Ohhh I did read Stone Yard Devotional and I loved it SO much for all the reasons you've mentioned. The way the author finds ways to talk about such deep subjects just by a character's quiet remembrances and/or reminiscences... and how she highlights commentary into just every avenue of common interactions. I guess it just goes to show that so much goes on even when we think nothings going on... 😂 there's so much about this book that reminds me of how John Steinbeck brings ethics and philosophical discussions into every book in such clever ways... it was a brilliant book. I started highlighting and then almost highlighted the whole book 😅!! Finally I just stopped and annointed the whole book as "hereby highlighted" 😂 Btw: Happy New Year!
Oooh we share a few favs! Loved I who have never known men, passiontide (women’s prize ftw!) and clear. I’ve taken notes on all the rest. Thanks for bringing the joy. ♥️
My eyeballs popped when I saw your number one. Not because it isn’t brilliant, it is, or I didn’t love it, I did. I think it is because it feels like you hardly mentioned it this year. (Which is perfectly fine, not trying to comment on your content.) It was a brilliant surprise! I never would have guessed it. Off to watch the honorable mentions video!
I don’t think you’re wrong. I thought I had talked about it more in the spring when I read it than I clearly did. I thought I had even given it its own video, nope. Ha. It was my number one when I didn’t my mid year ‘books of the year so far’ in fact the top two haven’t changed since then.
So glad to see Orbital on this list (even if it's only an honorable mention). It was among my top reads in 2023. I had my eye on Passiontide a while ago but it slipped my mind. Thanks for reminding me that I need to keep an eye for this book in the shops. Wishing you a wonderous year of reading in 2025. Cheers!
And a wonderful reading year to you too. Definitely give Passiontide a go if it takes your fancy. I really, really liked Orbital. Though The Western Wind remains my favourite Harvey.
Orbital was my favourite book of 2024. I picked it up at the airport and thought I'd give it a go because you and your mum loved it so much! I'm glad I did, a truly beautiful book. Best Wishes 💕
I too loved Clear! Great list... I'm eager to read: Sokcho, The Most, This Motherless Land, Glorious Exploits and Passiontide. Thank you for these recommendations. (You are an absolute PRO at making videos... unequaled. Simply the best)
That’s very kind of you to say. Though I would say go and check out any of the channels who I share in my vlogs (when they arrive) as they are often far better videos. Hahaha. Clear is amazing isn’t it. I really love Carys’ writing. Every book has been brilliant.
I was thrilled to see Glorious Exploits on your list! I absolutely loved this book. I listened to it first on audio & the narration (by the author himself) is BRILLIANT. After I finished listening I went out & bought a copy of it to read. I have been singing this books praises & telling everyone who will listen to me to READ THIS BOOK. Great video, Simon!
It’s brilliant isn’t it. And Ferdia is soooo lovely. I had the pleasure of interviewing him at Wimbledon Book Festival last year. Mum and I are hoping to see him in March at West Kirby Bookshop - both the Savidge’s are fans.
‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ is such a memorable novel. Really well written and a book that I will certainly read again. So glad it got into your top three.
This was a very exciting list as I haven't read any of them and they all sound ace! I've been waiting for the end of 2024 for everyone's favourites videos as my book wishlist needs some serious updating (ready for my trip to Edinburgh in Feb!!) This Motherless Land sounds right up my street - love an Austen retelling
Omg that book "the lost love songs"!!!! I have that book and I'm excited to read it soon this year I'm glad you're the 2nd book influencer that's recommended it! Ahhhh excited and question: do you think it could be a fit for the adventure prize award? I wasn't sure if it would be categorized that way what do you say Simon? Btw: Happy New Year!
I wouldn't say The Lost Love Songs is an adventure, no. It is more giving voice to women who history has made voiceless and almost footnotes really. I think 'The In Between' is definitely a very queer men in their 50's finding love rather than a universal one, just because the book is very much about the nature of mens bodies as they get older, still an incredible read. Bad Habit I cannot recommend enough.
@ thanks for clarifying I can't wait to read all three. Even though men obviously have different bodies the issue of aging generally is something that is universal, I am very empathetic to that plight believe me! And you mentioned you know, explicits and I'm always here to read those, of any sort!!
While catching up watching your videos, ive been sitting like, on ‘pins and needles’😂 because I refused to fast forward this video to find out your best read for 2024! Also, i have seven📚 from your list on my tbr…intrigued about The Most…and started reading Orbital as my first choice to start this NY. 😊
Ooh hope you enjoy Orbital. I’m sooooo superstitious about my first book of the year it takes me ages to pick one. Lol. Seven on the list on your TBR, you lucky thing, seven treats await you 😉
I ordered stone yard devotional and clear in the Waterstones sale as you spoke so passionately about them and want to read them, there were others but i can’t buy everything yet but i will so i have a list from this video 😊 thank you as always for sharing your best books. Maybe a video or two on your fav authors spotlights on their books would be good so it can incorporate new and backlisted books maybe?
Oooh I hope you enjoy Clear and Stone Yard Devotional. I have two author spotlight videos planned spookily… one of them may be linked to one of these two books. Hahaha.
Did you go and see her talk. I think she did an in conversation with Charlotte Wood (who we all know I adore) who then also did an event with another author I adore… Robbie Arnott. I was so pissed off I couldn’t get to those events.
Totally agree about The Safekeep (as you know). I've been meaning to read The Most and I Who Have Never Known Men AND the new Carys Davies so now you've nudged me to finally take the plunge. Kinda surprised James wasn't on here? Also I miss you. Happy 2025.
This was absolutely brilliant 👏🏻 Well thanks to you I already have ordinary human failings 🥰 I have just added this motherless land, the safe keep, the in between and clear to my wishlist. I read West by Carys Davies in 2023 & thought it was amazing.
