PossessedbyHorror - The BEST and WORST Books I Read in 2024 📚 RANKED
In 2024, the speaker read 20 books, did not finish (DNF) two, and discovered fanfiction. They initially set a goal to watch 100 new movies in the previous year, which they achieved, and shifted focus to reading this year. They shared insights on various books, ranking them from worst to best, and discussed their experiences with each. The speaker highlighted their preference for physical books but often used library apps like Libby to borrow books. They expressed mixed feelings about certain genres, such as dark humor and teen slashers, and shared their thoughts on specific authors like Riley Sager and Mona Awad. The speaker also explored themes of grief and horror in their reading choices. Additionally, they delved into fanfiction, specifically Dramione fanfiction, and expressed excitement about upcoming publications by fanfiction authors.
Key Points:
- Read 20 books and DNFed 2 in 2024, focusing on a variety of genres.
- Used library apps like Libby to borrow books, emphasizing accessibility.
- Expressed preferences for certain genres, such as horror and supernatural themes.
- Discussed specific authors and books, providing personal insights and critiques.
- Explored fanfiction, particularly Dramione, and shared thoughts on its narrative style.
Details:
1. 📚 A Year in Books and Fanfiction Adventure
- Read 20 books in 2024, with 2 marked as did not finish (DNF).
- Discovered and explored fanfiction for the first time, adding a new dimension to the reading experience.
- Successfully watched 100 new movies last year, meeting a personal goal.
- Intends to focus more on creating book-related content this year, inviting audience participation through suggestions.
- Plans to include hints in the background of videos for future content reveals, potentially offering a bookshelf tour.
- Encouraged viewers to follow Goodreads and StoryGraph profiles to track the reading journey and engage with the community.
2. 🚫 The DNF Chronicles: Unfinished Reads
2.1. DNF 1: The September House by Carissa Orlando
2.2. DNF 2: Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell by Nathan Ballingrud
3. 📖 2024 Book Journey: From Least to Most Favorite
- Riley Sager's 'Survive the Night' was the least favorite due to repetitive writing and a lack of engaging characters.
- 'Clown in a Cornfield' by Adam Cesare received two stars; found to be repetitive with a typical teen slasher vibe.
- 'The Watchers' by A.M. Shine was intriguing initially but became overly complicated, resulting in a three-star rating.
- 'The Woods are Always Watching' by Stephanie Perkins was predictable, offering a fast-paced but expected storyline.
- Helen Phillips' 'The Need' started strong but was disappointing in its finale, with themes not fully developed.
- Mona Awad's 'Rouge' was a three-star read, focusing more on cult-like themes than expected grief exploration.
- Riley Sager's 'The House Across the Lake' was an unusual read, appreciated as a fast, popcorn thriller with three stars.
- S.A. Barnes' 'Ghost Station' was anticipated but fell short, though ranked high for its concept and setting.
- Darcy Coates' 'Dead of Winter,' a fast-paced thriller, was rated three and a half stars for its entertainment value.
- Will Dean's 'The Last One' offered an engaging concept with average writing; four stars for entertainment.
- Mona Awad's 'Bunny' was a four-star read with unique writing, though not fully resonating due to its lack of grounded reality.
- 'Middle of the Night' by Riley Sager was appreciated for its setting and entertainment, earning four stars.
- Gillian Flynn's 'Sharp Objects' received four stars for its engaging storyline, despite unlikable characters.
- Ian Reid's 'Foe' was praised for its beautiful writing and storytelling, rated four stars.
- Sarah Gran's 'Come Closer' was a standout possession story, highly rated for its vivid and descriptive writing.
- Marcus C. Word's 'We Used to Live Here' was a five-star read for its mind-bending and unexpected storyline.
- Adam Nevill's 'The Ritual' was acclaimed for its writing, despite issues with fatphobia; highly recommended for horror fans.
- Eric LaRocca's 'Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes' was noted for stunning writing, especially in the second story.
- Steven Elek's 'Hell' was a five-star read for its inventive concept and visuals.
- Suzanne Collins' 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' was a favorite for its storytelling, character development, and engaging plot.
4. 🖋️ Discovering Fanfiction: The Dramione Experience
- The speaker completed their first fanfiction, 'Manacled' by SenLinYu, which was removed from AO3, highlighting its popularity as many downloaded it before its removal.
- Despite not officially reviewing fanfiction, the speaker acknowledges the unique place fanfiction holds, not intended to be compared with published works.
- SenLinYu's work, 'Manacled', is being officially published under the title 'Alchemized', requiring changes due to original IP issues with 'Harry Potter' and 'The Handmaid's Tale'.
- The speaker praises SenLinYu's world-building and magic system, considering it deserving of formal publication.
- While not a fan of romance, the speaker appreciates the 'enemies to lovers' trope and slow-burn narratives, highlighting these as preferred elements in fanfiction.
- 'Manacled' includes graphic scenes, which the author warns readers about, addressing potential concerns regarding content appropriateness.
- The narrative, described as tragic and heartbreaking, particularly affects the speaker during scenes involving the Weasley family, indicating a strong emotional impact.