The Third Coast Review Lit section has continued to grow in its coverage of the city and region’s ongoing literary scene. Below, several of TCR’s Lit writers share their favorite articles from 2024. Happy New Year!—Dan Kelly/TCR Lit Editor
Holly Smith
My favorite piece to write was "12 Years of Crafting Mad Science: Kate McKinnon Discusses Her New Book The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science.” I have been an avid follower of McKinnon's career and was excited to hear about her foray into middle-grade fiction. Her writing process and the book sparkle with delight, thoughtfulness, and charm.
Patrick T. Reardon
My favorite review this year was for Muddy Ground. As someone who has studied Chicago history for a lifetime, I knew a lot about the city, but I was astonished by the insights in John William Nelson's Muddy Ground: Native Peoples, Chicago’s Portage, and the Transformation of a Continent. Nelson shows how American invaders into this region won not so much through military might but through a redefinition of the meaning of the land. By turning plots of land into private property, they undercut the Native American way of life. No longer could the indigenous people wander the landscape as they wished, and no longer could they rely on ready access to game, plants and other natural resources.
Caroline Huftalen
My favorite interview this year was with Ananda Lima about her book Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil. The book alone blew my mind for the possibilities of what fiction can be, but being able to hear about her process and the no rules take on writing was enlightening and inspiring as a writer. You can tell she has fun writing and that makes it fun as a reader. This is my most recommended book this year.
Nancy Bishop
My favorite Lit post of the year was the essay I wrote about reading in public and Han Kang’s book, The Vegetarian. I included a brief review of this intense and troubling novel, but the essay focused on the reactions I received from other travelers. It’s a slim paperback book (183 pages) with a bold title and it fit in my purse easily. Reading an actual book in public is more fun than reading something on my Kindle or phone.
Adam Kaz
I enjoyed reviewing The Lies of the Land because it was a study about something I never expected to learn. One of the great joys of writing for Third Coast is I'm constantly surprised by the subjects of our reviews. When so much of our entertainment is curated for us by algorithms personally, it's refreshing to find oneself with totally unexpected material. It kind of came across my desk and I thought, "Why not?" The history of rural America is now mentally filed away. Not sure when I'll need it, but it's a sign of intellectual growth to have it around.
June Sawyers
My favorite review of the year was my review/article on Josh Noel’s book on Malört. I not only learned about the history of the iconic, if polarizing, drink. I also had great fun writing about such a specifically local topic. It also gave me the legitimate chance to try the drink—albeit a very small amount and mixed with other and assorted liquids. But still.
Dan Kelly
I threw myself more into editing duties this year, writing only a handful of reviews myself. However, of the few I wrote I especially enjoyed assessing Ann Marks’ Vivian Maier Developed. When I review a book I prefer to perform deep dives. I try to avoid the usual good/bad pronouncements, exploring whether the work accomplishes what it sets out to do and what it says about life and society. Weirdo artists like Vivian Maier will always hold a special place in my heart, especially when they’re neglected in life and exploited in death. I tried to do right by her with this piece.