Stevie Szabad, Author

2024 Reading List

Here we go. The years keep on chunking by. Luckily, so do books; reading them is one of the ways I spend my share of planetary turns around the sun. A pleasurable use, with never enough time to do it as much as I want. Like anything pleasurable, I guess! So here’s the books I spent time with in 2024. Enjoy!

January

The year is starting with a couple of snowstorms and a cruise down south.

• “Leave the World Behind” by Rumaan Alam. Pretty interesting, (another) end-of-world and how one family on vacay in a VRBO handle the owners returning when the City goes dark. Unusual for this type of scenario, the number of characters and setting is limited to these people and the house almost exclusively. Reads almost like a play. Different and enjoyable, I blasted through it.
• “Lies Behind the Ruin” by Helen Matthews. A family with many secrets and problems. You know, money lies, infidelity, exes. Even some murder. What I liked about all this drama was the locale – a British family buying a holiday home in France, which of course is the “ruin” in the title. A fun-enough read for a free Bookbub choice on my Kindle during a cruise. (Although as usual, I had to start about 5 different books in this category before I found one with a good story AND good writing.)
• Home from holiday, time to get to “Breathless” by Amy McCulloch. I bought this one for the cover and a quick glance at the back blurb. I don’t often read the back blurb – too many spoilers in them – but I got the gist. Mountain climbing, Yay! I realize I will never climb mountains myself, but I love and devour books about it. This one didn’t disappoint, very technical and descriptive; I felt I was there. A little over-the-top with the murder story – I didn’t need the extra plot – but hey, gotta appeal to other kinds of readers, too.

February

January flew by, and here we are in February already.

• Book 3 in the historical series about early France (and it says a lot that I eagerly anticipated this one after books 1 and 2 – I don’t often follow up with series, preferring standalone books.) But we’re finally up to Charlemagne. “Crown of a King” by J. Boyce Gleason. Funny, Charlemagne is the hero in history, but this book is about his father, Pepin. He truly set his son up, and this view of the personal life amid the world-changing battles and intrigue was a great read.

• A non-fiction about the Arctic and Antarctic adventures, a topic, along with mountain-climbing, I enjoy. Something about somewhere I’ll never go, that is, nevertheless, thrilling to read about.  “Erebus” by Michael Palin. I love the approach in this book, following the ships that sunk high in the Canadian Arctic in the doomed Franklin expedition of the 1840s. I know about this fascinating event, but now I know more – both the Erebus and Terror were sister ships for the British Royal Navy on 2 previous Antarctic adventures before their fate in the Arctic. Well-researched, dense and detailed, just the way I like my non-fiction. Loved it.  

March

• I need a comfy, gossipy novel that peeks into others’ lives. Linden McIntyre has just the thing – great characterization, titillating plot of secrets and drama. “The Winter Wives” didn’t disappoint. Stylish writing, very dialogue-driven. A modern(?) way of presenting the conversations, to which I quickly adapted – no quotation marks. An interesting book, but kind of fizzled out rather than a spectacular ending that I would think this story deserved.
• I’ve been saving this one : “Billy Summers” by Stephen King. He’s still got it, and in fact, this is one of his best. I know I usually say that about each King I read, but I must say that when I tried “Holly” while on my cruise earlier this year, I didn’t enjoy the political bent that was overdone in this gross story. Didn’t finish it. But with Billy Summers, this annoyance of King’s personal opinions was under control. The clarity in the writing while providing very convoluted storylines is something to behold. This one was in paperback, and because I headed out for a short holiday break, I left it at home unfinished so I could take along my travel companion, my Kindle reader. To be continued, though.
• “Madame Pommery” by Rebecca Rosenberg was just the thing for a holiday read. Turns out much better than anticipated, being a somewhat true story of the creator of a new kind of champagne, brut (dry), in the late 1800s, Reims, France. Writing style not up to a Stephen King (whose is?), but the fascinating story of the remarkable Alexandrine Pommery, widowed and determined to support her family with a winery, kept me eagerly reading. Loved it.
• And then back home, eager to pick up the “Billy Summers” story. It’s a long book, and I was so sad to finish it as quickly as I did. Of note, no supernatural (not really) tweaks in this book about a book about a marine sniper turned assassin for hire. Yes, I said book about a book.

