Shystoryteller

Reading recap of the year

2024 was not a good year for me reading wise. I finished only 25 books. While this is not the least I have read in any year, it certainly is lesser than usual. To be completely transparent, almost 80% of the books I consumed as audiobooks and the rest were mostly eBooks. Physical books were the least in my reading list this year.

After losing almost 200 physical books, it took me a long time to get to a stage to buy new books again. So, I am more hopeful about my reading journey in 2025.

I have been reading a lot of fan-fiction lately but it was in 2024 that it exceeded my consumption of books. And as long as it’s helping me escape reality, even if it’s for a little while, I am not complaining.

Anyway, so I read a decent number of books in 2024. Less than my target, but I am pleasantly surprised to see that I read even this much, considering everything else that was going on in my life – i.e. my over-demanding work.

I had a target of reading 52 books, which comes down to one book in a week. However, I only read 25 books, less than half my goal, averaging almost one every two weeks. Which is not bad as such, but this year I hope to read a bit more.

Apart from work, another reason for the low number of books is that I started several books, spent a good amount of time on them and then ultimately decided that I simply can not finish them for some or the other reason. I don’t know what made me pick up those books, but now I know not to follow all the book recommendations available online. Sometimes the book review is better than the book itself.

There were a few books that literally fell in my hands and I finished them in a single sitting. It felt so good to read cover to cover in one go. Like having a conversation with a good friend after a very long time.

My reading highlights of the year –

Brandon Sanderson and his new secret projects –

I started reading Brandon Sanderson a few years back. So, I am fairly familiar with his long list of already published books and as he is very vocal about his upcoming projects; I knew which series had new books coming soon.

When he announced his secret projects (few years back), I realized how much he loves to write. It also made me realize that his writing speed is more than my reading speed and most likely I won’t be able to read all of his books in this lifetime.

Few years later, but I finally got to reading his secret project books in 2024. I read three (Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter) and still have one pending (The Sunlit Man). As expected, I loved these books. I mean, me saying I love Brandon Sanderson’s books is like saying I love breathing.

I will write more about the secret project books in a separate post so I won’t get into too much details here. Nevertheless, I want to add here that these books differ greatly from his other books and yet they keep the same soul.

T. Kingfisher – new author I am in love with

Audible has this library kind of thing where I can get as many books listed in that collection as I want. And that’s where I first came across T. Kingfisher’s books. I have consumed her books like a starving person and still crave for more.

Her books – some connected, some independent – all have a unique style of setting and characters – each better than the other. I simply can not pick one and I am eagerly looking forward to finish the entire collection.

In particular, I read nettle and Bones in 2024, and it was just amazing beyond words. I loved it so much that I read it a couple more times as soon as I finished it. Usually, I have a gap of a few years in between re-reads. But this book was just too good for me to let go so easily.

Invisible life of Addie LaRue –

I don’t know why I loved this book, but I did and the style was so sweet and unique. It wasn’t supposed to be sweet. It should have felt dark, but I just found it soft and sweet.

I had seen this book in a lot of booktube videos online and yet I knew practically nothing about it when I started reading it. I know how weird that is.

Once I started it, it became my escape. I was listening to the audiobook and I am sure the magical voice added to the experience and transported me to another world. The way the story builds up and the moment when someone actually remembers her was such an experience.

The story stayed with me long after I finished the book. I kept wondering what would I do if I was in her situation and to my surprise I couldn’t think of doing anything else. Like there was just that one path and no matter who is at the beginning, they would have to follow the same to its end. And the ending of the book is perfect in its own way. Did I want a different ending – of course. Do I believe no other ending was possible – 100%.

So, this book was one of a major impact on me in 2024.

Reading Fan-fiction

So, reading fan-fiction is my ongoing addiction. I read more fan-fiction than actual books since I found the world of fan-fiction.

In 2024, I read a lot of fantastic fan fiction – some better than a few of the books I read this year. I am so impressed by some writers who post stories with 200,000+ words and the story they build is way better than the original work.

I know I am going to keep reading fan-fiction and maybe this year I might try writing as well. There is a certain comfort in fan-fiction where I am familiar with the setting and the characters and yet the story can take a completely new form and then I keep imagining more alternate stories.

Fan fiction appeals to the part in me that wants to stay in the familiar world with familiar characters a little longer.

What I wrote or tried to write

2024 was a tough year for me for many reasons. I mean last few years have been bad, but 2024 showed me all the cracks deep within me.

As a result, I struggled with a lot of things – writing in any form being the major one.

I barely wrote 4 posts on the website, don’t even know how many drafts I started, and abandoned and lost my ability to sort out my thoughts via writing.

I can blame my work, my health or many other things, but ultimately I have to take the responsibility and admit that I didn’t write cos I didn’t value it enough. And I have to face the consequences.

For me, writing – not just online but offline as well – is essential for my wellbeing. I keep overthinking and keep connecting writing with the destination, forgetting that it’s the journey that matters the most.

What I am looking forward to for the coming year

I have a plan of sorts. And I am planning to follow the plan. The plan’s detail provides me structure; its openness allows flexibility.

Basically, my plan is to focus more on the present and think less about the past and future. I know that will not happen all the time. I mean, living in the present is the whole core concept of various philosophies and spiritual paths, and I know I am not so perfect to get it right. If I can stay in the present for even 50% of times, it would be great.

I have realised that listening to audiobooks while walking and getting my step count for the day is a great way to improve my physical and mental health. While this year I am planning to read more physical books, I know I can not let go of the comfort of eBooks completely.

It’s been less than 3 weeks in 2025, and I have already finished 7 books. Although, admittedly, I started a few of them last year. But still I think this year has been to a great start.

This year I am going to catch up to Bandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. I also have a lot of non-fiction books by Ryan Holiday and Yuval Noah Harari in my TBR for 2025.

Looking forward to enjoying this year.