My Best of 2024

Another end of year round up for your inbox!

Dec 31, 2024

Before we get into it, go check out my latest work if you haven’t already…

“You give your heart to Fred Astaire but you save your body for Gene Kelly”- film historian Jeanine BasingerSubscribe to me but also subscribe to Sophia, who wrote a great Truman Capote essay recently…

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I had the wonderful pleasure of co-authoring a piece with Tara Giancaspro about the best instances of Gene Kelly’s ass on film. We did the research so you don’t have to, and you should really go reap the benefits!!!

And while you’re at it, go subscribe to Tara’s substack!

She has tons of cool guest collaborators (like me) and just did a great interview with the owner of “cookie,” the gingerbread plushie that took X by storm this holiday season.

Now for the yearly recaps…

Nothing delights me more than making lists of my favorite things.

Since 2020, I’ve posted my favorite reads in a lengthy series of Instagram stories, offering superlatives to the books that inspired, shocked, and impressed me most each calendar year. I rarely read books the year they’re released, so instead of giving you “the best books of 2024,” I am here to offer the best books of my 2024 out of the forty I read. I hope it brings some titles to your attention that you might have forgotten or that haven’t crossed your mind.

And since I’ve moved this list from my Instagram to Substack (where I have unlimited space), I thought, ‘Why not throw a few more top fives into the mix?’ Just like my favorite fictional record store owner Rob, I can and will put together a top five on just about anything.

But I’m getting ahead of myself…

My Best Reads of 2024:

Most Influential Read, boots down: On Writing by Stephen King

Kyra, thank you for the best recommendation a young aspiring novelist could hope for!

Of all the books I’ve read this year, On Writing has by far had the greatest impact on my way of thinking and helped me get through the majority of edits on my novel. I now have several Stephen King quotes from this read taped above my desk. It’s part memoir, part grammar guide, part philosophical musings on the desire to write (professionally or otherwise).

Read if: You want to write; you’ve ever wanted to write; you’re a grammar stickler; you’re curious about working at a laundromat

Best Book about Writing: Misery by Stephen King

My first King novel touched me in a way I didn’t expect.1 Among all the violence and horror at Annie Wilkes’s house is a heartfelt sentiment on second chances and writing your way out of despair. In On Writing, King describes the villain of this book, Annie, as a placeholder for his drug addiction, which he was deep in the throes of while writing this novel. That knowledge added a deeper layer of meaning for me, and the fun he had writing these characters leaps off the page.

Read for: Psychopathic behavior; snow; creative curse words; if journaling is your therapy

Best Title: Walking Through a Clear Water Pool Painted Black by Cookie Mueller

This collection of Cookie Muller’s essays, advice columns, and stories is long and a little meandering, but I adored it. Her voice was infectious, her stories ridiculous, and it is a MUST for any fan of the “female adventurers” literary subgenre. It was a perfect start to my 2024.

Read for: John Waters; questionable medical advice; wishing you were young during the 1960s Haight Ashbury scene; imagining escaping Charles Manson as a casual Tuesday

New Favorite Author: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

Before (or after) you see the new film by RaMell Ross run to the nearest bookstore to grab a copy of this truly brilliant, heartbreaking novel. Inspired by a real reform school in the 1960s South, this historical novel follows two young boys’ friendship, fight for survival, and struggle with identity. It’s a page turner with a perfect, unsatisfying finale that I’ll be thinking about for years to come. I can’t wait to read more of Whitehead’s work.

Read for: beautiful prose; rich characters; tears; reflecting on our country’s past horrors

Best Post Election Pick Me Up: P.S. Burn This Letter Please by Craig Olsen

This book comprised of posthumously discovered letters, chronicles the everyday lives of drag queens in 1950s New York. The friend group’s correspondences sometimes chronicle amazing nights out, theft, and drag balls. Other times, they just talk about having the blues. It’s an amazing historical document and important reminder that drag has always been around (and always will be) no matter what restrictions are placed on the brave, fabulous souls who engage with it.

Read for: Drag her-story; letter writing shade; if you’ve ever felt like the scene is dead but you have to go out anyway; wig capers!

Best Way to Make Yourself Upset: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

I finally got around to Michelle Zauner’s memoir, which follows her mother’s six month battle with cancer and death from the disease. It made me want to call my moms everyday and tell them I love them.

Read if: You like to cook; you’re a fan of memoirs; you’re in a really good place in your life and think you can handle it

Best Borrowed Book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

This had been recommended to me several times over several years, and even though I knew I liked the author’s writing,2 I kept leaving it on the shelf. When I finally picked it up, I found a heartfelt story and rich cast of characters that was so easy to become immersed in. I didn’t want it to end! Thank you, Nora for lending me her book and giving me an extra push.