April

More travelling coming up this month. I’d better check out the Kindle and Kobo for my next read.

• But first, one about another famous 19^th century French woman (yes, same timeline as Madame Pommery.) I picked this one up immediately from the cover story – “The First Actress. A Novel of Sarah Bernhardt” by C.W. Gortner. Setting is Paris, urban, opposed to Mme. Pommery discussed above, in rural Rheims. Wonderful to compare; not just in settings, but in how two contemporary women found success in the patriarchal, class-restrictive, war-torn times they lived in. This author is more polished and for that I am grateful, getting it finished in time to check out my travel reader.

Because I’m off for a trip to Europe! Brussels, London, and a cruise around Ireland and Scotland. I need something light and not too engrossing, as I expect to be engrossed in the travel.

But what about one to start at home first?

• “Daufuskie” by a local – to Hilton Head. “Local”, in that I bought this book while in Hilton Head earlier this year– author Dan Garrett. I mean, everyone is local to somewhere. More about it later when I finish reading it. Starts good, with lots of place-name-dropping and seaside ambiance. Looks like a murder mystery, so far. The murder in the first few pages was the clue.

May

Now, the travel Kobo for my cruise and I shall enjoy :

• Another Amy Mcculloch mystery, “Midnight”.  A gratuitous and over-complicated murder mystery, the murder which, curiously, also like in “Daufuskie”, takes place in the first chapter. I haven’t been much of a mystery reader in my time, so maybe this is a thing? The setting this time is on a cruise ship! Which is why I picked this book for my own cruise ship enjoyment reading. Similarities end there though, as the cruise is to Antarctica and involves million-dollar artwork for sale onboard. My own Princess cruise around the British Isles is a little different. Anyway, back to “Midnight” – a good read, not unlike “Breathless” in detailing the technical skills (sailing this time, not mountaineering) of the protagonist, who, also as in the previous Mcculloch novel, has her personal issues to work through. I doubt I’ll need a third from this author as the themes are already predictable. I do appreciate the exotic, adventurous settings, though.
• Home again, and despite the book 2 curse, I’m trying another from C.W. Gortner (see Sarah Bernhardt book above.) This one is no disappointment, “The American Adventuress.” About Jennie Jerome, aka Lady Randolph Spencer-Churchill, who becomes the mother of Winston Churchill. I’m flabbergasted. We’ve all heard of Winston, but his mother’s story is absolutely fascinating and worth every drop of ink Gortner expertly pens about her. I will definitely find more historical fiction by this excellent researcher-writer. The story lingers.
• Back to “Daufuskie”. I’ve discovered mysteries with back stories (this one has the murder origin in the Vietnam war) are too complicated to start, stop to read something fascinating in-between, then go back to…hard to pick up the storyline again! But interesting enough that I caught up after a few re-reads of previous chapters and snippets. Good thing this one is a paper book, so it’s easier for me to do this, than on my e-reader.
• The next book, “Crow Lake” by Mary Lawson, was an older, dog-eared paper copy pressed into my hands with the fervent words, “Michele, you MUST read this book, it’s so good!”. I don’t often agree with my friends about what makes a book “so good”; I was skeptical. However, this was not just a friend, but a fellow reader friend (you know the difference), so try it I “MUST”.  And she was right. A great family story, tragic, funny, heart-warming, about tough almost pioneer-like beginnings in remote, small-town northern Ontario. Dual timeline jumps to present so you get to understand who made it, who didn’t, some answers, as the storyline jumps back then forth. A gripping beginning, a satisfying ending; yes, I’m glad I read this book and glad I found this author.

June

• We buy books for my mother-in-law in large print. I don’t usually read them first, as my taste in comfy romance drama doesn’t match hers. But then my husband picked up “Eruption” by Michael Crichton and James Patterson for her. I’d seen ads for this book on CNN, of all things. What’s the big deal and why do such famous author names need advertising that big? I decided to read it before we gave it to mom. Well. Why on earth is Patterson so famous? The writing (or the editing, who of all people, he should be able to afford better) is not good. The story reads like a disaster B-movie (which I’m sure one of which will be made from this book). Characters like the divorced male head scientist and younger female protégé (gee, guess where that goes), the townsfolk not listening to their warnings (oh, the disaster is a volcano eruption, in case the cover didn’t tell you), the short scene-like clips of chapters (109 of them!) Of course the military secret cover-up and tough general to save the day. Classic telling the story in the narrative, not showing much with imagery. Predictable ending after predictable climax scene. I don’t say this lightly – don’t bother with the book, wait for the movie!

