We are back with our 5(ish) favorite reads (and games) of 2024!

We try very hard to keep it to five, but it’s simply not always possible. So, per staff member there may be more or less than five titles, but there can also be an A and a B list, memorable reads or just plain marvelous books.

We’re presenting our lists in bite-size chunks to make them more digestible, as there are more than 150 titles for you to sink your teeth into.
We hope to inspire you to try some of them in the new year.

Happy reading (and playing)!

Isabelle

This year hasn’t been the greatest year for me reading-wise. Although I did read several enjoyable books, there were only 3 that I felt were really noteworthy. All of them are non-fiction which is interesting since I wouldn’t say I’m a hardcore non-fiction reader necessarily, I do like to switch it up once in a while though. So if you’re looking to do the same, or are looking for a gift for a non-fiction lover, here’s what I would recommend:

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
I read this book in one evening and it’s now a book I consider to be one of my favorite books of all time. Incredibly easy to read, tender, heartfelt and just beautiful. I never thought I’d see knowing when you or someone you love is going to die as a privilege. This book made me feel more comfortable and safe confronting the reality of death, but not in a sad way per se but in a making peace with it and seeing the greater picture kind of way, which means a great deal. Especially in a world that tends to ignore the reality of our mortality. A keeper for sure.

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (again)
The fact that I own the physical copy, e-book and audio book version of this book should tell you just how much I love it. I re-read this book this year as an audio book whilst going on my walks/runs. I often turn to this book once in a while even if its just for an essay or two when I need something short and uplifting. I love this book so much because it reminds me to look at the wonders of everyday life and take the time to appreciate them. I think we could all use some of that right now!

Quiet by Susan Cain
This is one of those books that completely altered my perspective: it made me look at what it means to be an introvert very differently. Most importantly though it got me to see my strengths as an introvert and that I have just as many valuable and admirable qualities as any extrovert, despite what the world and media led me to believe growing up.

Steven‘s ‘Top 5’ Games 2024 (in random order)
(Unfortunately, most of the games we sell are not listed on our website, so please call us or drop by to reserve your game choice.)
Star Wars – Unlimited is a recent collectible card game, one that borrows good mechanics from various popular cards games and combines them in an effective way. There are regularly new starter decks to have duels with your friends, and also randomized packs of cards (boosters) to tinker with your decks and make them more powerful. Or even to build a new deck from scratch, if you’re into that sort of thing. If you don’t like the collect-ability aspect, but do like Star Wars and dueling games, you may want to go for Star Wars – The Deckbuilding Game instead. And if you have kids and/or are more into Disney animation, then you may want to try Lorcana, for a different kind of duel.
Marvel Zombies is a branded reiteration of the series of Zombicide games. In these cooperative games, you fight off a horde of zombies together, while trying to complete various objectives before you get overrun. Marvel Zombies flips the script by having you play as zombified Marvel superheroes, fighting against the last human (and superhuman) survivors. If you prefer being the heroes, there is the stand-alone alternative X-Men resistance that retains the original Zombicide formula. If you like horror games and cooperative games, you may also want to check out Cthulhu – Death May Die, in which you and your friends have to survive encounters with Eldritch horrors.
Forest Shuffle is a cute game in a fairly small box, that challenges you to build the best little ecosystem around a collection of trees. The cards with flora and/or fauna that you play around each tree on all sides (tucking the cards) score you points in a variety of way and collecting certain types of trees, either varied or sets, also nets you points. A shared central row of cards you will be picking from, can be manipulated to help yourself while hopefully hindering your opponents. If you prefer being more on-the-move, taking a walk through nature, then the game Parks may be more suitable for you.
Long Shot – The Dice Game is a raucous good time at a higher player count (ideally around 6 people) in which you place bets on horses and try to manipulate their movement. There are more ways to make money than just betting on the winning horse though, and ultimately making the most money is what counts!
Warhammer is kind of a cheat, as I actually do not play it myself, but I did feel it really needs a mention as we have a whole section of it, and there are ardent fans of this Grimdark wargame at the store. This kind of game has a hobbyist aspect to it none of the previous games possess, in that you put together and paint the miniatures to the best of your abilities before you bash your army against that of your enemy. It’s bordering on a lifestyle.
Jonna

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
For if you like a good cry at the end. Charlie has never been smart and that is an understatement. Because he wants to be, he volunteers for an experimental brain surgery to boost his intelligence. We see the world through his eyes while he becomes smarter and smarter. But does he become happier too?
Even though it is marked as SciFi, it is more about Charlie learning about the world and the people around him. So don’t shy away if you don’t like that particular genre. Not too difficult but very sad.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Amazing story by Adichie, the first, and as of yet, only book I’ve read from her. Set in Nigeria it follows Kambili, a 15-year-old girl and her strict Catholic family. Because her dad is busy using his influence against the propaganda of a military coup, Kambili and her brother go visit her aunt and cousins for the first time and learn how different life can be. It has themes of family and community, religion, the duality of man, internalised racism and colonialism. Even though the topics are heavy, the writing style is easy to follow and it keeps you reading. I finished this in 3 days.

Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes
Very well-written deep dive into some of the women from Greek mythology. I loved her tone and humor throughout the book as well as her use of pop-culture (even though some of the movies she mentions are now spoiled for me, it was worth it). If you like Stephen Fry’s Mythos series, I really recommend reading this one too. And she has a sequel Divine Might, which I will add to my TBR, too.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
If you ever want to go blind into a book this is the one to do it with. This story is best read without knowing anything about it so I am not going to tell you anything. It is a great mystery and very original. Go read, you won’t regret it!

Mornings With My Cat Mii by Mayumi Inaba
I don’t know what it is with Japanese authors and their cats. But it is always filled with melancholy and sadness. It’s a beautifully written memoir with poetry about her life with her cat. She is definitely not the perfect cat owner but she tries her best. I never cried so much at the end of a book, and I couldn’t even stop sobbing after I finished it.

Honourable mentions:
Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes
1984 by George Orwell
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher