I read a lot in 2024 and was very lucky to enjoy (mostly) every book and comic I picked up. So while it may have been hard to pick a favorite when reflecting on this year, there was no question in my mind as to which book was my favorite. Because one book in particular completely devastated me and tore my heart out. Something that made me laugh, something that made me cry, etc.: “I Was a Teenage Slasher” by Stephen Graham Jones.
Now, if you judge a book by its cover, I Was a Teenage Slasher might not seem like a tear-jerking, tender story about the power of love and friendship. The slasher genre isn’t exactly known for its emotional depth, so if you think you’ve just been caught up in a typical revenge murder spree mixed with teenage antics, you’ll be fine with this genre. I don’t blame you if you get into that. And you’re not entirely wrong – this book certainly covers those things. But while the supernatural slasher elements are a major part of the plot, they feel secondary to the roller-coaster coming-of-age story that is the real heart of the story.
Tory Driver doesn’t want to be a slasher, but he is. It runs in his blood thanks to a series of unusual events that coincided in just the right way to determine his fate. His best friend and true ride-or-die Amber has a lot of knowledge on the subject and essentially becomes his travel guide on this whirlwind journey. I Was a Teenage Slasher explores the grief of losing a parent at a young age, the things I immediately identified with, the pressure of trying to do the right thing by your loved one, and the terrifying reality of growing up. It deals with many difficult topics. Within yourself. But it was also often very funny, which helped offset all the bloodshed and tragedy.
This is the second year in a row that a Stephen Graham Jones book has made it to the top of my list, which isn’t surprising as I’m a big fan, but I Was a Teenage Slasher is truly something else. is at the level of This is not only one of my favorite books of the year, it’s probably one of my favorite books of all time. The moment I finished reading it, I wanted to read it from the beginning, but I cried so much that I couldn’t. — Cheyenne McDonald, Weekend Editor
