Books That Made Me Feel…

A 2024 Literary Wrap-Up

I love looking back on my year and celebrating the best parts — but I dislike end-of-the-year lists that are ranked, especially when it comes to books, movies, television, and music. It’s art, not a sporting event!

Instead, here’s a look at a selection of books I read in 2024 and how they made me feel.

One of my favorite things about Substack is being surrounded by lovely readers and writers like you. Leave a comment and let me know about a book that made you feel something this year!

The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams made me feel…
🌊 Comforted

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever read by Beatriz Williams, and I’m putting this one on my list of all-time favorites. I love her old-fashioned worlds, the romance, the champagne! This title was extra impactful as it inspired one of the love interests in my book.

Talking at Night by Claire Daverley made me feel…
✨ Enchanted

Reading this story was like listening to a Taylor Swift song. It was deep, thoughtful, and moving and followed a complicated relationship. The writing was beautiful and atmospheric. Even though this was one of the first books I read in 2024, it has stayed with me.

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham made me feel…
🔎 Curious

If you looked at my internet search history for the summer of 2024, you’d find an alarming number of queries involving space travel, and this book is responsible for it. If someone doesn’t create a streaming series about this group of astronauts, I’m going to have to do it!

Most Wonderful by

Georgia Clark

made me feel…
🌈 Proud

Lucky me to have been a part of Georgia’s writing groups for the last year and a half! I loved the characters and setting she created for this modern Christmas tale, but most of all, how it celebrates joy and love.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley made me feel…
❤️‍🔥 Attracted

I’ll just come out and say it: of all the literary characters I read about this year, Commander Graham Gore is the one I had the biggest crush on.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone made me feel…
🕶️ Relaxed

Reading this book felt like hanging out with my college friends. The characters were fun, there was no real villain, and even though it was centered around a pretty high-stakes situation (a single woman ends up with an unplanned pregnancy), it all felt very chill.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld made me feel…
🎶 Inspired

Is it weird to read a book inspired by a classic like Pride and Prejudice without experiencing the original first? Yes, but I did it anyway, and it led me down a bit of a Regency bender as I got caught up on all the Jane Austen movies and made their soundtracks my go-to writing music.

Funny Story by Emily Henry made me feel…
📚 Addicted

I equally enjoyed this book as a reader and used it as a reference while writing mine. If I can replicate a fraction of the chemistry between Emily’s characters in this story, it will be a win!

Siracusa by Delia Ephron made me feel…
🧳 Rebellious

Reading this book about such unlikable characters and loving every minute felt like drinking a full bottle of wine on a weekday afternoon.

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin made me feel…
😆 Entertained

I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud while reading this book — Laura really puts the com in rom-com — and manages to tell a meaningful story at the same time!

All Fours by Miranda July made me feel…
🖕 Empowered

Permission to blow up your life, get into some weird shit, and blame it all on perimenopause? I’m here for all of it.

✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. Without looking it up, what are three books you read this year that first come to mind?

2. Make a list of books you’d like to read in the coming year.

3. Gift a friend with a book you think they’ll love!

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. Last Sunday, I enjoyed a fun day of antiquing and catching up with my college roommate!

2. My husband has an event in Dallas this weekend, so we flew out a couple of days early to visit the Magnolia Silos in Waco. It was a designer’s dream! Everything was beautiful, the food was delicious, and everyone was so kind.

3. We saw Wicked, and I absolutely loved it. Give Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande all the awards!

4. I rewatched Martin Scorsese’s docuseries Pretend It’s a City—all six episodes in one night—and enjoyed it even more than I remembered. I wrote a full love letter about it back when it was released, which you can find here.

5. I couldn’t wait (and was enduring a bit of writer’s block), so I went ahead and created my new vision board for 2025. I cannot wait to show you! Soon!
   
   ✨ If you are excited to start on yours and would like a little help, check out my Digital Vision Board Toolkit. If you’re a paid Inspiration Everywhere subscriber, leave me a comment below and I’d be happy to send it to you for free! ✨

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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