Hello everyone,
So this is it! The end of 2024 – which seems to have passed very quickly but in that time I have read 52 books, exactly what I set out to do as per my Goodreads Challenge.
Time has not allowed me to read any more than that, but it certainly has been a year of quality over quantity. Perhaps I am going soft as I edge closer to the age of 30, but I seem to have given out a lot of higher ratings this year. Or the more likely story is that I have happened to pick up lots of wonderful books in 2024.
When I think back, in previous years narrowing down my favourite books into an annual top 10 has been a difficult task, but this time I found it extremely easy. Some titles just stand out and now rank among all-time favourites in a particular genre, while even those listed in the honourable mentions might have made the top 10 in the past.
Here we go, then. The definitive list of my top 10 books of 2024, in no particular order.
Breaking The Dark by Lisa Jewell
I was unsure about this one going in, as although Lisa Jewell is one of my favourite authors the Marvel connection had me slightly hesitant. It actually turned out to be an absolutely fantastic read that was grounded in reality, with a great main character and a gripping mystery.
Medusa by Jessie Burton
This short story of Medusa written from her point of view is perfection in just about every quantifiable respect. The writing is not only stunning and deeply meaningful, it really tugs at your heartstrings by making Medusa so very relatable. Every page was powerful to read and with Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes on my unread pile, that has to go some to touch to raw brilliance of this interpretation.
The Forest Of Stolen Girls by June Hur
This slow burn of a mystery is full of intrigue with a village full of plausible suspects and this all unravels superbly at the end. However, what makes it such a special read is the characters, with the sibling relationship between the narrator Hwani and her sister Maewol as they join forces to investigate the disappearances, so profound and powerful.
The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins
This prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy simmers with tension throughout as it follows the eventually despotic President Snow as a teenager mentoring a songstress from District 12 through the Games and developing feelings for her which he wrestles with his thirst for power. It really comes into its own towards the end and I simply could not put the book down for seeing what pans out between Snow and Lucy Gray.
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
A wonderful fantasy with a loveable protagonist, written with both power and humour, I adored this book. Reading it felt like going on a journey with Shiori and rooting for her – and her paper bird Kiki – throughout all the difficulties she encounters after being banished from her kingdom. The ending though turns everything on its head, and that is where I got emotional.
The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
Some of the books on this list are novellas or short story collections, but if I had to choose my favourite full length read of 2024 then I would have to say this one. This book totally enveloped me from start to finish with a dark, riveting plot and outstandingly developed characters. The theatre setting is atmospheric as it gets, the scare factor is high, and is a spooky as anything. LOVED it!
Tales Of The Celestial Kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan
The spin-off to the Daughter Of The Moon Goddess duology, this filled in some important gaps and tied some slightly loose ends – and in doing so the beauty of the writing and the world shone as brightly as ever. Another book that floated close to perfection with its short stories, told from the perspective of a range of different characters and containing beautiful illustrations.
That Bonesetter Woman by Frances Quinn
A second five-star read from Frances Quinn, I fell in love with the story of Endurance Proudfoot – an emotional roller coaster ride yet so uplifting. There is enormous depth to be found here and the author makes it impossible for you not to feel invested every step of the way.
The Winter Spirits
A collection of spooky short stories, this brought together a fabulous group of authors and the overall quality of the book was seriously impressive. Not one of the stories was a real disappointment and there were a great number of standouts which, on the whole, gave it an emphatic five-star rating.
The Girl Who Came Out Of The Woods by Emily Barr
Easily the biggest surprise of 2024. I had mixed views of Emily Barr’s young adult novels that I had read before this one, but The Girl Who Came Out Of The Woods blew me away. The concept was very good and a tough one to execute, but it was an enjoyably clever and vibrant read which had me so connected with the character of Arty while towards the end it got quite emotional.
Honourable Mentions
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of the books in my top 10? If so, what did you think? Let me know in the comments!
Happy reading 🙂
