Greg Barlin
The Best Books of 2024 So Far: Live!
A running list of my "Best Books of the Year", updated as I finish each book.
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Greg Barlin
- Sep 3
- 4 min
Assassins Anonymous
★★★★★ A fresh take on the assassin genre, balancing globetrotting action with a main character truly trying to change via a 12-step program.
70
Greg Barlin
- Aug 24
- 4 min
The Boys in the Boat
★★★★☆ A thoroughly-researched and compelling account of the University of Washington rowing team's quest to win gold at the 1936 Olympics.
60
Greg Barlin
- Aug 19
- 2 min
Don't Let the Devil Ride
★★★★☆ A slightly-better-than-average southern noir thriller about a wife's search for her missing husband, who might not be who she thought.
60
Stephanie Barlin
- Aug 12
- 3 min
Here One Moment
★★★☆☆ Another attempt to imagine "what would you do if you knew you when you would die", but like other similar novels this also falls flat.
190
Greg Barlin
- Aug 10
- 3 min
Legends & Lattes
★★★★☆ A sweet little story about friendship and starting over, focused on an orc who tries to leave violence behind and open a coffee shop.
70
Greg Barlin
- Aug 7
- 3 min
The God of the Woods
★★★★★ Set in 1975, the search for a missing child acts as the foundation for Moore's tactful exploration of societal themes of the time.
350
Greg Barlin
- Jul 13
- 5 min
60 Songs That Explain the '90s
★★★★★ A nostalgia-inducing romp through the most impactful songs of the '90s, focusing on their meaning to the decade and to music overall.
180
Greg Barlin
- Jul 9
- 4 min
Margo's Got Money Troubles
★★★★☆ When a 19-year-old finds herself desperate for cash after having a child with her professor, she turns to OnlyFans to make ends meet.
80
Greg Barlin
- Jul 8
- 4 min
The Six Pack
★★★★☆ An in-depth look at six of the wrestlers (and the rise of wrestling in the 80s) based around the Iron Sheik becoming champion in 1983.
40
Greg Barlin
- Jul 2
- 3 min
I Cheerfully Refuse
★★★★☆ Richly rendered characters living in a deteriorating society, Enger's novel merges bits of beauty into an overwhelmingly sad world.
80
Greg Barlin
- Jun 28
- 2 min
Assassin Eighteen
★★★★☆ In this action-packed and entertaining sequel, the world's greatest assassin must emerge from self-exile to stop a global terrorist.
10
Greg Barlin
- Jun 26
- 3 min
Tidal Creatures
★★★★☆ McGuire's unparalleled creativity is again on display as she explores Lunar deities working to solve a murder of one of their own.
50
Greg Barlin
- Jun 23
- 3 min
Devil's Kitchen
★★★★★ Reminiscent of "The Shield", it's a split between a missing persons mystery and a dirty firefighting crew committing thefts in NYC.
150
Greg Barlin
- Jun 17
- 4 min
Lost Man's Lane
★★★★★ Set in 1999, a coming-of-age story about high schooler who finds himself embroiled in a supernatural missing persons investigation.
320
Greg Barlin
- May 31
- 3 min
Just for the Summer
★★★★☆ When online banter turns to real-life dating, Emma and Justin must overcome significant obstacles to make their relationship last.
70
Greg Barlin
- May 29
- 3 min
The Fifth Season
★★★★☆ A uniquely creative fantasy novel, it's ultimately a struggle between those in power and those powerful enough to overthrow them.
90
Greg Barlin
- May 18
- 3 min
When Among Crows
★★★★☆ A memorable novella, inspired by Polish folklore, that follows a guilt-ridden hero's journey through the magical underbelly of Chicago
50
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