this was the first and is very good and answers a lot of questions about Gabriel
Mark de Castrique – Dangerous Women – the second in the Ethel Crestwater series and a former FBI agent and seems to be well connected to all of the intelligence gathering agencies.
Kallie Benjamin (Valerie Burns) My favorite cozy so Sniffing Our Murder. It features my pet o
f the year Bailey the Bloodhound. He is a delightful dog – does not talk, however his sniffing abilities are what makes the book work.
I really liked several of the books on your list, Jeannette. Thank you for putting it together twice!
I liked Dangerous Women and Sniffing Out Murder. I liked Bailey, too!
Fun list. Thank you!