I know a couple of the readers of the blog who are always eager to see our Thursday posts because they want to see what Margie Bunting is reading. She reads interesting titles, and often in advance. Thank you, Margie, for today’s post of your favorite books read in 2024. Added note: For some reason, not all of Margie’s titles came through in her email to me. She added some additional Honorable Mentions and Some Notable Nonfiction in a comment afterward. I’m sorry I didn’t have her entire post.

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MARGIE’S FAVORITE READS OF 2024

Happy New Year, fellow readers!

Of the 150 books I finished in 2024, I have chosen ten that I rated highest, along with an
abbreviated review for each. I haven’t put them in categories this year—just listed them in the
order I read them. I’ve also included a few “honorable mentions” with a few lines explanation.

TOP TEN:

The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan

This lovely book has everything I look for in a life-affirming, entertaining read: quirky characters
of diverse ages who instantly feel like friends, initially questionable characters who develop into
more engaging humans, past secrets or troubles that need to be resolved, dreams that haven’t
yet been fulfilled, sparkling dialogue, a vibrant setting, and heartfelt emotion. Venetia is a
spirited widow of a certain age who forms a new household with her neglected 10-year-old
grandson, a reticent fortyish personal assistant, and a brash sister-in-law, with delightful results,
and also helps save a local church and a rundown ballroom where she once taught dancing.
Each of Hogan’s books is a treasure.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

This is a story of found family, unforgettable characters, and the wondrous concept of puzzles
as a way to bring people together. Crossword designer Pippa creates a commune of the
brightest minds in the business of puzzles (of all kinds) and also takes on the role of mother to
which she has always aspired when, at age 67, she finds a baby on the commune’s doorstep.
Son Clayton’s story continues after her death, as he searches for his birth parents. There is so
much to love about this quiet story that packs a depth of emotion that I wasn’t expecting. All of
the characters are distinctly portrayed and have their own interesting stories and resolutions.
And the diverse puzzles and related “events” that are described are irresistible.

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner

Colton is a high school football star and a country singer with mild success until one of his
songs is a hit. But after a personal tragedy, a failed marriage, a career-ending incident during a
concert, and a stint in rehab, he finds himself alone, broke, and living with his mother. A chance
meeting with his high school sweetheart leads to an employment opportunity he would never
have expected, but it is not without many challenges to his sobriety and his penchant for running
away when the chips are down. I love the author’s beautiful writing style and the warm, nuanced
character development of not only the protagonists but the supporting characters as well. Parts
of the book are wildly romantic, but it’s really a story about redemption, starting over, and all
kinds of love.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

It’s impossible to overstate what a special book this is. The plot features three strong
protagonists: Violet spent two years in prison for drunk-driving manslaughter; retired teacher
Harriet leads the book club in that prison; and retired machinist/ bookstore handyman is the
husband of the woman killed in Violet’s accident. All three are coming to terms with problems in
their past involving family issues, unhappy relationships, and/or disastrous mistakes, ultimately
becoming a sterling example of “found family.” Book club scenes are unforgettable and often
hilarious. Violet’s evolution and her scenes with her employer’s African gray parrots are
delightful. The main characters carry the story with deeply felt emotion as they discover what
they really want out of life and set a path to achieve it.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

A bus full of members of the Senior Citizens’ Social Club, the club’s coordinator, one teenager, a
baby, a toddler, and an old dog is stopped by the police. Several of the nervous passengers
start to confess their (illegal) sins, but the person the police constable is really looking for has
already escaped from the bus without a trace. It seems the building that houses the club, other
groups, and a daycare center is scheduled to be sold, leaving them with nowhere to meet. It’s
an important place to everyone on the bus for varied reasons, and they band together to save
the building. Every one of the characters is unique and memorable. The seniors, a motley crew
of eccentrics, are treated sensitively and with respect, Along the way, there are creative ideas,
unexpected close relationships, and a lot of humor.