Hope you enjoy, if that is the right word, Ordinary Human Failings when you get to it. Those four you added are corkers. As you loved West then definitely head to Clear!
I feel quite chuffed that I guessed three of your top five! Clear is definitely my favorite of Davies’ amazing books. And I Who Have Never Known Men would have made my best books of the year except that I always limit myself to books published that year. So glad you included The Most, which I thought was such a surprise in what it did and how it did it, and it seems to have flown totally under the radar. And that is a most excellent jumper!
Well done on the guessing! I almost limited my books to books of this year to make it easier for myself BUT then went and decided to make it harder, unusual for me. But also that book, and Winter in Sokcho actually, was soooooo good it felt wrong to leave it off. I now want to read all the Jessica Anthony’s but they give her really ugly covers here. Even our version of The Most is subpar to the US one. Huffs 😤
High praise for This Motherless Land. Might have to check that out. The Safe Keep is definitely on my TBR. I have I Who Have Never Known Men coming up soon. Might have to read your number one as well. 😊💙
Happy NEW YEAR and tysm for all your bookish booking this past year and cheers to what’s coming this year. Added a few from here to the TBR and had a couple in common too 📖 🪱 💚💚💚💚💚
Love love loved Clear. Will certainly read more by Carys Davies. Really enjoyed Safekeep and Stoneyard too. Certainly going to try Motherless Land and I Who Have Never Known Men. Brill collection there Simon.
Awwww thanks Kate. It turns out I had read waaaay more bangers than I realised. Not sure why I had felt my reading year had been a bit off… maybe because I had had no visit to Harris and Harris in 2024 😉
Ah your top two very similar to mine for 2024! TBH it could be either Clear or IWHNKM as number one depending on the day. Two phenomenal books that pack so much and create such huge worlds in such slim volumes! Amazing writers both!
These best of videos are going to be the death of my wish lists. Since I am not reading adding audiobooks today, completely ignoring I may have added them to "reading" which lists before.
Hahaha. It’s the same for me. I love this time of year for the content, my bank balance doesn’t. Though I’m on a spending freeze since my wallet was stolen on Friday. Gah! When my new cards come there will be trouble.
Loved This Motherless Land 💜 I am away to read next The Safe Keep after finishing Private Rites, I have a huge pile of books from the library to tackle 😂 then I can get started on my own tbr 📚
"Clear" has been sat on my shelf pretty much since it came out in April, there was so much hype about it but I never got round to reading it. Since I'm doing the Savidge Reading Challenge this year, seems like it would be a good one for the one-word title wildcard prompt 😊
My top 3 in 2024. I who have never known men, gertrude by herman hesse and goat days by benjamin. Been following Simon for 6 years, but never EvER read any of his recommendations. Just here for his quirky, fun, delightful narration of books and seeing a quick cameo of chris and the cats. 😊❤
Hahaha. Thank you Jennifer. I think. It’s like you’ve set me a challenge to make you read one of my recommendations now* 😉 *Note it is never compulsory hahaha.
I want to read a book that seems a little like a snow globe! Also: yes to more middle-aged men in love. Fun video… great picks with at least 4 or 5 I’ll look into reading! 🎉
Team Passiontide! Finding out the book was based on a true story broke me and had a real impact on why it was in my favorites of the year. (Asami Nagakiya, the real woman who was murdered in Trinidad, has her steel pan music up on UA-cam if you search her name, I highly suggest giving it a listen.) I Who Have Never Known Men was also in my top 5, and Clear just missed my favorites list. I think I should take your recommendations more seriously! Starting with Charlotte Wood. Cheers to reading great books in 2025.
I had no idea that Passiontide was based on a real murder, gosh that adds even more of a wallop to the whole book. I may look Asami up, it may upset me though - tricky. Enjoy Charlotte Wood when you get to her!
Oh I guess I'll have to also order Bad Habit when I'm there too! It's something I haven't read much POV from if at all? So I'd really like to read that one.
I love this ranking-and don't worry about mentioning a book more than once. When it comes to individual creators, I don't mind that you're building on the conversation you're having with us when it comes to the same book; the only time I've been a little frustrated is when one book is so clearly popular across the board that it's in everyone's video on repeat (I'm thinking about James, by Percival Everett here) but that happens relatively rarely that it's more on me for getting annoyed than anything else.
Ha. I know what you mean about James BUT then again there are some books that everyone just loves, so it’s a fine balance… and a hard one. Ha. I did like James a lot, see I’m adding to it now but then some books become a collective conversation. Which can turn into hype and over hype. Ooh it’s tricky lol.
the safekeep, ordinary human failings and stone yard devotional have been on my tbr this past year -- let's see if and when i actually get to them! i liked clear (i think i picked it up from yr recommendation, actually), but i lacked enthusiasm. so it goes!
Yes! Clear is the clear choice for #1. I was hoping it would make your list. It was my #1 2024 release until I read Percival Everett's James. Then Álvaro Enrigue's You Dreamed of Empires nudged it to #3 on my year-end list (Top 2024 Releases). But it might really be a three-way tie for first place. They are all astonishing and as close to perfect as novels can get for me. And who doesn't enjoy a three-way? A three-way tie, I mean. Anyway, Carys Davies is an author to watch. I gifted Clear to my mom for the holidays. Can't wait to see what she writes next. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for all your efforts! This booknerd appreciates it.
Oh blimey. Three ways so early in the year. *Clutches pearls* Hahaha. If you’ve not read Carys’ backlist of books then I highly recommend them. I liked James. I hadn’t heard of You Dreamed of Empires until there were suddenly lots of mentions and praise at the end of the year. It comes out on Thursday in paperback here, tempting.
