Stick to the hits

Last year’s goal to read more and watch less worked wonders. I still consumed plenty of quality television and memorable movies, but it’s my list of best books that makes me most excited. Here’s what I liked most in 2024.

Pages:

North Woods by Daniel Mason

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride — blew me away; favorite of the year

You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue — Certain parts of this book made me feel as if I was the one tripping in Tenochtitlan

The Church of Baseball by Ron Shelton — pure catnip for me

The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry — keen portrayal of Butte, America

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Becoming Little Shell by Chris La Tray

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Owning Up by George Pelecanos

The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins — playing a little catch-up by reading this classic

Small Screen:

The Day of the Jackal

Hacks

The Diplomat

Slow Horses

House of the Dragon

Fargo, Season 5

Shrinking

Big Screen:

A Real Pain

The Last Stop in Yuma County

Thelma

Past Lives

Dune: Part Two

American Fiction

Will & Harper