What I Read in December 2024

As I continue working on this blog, I want to include monthly recaps of the books I’ve read—especially the ones I haven’t reviewed in full. While I know it’s been a little while since December, I’m hoping to make this a regular series going forward.

The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

Like many readers who loved The Girl on the Train, I’ve followed Paula Hawkins and read everything she’s published. The Blue Hour starts with an intriguing premise: a museum patron discovers that one of the bones in an art installation is actually human, not animal, as originally claimed.

The story unfolds through journal entries and multiple perspectives, which adds depth, but overall, this one didn’t fully land for me. The ending felt a bit underwhelming, though if you’re a big fan of Hawkins’ writing style, it’s still worth checking out.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Audiobook)

This was the only audiobook I completed in December, and it explores what makes certain people “outliers”—exceptionally successful individuals who stand out from the norm. Gladwell presents fascinating case studies, such as how Canadian youth hockey players born earlier in the year often have an advantage due to the age cutoff, leading to more practice time and better long-term performance.

I enjoy concept-driven books like this, though I’m not sure I walked away with any groundbreaking insights—more so just some great conversation starters.

Kill Your Darlings by Griffin Sheridan, Ethan S. Parker, and Bob Quinn

This comic had been popping up frequently on my social feeds, so I finally decided to check it out. It’s an emotional ride through a fantasy world, and it reminded me a lot of Joe the Barbarian.

I really enjoyed it, and it reignited my interest in graphic novels. One of my goals for 2025 is to read more of them, so if you have any recommendations, let me know!

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Between this and The Changeling, it’s hard to pick a favorite book of 2024—but Martyr! might take the top spot simply because it felt so unique compared to most of what I read.

The novel follows Cyrus, who embarks on a journey to write about martyrs and martyrdom. The early parts of the book reminded me of Kurt Vonnegut and Chuck Palahniuk, but as the story unfolds, it becomes something entirely its own—raw, poetic, and deeply moving.

Akbar is coming to my city for a Q&A event with Tommy Orange, so I’m planning to read Wandering Stars before attending. It’s also on my library’s winter reading challenge, which gives me even more motivation to get to it soon!

Which One Should You Read?

If I had to pick one standout book from this list, Martyr! is the clear winner. While I enjoyed all of them, The Blue Hour is one I’d only recommend if you’re a big Paula Hawkins fan. If you’re interested in mystery but haven’t read her work before, I’d suggest starting with The Girl on the Train instead—it’s still her best.

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Looking Ahead

I’m hoping to do a monthly reading update like this going forward, and I’d love to hear from you!

📚 What was your favorite book you read in December 2024?
📖 Do you have any recommendations for books I should check out in 2025? Bonus points if they’re indie or graphic novels!

Let me know in the comments!

Looking for book recommendations for 2025? Check out my recent post where I share some of my top picks!