Clear is such a wonderful, special book, so pleased to see this getting love! The only book I loved more than this one was Cuddy by Benjamin Myers which I also read early in 2024
I haven't read The Offing yet, I read The Gallows Pole after your mum's review, and that was another top 10 for me, what a unique writer B M is! I'm really looking forward to reading Carys Davies back list this year and The Offing too! @@SavidgeReads
my favourite books this year were the poisonwood bible by barbara kingsolver, clear by carys davies and mrs s by k patrick. very savidge recommendations :) thank you, and happy new year!
Excellent list ..I have I admit I was still keeping my fingers crossed for Passiontide but third in this list is phenomenal. Will have to get to those I’ve not read.
Your second best is on my list of favorites as well! Loved it so much and couldn't put it down. I also read 1984 and Parable of the Sower last year, which are strong contenders in that genre, even though they made me feel like crap, but that one was just good. There are several on this list I'd like to read as well.
1984 is an interesting book. Not one of my all time favs but when I read it I got why it was/is a classic. I think I would like to head to some lesser known dystopian modern classics, like The Wall which got some buzz a few years ago. But nothing like I Who Have Never Known Men.
If 'I who have never known men' and 'Clear' had a book child it would be: Astraea by Kate Kruimink (Ali Smith gave it the Weatherglass Prize!) And Clear by Carys Davies shares a lot with The Colony by Audrey Magee - which I loved too!
I have Astraea on my shelves. Jane Rawson, who wrote From The Wreck which I loved and have banged on about, recommended it to me. Now you’ve described it like that I need to get to it all the quicker, thankfully it’s on the shelves with another of her books.
Hi Simon, I have read 7 of your top books and have Passiontide on my TBR, My top book was There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. I think the Women’s Prize is going to be awesome this year.
Wow. Seven out of twelve (or the fifteen?) that’s pretty ace going. Hope you enjoyed them? And I still can’t talk about your favourite book… nope, can’t.
So happy to see someone loving on Carys Davies! I LOVE HER! Clear is my least favorite of hers (I still very much enjoyed it, mostly an issue I had with the ending that knocked it down a bit for me), but I could just drown in her writing. More people need to be reading her!
I love Cary’s so much, though for some reason said her surname wrong twice in this video - I blame the excitement. Ha. I don’t have a least favourite I don’t think, well technically I suppose I must, yet I don’t. Lol.
@@SavidgeReads Did you say Davis? Because I do that A LOT. She's like Agatha Christie for me - it's all wonderful, but if I HAD to rank...I could make it happen on a scale of amazing to good Can't wait to see what you read in 2025!
James McBride's Deacon King Kong is 👍, a great way to start the year. Ended the old year with Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman and I'll never forget that one.
I really want to read more James McBride after absolutely loving The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store in 2023. One of my books of that year actually. Thank you for the reminder as I’ve a few on my shelves… a set of shelves I need to sort this weekend.
@@SavidgeReadsI enjoyed The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, but The Good Lord Bird is still number 1 and now followed by Deacon King Kong. I have Clear and hope to get to it soon.
Out of your list, I’ve only read Orbital, which I enjoyed quite a bit but it took me nearly 2 months to read, popping in and out of it, so I need to reread it when I can better focus. 2024 was a weird reading year for me, started out amazing with me reading “literary” (whatever that truly means) books more than just a one-off from my past decades of romance, urban fantasy, and mysteries. Opened me up to some incredible books and authors and new perspectives. I gave 41 books 5 stars, so it’s hard to pick a single Best of the Best, but I think the one that just stayed with me the most was Prophet Song. It just gripped me beginning to end, terrified me because it seemed plausible (and I read it early spring before the 💩show the US election turned into). Ms S and Western Lane would be my runners up. Then midway through the year, the election took over my focus and I stopped reading almost entirely. Since the election, I’ve reverted back to my easy comfort reads of mysteries mostly, but just now feeling myself wanting to branch out again. Your channel (and your mum’s) helps ground me and sparks me wanting to get back into stretching my reading muscles again. I think I’ll pick up I Who Have Never Known Men & Clear next. Thank you for being good & kind & funny & sharing your love of books. 🙏
Awww thank you for such a lovely comment. That’s so kind of you to say at the end. Orbital definitely isn’t easy and it’s not for everyone so I wouldn’t get hung up on it lol. Prophet Song is a great book. I can’t remember if it made my books of 2023 list. I did like it very much when I read it. Mrs S. Wow. I loved that book. Western Lane *almost* made my honourable mentions.
Hahahaha. 5 out of 12 is blooming brilliant. I’ve never managed that with a Booker or Women’s Prize longlist when it’s come out. Not that I’m comparing myself to either of them. Haha.
Ok why I feel like "the in Between" would be relatable for me... ? Because I'm in my 50s, I'm feeling that hyper body awareness insecurity, and I'm currently single and navigating any love at this age is full of baggage but also full of joy, plus I will read any filthiness and find it lovely 😂😂😂 so I'm looking forward to exploring that one! I will head to my local queer book store - Giovanni's Room here in Philadelphia and order it ❤
Anyone in Canada or the USA waiting for the North American release of “Stone Yard Devotional”? It hits the shelves on February 11th. And of course it has a different cover than the UK edition.
Great list! I loved Bad Habit very much too... unfortunately I think it was eligible for last year´s international booker as published just before the cut-off date.
I think I’m done with 2024 now. Plus those there are all in this video technically. Best debut… Lennon. Most surprising Lennon and Harpman and Anthony. Best backlist Shua Dusapin and Harpman.
Interested in passionate and motherless land and have lost love songs on my kobo from the library. Was surprised Elif Shafak new book didn’t make your favourites.
I’ve talked about that book in the video where I talk about every book I read last year. And this year there were lots of favourite authors who didn’t make the top 12 but I guess that’s all part of broadening who and what we read.
Hahaha. It’s hard isn’t it. Yet weirdly I hope it’s even harder (for me and all of us) again when we have to do 2025 favourites, because it’s been another (maybe even more) brilliant year of reading.