Read for: Learning about the Russian revolution; found family; an adorable father daughter odd couple; fine dining as an art; just read it, it’ll melt your heart it okay?

Best Classic: Inferno by Dante Alighieri

Inferno is surprisingly readable and delightfully petty. It just narrowly beat out the other petty classic I read this year, Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos for this superlative. Ultimately, Inferno gets the top spot, because it left me excited to read the other two installments of The Divine Comedy. Don’t let anyone tell you a book from 1321 can’t be a gory, silly good time.

Read for: Creative torture!; throwing shade at popes; the ultimate buddy road trip; Catholic theology outside of the canon

Best Chance Taken at a Bookstore: Medusa of Roses by Navid Sinaki

This sexy, queer noir novel set in Tehran is something I picked out from the staff recommendation at Book Club Bar, and I just have to ask you to trust me when I tell you it’s best to go in with as little information as possible. It has the feel of a modern Double Indemnity, and I couldn’t put it down.

Read for: A murder plot, a blurred line between poetry and prose, an ice cream speakeasy, eroticism, if you’re obsessed with your ex

Best Book I Wish I’d Had 10 Years Ago: Loveless by Alice Oseman

You don’t have to be asexual to relate to this beautiful coming of age story from the incomparable Alice Oseman. So much of YA literature and film revolves around finding a first romantic love. Some of the most formative, meaningful loves in our lives are platonic, and I wonder who I’d be if I had found this book that validates that sentiment when I was seventeen.

Read for: A platonic love story; sobbing at how sweet everything is; Shakespeare nerd shenanigans; shared dorm room ptsd

Honorable Mention:

Best Reread: The House on Mango Street by Alice Oseman

I did not nearly get as much out of this title when I first read it in middle school, and it’s a big reason I’m planning to reread more books in 2025. This book is pure poetry and even though it is intended for students, a lot of these themes went over my head when I was reading it for a class rather than pleasure. Extremely moving stuff. Apologies to that English Teacher (although I maintain my contempt for Lord of the Flies).

Read if: You were too young the first time; you feel strong connections to houses and buildings; you like to look at the sky; you’re entering a new phase of life

The Best TV of 2024:

The Best Binge Watch: English Teacher (2024)

My favorite comedy of 2024. English Teacher walked the line of being topical and heartfelt without ever compromising its comedy. The cast is stellar and the music supervisor worked overtime. It has a strong pilot, but the show just keeps getting better and better until the finale.

Watch for: Asshole teens; if you’re for or against a gun club; workplace romance; “You Get What You Give” by the New Rascals

The One that Spoke to My Pop Culture Obsessed Soul: High Fidelity (2020)

I wish I’d watched this when it came out, but better late than never. This series perfectly builds and improves on the John Cusack movie about a record store owner reflecting on his top five all time worst, most heart wrenching breakups. I’m a sucker for this story and will be revisiting this season of television again and again, even though the story remains 10% open ended.

Watch for: music nerdiness; Brooklyn; if you’re a mess when it comes to romance; top five lists!!!

The Old Favorite Worth Revisiting: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

I ended my year by rewatching this classic, and it felt like coming home. I grew up watching Mary Tyler Moore, and though all pre 1990s TV has a certain dated quality, the early seasons of this show still feel relevant and relatable. It’s sweet with an all star cast. The ultimate comfort watch.

Watch for: The original single girl icon; the best TV apartment set; Ed Asner being a grump with a heart of gold; the 70s fits

The Best Recommendation: The New Look (2024)

This was recommended to me early in the year (thank you, Bob!), and I’ve been preaching the gospel to every fashion obsessed friend in my circle ever since. This period piece on the birth of Dior is a smart, superbly acted limited series. It’ll send you down several Wikipedia deep dives. I’ve been thinking about Juliette Binoche’s Coco Chanel all year.

Watch for: THE CLOTHES; the performances; wanting to splurge on a ticket to Paris; WW2 history lessons

The Most Long Awaited Watch: Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

For so many years I resisted. It was funny to me to be an Upper East Side private school girl who had NEVER SEEN Gossip Girl, so I refused just to spite all the people who told me I had to. But I’m going on seven years out of high school now, and I have to say, giving up a bit has never felt so good. The first two seasons are perfect TV, and I haven’t been this wrapped up in a fictional couple since New Girl. Shoutout to Aliénor, whose recommendation finally made me a convert.

Watch for: Chuck and Blair; iconic 2000s soundtracks; more looks; middle school/high school nostalgia (especially if you’re from the UES)

Bonus Title:

The One I Worked on: Diarra from Detroit (2024-)

This series was my first staff gig out of college, and I’m really proud of the hilarious mystery I had a small role in creating. Go check it out and you might see a familiar name in the credits of episode 8.

