Today’s post is a round-up of the best books I read in 2024. After reviewing my Goodreads account and my Bookstagram account, I made a list of all of the books that really stuck with me. Overall, I read 51 books, which is not as many as I normally finish reading. However, 2024 was chaotic, so I’m happy I still accomplished reading that many.
If you’d like to browse all of the books I’ve read, feel free to check out my reading lists! I share the books I read each month and also share what books I have on my tbr to read in the future.
I’d love to know what was your favorite book(s) that you read in 2024!
Top Reads of 2024
So what makes a book “stand-out” from most other books and be considered a favorite? For me, it’s generally the feelings I have while reading the book. Did I find it really powerful? Was there deep emotions? Was the romance really intense? Did I learn anything? Was the spice, spicy?!?! Did I feel enough emotion that it made me cry?!?!? Could I not put it down? All of these are things I think about when considering a book to be a favorite.
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (A thriller isn’t my usual go-to, but this had me hooked! Check trigger warnings on this one! I can’t wait for this movie to come out.)
- A Risk Worth Taking by Jessica Joyce (A very short book that packs a huge amount of emotions! I read this so quickly, but I’m shocked at how attached I got to these characters in such a short time. So good.)
- A Bit Much by Lindsay Rush (The most incredible poetry. A great one to gift! I’ve even purchased some of her prints for my office)
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach (One of my top three books of 2024. Funny, emotional, incredible writing. Check trigger warnings for sure.)
- You Are Here by David Nichols (The author of One Day, this novel had me crying and feeling all of the emotions. It packed such a punch. I also need it to be a tv-series STAT.)
- Sandwich by Catherine Newman (I didn’t know how I’d feel about this one as it deals with motherhood and well, I’m not a mother. However, I laughed so much and also found it to be a really powerful read.)
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune (100% yes. I loved everything about this romance. Also, can I please instantly go to Prince Edward Island? I loved this book so much)
- Magnolia Parks Into The Dark Jessa Hastings (This is a series and you do need to read them in order. This is the latest in the Magnolia Parks series and I can’t get enough. British Gossip Girl essentially. It’s perfection.)
- Funny Story by Emily Henry (Queen Emily can do no wrong. I won’t lie, this isn’t my favorite book of hers, but I still enjoyed it so much. Fake dating at its finest. Michigan is also such a character in this story.)
- The Women by Kristin Hannah (Another Queen, Kristin Hannah, this was my top read of 2024. Reading about women in the Vietnam War was eye opening. I just had no idea the experiences they had both there and once returning home to the states. This story is a must-read.)
- One Dark Window Series by Rachel Gillig (Fantasy at its finest. I just loved everything about these two books. It’s dark and sort of creepy? It definitely had gothic vibes and I loved every minute of it.)
- Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff (This short story is fantastic and romance readers will eat this one up.)
- The Assasin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas (I’m still on my Throne of Glass journey and I have to say, this book GUTTED ME.)
- Happily Never After by Lynn Painter (Loved this romance between a bride who needs to get out of her wedding and the guy who objects on her behalf. Trust me, it’s good. It’s light, but full of character.)
- Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young (I am not normally a fan of accidental pregnancy trope, but this book is just fantastic. Disabilities are represented and honestly, Bo is such a golden retriever boyfriend. I still think of that character often. So spicy.)
- Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez (This book had me sobbing. It’s such an amazing book, but know before reading it, that it is very deep. I laughed so much, but also, the sobbing was so hard at times. She’s just such a talented author.)
Books Worth Mentioning
- Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (I read this right before Christmas and wanted a full story! This is a short novella and I’m begging for a full book with these characters. Second chance, miscommunication. Give it to me.)
- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Wow. This one packed a punch. I had never heard about this real-life events happening in Ireland, but now I’m curious to learn more. This was also a movie that recently came out featuring Cillian Murphy!)
- Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee (This was a Beach Reads and Bubbly recommendation and holy hell, it was hot. Enemies to lovers. Mafia type vibes. “Who did this to you.” Found family. “Touch her and you’ll die.”)
- Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer (This was an unexpected book I enjoyed, but know it packs a punch. It’s considered a romance, set in MN, but it also deals with death and a lot of heavy topics.)
- The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (Please make this a movie. ASAP. Fake marriage. Rich family. Tropical island. One bed. What can go wrong?!?!?!)
- Good Material Dolly Alderton (The writing in this story is incredible and laughed so many times. It’s written by a woman, but it’s from a male’s POV for most of the story. A bad breakup and the story of what happened from his perspective. I was glad we got a bit of the female’s POV as well in the end.)
- Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver (This is not for everyone. It’s VERY SPICY and involves serial killers. Plus, it’s going to be a movie. ROWAN. OMG. Just know that it’s very graphic.)
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SMD says
Loved Sandwich, The Women, Butcher & Blackbird (stilol have not read the second despite having it for over a year LOL), and Four Weekends and a Funeral – I liked that one much more than I was expecting to!