Those on your list that are on mine The Inbetween Ordinary Human Failings Stone Yard Devotional I Who Have Never Known Men Clear My possible number one? Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst 🍀👋☘️📚☕️📕📖
Ooh I’ve found Hollinghust overwritten and overly long before so didn’t head to his new one but lots of lovely people including yourself have loved it so maybe I need to try it at some point.
I´ve been on the waitinglist for Stoneyard Devotional from my library for 2 months now, and my anticipating is getting more unbearable every time I see someone put it on their top-list. Please library, just hurry up!
How good is 'I who have never know men'? There is a lot of terrible dystopia out there and this book is a kind of miracle in its anti-world-building. Perhaps similar in vibe is Marlen Haushofer's 'The Wall', which maybe you would also like.
If I dislike a book, I might say the book "wasn't for me, "but, I wouldn't say the book was "dreadful". I've heard a lot of positive comments about Orbital and look forward to reading it.
The jumper is ofc delightful. Great choice by Louise 🤌 Oooo, was right about Clear and Passiontide, yay! 😄 (Maybe a quarterly-ish of books that have stayed with you/grown on you to give attention to those that feel “forgotten”. Which could be combined with other things you’ve enjoyed during the months of spring/summer, etc.) -Still have to get to Bad Habit, Passiontide and Ordinary Human Failings. I def think you’ll enjoy the writing in Acts of Desperation.
Hang about. Let’s not give Louise too much credit. She didn’t buy it me and I spotted it. Hahaha. But she was there and said it was very me 😉 I’m thinking Acts of Desperation could be a book I head to soon.
Finished watching the video and ordered Clear straight away 🙈 Excited!😃
Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
Ohhh I did read Stone Yard Devotional and I loved it SO much for all the reasons you've mentioned. The way the author finds ways to talk about such deep subjects just by a character's quiet remembrances and/or reminiscences... and how she highlights commentary into just every avenue of common interactions. I guess it just goes to show that so much goes on even when we think nothings going on... 😂 there's so much about this book that reminds me of how John Steinbeck brings ethics and philosophical discussions into every book in such clever ways... it was a brilliant book. I started highlighting and then almost highlighted the whole book 😅!! Finally I just stopped and annointed the whole book as "hereby highlighted" 😂
Btw: Happy New Year!
I Who Have Never Known Men was one of my favourite books last year too! I really want to read more from her backlist, hopefully they get reissued 🤞🏻
I was very kindly sent a fabulous retro edition of Orlanda which I reeeeeeally need to get to this year.
Oooh we share a few favs! Loved I who have never known men, passiontide (women’s prize ftw!) and clear. I’ve taken notes on all the rest. Thanks for bringing the joy. ♥️
A pleasure. Thank you for watching. How lovely we’ve a few favourites in common.
My eyeballs popped when I saw your number one. Not because it isn’t brilliant, it is, or I didn’t love it, I did. I think it is because it feels like you hardly mentioned it this year. (Which is perfectly fine, not trying to comment on your content.) It was a brilliant surprise! I never would have guessed it. Off to watch the honorable mentions video!
I don’t think you’re wrong. I thought I had talked about it more in the spring when I read it than I clearly did. I thought I had even given it its own video, nope. Ha. It was my number one when I didn’t my mid year ‘books of the year so far’ in fact the top two haven’t changed since then.
So glad to see Orbital on this list (even if it's only an honorable mention). It was among my top reads in 2023.
I had my eye on Passiontide a while ago but it slipped my mind. Thanks for reminding me that I need to keep an eye for this book in the shops.
Wishing you a wonderous year of reading in 2025. Cheers!
And a wonderful reading year to you too. Definitely give Passiontide a go if it takes your fancy. I really, really liked Orbital. Though The Western Wind remains my favourite Harvey.
Orbital was my favourite book of 2024. I picked it up at the airport and thought I'd give it a go because you and your mum loved it so much! I'm glad I did, a truly beautiful book. Best Wishes 💕
Sooooooo please you loved Orbital, it is a wonderful wonder of a book. I believe my mothers books of the year are dropping tomorrow.
I too loved Clear! Great list... I'm eager to read: Sokcho, The Most, This Motherless Land, Glorious Exploits and Passiontide. Thank you for these recommendations. (You are an absolute PRO at making videos... unequaled. Simply the best)
That’s very kind of you to say. Though I would say go and check out any of the channels who I share in my vlogs (when they arrive) as they are often far better videos. Hahaha. Clear is amazing isn’t it. I really love Carys’ writing. Every book has been brilliant.
@@SavidgeReads no one else has simon savidge vibes
I was thrilled to see Glorious Exploits on your list! I absolutely loved this book. I listened to it first on audio & the narration (by the author himself) is BRILLIANT. After I finished listening I went out & bought a copy of it to read. I have been singing this books praises & telling everyone who will listen to me to READ THIS BOOK.
Great video, Simon!
It’s brilliant isn’t it. And Ferdia is soooo lovely. I had the pleasure of interviewing him at Wimbledon Book Festival last year. Mum and I are hoping to see him in March at West Kirby Bookshop - both the Savidge’s are fans.
‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ is such a memorable novel. Really well written and a book that I will certainly read again. So glad it got into your top three.
I think about it so often, such a brilliant book.
This was a very exciting list as I haven't read any of them and they all sound ace! I've been waiting for the end of 2024 for everyone's favourites videos as my book wishlist needs some serious updating (ready for my trip to Edinburgh in Feb!!) This Motherless Land sounds right up my street - love an Austen retelling
Ooooh a bookshopping trip to Edinburgh. I am JEALOUS. It’s how I started my year last year and was a delight! Hope you have a fabulous time!
Omg that book "the lost love songs"!!!! I have that book and I'm excited to read it soon this year I'm glad you're the 2nd book influencer that's recommended it! Ahhhh excited and question: do you think it could be a fit for the adventure prize award? I wasn't sure if it would be categorized that way what do you say Simon? Btw: Happy New Year!