• Back to a book with better writing, and I found it with “Haven” by Emma Donoghue. Now this is a book of the type I wish I could write : historical fiction of a human accomplishment that today we might look at and wonder, “Who did this first? How? With what, and why?” In this book, it’s a 7^th century visionary monk and his 2 chosen companion monks (chosen as revealed by visions), who embark for a speck of rock off the coast of Ireland to build a monastery and preserve the word of their God via scripture copying. With pretty much nothing to do any of it with. Why? That’s the serious question in the book, which is written with tension and adequate release. A book to remember. It couldn’t be more opposite to Patterson fare, which is a compliment.

• I have another Arctic adventure story, Yay! This one’s a classic, I know, and now a Netflix movie, too, I know, but I can’t resist this genre. “Against the Ice” by Ejnar Mikkelsen. A re-release of his 1955 version titled “Two Against the Ice”, in which he narrates in the quaint style of early 20^th-century writing (you, know, “a story of which I write”.) Fun to note the progression of language. Back to the story. Yes, survival. In the Arctic. Greenland, 1910. True story. Enough said. Note this was especially enjoyable to read during a June heat wave.

July

• I love Conn Igulden, and was eager to start his new series, this one : ancient Rome. Nero. First we’ll get some roots about this stereotyped-historical figure; this book starts with the death of emperor Tiberius and the ascension of Caligula. Even non-history buffs must know something of the horrors of these guys, and Igulden doesn’t pull any punches with the gruesome (true) details of the times. Great story and writing. Only problem, as usual for a series, is that the book ends but the story hasn’t. And the next installment isn’t due for a year or so. You’d think I’d learn to wait until ALL of his series is ready, but with Igulden, I just can’t.
• In the meantime, maybe something non-fiction? I picked this one up while on a cruise that included Scotland, so why not, “The Picts A History” by Tim Clarkson. Very dry, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a Wikipedia-like documentary. I’m sure to learn. Trouble is, mid-July is not amenable to that mood, so after a good chunk of the book, I’ll save the rest of it for another day.
• To start a fictional adventure wilderness story. “A Desperate Measure” by Vernon J. Benoit, a book I bought directly from him at a market in Corner Brook, Newfoundland while on a stop on, yes, another cruise. I love buying a local book from the author. This book is local Newfoundland, and quite a different read. Have you ever seen the series “Alone” on the History channel? This book reads like watching that series. With an interesting twist and storyline of trying to get lost in the backwoods, to avoid rescue from getting lost, and… well, you must read the rest for yourself.
• Since the previous book bought from a local in their locale was so rewarding a read, I’ll do it again. I read two of the three-pack from Jennifer Debruin’s historical fiction that I bought in Picton, Ontario last year on a wine tour of the district. Time for “A Walk with Mary” – early 1900s, the St.Lawrence river town of Moulinette before it became an underwater ghost town, a “Lost Village” after the creation of the St. Lawrence seaway in 1958. Again, amazed by the research and storyline. This author delivers a time and place to not just enjoy but to learn about. Great read.

August

Rare that I only read one book in a month, but what a book!

• “Fayne” by Ann-Marie Macdonald. Big and juicy. Engrossing. Historical fiction, Scotland/England upper class noble marries American heiress for heir-production, and… go. What could go wrong? You’ll see. Can’t say much as there are so many twists that anything will be a spoiler. Wonderful writing style and atmosphere. Very long book, which was appreciated for 90%. The last 10%, not so much; kind of fizzled into even a different genre? I didn’t feel the ending matched the atmosphere of the previous 90%. But still a recommended read.

September

Already!