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher

On one hand, it’s a fascinating mystery, and the other, the story of a spirited woman in a
wheelchair who has had an extraordinary life. In the adult care home where she lives, Florrie
witnesses the facility manager’s body falling from her third-floor quarters to the hard ground. So
she and a new male friend look for evidence of whether it was a murder. The real star of the
book is the author’s luminous prose and writing style, chockful of descriptions of Florrie’s
surroundings, detailed retellings of adventures with six men in her life, and personal musings
about her outlook on what makes a successful life. All of the characters, even less admirable
ones, are layered and believable. I had to read more slowly to savor every word and image, and
it touched all of my emotions.

Kate and Frida by Kim Fay (March 2025)

I love a good epistolary novel, and this one is topnotch. Two 20-something women in the early
1990s—Kate working in a Seattle bookstore and Frida in Paris ordering a book from Kate—click
on a deep level. Each aspires to be a professional writer—Frida a war correspondent and Kate
a novelist. The perspectives they gain from each other are often invaluable, but they must still
deal with their personal crises in their own way. Very different in how they approach life, both are
equally appealing, and each undergoes significant character development throughout the book.
There are serious issues to confront, but also an abundance of humor. I found the ending to be
perfect—heartening and gratifying.

Back After This by Linda Holmes (February 2025)

Linda Holmes’ insights on NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast are thought-provoking and
entertaining. In her third book, Cecily’s boss swears she is his best podcast editor/producer, but
she dreams of having her own show. With the business in financial trouble, Cecily reluctantly
agrees to be the centerpiece of a new podcast where she goes on 20 dates to find her
soulmate, with the guidance of a relationship coach. Thankfully, there is only brief coverage of
the dates, and the focus is squarely on Cecily becoming able to articulate and demand what she
wants from a man, her career, and herself. I especially appreciate the depth and detail Holmes
has given all of her unique characters, and it is fascinating to look behind the scenes at the
making of a podcast.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

In his stunning, award-winning YA debut, Zentner balances moments of great joyfulness and
deepest despair in a tale of three rural high school seniors. All school outcasts, they form a
strong bond as they imagine their lives after graduation. Eccentric Lydia is a good student with a
successful blog and supportive parents. Travis has a passion for a fantasy book series and
fellow online enthusiasts. And Dill is the son and grandson of fundamentalist snake-handling
preachers, one of which blames Dill for putting him in prison for a heinous crime. Zentner can be
counted on for flawed, fascinating characters with details that make them vividly come to life,
realistic emotion that wrings you dry, and a writing style that propels you breathlessly from page
to page.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman (May 2025)

The focus of this dazzling book is on a small group of 14-year-olds, 25 years ago, whose
friendship helps them keep going in the face of family issues and personal problems that could
easily break them. One is an uber-talented artist, whose friends urge him to enter a competition
so he can become more confident. More than two decades later, the artist has an encounter
with an 18-year-old foster care veteran, whom he quickly recognizes as an artistic soulmate.
After he gives her a surprising gift, she embarks on a train trip with another of his friends, now a
floundering ex-teacher, who tells her the whole story. Backman has a flair for creating genuine
characters with believable quirks and realistic dialogue. Along with them, we experience grief,
joy, family struggles, violence, love, friendship, and survival with grace and humor. The details
are what makes the story so beautiful, tragic, and life-affirming at the same time. This book is
also a paean to the power of art, with many quotations from writers and philosophers sprinkled
throughout.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra

Clever parallels (not overdone) to The Wizard of Oz in this tale about another Dorothy Gale, an aspiring writer whose college professor betrayed her), An absorbing read with relatable characters and a satisfying ending

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

A feel-good story with some tough moments. Two.screenwriters with different levels of experience and their own agendas collaborate on a screenplay. So much more than a steamy romance—a couple worth rooting for.

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Thank you, Margie! And, thank you for reminding me about Kate & Frida. I need to read that one.