A Good Old-Fashioned Top 10 of the Year!

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It’s been a while since I did one of these! This list is in no particular order (well, actually, it’s just the order it came back to my brain as I was looking for images). I’m not using any sort of ranking system — well, no stars or points. The criteria is: did this title fill me with joy, laughter, make me collapse in a puddle of tears, or maybe all of the above? Also, just because I read them for the first time in 2024 does not mean they were released in 2024…although some of them were. Also, also, there were books I received in 2024 that I either have not finished reading or have yet to review. And, also times three, I’m not doing blog posts for every single title I read anymore, because, well, life is busy, and…

*Self-induced eye-twitching intensifies*

Anyway. …

The Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers

The first work I’ve ever read by this author, and I am absolutely in love and now need to read every single word she’s ever produced. The Monk and Robot series — so far a duology, though I deeply hope Becky Chambers will pen more! — is a beautifully simple tale about human longing and growth and how we find, and hold onto, purpose. I so enjoyed these novellas focusing on a tea monk, Sibling Dex, on a moon colony in the distant future. People no longer use mechanized technology, after artificial intelligence became aware and decided to create their own lives, away from humanity (and, amazingly, humans listened). The crux of this particular biscuit is that Sibling Dex — beginning to feel at odds with their own career path — stumbles upon a robot, Mosscap, who wants to engage with people and learn more about them. As the monk and the robot travel together, not only do they find out a lot about each other’s species, but quite a bit about themselves. The prose, the humor, the poignancy, and the genuine — but not raw or brutal — honesty of what it means to know yourself that’s all wrapped up in these short books made me openly smile and laugh, and then cry, but, really, happy tears.

His Ragged Company by Rance D Denton

I am not into Westerns. I am not into horror. I loved this book. His Ragged Company does not shy away from grit and grime and gruesomeness — in fact, it runs towards all these things at a full gallop. And yet. There is also so much heart to these characters, and I was so drawn into the story and had to know what would happen at the end. Although I don’t recommend this title for readers who aren’t fond of the gritty and grimy and gruesome (all sorts of profanity included), it will certainly be one of the first suggestions out of my mouth for fans of dark fantasy and Westerns.

Thunderstruck by Daniel Quigley

Wonderfully witty and sarcastic and action-packed, Thunderstruck is the tale of a man, Zev, who secretly possesses magic powers, and finds himself pulled into an underground world of mythical creatures and black markets and not-so-nice humans. Along with trying to figure out who to trust and whether he should stay involved in the whole pot of crazy, our narrator has to reckon with fully controlling the abilities he’d like to avoid, and realizing that, just maybe, his powers are a good part of who he could be.

A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe

Another genre breaker for me. I don’t do zombies. I do not do the ick and the squelch and the slow decomposition. (Yes, I watched 5 seasons of The Walking Dead, and this is how I know which parts to skip or hit mute.) However, this novella caught my eye and just would not leave my brain alone. I was gifted it by a friend, and quickly found that my instinct was right on. This is the sweetest cozy fantasy about a grandmother who learns magic that can raise the dead. Yes, it’s sweet. Gam Gam accidentally rescues a girl, Mina, who’s in danger and magical herself, and though they’re both out for revenge, the events of the story give them the opportunity to consider what might be the price they pay, and whether it’s actually worth it.

Play It Again by Anthony LaFauci and Stephen Todd

Talk about not being ready for what was in store in these pages! My very first comic review was of this beauty, an early standalone from the team behind the We Have Issues podcast. Play It Again follows the narrator’s sudden time-travel journey via a magical record player, to pivotal moments in his life, while he’s trying to deal with a very heavy breakup. Such a topic is always going to be emotional, but this dynamic duo presents the sadness, the remorse, and ultimately, the faith in love and human connection, and the hope for a better day ahead, in such gut-wrenchingly lovely honesty and openness, you will gladly lie on the floor and sob. Trust me, it’s worth the pain. This was the first time I ever thanked creators for making me cry.

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe

It really should be no surprise that Lore Olympus makes my top 10 for this year, too. And, pretty much, for the rest of time. This reimagined, modernized version of Greek myths in graphic novel format is one of the most tender, most clever, most humorous, most I-will-die-to-see-these-characters-wind-up-happy series I’ve found in years. I stumbled on the award-winning webtoon’s printed format when I still worked at the library, and that was definitely Fate sneaking in while I shelved, since I don’t follow webtoons at all, and realistically would never have discovered this gem on my own.

Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews

I…have no idea how to review this book. LOL (The author will probably be pleased at the utter babble about to leave my mouth/fingers.) Don’t Let the Forest In is the horror debut from YA author CG Drews (who is also a dear friend). It’s, basically, a Gothic-esque tale, complete with an elite boarding school, a haunted forest, and a narrator who is utterly terrified of everyone and everything. Drews’ lush and evocative prose shines (of course), and the mystery is well-crafted, new layers bringing up more questions than answers, which fits perfectly into the increasingly disturbing atmosphere. Interestingly, I wasn’t actually disturbed during reading, a testament to Drews’ ability to draw in the audience, creating the need to delve deeper into the story and just ride along with it. (Okay, I guess I found review words.) If I had to find a way to describe the ultimate level of twistiness this book reaches, though, and avoid spoilers, it would simply be: But if (redacted) is really (redacted), then does that mean (redacted) was (redacted, redacted, redacted!) all along?!????

That’s truly a compliment, and the author agrees, I’m sure. XD

The Tea Dragon Society series and The Moth Keeper by K O’Neill

Yes, I know The Tea Dragon Society trilogy has been out for a while. But I only read them for the first time ’23’-24, and don’t believe I’ve ever posted about them. K O’Neill is a wonderful artist, showing so much depth and complexity to the characters in simple scenes, and the words always enhance the story. There is no fluff or filler in these graphic novels, yet such a rich and nuanced tale unfolds. The Tea Dragon series is all about finding oneself, supporting each other, and learning to be patient through life’s challenges. Their newer standalone, The Moth Keeper, also focuses on themes of self-esteem and growth, but is set in a completely different world than that of the Tea Dragons, with its own lovely characters and deep premise. All of it is so very touching without ever getting too dramatic or purpley, and I adore these works.

Fogbound by NJ Alexander

I wrote somewhat of a parody review on this title (with the author’s permission), but what I said about the themes and characters were totally serious, and still stands. Fogbound is, in many ways, a love letter to epic fantasy and its tropes, but the characters are flushed out, the worldbuilding grounded, and the gentle subtext about protecting one’s ability to choose one’s destiny make this book stand out. If you’re an epic fantasy fan, definitely give Fogbound a go.

The Last Available by Sean R Frazier

And now from the sublime to the ridiculous — literally! The Last Available is a parody novel that takes all the tropes of TTRPG and stereotypical fantasy literature and turns them on their heads. It’s a rollicking adventure about inept and immature “heroes” who are chosen to save the world because folks who could actually get the job done aren’t around. There are a thousand fourth wall breaks — many of which cracked me up — tons of dad jokes, innuendos, moments you can’t explain, and moments you don’t want an explanation for. It’s kind of like if a college theatre group decided to play D&D after watching a Monty Python movie and having a few too many beers. And then somebody wrote it down, because they figured, why not. If you want a read that’s just fun, no strings attached, then you’re in the right mood for The Last Available.

And, finally, that’s it! Ta-da! Happy holidays, everyone!