2024 has been quite a year here on the Daily Reader. With plenty of exciting releases and captivating stories to tell, we have continued striving to create content that we hope you have enjoyed and learned from. In this unique industry, there are plenty of rabbit holes to fall down in research, and plenty of voices to hear from, with many years of knowledge in the art of tobacco blending, pipe making, cigar making, and much more.

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to look back at some of our personal favorite pieces we have published in 2024. Let us know in the comments which posts you loved most. We can't wait to bring you more interesting stories and applicable content in 2025.

Chuck Stanion's Selections:

The Intriguing History and Superstitions of Leap Year

By Kayla Ivan

I love learning about things that are commonplace but that I have not investigated, like Leap Year. Kayla's excellently researched historical piece on the practice of Leap Year is fascinating, including the history of the way humanity has measured the years over time and altered the very measurement of time for our own convenience.

Oscar Peterson: The Greatest Jazz Pianist and Distinguished Pipe Smoker

By Rose Kiser

Oscar Peterson has been a favorite musician of mine since before I was born, I think. His music resonated with me from the first time I heard it. Rose's biography brings Peterson to a personal level, and I could feel his turmoil as I read about his life. Beautifully researched and written.

The Ghost Pipe

By Chuck Stanion

This is my favorite of the stories I've written this year, maybe because I put more work into it than anything else. It was fun to develop a despicable antagonist, and even more fun to see him suffer the consequences of his dispicableness. I almost felt guilty about what I did to the guy, but he deserved it. I considered giving him a way out of his predicament, but Rose and Kayla thought it was better this way, and I don't disagree.

Favorite Videos:

Mystery Review: May 2024

By Alan Britt

I love the Mystery Reviews and enjoy Pete Prevost's extensive knowledge, so this episode with Pete as the Inquisitor was irresistible. I also really enjoy the dynamic between Steve, Shane, Alan, and Andy — always entertaining.

How to Prepare Cake-Cut Tobacco

By Truett Smith

I don't smoke much in the way of cake-cut tobacco, so this instructional video by Truett was a great refresher. He possesses a charm that makes learning about these smoking nuances particularly enjoyable.

Rose Kiser's Selections:

Gilson "Radio Rex" VanderVeer Willets

By Kayla Ivan

I spent a decent chunk of time on the radio in college, so I'm a bit partial to a good radio story. Kayla did an exceptional job writing this piece and I think it's one of the strongest posts on the Daily Reader — not just from her, but from the entire catalog.

Dan the Devil's Man

By Rose Kiser

I'm biased but I like a good horror story. This was just fun for me to write and apparently disturbed several friends enough to give them nightmares. I think that's the highest praise I could ask for.

Bear Attacks and Pipe Smoking

By Chuck Stanion

Chuck has always been one for practical advice, and I'm always glad when he decides to share his sage-like wisdom with not just me and Kayla but the entire world. You may think you're safe from a bear, dear reader, but the chance for an encounter is always there. Why take a risk when this breezy read could save you and your pipe's life?

Favorite Video

Smoke Rings: Blackbird Factory

By Shane Ireland

I'm a sucker for a behind-the-scenes look into how things work. Shane's tour of Blackbird's factory is an interesting glimpse into the world of cigars and just how old-school the modern industry can be.

Kayla Ivan's Selections:

An Overview of Prized Turkish Tobacco

By Kayla Ivan

This topic was really interesting to do research on and I'm proud of the piece I wrote. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Jeremy Reeves and learning more about the agricultural and socioeconomic implications of the tobacco industry in Turkey. It certainly opened my eyes to doing more research-based pieces in the future, which is where my curiosity and interest are piqued most.

A Conversation With James Ravenwood: Photographer, Influencer, and Home Blender

By Rose Kiser

Rose has a spectacular way of using her voice to promote stories that are important and noteworthy, and this piece shines on our blog. I found her approach to discussing James Ravenwood's hobbies very captivating to read. His ambition and artistry were evident in the profile piece, and it served as a tremendous way to open the door here on our Daily Reader to discuss more online influencers in this industry in future posts.

The Legend of the Sun Bears

By Chuck Stanion

Chuck's distinctive way of storytelling has drawn readers to his posts since he started writing for the Daily Reader, and this piece certainly drew me in. I enjoyed his imaginative approach to describing the Sun Bears and their legacy. I'm sure readers would agree: Chuck Stanion's fiction writing is truly one-of-a-kind.

Favorite Video:

Savinelli Production: Handcrafted with Dedication, From Briar to Pipe

By Shane Ireland

There were many videos this year that taught us so much about this intriguing industry. One of these stand-out videos that our videographer, Chris Herath, captured and edited so tactfully was this interview conducted by Shane Ireland. He had the amazing opportunity to chat with Edoardo Cassani and Paolo Tamborini of Savinelli about the dedication behind the production of these great Italian pipes. It's certainly worth the watch.