What I read in 2024
Wrap it up!
PART ONE
2024 was by far the best reading year I have ever had in my entire life. I successfully read 24 books. Though my goal for the past 3 years in a row has been to read 50 books in a year, I know that there are people out there that don’t read any, so I’m not gonna make myself feel bad for only 24. There were good, there were great, and there was one that was literally so boring. When I finish a book, and log it in as ‘read’ on GoodReads (follow me at Tay Simone Caldwell) I usually give it no more than 4 stars. I treat 4 stars as great, and anything below as subpar. I save 5 stars for the books that are so well written, that I wish I had written them myself. There are a few of those in this wrap up. Anywho… I rarely leave reviews, and almost never veer off of the 4 star path. Because of that, I will do my best to give a full, spoiler-free review of these books. Just a heads up that some of these reviews will be repeats from former articles I have posted here on Crying Over Spilled Champagne.
A Touch of Darkness by. Scarlett St. Clair- this book was a re-read from 2020, and 2021, and 2022, and 2023, and now 2024. I read at least one out of the three books in this trilogy once a year. This book is what made me fall in love with fantasy. I am a history nerd mixed with a hopeless romantic, and that is exactly what this book is. Based off the love story between the Greek mythology god and goddess Hades and Persephone, A Touch of Darkness is a spicy and pretty historically accurate telling of how Hades saved Persephone from the grasp of her wretched and over controlling mother, while also navigating life outside of Olympus. Smutty central. Nuff said.
Pestilence- The Four Horsemen by Laura Thalassa- I DNF’d this book because it was awful. One of my best friends (June) made me buy it with her so we could read it together, and while she finished it, I could not. I am unfortunately one of those people that can’t look past bad writing for the sake of the story. This book is badly written that I truly couldn’t make it past the first few chapters because I felt like I was reading a 13 year olds diary. The grammar was terrible, and the plot of the story was simply a woman wanting to fuck 4 horsemen that were tormenting the world… no thanks.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang- (5 STARS) Simply put, R. F. Kuang is a genius and a goddess and can do no wrong. I LOVE this woman. Not only is she a great story teller and writer, but she is active on GoodReads and leaves reviews of books that I also like… so we are basically best friends. This book tells the story of Juniper Song, a white American author that steals a story from her Asian friend that is also an author… but is dead. That’s all I am going to say because if there is one book from this list you need to read, its, this one. I first listened to this on audible, but decided to pick up the physical copy because I needed one of my own. This books is so genius, that I am in fact jealous that I did not write it first.
Pets and the City by Dr. Amy Attas- (5 STARS) This is a memoir telling the story of Dr. Amy Attas, a veterinarian born and raised in New York, and the stories of how she came into vet medicine, and some of the top notch clients that live in NYC. I am also jealous that I didn’t write this story. Dr. Amy Attas is the coolest person in the world. Not only does she have a great relationship with animals, but has a roster of clients ranging from Joan Rivers (RIP) in her Upper East Side mansion, to the average New Yorker in a fifth floor walk-up Chinatown studio. This was a fun and light read that will shock you and also put a smile on your face.
You’re the only one I’ve told- The stories behind abortion by Dr. Meera Shah- I read this book after coming across an interview with Dr. Meera Shah on TikTok. This non-fiction book tells true stories of women, and men in situations that result in them needing an abortion. Dr. Shah also goes into the statistics and data regarding reproductive health in America. Abortion is a taboo and controversial topic that most people are uncomfortable talking about. Given the title, Dr. Shah is often times the only person that knows when these women go though with an abortion. It is a secret that comes with a heavy weight, and this book goes deep into what it is like to be put in these positions.
Book Love by Debbie Tung- Book Love is a graphic novel that simply follows a girl that loves books. It’s cute and cozy and warm. Easy read!
Erotic Poems by E. E. Cummings- I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much from this because it wasn’t that memorable. E. E. Cummings is a world renowned poet, and I am not hear to dispute that, there was just nothing that stood out to me.
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler- This much anticipated memoir was everything I wanted plus/minus a little more. For those unaware, Anna Marie Tendler is an artist that was once married to famous comedian John Mulaney. I liked this book because I related to her sense of feeling lost in life. Trying multiple career paths, hoping one will fit just right, but none of them really do. When it was announced that Anna was releasing a book, the world was hoping it would include the story of her divorce from John Mulaney… it did not. John had made it a well known schtick that he and Anna would never have children because that wasn’t their lot in life. The world was then blind sided when John served Anna with divorce papers and was soon after photographed with a pregnant Olivia Munn. An uprising on the internet soon followed, showing most of the public in solidarity with Anna. This memoir goes in depth of the deep depression she faced before and after the divorce, plus other moments in Anna’s life that she feels shaped her into who she is now.
Millions of Cats but Wanda Gàg- I love a good children’s book. There are quite a few on this list. I will do anything in my power to feel like a kid, and sometimes escaping into an oasis where cats rule everything is the way to do that. I don’t want to give too much away because this is a 30 page masterpiece that I hope you adults will read.
Sociopath by Patric Gagne- This book was recommended by one of my professors (who I know is reading this. love you!), Prof. Jerry Portwood. One of the assignments we had was to write about a moment in our lives when we were embarrassed, and I told him that embarrassment isn’t something I feel. When I looked up what this meant, Google called me a psychopath. When I told Jerry this, he recommended this book. Patric Gagne is a self aware sociopath that talks about her life full of mischief and mayhem as she navigates what is is like to be a sociopath in a world that looks at them like they’re crazy. She is quite sane, and well educated, and aware of her condition. I like this memoir quite a lot. My only qual is that it is riddled with white privilege. Throughout her life, Patric commits many crimes like: breaking and entering, stealing, etc., and there are no consequences for her actions. This isn’t the first time we have seen a blonde woman committing crimes with no disciplinary action. But it was the only thing I could think about the entire book. She literally got away with everything. There is an instance where Patric is driven to commit harm to another human, and it is just brushed over. This unfortunately made me mad. Even though this is a well written book, an interesting story, and Dr. Patric does a great job of highlighting the fact that sociopaths don’t have a safe space in society, I couldn’t ignore the fact that her white privilege allowed her to get away with crimes that otherwise would have been serious for a WOC like myself.
Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle and Jensine Eckwell- This is obviously another kids book. I read this while babysitting a friends daughter. We were in Rizzoli on Broadway in Chelsea, and the cover caught my eye. I believe this will be a classic one day. It’s something you would likely read around Halloween, but it is exactly what the title says… they go into a Goblin Market.
My Little Golden Book About Betty White- Anyone that grew up in America knows about The Little Golden Book series. They highlight notable celebrities, athletes, scientist, authors, political figures, etc., and this one is about Betty White. My favorite TV show in the world is Golden Girls from 1985, starring Betty White. She is an American treasure that past away just shy of her 100th birthday. This book was a birthday gift from my mom and aunt. I will cherish it forever.
In an attempt to keep you engaged and not bore you to death, I will end the first part of my 2024 reading wrap up here. Reading is something I have come to love and I hope this inspires you to read more too.Let me know in the comments if you have read or would like to read any of the books in my 2024 reading wrap up! Until next time…
“That’s all.” -Miranda Priestly