Thoughts on every book I read in 2024

I'm noticing some patterns...

I’ve been thinking about whether or not write this article but was inspired by Stacey Yu’s version of it on her Substack. So here I am, finally taking the time to go over every book I read in 2024.

I set a reading goal of 50 books in 2024 and only managed to fit in 30. I’m honestly not as disappointed as I thought I would be. 30 books is still an accomplishment and I’m proud of that! Setting up reading goals each year isn’t so much a must-reach goal as it is a reminder that reading is a hobby that genuinely brings me joy therefore I should dedicate more time to it.

I’ve set my 2025 reading goal to 50 books as well. So far the most I’ve read in a year is 40-odd books so being to hit 50 would be satisfying.

I’ve organized the books into genre instead of by month. Mostly because I’ve noticed a pattern in my reading sprints and I always seem to have a lull in the fall months. Meaning there were several months of the year where I didn’t even finish one book. So to avoid those empty categories, I think genres would be much more appropriate for my reading pattern.

I did film a video talking about all the books I read in 2024 so if you rather hear my thoughts and opinions via video-form, you can check that out here.

*starred books were my favorites of the year so hopefully it gives you some ideas on what to add to your reading list in 2025!

Fantasy

The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

This was a Aardvark pick and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I think partially it was because it was a book that pulled me out of a reading slump so I always have a bias towards those. In typical romantasy fashion, there is a enemies-to-lovers plotline and it was fun to start a new series. I don’t know if this tops any of the other romantasy series that I love (The Crowns of Nyaxia series being my favorite) but it was good.

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

Although I enjoyed the book 80% of the way through, I felt that it could’ve been wrapped up better. It’s hard to write a standalone fantasy book because a part of what fantasy series’ do so well is world-building. Not having the political struggle wrapped up by the last page felt like it did the story disjustice.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

I enjoyed this a lot! I’ve heard that for those who are familiar with the original Macbeth story, this doesn’t read as well. I didn’t have that issue (I haven’t read Macbeth since high school and honestly wasn’t paying attention when I did).

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

I wasn’t planning on reading this novella from the Throne of Glass series but was convinced by my younger sister to. I’m glad I did because it brought a lot of detail to the parts of Celaena’s past that were briefly mentioned in the series. Despite knowing the outcome, this still broke my heart which really says something about it being a great novella.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Honestly at this point I was just trying to wrap up the Throne of Glass series. I actually don’t remember much from each specific book. I did however really enjoy the series despite taking 2 years to finish it all.

*Manacled by Sen Lin Yu

The way this SHOCKED ME. When Summer told me that this fan-fic about Hermoine and Draco was a must-read I probably stared at her as if I could no longer trust her taste in books. (Sorry Summer! I was so wrong.) Although this story exists in version of the Harry Potter world that I didn’t love, Manacled was incredible. What a great writer.

*Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe was the only book I listened to on Audible last year. It effectively gave me the desire to just listen to all greek mythology stories in audio form because man was this narrated beautifully. I crushed this at 2x speed and was craving more upon the final page.

Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

This novella belongs to the Crowns of Nyaxia series so of course I did enjoy it. It was good, I remember the story, but because it was about two characters that I didn’t care too much about I don’t think it made that big of an impact on me. I could’ve gone without but I guess that’s the point of novellas?

Horror/Thriller

Where I End by Sophie White

I can handle horror in books but even I felt my skin crawling reading this one. It was twisted enough that I question whether I can honestly say I enjoyed it but hey, that does accomplish what the book set out to do.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

This was the final book in the 3 book world that Alex Michaelides crafted around mythology. The Maidens was still my favorite of the bunch but I did enjoy this nonetheless. It’s follows a typical ‘whodunit’ plot line but I do think he navigated the twists and turns quite well.

A Death in Denmark by Amulya Muladi

This was fun! I wouldn’t say it falls in the category of a ‘favorite’ but I did enjoy following the MC through his mysteries. It’s a detective novel and the MC is one of those characters that you question at first but can’t help but love as the story goes on. Definitely peaked my interest in detective novels which is a plus!

Memoir

*Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz

To say I loved this is an understatement. I held on to every word in this memoir in the form of short stories. I especially loved the author notes left between each story, meant for one pair of eyes specifically (the man Eve Babitz doted on). As far as memoirs go, I think this format worked really well and her writing felt comforting like you were having chats with your girlfriends over post-dinner drinks. Not every story was memorable but the overall effect was still impactful.

