Curated lists & curious things of the year that was, 2024 (Part 1 Wrap-up)
Notable terms, trends, books and Substack stories of 2024
Okay, so I am over a week overdue in my year end post but I needed some time to unwind and reflect! So glad you bared with me.
Now, sit back and go down ‘24 memory lane with me.
Marinarena’s Term of the Year: Vibe(s)
According to Wikipedia, vibe is defined as “an emotional reaction to the aura or energy felt to belong to a person, place or thing.”
Vibe used to be a harmless word — but leave it to toxic pop culture to ruin the soulful goodness of the original meaning. Did you get sick of hearing “vibe” or “catching a vibe” as I did often in 2024? There are multiple definitions about “vibe” on Urban Dictionary, a few of them sexualized, of course— just as everything else is in society. Too funny, disturbingly so, that this word has become synonymous to an STD.
Runner-ups for “Term of the Year”:
“cope”
-I notice a lot of coping going on these days. Ever the culturally based term!
”populism”
-How 2024 was marked by a global wave of populism!
“main character syndrome”
When someone thinks they are the main character of their life. Usually comes with a side of individuality complex, quirky style and a self centered point of view
-In many cases, narcissism develops and the quirky gets tired really quick.
“villain era”
-This one connects much to the former term. I seriously SHM about this one! Gaining authenticity is supposedly the well-intentioned goal here but too often, delusions overcome those who embrace deeply in it- See this Villain Era short
“romantasy”
-Consider these as the top “romantasies” of 2024
“distraction”
A self-created problem where another subject, object or person has brought your attention off of the activity, subject, object or person you were originally fixated on
Standout ‘24 trends that piqued much interest
People “waking up” , culturally and politically
on… how governments have turned against the people, mainstream media lies and cover-up, deceptions and realizations concerning COVID, Big Pharma, Hollywood, etc
The color, seafoam green
My kitchen is adorned in this calming hue that has been popping up for kitchen and home accessories, linens, knits and more. This lovely hue was spotted on the Oscar red carpet and in major fashion
Name-image-likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal
Definition and explanation - NIL Good, Bad and Ugly- Transfer portal
Simultaneously, a triumph and ruin of modern-day collegiate sports in the US
Taylor Swift psyop/everything
How and why did everything in society have to be tied to Tay-tay?
Birding/bird love
Using beef tallow for skincare
-Nature’s open secret to youthful skin
Reducing and eliminating seed oils and processed oils in food intake
-Word has gotten well out that these oils are linked to high toxicity levels
Check out this Food Babe article on unhealthy oils
Country House or Rural Chic Fashion
-Feminine, floral prints, natural materials, maxi dress and long skirts, western style, all denim, plaids were all “in”
See Idlywild fueled by Miranda Lambert and Goelia’s Country Chic Attire article
Adult appeal for plush toys
-Not only the kiddies but adults, like me, gravitated much to plushies!
I was even inspired poetically by plushies!
Cookbooks
Trendy MUCH these days. One-pot easy meals, Mediterranean, comfort eats, vegetarian/vegan, Italian, gluten-free, keto diet, breads and overall baking are the topical preferences for physical cooking and diet books on the market.
***Check out top cookbooks, according to Bon Appétit***
What was hot in ‘24 in mainstream cookbooks? Recent releases by popular food/lifestyle mavens Martha Stewart, Joanna Gaines (Magnolia brand) and Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond). Celebs have been high on this trend as of late (Dolly Parton, Pamela Anderson and yes, even Snoop Dogg has a pair of popular recipe-driven books). Also, pop culture based cookbooks were a thing.
***In Case you missed, check out and like Marinarena top 24 poems of ‘24***
5 stop-me-in-my-tracks substack posts and series of '24
Several posts make me push LIKE but these stood out and got me for a good while.
- Torn in Two Series-bravo to Michael for whom you want to root loudly during his ordeal. Compelling series on pain and addiction that was well-received
- In a Cocoon’s Embrace
-on trauma. Get tissues ready. File under heartbreaking.
- Olympics Freakshow
-a Matrix buster kind of piece well beyond the Olympic spectacle
The Honest Broker - I Do My First Interview…
-such a rich, deep dive discussion on music, AI, magazines, books… all sorts of subjects, with beloved music critics Ted Gioia (THB) and Rick Beato.
- You Don’t Need To Document Everything
One from my fave culture/societal issue based Stacks! Not just relateable to Gen Z girls.
Bonus:
Also recommended for 2024 reading: Ted Gioia’s The State of the Culture , 2024
Best 11 mainstream fiction pickups from book sections that I’ve merchandised in 2024
(compiled from preceived popularity at stores I serviced and on best selling lists via Amazon and websites, as well as on highly rated reviews from in-store customers and online review sites;
2024 releases and pre-2024 ones included)
Several female-centered stories and almost all women authors represented in a strong year of fictional storytelling. Romantasy rules, so does trauma, as a central theme.
(Buy any of these titles via the links below to help support Marinarena.com and independent small biz book sellers)
TOP TWO:
The Women- highly acclaimed and popular page turner by Kristin Hannah. On female nurses during the Vietnam War. Released in 2024.
The Housemaid - original release of the Housemaid series from 2022, by Frieda McFadden; a year-long Top 10 bestselling thriller with a very hyped up plot twist!
THE REST OF THE BEST:
A Court of Thorns and Roses - a 2015 romantasy release that is still a hot seller.
Just this year I realized how massive this and other titles by Sara J. Maas are!
Fourth Wing -compelling first tale (2023) of the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame - the follow up to the former, by Yarros (2023)
Gothikana - a deep, macabre love story by Runyx (2021)
Murtagh- epic fantasy by Christopher Paolini (2023) Get the Deluxe Edition
It Ends With Us - a romantic and heartbreaking 2016 novel in one, weightier story among beach reads by Colleen Hoover. Scandal from film deception may spoil book experience
Icebreaker - 2023 YA romance by Hannah Grace. I had not known “romance with the hockey hunk” was such a huge trend in novels!
Demon Copperhead - an Appalachian story with a boy protagonist- not a snake. By Barbara Kingsolver (2022)
A Little Life- a novel centered around college friends in New York, by Hana Yanagihara. Oh that pained face on the cover! (2015)
Best 6 mainstream non-fiction pickups in the book sections that I’ve merchandised in 2024
Read book descriptions via Bookshop.org links below
Atomic Habits
The Action Bible
48 Laws of Power
The 5 Love Languages
The Body Keeps the Score
I’m Glad My Mom Died - saw a full podcast about this one , entered around the life of actres, Jennette McCurdy. It’s one that I’ve been most eager to pick up but haven’t. One of these days- sooner not later!
Consider to shop small in buying any of these titles via my Bookshop page or at your local
book store.
9 moments and phenomena of which we were “taken aback”
There were, maybe, dozens of other instances and such but I’ll just stop at 9
Shots Fired at a Trump Rally
Woman (Debrina Kawam) set on Fire on a NYC subway
Alien sightings … at a Miami Mall ( short video )
Giddy, obsessive support for accused CEO Killer, Luigi Mangione
Mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey and Mid Atlantic skies
That Backward Ninja football move by Saquon Barkley
Celebration of wickedness during the Olympic ceremony
Breakdancing competition at the Olympics
Menendez brothers case/resentencing controversy
Thanks for the shout Marinarena!
I really appreciate it.
Also, great post. Quite an extensive wrap up you’ve put together — the vibe(s) feel right :)