{"id":3825,"date":"2024-12-26T04:10:13","date_gmt":"2024-12-26T04:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=3825"},"modified":"2024-12-26T04:36:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-26T04:36:43","slug":"top-8-books-of-2024-year-in-review-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=3825","title":{"rendered":"Top 8 Books of 2024 \u2013 Year in Review (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to the 2024 Year in Review series!!!<\/mark><\/strong>

For those who have been with Mindscape in Words long enough, would know that every year I share a few posts in a series called \u2018Year in Review<\/a>\u2019<\/mark><\/strong>. And, for those who started following me recently, you are in for a treat this year. 2024 was insane so the yearly review is also going to be insane. I feel like I got nothing done, but when I began reflecting, I realized that I actually got a lot done! Yes, I couldn\u2019t complete even 5 of the 30 under 30 things. But what I lacked completing from the preplanned activities, I completed with impromptu activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My plan was to read 90 books, write 50 posts, learn 12 recipes, participate in a walkathon, go to a bakery workshop, go on one solo trip, paint 6 times, learn how to drive and many more<\/mark><\/strong>. But, this year has been one driven by work. Ever since I was promoted to a leadership position, there has been a shift in the very nature of what I do every day. This happened in a way where I was not able to leave work after work, so it left me emotionally exhausted. I found less time to read. Even when I had the time to read, I couldn\u2019t focus. And when I was actually reading, my mind wandered endlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because 2024 was a lot about work, I am struggling to write this post. Reviews are easier to write because you are basing them on something tangible. But posts like these are harder and there is a thin line between insights and ramblings. The irony is that I have easily written \u2018difficult content\u2019 for work with the help of Generative AI. So, by now it has become an instinct to put in a prompt and seek help whenever the page in front of me is blank. But, doing that for my blog is something I will never be able to do. Readers read and writers write<\/mark><\/strong>. I am a reader and a writer, which makes relying on ChatGPT for my blog a heinous crime. So, I am hoping you find these words insightful and not just ramblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now on to the first post with the best books I read in 2024!<\/p>\n\n\n

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~~TOP 8 BOOKS OF 2024~~<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year I have read less, both in quantity and in some ways, also in quality. I didn\u2019t read my favorite genre of wartime historical fiction at all this year because I couldn\u2019t find that emotional bandwidth. \u00a0When I was not able to reach my goal, I resorted to reading shorter books or hyped books with a fast pace or graphic novels. In hindsight, that wasn\u2019t the best decision. It never is. I knew I wouldn\u2019t reach 80 books like the previous two years (2023 <\/a>& 2022<\/a>), so I decided to read whatever I can whenever I can with no goal. But, since majority of the year was behind me, I couldn\u2019t even find ten books which I loved or even 5+ books with a 5-star rating, and that\u2019s just sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I read 50 BOOKS across 13961 PAGES.<\/mark><\/strong> I loved 8 books, which made to the top of the list. If you haven\u2019t read these, you really should!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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~~THE GLASS PALACE by AMITAV GHOSH~~<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I read The Glass Palace in January, when there is no weight of reading goals. I loved this 500 page novel set in Burma during the British invasion of 1885. The story is woven with such meticulous detail that you can\u2019t help but feel like these characters are in your life and you are living the story along with them. I have become a fan of Amitav Ghosh\u2019s writing, and plan to read all his novels soon! I have rated The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh at 5\/5 stars!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

~~DAYTRIPPER by F\u00c1BIO MOON AND GABRIEL B\u00c1~~<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Daytripper is a graphic novel that came into my life very randomly and created a lasting impression. I have never been so obsessed over a graphic novel before. If you decide to read just one book in a year, I believe it should be this one. This book made me realize how life is a fickle thing and how we never know which day could be our last. It\u2019s dark! Yes, but it\u2019s also such an eye-opener. The book also talks about grief in complicated ways. This book has so many layers in the content and is displayed so vibrantly in beautiful colors and perfect expressions on the characters\u2019 faces. Because of this, the darkness of mortality never really becomes depressing, instead becomes inspiring. I have rated Daytripper by F\u00e1bio Moon and Gabriel B\u00e1 at 5\/5 stars!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Highly Recommended Graphic Novel: Daytripper by F\u00e1bio Moon and Gabriel B\u00e1<\/a><\/blockquote>