Literary Fiction

*I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

I didn’t know that this would be a dystopian novel! But that’s on me for going into books without reading a summary. This was one of those books that left a stronger impression post-read than during which is an interesting new feeling for me. I think maybe it just took me time to process the story craft my thoughts about it. Feels like a though daughter book (and I love those).

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk

I wanted to love this more than I did. The premise of the story (a queer love story between a century old vampire and a modern day woman) was so promising that I went into it with high-expectations. It was engaging throughout but the ending left me unsatisfied which was a bummer. I expected more interactions between the two characters but maybe that was the author’s intention? ugh.

Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn

The best thing about this book was the way that the author was really able to put you into the mind of someone who feels nothing. Quite literally the MC feels nothing. He has a brain condition that makes it impossible for him to feel emotions. The writing and the pace all supports this storyline perfectly.

Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

As much as I enjoyed this book, it did leave me in a bit of a reading slump. Although yes, it is a lit-fic I felt like I needed a little more from it. I seem to remember that I enjoyed reading it but maybe that’s because I read it on vacation which definitely adds an air of bias. Now thinking back, it just wasn’t a memorable story.

*This Is How You Lose The Time War by Max Gladstone & Amal El-Mohtar

I was not expecting this to be the height of romance stories I read in 2024 but man did it touch me. The format of this book was also incredibly interesting—it’s a co-work between two authors, each writing the story of 1 of the 2 main characters. The world described in this book was superb so the fact that the love story was still what captured my attention the most is incredible. Can’t say enough good things about this one.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

2024 was the year I kind of fell off with Celeste Ng books. The first book I read from her was the most impactful but this being the 3rd of her books I’ve read, I started to want to explore other authors. Her books all have great character-building and touch on your heartstrings with details about trauma, love, and lost. However, this one just didn’t hit for me the way I wanted it to.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Every time I talk about this book I feel like I have to write a disclaimer. I know to many this is a literary masterpiece and I don’t necessarily disagree! But man, did it have to be this long? I’ve read longer books, yes. But this story just felt a little too drawn out for me.

Ru by Kim Thuy

This was a beautiful and haunting snapshot of an immigrant’s story. Definitely moved me and I read it because I wanted to experience the book before I attended the movie premiere. The book was better than the movie but both are worth experiencing. I thought it would make me cry but it didn’t.

*My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfeigh

I made a TikTok about this and as I expected there was a lot of discourse about this book. Honestly I worried why the MC resonated with me so much which was mainly what I talked about in the video. There’s something to be said about the way the MC speaks to you when you too are a ‘messy woman’. My hopes is that at some point I’ll read this again and I’ll be healed and sorted enough that it won’t feel so relatable.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Another book I feel like I have to write a disclaimer for! For the longest time I thought that I would love this story. I didn’t. I felt like the author lingered too long on unimportant details of the story and didn’t give us enough on the parts that felt like mattered. Maybe my expectations lead me astray but this just wasn’t one that I loved.

*Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Another author that I now have blind-faith in. Okay maybe the faith isn’t so blind but everything I’ve read from Alderton has been perfect. She’s another writer that feels like you’re just chatting with your best girl friend and I love that writing style.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

It took me until the last few chapters of this book to love it but I do understand why the cult-following for this book exists. It’s the first book of a quartet and I know that I will read the other 3 at some point. But the way I detested the characters throughout 75% of this book really threw me off. But again, that felt like the intention of Ferrante so who am I to say it wasn’t great.

Non-Fiction

My thoughts on non-fiction books will always be short and sweet. Did I get the information I needed? Was it actionable? That’s all that really matters to me with these.

Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan

Great book for those who are thinking of starting a business but don’t know where to start. It’s super actionable.

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

What I loved most about this book was the way it expands your thinking about business and leadership as a whole. Yes this book is written for those who are in a leadership role but I think it’s a must-read for anyone interested in starting a business.

Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

I got exactly what I expected from this book which was some insightful lessons around productivity as a whole. This book was super on-brand to Ali Abdaal so if you watch any of his videos and have enjoyed them, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this book.

Romance

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Now thinking back, Henry’s books sort of just blend together for me. But I know I enjoy every single one because they do exactly what I expect them to do—they’re feel good, cozy love-stories that you can finish in a day or two. They always leave me feeling happy and satisfied.

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridon

AWFUL. This will be the last time I let TikTok tell me about a love-story.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

The title of the book makes it hard to forget what the story about but overall it was unmemorable for me. I did however LOVE Bride by Hazelwood so I haven’t given up on her writing yet.

Despite the reading slump I was in, I’m now right back at it and starting 2025 off strong with 8 books read in January. Can’t wait to share my favorites from this .