The Pleasures of Reading, Viewing, and Listening in 2024, pt. 6: Kendal Simmons

 

2024 Reading Pleasures

by Kendal Simmons

 

2024 has been a whirlwind of love, loss, grief and growth. In all that happened, I somehow found the time to read 72 books this year, more than I’ve ever managed before.

Here are my five-star reads–the ones that brought me the most pleasure, the most peace, and the most comfort–along with some brief commentary. 

 

 Galatea, by Madeline Miller

My first read of 2024. Madeline Miller is one of my favorite authors, and her stories are always such a treat. An intense retelling, though short, it encapsulates a great deal of the feminine experience.

 

Harry Potter y las reliquias de la muerte, by J.K. Rowling, translated by Gemma Rovira Ortega [Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]

 After almost four years with the Harry Potter series, I finally finished the last book… All I have to say is that I will be rereading it sometime soon. And, if you have a chance to listen to the audiobooks (in any language), please do! The production quality is astounding.

 

The Travelling Cat Chronicles, by Hiro Arikawa, translated by Philip Gabriel

One of the most touching books I’ve ever read. Although I’m particularly fond of cats, you certainly don’t have to love (or even like) them to appreciate the journey this novel takes you on.

 

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, by Ed Yong

 There are very few pieces of nonfiction that I find worthy of five stars, but Ed Yong truly surprised me. He provides a very empathetic and necessary perspective; his writing is captivating, and the pacing is fantastic.

 

A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab

Speaking of captivating writers, I don’t think anyone compares to V.E. Schwab. Every word feels intentional. She is eloquent and creative, and I am so glad to have finally found her. I will certainly be back for more in 2025.

 

Orgullo, prejuicio, tú y yo, by Rachael Lippincott, translated by Elena Macian Masip and Ignacio Gómez Calvo [Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh]

 This is a sweet, slow-burn love story with a hint of magical realism. How the author came up with this wild plot I have no idea, but I am unfortunately a sucker for anything that makes me giggle, and this novel certainly did. What can I say? I love love.

 

The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health, and Disease by Daniel E. Lieberman

It was a goal of mine to read more nonfiction this year, and that I did. Evolutionary biology is still relatively young as a field, and I’m a bit skeptical about popular science, but this book gave me a lot to think about. Are we maladapted to the world we live in? The human body is complex, and we tend to overlook what it was designed to do.

 

Greymist Fair, by Francesca Zappia

 This retelling of some of Brothers Grimm’s lesser-known tales is fresh and unique. The writing is beautiful, direct and imaginative. The plot bounces around, leaving you scrambling to discover what comes next. This was the easiest book to finish, a true page-turner.

 

La casa en el mar más azul, by T.J. Klune, translated by Carlos Abreu Fetter [The House in the Cerulean Sea]

 This may just be my favorite book of 2024, if not of all time. The Spanish translation was more than faithful to the original, bringing true fluidity and rhythm to an already beautiful story. To anyone who has ever struggled with finding belonging and community, I would prescribe this book. It is nothing short of a warm hug.

 

Bajo la puerta de los susurros, by T.J. Klune, translated by Carlos Abreu Fetter [Under the Whispering Door]

 All my praises for La casa en el mar más azul also stand true for this next novel. It is humorous and light, but also so profound and heartfelt. It brought me to tears and helped me process the death of my father. I am very grateful for these characters and the perspectives they showed me.

 

Brat, by Gabriel Smith

I tend to steer clear of the gothic and eerie, but something about a wholly unlikeable main character had me completely obsessed. It is very meta (both -physical and -phorical), and you should expect to be just a little confused the entire time. I, for one, find pleasure in not knowing everything… sometimes.

 

Iron Flame, by Rebecca Yarros

No one does plot twists like Rebecca Yarros. I cannot wait for the rest of this series.

 

Frog and Toad All Year, by Arnold Lobel

A relic from my childhood that I came across at a second-hand book shop. So simple and warm, I hope that everyone finds a Frog to their Toad. I know I have, and that is the greatest gift that 2024 has given me.

 

Here’s to a wonderful 2025.

 

Some honorable mentions:

In the Dream House, by Maria Carmen Machado

The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black

Time to Shine, by Rachel Reid

The Question of Intervention: John Stuart Mill and the Responsibility to Protect, by Michael W. Doyle

Canto Contigo, by Jonny Garza Villa

 

Kendal Simmons is a translator and editor from New York. Her previous translations include Vassar College’s The Oviedo Project. She loves to read and spend time with her friends, family, cats, and horses in her downtime. Aqueduct Press will be releasing her translation of Sofia Rhei's The Deep Forest in Spring 2025.