The best books I read in 2024
My top ten, backlist recommendations, repeat authors, and plenty of reads worth your TBR list
I love that cozy moment in December when I grab a blanket, a warm beverage, and revisit all the books I read throughout the year to narrow down my favorites. In my reflection, I can travel back to where I read the book—my patio, during vacation, a favorite restaurant. If it was a book club read, I can remember where we had dinner that month, what we discussed. I can also recall what was going on outside of my reading life at the time, it’s the best kind of year-end reflection.
As I write this I’m reading and listening to books #59 and #60. Thanks to Storygraph, I can see this year aligns with the past, a lot of emotional and reflective books. Thinking about the year ahead, I think it’s worth being intentional in growing that inspiring sliver. More to come on my 2025 plans, for now let’s enjoy the last of 2024.
Top reads of 2024 (and why you should add them to your list)
Links take you to the monthly recap featuring the book for more detail.
Beautyland, Marie Helene-Bertino: For anyone who has often felt on the outside looking in. A celebration of the everyday through quirky, heartbreaking, and heartwarming observations of humans.
Family Family, Laurie Frankel: A heartwarming read celebrating that there’s no such thing as a “normal” family.
Sandwich, Catherine Newman: Pack your bags and enjoy a summer vacation with these characters while diving into the complexities of family and identity during midlife, told with a perfect mix of wit and emotion.
Good Material, Dolly Alderton: Alderton is one of my favorite authors and if you’re a fan of 500 Days of Summer, I think you’ll love this one.
Really Good, Actually, Monica Heisey: Breakups are hard and following along with the main character’s misadventures in healing had me laughing out loud.
We All Want Impossible Things, Catherine Newman: To remind yourself how important friends who turn into family are (with Newman’s signature mix of wit and emotion).
The Rachel Incident, Caroline O'Donoghue: A coming-of-age story set in Ireland during the early 2000s, a nostalgic look at how we choose our own family and how lucky we are for the people that stick around during and after the messy time of early 20s.
Inciting Joy, Ross Gay: For reminders of the joy and beauty that surrounded us every day.
I’ll Have What She’s Having, Erin Carlson: Go behind-the-scenes of Nora Ephron’s romantic comedies.
Single, Carefree, Mellow, Katherine Heiny: Dry and witty short stories centered around women — our roles, obligations, and expectations.
At almost 60 books read for the year, there are of course more I’d recommend. For your consideration:
More backlist favorites
The Magician’s Assistant, Ann Patchett (1997): Magic in more ways than one. I often still find myself thinking about the characters from this one.
Against the Loveless World, Susan Abulhawa (2020): While fiction, it was an eye-opening look at the Palestinian experience.
Telephone, Percival Everett (2020): Brilliant, literary fiction that had me turning the pages and shocked like I was reading a thriller.
What You are Looking For is in the Library, Michiko Aoyama (2020): For a quick, heartwarming short-story read celebrating reading and libraries.
Tell Me I’m an Artist, Chelsea Martin (2022): A refreshing, bizarre art student coming-of-age story.
Repeat authors
Percival Everett
Katherine Heiny
Catherine Newman
Anne Patchett
More 2024 releases worth adding to your list
There’s Always This Year, Hanif Abdurraqib: As always, I’m grateful for how Abdurraqib’s writing transcends across topics from sports to music, love, identity, family, Columbus, sneakers, politics and more. His books are always ones I return to.
The French Ingredient, Jane Bertch: For when you need to escape, pick up this reinvention/self-discovery read and get lost in Paris for a bit.
Top romance
Red String Theory, Lauren Kung Jessen: An opposites attract story with strong You’ve Got Mail vibes set in both New York City and Los Angeles.
Adam and Evie’s Matchingmaking Tour, Nora Nguyen: A spicy grumpy/sunshine read with beautiful scenic descriptions of Vietnam. Another one to pick up when you need an escape.
Big Fan, Alexandra Romanoff: Celebrity/normal person is my favorite troupe, and novella also includes some great considerations for universal basic income—unexpected, but great.
I’m looking forward to the pages that are to come in 2025, from new releases to continuing to make my way through Percival Everett and Anne Patchett’s catalogs. I’ll share more on my reading plans in January, in the meantime: How do you feel about your reading this year? What was your favorite book?
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