I wouldn't say The Lost Love Songs is an adventure, no. It is more giving voice to women who history has made voiceless and almost footnotes really. I think 'The In Between' is definitely a very queer men in their 50's finding love rather than a universal one, just because the book is very much about the nature of mens bodies as they get older, still an incredible read. Bad Habit I cannot recommend enough.
@ thanks for clarifying I can't wait to read all three. Even though men obviously have different bodies the issue of aging generally is something that is universal, I am very empathetic to that plight believe me! And you mentioned you know, explicits and I'm always here to read those, of any sort!!
An aside: Love your sweater OOPS jumper
Thank you! I bought it in the sales in the summer and had saved it especially. Lol.
It makes me so happy to see Clear as your number 1! It was in my top 10 this year too. Brilliant book, in my opinion.
Lovely to hear that you enjoyed Clear so much too.
Loved "Clear" but also loved "The Mission House" which I listened to and it was much enhanced by the narrator Raj Ghatak
@ Thank you! I recently purchased The Mission House from Pango but if the audio is stellar, then I will do a tandem reach of audio and print.
Wow I just watched your mom's lovely top reads of the year so now I'll definitely be reading Clear as well!
Funnily enough I just watched that video!
@@SavidgeReads lol!!! Sorry for so many comments it's like I would pause your video to comment so I didn't forget everything I wanted to say lol
I've added a few to my list. A Woman in the Polar Night was one of my 2024 favourites, a beautifully written memoir I'd highly recommend!
Ooh I’ve not heard of it I shall look it up. Thank you.
While catching up watching your videos, ive been sitting like, on ‘pins and needles’😂 because I refused to fast forward this video to find out your best read for 2024! Also, i have seven📚 from your list on my tbr…intrigued about The Most…and started reading Orbital as my first choice to start this NY. 😊
Ooh hope you enjoy Orbital. I’m sooooo superstitious about my first book of the year it takes me ages to pick one. Lol. Seven on the list on your TBR, you lucky thing, seven treats await you 😉
@ 🥰📚
I Who Have Never Know Men was incredible! I’ll have to reread it. I’m also really looking forward to Stone Yard Devotional being published in Canada.
Ooh you have such a treat ahead with Stone Yard Devotional. I just love that book so much... and loved I Who Have Never Known Men of course.
I ordered stone yard devotional and clear in the Waterstones sale as you spoke so passionately about them and want to read them, there were others but i can’t buy everything yet but i will so i have a list from this video 😊 thank you as always for sharing your best books. Maybe a video or two on your fav authors spotlights on their books would be good so it can incorporate new and backlisted books maybe?
Oooh I hope you enjoy Clear and Stone Yard Devotional. I have two author spotlight videos planned spookily… one of them may be linked to one of these two books. Hahaha.
@ ohh exciting!!! Yes I’m looking forward to reading these so be interesting to see which author your spotlighting :)📚😊
i am so excited by your no.1 as i picked this up at the edinburgh book festival and ive not read it yet!!!!🎉😊
Did you go and see her talk. I think she did an in conversation with Charlotte Wood (who we all know I adore) who then also did an event with another author I adore… Robbie Arnott. I was so pissed off I couldn’t get to those events.
Totally agree about The Safekeep (as you know). I've been meaning to read The Most and I Who Have Never Known Men AND the new Carys Davies so now you've nudged me to finally take the plunge. Kinda surprised James wasn't on here? Also I miss you. Happy 2025.
Definitely get to those three… I mean the fact you’ve not read the Davies. Well, I may call my lawyers. Again. Hahaha.
What are great list and what a perfect jumper to kick off the new reading year with! Happy 2025!
And a happy 2025 to you too. Here’s hoping it’s a year of brilliant reads for everyone.
I read Clear because of You ☺️📖👋🏻😘
👏🏻📖👏🏻
I hope you loved it!
@@SavidgeReads I sure did 👍😘
Clear was my fave too. Such good taste you have!
Suuuuuuch a good book!
Clear is making my top books of the year as well!
Hooray 🥳🥳🥳🥳
I keep getting interrupted this weekend when I start to watch your postings 😢but I will get to them 🎉 🎉
No pressure at all. (Also… I wouldn’t know if you didn’t tell me hahahaha 😉)
@ oh but I wanted to tell you lol
This was absolutely brilliant 👏🏻
Well thanks to you I already have ordinary human failings 🥰
I have just added this motherless land, the safe keep, the in between and clear to my wishlist.
I read West by Carys Davies in 2023 & thought it was amazing.
Hope you enjoy, if that is the right word, Ordinary Human Failings when you get to it. Those four you added are corkers. As you loved West then definitely head to Clear!
Really enjoyed this Simon, thank you ❤️😊
My pleasure, thanks for watching.
I feel quite chuffed that I guessed three of your top five! Clear is definitely my favorite of Davies’ amazing books. And I Who Have Never Known Men would have made my best books of the year except that I always limit myself to books published that year. So glad you included The Most, which I thought was such a surprise in what it did and how it did it, and it seems to have flown totally under the radar. And that is a most excellent jumper!
Well done on the guessing! I almost limited my books to books of this year to make it easier for myself BUT then went and decided to make it harder, unusual for me. But also that book, and Winter in Sokcho actually, was soooooo good it felt wrong to leave it off. I now want to read all the Jessica Anthony’s but they give her really ugly covers here. Even our version of The Most is subpar to the US one. Huffs 😤
@ Yes I must say that the US cover of The Most is quite striking!
High praise for This Motherless Land. Might have to check that out. The Safe Keep is definitely on my TBR. I have I Who Have Never Known Men coming up soon. Might have to read your number one as well. 😊💙
You’ve some treats ahead if you read any of those.