• I need a contemporary, easier story to follow, but must have good writing. Louise Penny is reliable: “All the Devils are Here”. I don’t read her books in order, but she can be trusted for solid stand-alone tales while maintaining a familiar cast and universe. This is no exception. Enjoyable. And fun that the setting is Paris, despite the Quebecois background.
• A setting that couldn’t be more different from the previous, is “The Gathering Night” by Margaret Elphinstone. Prehistoric family living in what will become Scotland. Interesting. Like with most good stories, full of the tragedy and comedy of relationships, human nature, survival as humans on this planet – all familiar struggles and joys, no matter the epoch. I realized I’ve read this author before (“The Sea Road”, about Viking times in Iceland.) Will look for more.

October

Back to curling, life gets busier. But still time to read, of course.

• I’ve been saving Ken Follett, “The Armor of Light” for 2 reasons : 1. To avoid, in case it’s predicably boring (another installment in the Pillars of the Earth saga, which I felt was wringed out of new scenarios in the last one I read,  “The Evening and the Morning”), and 2. In case it’s back to really, really good, as Ken Follett can do. Thank goodness, it’s number 2! Kingsbridge again, with all the messy relationship sagas one hopes for in small-town England on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. British class system in the war years against Napoleon. Heart-wrenching, as the times were tough, (as are they all.) Tangled threads of lives that Follett is famous for depicting. Recommended.
• Now I’m eager for Robert Harris, his latest, hot off a pre-order, “Precipice”. I love this author, his concise, evocative, absorbing style. And again, he’s delivered a specific time (pre- and beginning, WW1), place & cast (British prime minister and his daily dallies), and always, great writing about real historical events blended with interesting fictional twists. This book had me running to the historical factual basis for the plotlines, and the truth behind the fiction was even more engrossing. I see another Harris book movie will need to be made. (“Conclave” is in the theatres now.)
• I enjoyed the previous so much, I’m ready to try “Midnight in Europe” by Alan Furst. A spy story, a love story, pre-WW2, anti-fascist Spanish spies based in Paris. A time and story I know little about. Does the list of what I know little about ever end? The more I read, the more I realize how much I don’t know! Life is short, the list is long. Read, read, read.

November

But gotta play, too. My curling leagues are back in full swing. My grandson needs fans to watch his hockey and dance classes. The season is getting busy. Time for another read, though.

• How about one I’ve heard so much about, “Where the Crawdads Sing”, by Delia Owens. Another large print version that my mother-in-law says made her cry. Ok, let’s see. Any book that starts with a map has my interest. It was ok, good even. I’m often disappointed by books that get so much attention. A movie. This one held my attention until the end, which felt rushed compared to the pace of most of the book. And I did guess the outcome, not too early, but early enough.
• So try another famous author, because I had the book lying around (picked up at a fund-raising sale because I’d heard of the author.) Patricia Cornwell, an older one, “From Potter’s Field”. Murder mystery genre with a series universe and characters, but my first read of it. Again, somewhat disappointing. Too dated to hold much interest for me in 2024 about the forensic technology of 1995. Meh.

December

So now what?

• I have just enough time before an end of December trip (A Christmas cruise this year!) to try another (newer, 2021) release, family and psychological mystery, from the same (slush?) pile of unread bargain hardcovers. Megan Collins, “The Family Plot”. Quite different premise, a weird murder-victim-obsessed family on an island, the home-schooled children reconnect after the death of their father. Let the murder mystery begin. I seem to have read many such stories this year, which reminds me, I must start looking at next reads.

Because Christmas is already here and 2025 looms.

• Turns out I do have time for another, because, darn it, I’m stuck at home for a few days with a cold. Which I need to nurse aggressively, before my Christmas cruise planned for the last days of 2024. “The Spoon Stealer” by Lesley Crewe, is a book I would never have picked from the cover or blurb, (too “cozy”-sounding), but again, pressed into my hands by my – so far – infallibly-correct reader friend who insists it was great. She was more nervous this time, “Michele, I’m not sure if this is your type of book…” But she’s still batting 1000 as I flew through it. Quite a satisfying read to end the year and my cold.

As 2024 began with a cruise, so it ends. Another great reading year. My Kobo and Kindle are charged. My physical pile is growing. My reading interests are expanding. Life is good. All the best in 2025.

Note, if you enjoy reading (you must, if you’ve read to this far), please check out Books by Michele Sabad.