Last year, I set a goal to read 24 books in 2024. I surpassed that goal by one, finishing my 25th book just before the New Year. Are you on Goodreads? Let’s be friends!
There was only one book I struggled to get through and would not recommend. It isn’t often that I DNF (do not finish) a book, but had I not traveled with this as my sole reading material, I might have. Luckily, aside from that one, I had a lot of great books in my lineup. So many, that it was hard to narrow them down to 5 favorites.
Check out the top 5 best books I read in 2024…
1. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood – Diana Gabaldon
Any book from the Outlander series will likely get five stars from me (aside from The Fiery Cross and The Longest Day Ever — if you know, you know). I have to say, this one was one of my favorites so far throughout the series. There was SO much going on throughout and I was invested in many of the side stories. In other books I sometimes found myself just wanting to get back to Jamie and Claire.
Written in My Own Heart’s Blood picks up during the Revolutionary War with the British fleeing the city, almost love stories, a few marriages (and the aftermath of one that’s rather surprising), loss, near-death encounters, and follows several characters including Claire, William, Young Ian, Roger, and Bree.
2. After Annie – Anna Quindlen
When I picked up After Annie, I knew I was in for a sad read. It’s a good thing I tend to love a heart-wrencher of a story.
After Annie depicts a family during the year following the unexpected loss of the matriarch of their family- 37-year-old Annie. The story shows the different ways they all navigate their grief. Ali, the eldest child, tries to fill her mother’s shoes for her younger siblings in the wake of her father’s grief. Her father struggles to take on all of the parental duties, realizing how much Annie took on for him. Annie’s best friend must fight against old demons wanting to resurface.
I enjoyed this book because it showed how much of an impact one person had on a circle of people and the domino effect of life without her. With the fallen pieces, they all had to learn to build things back up again, though not the same as before. It shows how grief never really leaves us, but evolves.
3. The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music – Dave Grohl
I’ve always been a Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl fan, so it’s no surprise this book was one of my favorites last year. When I read it, I heard it in Dave’s voice, which is exactly what I look for in an autobiography. It’s a big pet peeve when you read a book like this and it seems like all the person’s personality is stripped away, in favor of more literary writing. I’d much rather feel like I’m hearing the story straight from the source.
The Storyteller is told in memories that stand out to Dave from his life. Some seem big, some seem small, but that makes the story feel more real to the reader. You get bits from his childhood, life in the early Nirvana days with Kurt Cobain, branching out on his own, growing up, and moments he never thought he’d experience as he became more well-known. The parts where he discusses his bandmates certainly take on a different feel now after the passing of Taylor Hawkins.
Overall, it was one of the more light-hearted autobiographical reads and I loved Dave’s sense of humor and willingness to make a joke at his own expense. It’s worth a read (or listen to the Audiobook) for any fan!
4. The Berry Pickers – Amanda Peters
The Berry Pickers follows two storylines. In the first, an indigenous family is working in the berry fields in Maine when the youngest child in their family, Ruthie, goes missing. The main point of view is from the second youngest child, Joe. Joe makes for an interesting narrator because you don’t find him particularly likable throughout, though you are sympathetic towards him.
The second storyline follows an affluent family where a child lives with her overprotective mother, longing for more freedom and always feeling like something isn’t quite right. In the same way as the other narrator, you don’t always find this narrator likable either.
The flawed narrators was something I truly enjoyed about this book. At times, you find yourself frustrated with them and wondering why they are making the decisions that they are making, but I feel that is often how we feel about people in the real world. Much like after Annie, Berry Pickers depicts the unique way everyone copes with a tragedy, as well as the bonds of family over time.
5. Local Woman Missing – Mary Kubica
Local Woman Missing was one of those books that you can easily devour in one sitting. I was invested right away and remained so as the story progressed, wanting to discover what happened.
The book follows two local missing persons cases. One, of a local woman, and one of a 12-year old child named Delilah. Right away, in typical mystery thriller fashion, we have questions. Are these cases related? What happened? Will we ever really find answers?
The questions keep you moving throughout the book, where it’s told from three different points of views and timelines. There are a lot of characters, but I didn’t find them difficult to follow. I do think it started off stronger than it ended in my opinion, but everything was still wrapped up at the end without leaving you hanging. Bonus points for a mystery is that I did not figure out the ending, which can be frustrating if you do it too soon while reading this type of book.
Honorable Mentions
These books also stood out to me out of the bunch. While they aren’t up there with the best books of the year, I still thought they deserved a mention.
Legends and Lattes – Travis Baldree
If you’re looking for something more lighthearted, cozy, and fun, this book was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. What’s more wholesome than an orc that opens up a coffee shop? Not to mention, the description of pastries had my mouth watering.
One Day – David Nicholls
I watched the television series first and read the book in 2024. I do think the series had a slight edge, but I’d highly recommend both. One Day follows Dex and Emma throughout various years of their lives and certainly took me on quite the feels trip(I may have ugly cried watching the show). I loved the format of following these two people and their relationship, not chronologically, but through different phases of their lives.
What Will the Best Books Be in 2025?
This year, I’m aiming to read 25 books in 2025, but considering I’m already 3 books in and we’re still in January, I may surpass my goal again! Looking for more inspiration? Check out the best books I read in 2022 – One on the list still holds a top spot for all-time favorites.
Have you read any of the best books on my list? What were your favorite reads last year? What are you currently reading?