So glad to see Stone Yard Devotional and Clear on your list, they are two of my favourite reads this year!
Such, such good books.
LOVED CLEAR - didnt see that ending coming
It’s a corker!
You read a nice selection of books. I added some of them to my list.
Lovely stuff. Hope you enjoy the ones you head to.
Ok I have so many to add to my ever increasing to read list 😄
Hope you enjoy the ones you get to!
Happy NEW YEAR and tysm for all your bookish booking this past year and cheers to what’s coming this year. Added a few from here to the TBR and had a couple in common too 📖 🪱 💚💚💚💚💚
Hahaha. Bookish booking. I liked that.
Love love loved Clear. Will certainly read more by Carys Davies. Really enjoyed Safekeep and Stoneyard too. Certainly going to try Motherless Land and I Who Have Never Known Men. Brill collection there Simon.
Awwww thanks Kate. It turns out I had read waaaay more bangers than I realised. Not sure why I had felt my reading year had been a bit off… maybe because I had had no visit to Harris and Harris in 2024 😉
@@SavidgeReads 😯 Well we'll certainly sort that for 2025! (Already looking forward to it) x
Ah your top two very similar to mine for 2024! TBH it could be either Clear or IWHNKM as number one depending on the day. Two phenomenal books that pack so much and create such huge worlds in such slim volumes! Amazing writers both!
What a treat to read both of those in a year. Actually that puts my reading year even more into perspective.
These best of videos are going to be the death of my wish lists. Since I am not reading adding audiobooks today, completely ignoring I may have added them to "reading" which lists before.
Hahaha. It’s the same for me. I love this time of year for the content, my bank balance doesn’t. Though I’m on a spending freeze since my wallet was stolen on Friday. Gah! When my new cards come there will be trouble.
Loved This Motherless Land 💜 I am away to read next The Safe Keep after finishing Private Rites, I have a huge pile of books from the library to tackle 😂 then I can get started on my own tbr 📚
Aren’t libraries brilliant. I need to use my local one much more in 2025.
"Clear" has been sat on my shelf pretty much since it came out in April, there was so much hype about it but I never got round to reading it. Since I'm doing the Savidge Reading Challenge this year, seems like it would be a good one for the one-word title wildcard prompt 😊
Ooh. I’m glad to hear people were talking about it as I didn’t feel like it was getting much chatter at all. And perfect pick for the one word prompt.
My top 3 in 2024. I who have never known men, gertrude by herman hesse and goat days by benjamin. Been following Simon for 6 years, but never EvER read any of his recommendations. Just here for his quirky, fun, delightful narration of books and seeing a quick cameo of chris and the cats. 😊❤
Hahaha. Thank you Jennifer. I think. It’s like you’ve set me a challenge to make you read one of my recommendations now* 😉
*Note it is never compulsory hahaha.
I want to read a book that seems a little like a snow globe! Also: yes to more middle-aged men in love. Fun video… great picks with at least 4 or 5 I’ll look into reading! 🎉
Hope you enjoy the ones you head to!
Pleased to see Clear at the top of your list. It is both lovely and intriguing, and more people should read it!
They should and Carys Davies’ books in general I think.
Team Passiontide! Finding out the book was based on a true story broke me and had a real impact on why it was in my favorites of the year. (Asami Nagakiya, the real woman who was murdered in Trinidad, has her steel pan music up on UA-cam if you search her name, I highly suggest giving it a listen.) I Who Have Never Known Men was also in my top 5, and Clear just missed my favorites list. I think I should take your recommendations more seriously! Starting with Charlotte Wood. Cheers to reading great books in 2025.
I had no idea that Passiontide was based on a real murder, gosh that adds even more of a wallop to the whole book. I may look Asami up, it may upset me though - tricky. Enjoy Charlotte Wood when you get to her!
@ I was going to warn to have a box of tissue handy. 🥺
Oh I guess I'll have to also order Bad Habit when I'm there too! It's something I haven't read much POV from if at all? So I'd really like to read that one.
I love this ranking-and don't worry about mentioning a book more than once. When it comes to individual creators, I don't mind that you're building on the conversation you're having with us when it comes to the same book; the only time I've been a little frustrated is when one book is so clearly popular across the board that it's in everyone's video on repeat (I'm thinking about James, by Percival Everett here) but that happens relatively rarely that it's more on me for getting annoyed than anything else.
Ha. I know what you mean about James BUT then again there are some books that everyone just loves, so it’s a fine balance… and a hard one. Ha. I did like James a lot, see I’m adding to it now but then some books become a collective conversation. Which can turn into hype and over hype. Ooh it’s tricky lol.
the safekeep, ordinary human failings and stone yard devotional have been on my tbr this past year -- let's see if and when i actually get to them!
i liked clear (i think i picked it up from yr recommendation, actually), but i lacked enthusiasm. so it goes!
Ha, so it goes indeed. I look forward to your thoughts on The Safekeep, Ordinary Human Failings and Stone Yard Devotional if you get to them!
Love that jumper ❤
Thank you!
Ooo! Loved this - we have four choices in common 🎉 But which are they? You’ll have to wait til tomorrow evening to find out 😂😂😂❤❤❤
Ooooh. Maybe I can’t wait that long. I might explode! 💥 Hehehehe. Looking forward to seeing which they are.
Yes! Clear is the clear choice for #1. I was hoping it would make your list. It was my #1 2024 release until I read Percival Everett's James. Then Álvaro Enrigue's You Dreamed of Empires nudged it to #3 on my year-end list (Top 2024 Releases). But it might really be a three-way tie for first place. They are all astonishing and as close to perfect as novels can get for me. And who doesn't enjoy a three-way? A three-way tie, I mean. Anyway, Carys Davies is an author to watch. I gifted Clear to my mom for the holidays. Can't wait to see what she writes next. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for all your efforts! This booknerd appreciates it.
