I did a many to read 2024, and have been very lucky to (mostly) enjoy all the books and comics I’ve picked up. That makes it difficult to choose favorites when it comes time to reflect on the year, but there is no question in my mind about which book I love the most, because one in particular completely knocked me out of my donkey, tore my heart out, made me laugh, made me cry, etc., etc., etc.: Stephen Graham Jones’ I Am A Teenage Slasher.

now, I Am A Teenage Slasher doesn’t seem like a heartwarming story that will make you cry about love and the power of friendship when you, you know, judge a book by its cover. The slasher genre isn’t exactly known for emotional depth, so if you go into this one think you’re in for a classic revenge-killing spree with some teenage antics mixed in. , I don’t blame you. And you can never be wrong – this book actually has the goods. But the slasher’s supernatural element, while a major part of the plot, feels secondary to the coming-of-age rollercoaster story that’s really at its heart.

Tolly Driver doesn’t want to be a slasher, but he is. It’s in his blood, thanks to a series of strange incidents that align just right to seal his fate. Amber, his best friend and a true ride-or-die, has a wealth of knowledge on the subject and essentially becomes his travel guide on this confusing journey. I’m A Teenage Slasher deals with many difficult topics, such as the grief of losing a parent at a young age, something I relate to immediately, the pressure of trying to do right by the people you love, and the terrible truth to grow and grow yourself. But it’s also often funny, which helps balance out all the sadness and tragedy.

This is the second year in a row that a Stephen Graham Jones book has landed at the top of my list, which isn’t surprising since I’m a huge fan, but I Am A Teenage Slasher it’s really on another level. It’s not just one of my favorite books of the year, it’s probably one of my favorite books ever. I wanted to start it the second I finished reading it, but I couldn’t because I was crying so hard. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend Editor