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At the beginning of the new year I love to look back on where we\u2019ve been, and blog happenings are no exception. I used to share both the most popular posts and my personal favorites of the year but in recent years decided to nix the numbers-driven popular post roundup. (If you\u2019d like to see an example of what \u201cmost popular\u201d looked like, check that out here<\/a><\/strong>.) But I still wanted to share my decidedly more subjective, uninfluenced-by-algorithms favorite posts.\u00a0<\/p>\n These are the posts of 2024 that I personally liked the most, the ones that mean a lot to me, and the ones I find myself often thinking about many moons after their publication. I picked them for different reasons: because I remember the inspiration, because I\u2019m fond of the idea or the writing, because reading it put a big smile on my face (especially likely with our posts penned by team members), because the comments section is fabulous.<\/p>\n In no particular order \u2026<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> 17 recommended reads for those traveling to Florida.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Team member and lifelong Floridian Brigid offered a slew of bookstore and book recs for those looking for some armchair travel to the Sunshine State.<\/p>\n 2. The joy (and nerdery) of a crossword puzzle routine<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Team member Leigh opined about the satisfaction of a completed crossword puzzle.<\/p>\n 3. Let\u2019s go to the bookstore: international edition.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Photos and musings galore from my family\u2019s international adventure.<\/p>\n 4. The 2024 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Our eleventh annual essential summer reading guide for minimalists and decision haters.<\/p>\n 5. <\/strong>2024 beach reading report<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n My highly anecdotal, non-authoritative, super-nosy compendium from a week at the beach.<\/p>\n 6. 7 tips for planning your own personal reader\u2019s retreat.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Team member Shannan shares what she\u2019s learned about hosting her own personal reader\u2019s retreat and how you can plan your own. <\/p>\n 7. 6 (mostly little) things I\u2019m loving for summer.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The small things that brought me a disproportionate amount of happiness, joy, or satisfaction over the summer.<\/p>\n 8. Novels featuring seasoned protagonists for every reading mood.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Novels of every genre featuring older characters in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.<\/p>\n 9. 14 recommended reads for those traveling to Japan.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Team member Holly shares a selection of her favorite books set in Japan.<\/p>\n 10. 12 quiet novels for those seeking compelling character-driven reads.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n A book list inspired by my conversation with author Susan Meissner in\u00a0WSIRN #423: Quiet, compelling, and wildly popular novels<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0These novels invite readers to savor the story.<\/p>\n 11. The books I reach for during SAD season.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Team member Shannan shares books\u2014and helpful tips\u2014for dealing with the winter blues.<\/p>\n Thanks so much for reading, friends!<\/p>\n P.S.\u00a0For more superlatives:\u00a0check out my favorite books of 2024<\/a> and my favorite audiobooks of 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nMy favorite posts of the year<\/strong><\/h2>\n