Oh blimey. Three ways so early in the year. *Clutches pearls* Hahaha. If you’ve not read Carys’ backlist of books then I highly recommend them. I liked James. I hadn’t heard of You Dreamed of Empires until there were suddenly lots of mentions and praise at the end of the year. It comes out on Thursday in paperback here, tempting.
Clear is such a wonderful, special book, so pleased to see this getting love! The only book I loved more than this one was Cuddy by Benjamin Myers which I also read early in 2024
I cannot believe I’ve still not read Cuddy, or Rare Singles, by Mr Myers as The Offing is one of my favourite books of all time!
I haven't read The Offing yet, I read The Gallows Pole after your mum's review, and that was another top 10 for me, what a unique writer B M is! I'm really looking forward to reading Carys Davies back list this year and The Offing too! @@SavidgeReads
I’m Scottish. Excited that a book about the Clearances is your number one
Have you read it? I’m assuming so but if not highly recommend.
my favourite books this year were the poisonwood bible by barbara kingsolver, clear by carys davies and mrs s by k patrick. very savidge recommendations :) thank you, and happy new year!
Ooooh what a trio of Savidge catnip that is. Hahaha.
Excellent list ..I have I admit I was still keeping my fingers crossed for Passiontide but third in this list is phenomenal. Will have to get to those I’ve not read.
I thought it was such a brilliant book. Here’s hoping is on that longlist in a few months, well weeks! Eek!
I have ‘I who have never known men’ and hope to get to it very soon. ‘Clear’ sounds really interesting.
Hope you enjoy them, if that’s the right term, if you get to them!
Your second best is on my list of favorites as well! Loved it so much and couldn't put it down. I also read 1984 and Parable of the Sower last year, which are strong contenders in that genre, even though they made me feel like crap, but that one was just good. There are several on this list I'd like to read as well.
1984 is an interesting book. Not one of my all time favs but when I read it I got why it was/is a classic. I think I would like to head to some lesser known dystopian modern classics, like The Wall which got some buzz a few years ago. But nothing like I Who Have Never Known Men.
@@SavidgeReads I agree about 1984. The Wall sounds interesting!
Yes for Orbital! Mind blowing and wondrous.
It’s a fab book. I loved it. Though it’s not my favourite Samantha Harvey 😱
What is your favorite Samantha Harvey book?
If 'I who have never known men' and 'Clear' had a book child it would be:
Astraea by Kate Kruimink (Ali Smith gave it the Weatherglass Prize!)
And Clear by Carys Davies shares a lot with The Colony by Audrey Magee - which I loved too!
I have Astraea on my shelves. Jane Rawson, who wrote From The Wreck which I loved and have banged on about, recommended it to me. Now you’ve described it like that I need to get to it all the quicker, thankfully it’s on the shelves with another of her books.
Top of my list is “The Coast Road” by Alan Murrin, followed closely by “Clear.” And you’re right that “Bad Habit” is an important book.
I have The Coast Road on the teetering TBR. Very keen to read that very soon.
I'm purchasing Clear now:) thx so much:)
Hope you love it as much as I did.
@@SavidgeReads Just started it...I already know I'm going to love it;) Have you heard of "Vivienne" by Emmalea Russo? Enjoying this one currently:)
Hi Simon, I have read 7 of your top books and have Passiontide on my TBR, My top book was There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. I think the Women’s Prize is going to be awesome this year.
Wow. Seven out of twelve (or the fifteen?) that’s pretty ace going. Hope you enjoyed them? And I still can’t talk about your favourite book… nope, can’t.
@ 15. It has been a banging reading year
Fantastic list. ❤📚❤️ Still need to get to Motherless Land.
@@CharlieBrookReads it’s soooooooooo good.
So happy to see someone loving on Carys Davies! I LOVE HER! Clear is my least favorite of hers (I still very much enjoyed it, mostly an issue I had with the ending that knocked it down a bit for me), but I could just drown in her writing. More people need to be reading her!
I love Cary’s so much, though for some reason said her surname wrong twice in this video - I blame the excitement. Ha. I don’t have a least favourite I don’t think, well technically I suppose I must, yet I don’t. Lol.
@@SavidgeReads Did you say Davis? Because I do that A LOT. She's like Agatha Christie for me - it's all wonderful, but if I HAD to rank...I could make it happen on a scale of amazing to good
Can't wait to see what you read in 2025!
James McBride's Deacon King Kong is 👍, a great way to start the year. Ended the old year with Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman and I'll never forget that one.
I really want to read more James McBride after absolutely loving The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store in 2023. One of my books of that year actually. Thank you for the reminder as I’ve a few on my shelves… a set of shelves I need to sort this weekend.
@@SavidgeReadsI enjoyed The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, but The Good Lord Bird is still number 1 and now followed by Deacon King Kong. I have Clear and hope to get to it soon.
Out of your list, I’ve only read Orbital, which I enjoyed quite a bit but it took me nearly 2 months to read, popping in and out of it, so I need to reread it when I can better focus.
2024 was a weird reading year for me, started out amazing with me reading “literary” (whatever that truly means) books more than just a one-off from my past decades of romance, urban fantasy, and mysteries. Opened me up to some incredible books and authors and new perspectives. I gave 41 books 5 stars, so it’s hard to pick a single Best of the Best, but I think the one that just stayed with me the most was Prophet Song. It just gripped me beginning to end, terrified me because it seemed plausible (and I read it early spring before the 💩show the US election turned into). Ms S and Western Lane would be my runners up.
Then midway through the year, the election took over my focus and I stopped reading almost entirely. Since the election, I’ve reverted back to my easy comfort reads of mysteries mostly, but just now feeling myself wanting to branch out again. Your channel (and your mum’s) helps ground me and sparks me wanting to get back into stretching my reading muscles again. I think I’ll pick up I Who Have Never Known Men & Clear next.
