Christina's top three of 2024

December is here and it's time to round up the Lighthouse team's favourite books of 2023! As usual, the brief is simple but strict (although there are those who find creative ways of expanding it…): three books you read, although they may not necessarily have been published, this year. The publishing schedule is swift and unforgiving and we also want to share the love with all those older books we fell in love with in 2024.

Next up, Christina's highlights!

Small Fires by Rebecca May Johnson - I re-read this book in the autumn while on an extended research trip and it was such a wonderful companion - challenging, smart, warm, and revolutionary, it unpicks what a recipe is or can be

Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis - the audiobook, which I listened to, is read by Davis herself, and in these times of multiple crises it was amazing to hear her voice and listen to her words - steadying, galvanising, wise, clear and sharp

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston - a perfect bi4bi second chances rivals to lovers rom com, and the gender exploration in it was so beautiful and life-giving.

Special mentions: Poor Artists, which cracks the whole art sector wide open and which I will recommend to everyone I meet; Intermezzo, the book that broke me & put me back together & that made me cry harder than a book has ever made me cry but kind of in a good way.

Find more top three lists of 2024 from the team HERE