2024, the year I read smut.

A year review ... in books.

Stephen King said that "books are a uniquely portable magic”. I could not agree more as my book reading this year has unlocked my imagination, my own storytelling, my sensuality, and fun group chats in my text chains with women across the globe reading the same books.

To my smutty-book-best-friends, Sharona, Jenna, Jen D., Margaret, Stace, Jacy, Tayler and Sam, I love our roundabout way of book club text life!

Here is my list of some of my favorite reads this year:

📚 I have now read all of Sarah J. Maas books. Thousands of pages and I believe I embarked on her writing Thanksgiving of 2023 and finished the last available CC in October this year. I will choose my fav series once they are all complete but you know, ACOTAR was my first. I highly recommend, she is the gateway drug to romantasy.

📕 I loved 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby Van Pelt. I listened on Audible and the narrator for the octopus 🐙 was so sassy.

📕 I recently finished ‘All Fours’ by Miranda July. I heard someone say they hated the book and loved the book at the same time. And same. It was a work of art, truly. I would be interested to know your thoughts.

📖 📖 I devoured Rebecca Yarros’ 'Fourth Wing' and 'Iron Flame' this Summer. I do love Xaden. But I love Rowan from 'Throne of Glass' the most, in case you were wondering.

📚 I will follow Madeline Miller anywhere and read anything she writes. I started with 'Circe' on audible and then read 'Song of Achilles'. She also has a short story, 'Galatea'. Loved it, own it.

📕One of my fav books to discuss in my MOTHERMIND group was Elissa Strauss’ book titled 'When You Care'. She is starting a care revolution and I'm all in.

📖 I will always be reading and re-reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho - it is my favorite book ... ever.

📕 'Blood of Hercules' by Jasmine Mas had a grip on me and so excited she got picked up by a publisher. Not a spoiler at all: I love that Hercules is re-written as a female! As I got an early copy before publisher timing, it feels like rooting on an author who was so brave to write it without a big name behind them.

📚 I am loving the Hades x Persephone series by Scarlett St Clair. Finishing book 2 of the 7 book series now and pumped there is a 'Christmas Chaos' novella coming out for next year!

📕 I read Amanda Frances’ 'Rich as F*ck' book and loved so many chapters she wrote about quieting the noise and stepping into her power. Pssst, congrats on the engagement, Amanda!

📕I loved loved 'Tom Lake' by Ann Patchett. Meryl Streep is the narrator on audible and I enjoyed it so much!

📕 I believe on the edge of a pool in Mexico for my 40th birthday girls trip, I read ‘Funny Story’ by Emily Henry in one day. Her writing is so easy to read and her characters are complex and sarcastic and sharp. I don’t read a lot of romance sans fantasy, but I have read all of her books.

📕 I started ‘Gathering Moss’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer on Audible but did not finish. I believe it is one I need in my hands and want to underline. On my TBR for 2025.

And that is a great list of favorites! What did you read this year?