This Week's Topic
The Goodreads Choice Awards
The results are in! So, what did you think? I know these awards always tend to come with some drama and unhappy readers, but I always take them with a grain. Of course, the categories are packed with popular books - it's a popularity contest. These are not books selected for their contribution to literature. These are books that a great number of people read and enjoyed.
I always like seeing which books make the cut. There are a LOT of categories where I will not have read any books, but I am still always curious to see which books I did read were in the awards race. I like voting and seeing if my choice wins. I will admit, I won't pick what I think the most popular book is, and sometimes, I throw my vote behind a book that wasn't necessarily my favorite, but rather a book I would love to see get more love.
So, let's take a look at the books I read.
Fiction
I read four books in this category with Good Material being my favorite, though I Hope This Finds You Well was close behind. The winner was The Wedding People by Alison Espach which I have on my TBR but have yet to read. I have heard wonderful things about the book, and it has shown up in my feeds frequently attesting to its popularity. This win was not surprising to me.
- Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
- Good Material by Dolly Alderton
- I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
- Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Romance
It will probably come as no surprise to you that this was my most heavily ready category. I am pretty sure every book on this list received 4.5 - 5 stars from me, and though I voted for Swift and Saddled, there was no doubt in my mind that Henry would win again. I have been a fan of Henry's since her young adult debut. I think her books are brilliant and am happy to see her enjoying so much success in the adult realm.
This was a case of me voting for the underdog. I just wanted that book to know they were worthy of my vote and this list. Maybe it's silly, but it makes me happy to throw my support behind the "little" book on that list. The slate was packed with major players, though I was glad to see some new ones in the mix. Again, I would have been glad to see any of the books I read win the title.
- Funny Story by Emily Henry
- Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
- The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
- Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
- How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
- The Love of My Afterlife by Kristy Greenwood
Fantasy
I only read one book in this category, and it was not my favorite by the author. I liked it but not as much as The Wishing Game. I wasn't shocked to see a book by Klune take the title. I had read one book by the author which was just ok for me, but I know how many people adore Klune's work.
- The Lost Story by Meg Schaffer
Debut Novel
I always try to read some debuts every year as I seek out new authors to love. I read three that were nominated, and look at that! My favorite was the winner! There was definitely something special about How to End a Love Story, and I was overjoyed to see it take home the title. I also know I will read more from Kuang and can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.
- How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
- Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
- The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Young Adult
I don't really read many young adult books these days, though I will always read Painter. At this point, her books are still a delight. My choice was Dungeons and Drama which I was actually was hesitant to read. I had read Boyce's debut which was fine but nothing special to me, but I great review after great review for D&D, I couldn't resist picking it up. So glad I did as it was delightful, and I am eager to read the follow up set in this world when it comes out next month. This was another case where I was compelled to vote for a book I knew would not win. There were way too many heavy hitters up there, and although reviews were great, this was not a book I saw being read by the masses in the way some of the others were. Still, I was happy to see it make the list.
Alas, I did not pick or read the winner which was Heartstopper: Volume 5. This is a beloved series which spawned a beloved TV show, so it's not some big shock or upset. The category was stacked with popular YA authors and books.
- Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter - Young Adult
- Betting on You by Lynn Painter -Young Adult
- Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce - Young Adult
Now it's your turn!
Were you surprised by the winners? Did you read any/many of the books that were nominated?
Did any of your favorites make the cut?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
I only voted in the categories that I had actually read one of the nominees in, so that wasn't many! I think I voted for Jimenez in the romance category, but agreed, not surprising that Henry won. I still need to read The Wedding People, too!
ReplyDeleteSame. I think I used to just pick books, but I stopped doing that. My loan came through for The Wedding People, but I was in a mood and didn't think I could handle the subject matter. I will try again!
DeleteI only voted in catgories I read which isn't much. lol
ReplyDeleteI didn't vote in too many categories either, but that's what I like to read. I have no regrets.
DeleteJamie: Read my blog on the nominees:
ReplyDeletehttps://jannghi.blogspot.com/2024/11/book-discussion-nominees-for-2024.html
The only one I read among the nominees is one of the winners.
You should take that talent to a casino.
DeleteI liked back in the day when you could nominate books. Now, it just feels like it's whoever Goodreads wants to push, and I find it boring, honestly. Especially now that they've narrowed the categories even more. I used to love when there were a ton of categories, but now it seems like all the books I read are shoved into just one or two, so. I think I'll be more keen to see other bloggers' lists, really!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter claims there are the same number of categories, that they have changed. I have to check that out. I always like seeing everyone's list, but Goodreads is interesting in that everyone is not a blogger on there. Sometimes there are more casual readers.
DeleteWell some catgories were very hard to me as I had several favorites there! But all in all I was happy (and not surprised) with the choices!
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to see a favorite win though
DeleteI didn't vote on several categories because I didn't have any books read in them. I did choose Funny Story even though there were quite a few I read and liked. I was a little disappointed at the fantasy choices since the one I would've chose wasn't even listed. Like you, I take the awards with the grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteI think I just accept this for what it is - popularity contest. Win or lose, I like to see what books are popular. I have been curious enough from the results to read a few of those nominees too.
DeleteIt's cool that you've read so many of the finalists! You reminded me that I didn't look at the winners. I'm pretty sure I've only read one book that was published in 2024. I don't know if it was a finalist because I didn't vote. :)
ReplyDeleteI was impressed by how many nominees I read thought they were mostly in romance. I didn't read any in most of the categories. I love that you are reading all the books you own. That is not common in our circle.
DeleteI didn't vote in most of the categories this year because I hadn't read very many YA or adult books, and then I actually forgot to go back and check to see what won! I loved Dungeons and Drama too, but I'm also not surprised that Heartstopper won since the show has made that series wildly popular. (I love those books too, so I'm not sad it won).
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I know people get frustrated that wildly popular books win, but it is a popularity contest. I was happy to see a book like D&D make the list. It did get good reviews, but I didn't see a lot of hype for it.
Delete