Watch for: the delulu girlie within all of us; amateur detective shenanigans; dating debriefs; a naked fight scene; an iconic scene with a fish tank

The Best Movies of 2024:

The Best Time I Had in a Theater All Year: Wicked (2024)

I had so much fun at Wicked I saw it twice. I laughed. I cried. My jaw audibly hit the ground. At the end of the screening the man next to me told me, “I saw you reacting and I was feeling everything you were feeling inside.” In the bathroom, I saw a girl putting on green lipstick. She heading into the next screening and I was able to answer her question of “How was it"?” with just the smile on my face. That’s the power of cinema people!

Watch for: Female friendship; REAL SINGING AND DANCING; a signature aesthetic; preparing for your next trip to Marie’s Crisis Cafe

The Slow Burn that Stole My Heart: Coming Home (1978)

When I finished Coming Home my initial reaction was, ‘That’s it?’ Then, I thought about it and kept thinking about it and realized just how profound this film is for tackling the impact of war in domestic spaces. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and has a lesson we as a country still haven’t learned. Not to mention phenomenal performances. A must see in any year.

Watch for: Jane Fonda; the messiest meet cute in rom-com history; Jon Voight’s ending monologue; enough chemistry to set the TV on fire

The One that Had Me Sobbing on an Airplane: Problemista (2024)

This wacky, wonderful exploration of the American Dream is one of those movies that’s so original I’m jealous of the person who wrote it. It may not be perfect for everyone, but it was perfect to me. It also captures the awkwardness of being someone’s personal assistant better than any piece of media I’ve ever seen.

Watch for: An eccentric older New York woman; eggs; anxiety related to phone chargers; toy making; the Roosevelt Island tram

The One that Made Movies Sexy Again: Challengers (2024)

I’ve been complaining for a while that Hollywood has lost the plot when it comes to eroticism on screen. Showing sex is very different from creating sexual tension, and that difference is where this movie excels. It expertly interchanges tennis, power, and sex between its three main characters in a way that’s simply so fun to watch.

Watch for: the score; phallic foods; a classic Hollywood slap; a shared t-shirt; secret friendship codes

The One that I’ve Been Waiting to Rewatch: The Devils (1971)

Best described as The Crucible meets The Exorcist, this campy, absurd horror film is based on a true story from 1600s France. Is it excessive? Yes. In bad taste? Sometimes. But it’s also relentless, hilarious, and unforgettable. This film is still ridiculously hard to get ahold of on streaming so grab your friends and watch it while it’s still available on Internet Archive. At the very least, it makes for a great conversation afterwards.

Watch for: Insane naked nuns; gorgeous production design; bringing a crocodile to a sword fight; plague themed body horror

Best Theater of 2024:

The One I Saw 3 Times: Oh Mary!

The it-girl show of 2024!!! This ahistorical reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln, is just as original and hilarious as all the posters say. It’s the silliest time you’ll have at the theater all year and will fill you with new appreciation for the art of cabaret.

Best Theatrical Reinvention: Sunset Blvd.

I’ve written extensively about this show already, so I’ll keep it brief. Even with all that’s come out about Nicole post opening, I think Sunset Blvd. is a must see for the theater nerds and Classic Hollywood die hards. As someone who normally dislikes big screens in theater, I think Sunset Blvd. manages to pull it off perfectly.

The Best Thing that’s Been Here All Along: Swan Lake

It’s never to late to discover a classic! I was twenty four years old when I realized I like ballet and seeing Swan Lake for the first time at Lincoln Center was a magical experience. The costuming, the choreography, the grandeur… it’s all exactly as you would expect, but that doesn’t make it any less wonderful! Give the ballet or the opera a shot next time it’s in town!

Best One for the “Silver Springs” Fans: Stereophonic

This show is only running for another few weeks, but it’s worth the 3+ hour runtime. It turns the recording booth into Purgatory and lays out the complex incestuous relationships between this budding 70s band with wonderful nuance. A must see for anyone obsessed with Fleetwood Mac.

Best One You Can’t See Anymore: Cats “The Jellicle Ball”

I wanted to keep this list limited to shows that are still running, but this show was too perfect not to include. It was the most emotional experience I had in the theater all year. We as a culture need to put some respect on Cats name, and I’m convinced a drag ball setting is how it was always meant to be done.

A Few of the Best “Best of” Guides:

The Best Movies of the Year according to John Waters.

My dear friend Agnes Scotti’s piece on 24 new and lesser known artists you may have missed in 2024. Her music knowledge is far more impressive and expansive than mine.