Thank you for being good & kind & funny & sharing your love of books. 🙏
Awww thank you for such a lovely comment. That’s so kind of you to say at the end. Orbital definitely isn’t easy and it’s not for everyone so I wouldn’t get hung up on it lol. Prophet Song is a great book. I can’t remember if it made my books of 2023 list. I did like it very much when I read it. Mrs S. Wow. I loved that book. Western Lane *almost* made my honourable mentions.
There's an adaptation of Winter in Sokcho that was released in théâtre in France this month. I hope it'll be distributed across the world 🙏
Oooh I hope so too. I would very much like to see that.
I’ve read 5 of your top 12, so chuffed with that. Now I only have FOMO for the other 7 😂
Hahahaha. 5 out of 12 is blooming brilliant. I’ve never managed that with a Booker or Women’s Prize longlist when it’s come out. Not that I’m comparing myself to either of them. Haha.
Ooh i hadn't heard of The Most and it sounds juicy.
It’s brilliant. A short, sharp treat.
Bad Habit was my number 1 book of the year 🎉
I’m sure you were one of the lovely folk who recommended it to me in comments here in 2024.
Ok why I feel like "the in Between" would be relatable for me... ? Because I'm in my 50s, I'm feeling that hyper body awareness insecurity, and I'm currently single and navigating any love at this age is full of baggage but also full of joy, plus I will read any filthiness and find it lovely 😂😂😂 so I'm looking forward to exploring that one! I will head to my local queer book store - Giovanni's Room here in Philadelphia and order it ❤
Love your channel
Awww thank you! Thats a lovely think to say and hear.
please do an author spotlight on the author of your top book because this will be my first read by her!
It’s on my list of videos to make. Ha.
Anyone in Canada or the USA waiting for the North American release of “Stone Yard Devotional”? It hits the shelves on February 11th. And of course it has a different cover than the UK edition.
Oooh you’ve got the original Australian cover I. Canada and the US from the looks of it… I have that edition too!!!!
@@SavidgeReads 👏
Great list! I loved Bad Habit very much too... unfortunately I think it was eligible for last year´s international booker as published just before the cut-off date.
Drats. Deserves to have been on sooooo many lists, well the ones it was eligable for.
'Clear' has the best 'meet cute' ever written between a husband and wife 😂
Ha. I hadn’t thought of that.
I don’t think Stone Yard Devotional is for me but I’m intrigued by Bad Habit and will
be picking that up!
That’s fair enough. Can’t all love the same books, would be VERY boring 😉
How about doing a video for
Best debut
Most surprising
Best backlist
of 2024?
I think I’m done with 2024 now. Plus those there are all in this video technically. Best debut… Lennon. Most surprising Lennon and Harpman and Anthony. Best backlist Shua Dusapin and Harpman.
Interested in passionate and motherless land and have lost love songs on my kobo from the library. Was surprised Elif Shafak new book didn’t make your favourites.
I’ve talked about that book in the video where I talk about every book I read last year. And this year there were lots of favourite authors who didn’t make the top 12 but I guess that’s all part of broadening who and what we read.
OMG how did i miss the in between?!
Get to it, it’s GREAT!!!!
i really enjoyed ordinary human failings too
A brilliant book. Must get to Acts of Desperation this year.
I’ve left myself in a dilemma since I gave 30 books 5 stars in 2024. Now I can decide on a top 10/15
Hahaha. It’s hard isn’t it. Yet weirdly I hope it’s even harder (for me and all of us) again when we have to do 2025 favourites, because it’s been another (maybe even more) brilliant year of reading.
Those on your list that are on mine
The Inbetween
Ordinary Human Failings
Stone Yard Devotional
I Who Have Never Known Men
Clear
My possible number one?
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst
🍀👋☘️📚☕️📕📖
Ooh I’ve found Hollinghust overwritten and overly long before so didn’t head to his new one but lots of lovely people including yourself have loved it so maybe I need to try it at some point.
I´ve been on the waitinglist for Stoneyard Devotional from my library for 2 months now, and my anticipating is getting more unbearable every time I see someone put it on their top-list. Please library, just hurry up!
It’ll be worth the wait!
How good is 'I who have never know men'? There is a lot of terrible dystopia out there and this book is a kind of miracle in its anti-world-building. Perhaps similar in vibe is Marlen Haushofer's 'The Wall', which maybe you would also like.
Yes. I’ve heard good things about The Wall overall… and it’s on my shelves 😉
Diverting from the video do know book publishex in the 1960's
Google is definitely your friend for that question. Lol.
I don’t understand everyone’s obsession with orbital. It was dreadful. Guess it’s a matter of taste
It is. Would be so boring if we all liked the same things as each other all the time though wouldn’t it? 😉
Reading is subjective 😊
@ totally!
If I dislike a book, I might say the book "wasn't for me, "but, I wouldn't say the book was "dreadful". I've heard a lot of positive comments about Orbital and look forward to reading it.
I agree i just didn’t understand the hype
I agree and disagree with you equally
I don’t really know what to say to that. It’s quite illusive. Hahaha. But thank you for commenting lol.
The jumper is ofc delightful. Great choice by Louise 🤌
Oooo, was right about Clear and Passiontide, yay! 😄
(Maybe a quarterly-ish of books that have stayed with you/grown on you to give attention to those that feel “forgotten”. Which could be combined with other things you’ve enjoyed during the months of spring/summer, etc.)
-Still have to get to Bad Habit, Passiontide and Ordinary Human Failings. I def think you’ll enjoy the writing in Acts of Desperation.
Hang about. Let’s not give Louise too much credit. She didn’t buy it me and I spotted it. Hahaha. But she was there and said it was very me 😉 I’m thinking Acts of Desperation could be a book I head to soon.
@ haha, my apologies. No credit given unfairly again 😉