These were the books that I instinctively picked for my top 9 for Instagram for 2024 - just ones that stood out for me as being emotionally involving or just swept me away.
Honourable mentions to All the Colours of the Dark, The List of Suspicious Things, The God of the Woods AND and he shall appear

December 2024 reads - amazed I found the concentration to read any at all.
Open, Heaven was beautiful.
The Voyage of the Damned was hilarious and heartwarming.
I loved the weird, folklore vibe of The Darkness is Rising.

A twisty, dark tale of family secrets, blackmail and revenge set on the isle of Capri. Compelling and thoroughly immersive - if you loved The Cloisters by Katy Hays, you will not be disappointed.

The cosiest of cosy romantic fantasy that will leave you both craving a cup of dragon roasted coffee, and broody for a naughty baby dragon!

This is just stunningly good, very thought provoking writing, with such a sense of atmosphere and all the emotions. Now, are the others in the quartet going to measure up?

Beautifully written and very thought provoking tale of two sisters who live in a secluded garden. Biblical echoes, fairy story vibes and a folk horror edge makes this a most gratifying read!
Many thanks @penguinhuddleuk.bsky.social @doubledayuk.bsky.social for this pretty proof.

Giant cat. Nice books.

Very engaging and eminently readable story about the power of family and community that centres around a lonely young girl and her grandfather - deftly handles themes of trauma, bullying, bereavement and gives a glimpse of the events of the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan.

Further snowy whippy adventures.

Book post and I’m intrigued already.

This morning looks like…