Worst of 2024
A list of my worst reads of the year
As always, this list is an opinion list and not even a definitive one as my feelings on what I read changes constantly. I rated these books between 2 and 3.5 stars, and some of them made the list simply because they felt like a let down, possibly because of being overhyped, or I'd enjoyed previous books by the same author more, not because they're bad books. In fact, some of these might be favs of yours! And that's great. I can honestly see the appeal of each and every one of these books, even if they didn't do it for me.
01
The Murder Game by Tom Hindle
This felt slow paced and boring, largely because it relies so much on conversation to give us information, but the characters weren't distinct enough to make that conversations interesting.
02
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
I loved the concept of this but I didn't like the execution. I think it was the POVs, which are mostly just a series of fast-paced action scenes with touches of characters being horny. I don't understand the POV switches because everyone reads the same and the relationships were very simplistic.
03
The Sanctuary by Andrew Hunter-Murray
This didn't read much like a thriller as it was a bit too slow paced and felt like one long, endless tour of the island. The characters and mystery were interesting, but I was left feeling like part of the climax was missing and not enough of the reveals had been given.
04
Giant's Bread by Mary Westmacott (Agatha Christie)
The story itself revolves entirely around Vernon, the characters revolve entirely around Vernon, and I hated Vernon. Nell, Jane, Sebastian, Joe... they were all so much more interesting to me. Vernon's entitlement, his blindness to others and ungrateful attitude made his story both infuriating and boring.
05
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
This is one of those books that relies on you getting lost in the characters and the setting, hoping you won't notice that nothing much is actually happening or, if it is, then you can see it coming as easily as if you were reading it in the cards.
06
Funny Story by Emily Henry
I guess this didn't work for me because as soon as Daphne noticed Miles was hot, there didn't seem to be any reason why they shouldn't genuinely get together. They didn't feel like two people struggling to get over their exes, they felt like two single people who were into each other but had a nearly 400 page book to fill up before they could admit that.
07
Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
I found myself bored with this one. Maybe because the bookshop isn't Viv's. Or maybe because I know that she isn't staying in Murk. Or possibly even because the necromancy plot doesn't matter except for introducing us to Satchel. It was nice and I'm still keen to read future books by this author, I think I just didn't vibe with it the same way I did Legends and Lattes.
08
The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie
This is not a Miss Marple. False advertisement. The story is Jerry and his sister nattering away to village people for hours on end. A death doesn't happen until more than halfway through the book and Miss Marple only shows up for the last hour.
09
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Emily Henry doesn't deserve to have two spots on this list because her books are fun and full of great banter but, like Funny Story, I felt very meh about this one. I didn't care about these characters and the story felt like one I'd read before (because it is: I read Book Lovers first and this is rinse and repeat of that story, the only difference is that I actually loved the characters in that one).
10
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I just didn't click with this book. I think it was the writing style, or maybe the pace, there was something about it that didn't make me excited to read. Abstract time travelling stories are just not my cup of tea I think as I didn't like This is how you lose the time war either, but I'm definitely in the minority for both books.
DNFs
