My 2024 reading report ✨
Top 5 books published this year, favorites in categories, and more
I love writing my reading reports every year, and this time I’m switching up the format so that it has even more info and recommendations for every type of reader. One thing about me is that I’m a big reader (of course) and I read across many genres, even though literary fiction is where I spend most of my time. Read on for my faves this year, and then drop some of yours in the comments!
A note: I do not think that explaining the plots of books is one of my talents nor do I enjoy spending time on it. I’ll include the themes of each book below, but if you’d like to learn more about what each one is about, feel free to click through (affiliate links).
By the numbers:
Books read: 80 and counting
38 audiobooks
21 print
21 digital
Top genres:
Literary: 39
Contemporary: 23
LGBTQ+: 23
Thriller: 11
Romance: 9
63 fiction/17 nonfiction
My favorite book of 2024
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Themes: grief, sisterhood, family dynamics, forgiveness, addiction
I had a few titles that were battling it out for my top book of the year but Blue Sisters is the one I keep thinking about. I actually wrote about it in my journal, which seems like a big deal because I rarely journal and so it says a lot about how it affected me. My entry says something like “I felt this book so deeply in my body that it seemed like my insides would come out.” I know this was primarily a story that resonated deeply for me personally due to things I’ve been through in my life, but I loved the characters and saw myself in each of the sisters. Avery, the oldest, felt so much like me. Coco Mellors is a very talented writer and I’ll definitely be reading more from her.
Four more books published in 2024 that I loved
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Themes: identity, art, the search for meaning, addiction
This one very nearly became my top book of the year and I actually like the writing style and open-endedness of it more than Blue Sisters, it just didn’t touch me quite as deeply and I’m all about having my insides ripped out, clearly. But it was still incredibly affecting to me. Martyr! is one of those rare books that make you look at life and death and god and the world and everything and think the goal might just be to experience it all.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Themes: grief, family, complex relationships
I never would have thought I would ever have a Sally Rooney book on my top five list but Intermezzo grabbed me by the lapels and shook. It’s no secret that I wasn’t a fan of Normal People and have been a “what’s with all the hype about Sally Rooney” person since I read it, but I’ve been humbled. Intermezzo was such a gorgeous exploration of grief and sibling relationships and what makes life worth living. I will say the stream-of-consciousness writing style takes a bit to gets used to, but once you do, you really feel like you’re inside the characters’ heads and hearts.
All Fours by Miranda July
Themes: womanhood, identity, midlife crises, freedom
It’s wild (and exciting) to me that this book is on so many “best books of the year” lists because it is truly unhinged and bizarre and so graphic. It all works so well together though and I would like to know more about the inside of Miranda July’s mind. All Fours was ultimately so life-affirming and celebratory of womanhood and all the mysteries and changes it holds. I can’t wait to read it again in my 40s and 50s when I get the inevitable urge to blow up my own life.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
Themes: ambition, perfection, fulfillment, having it all
I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews about Piglet because the main character is very unlikeable but I have to say, I loved it. The way food—and hunger—was woven into every aspect of the story was so impressive to me and I could not get enough. I always love a story about a woman coming into herself, figuring out what she wants, and weighing whether its worth giving up what she already has. There’s one particular scene in this book I will never forget. Iykyk.
Honorable mentions aka other 2024 releases I rated 5 stars:
Category favorites
From everything I read this year (not just new releases), these were my faves.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Themes: family, second chances, feminism, layered mystery
Liz Moore does literary mysteries so well, weaving together complex characters that add so much richness and depth to the thriller genre. I listened to most of this book (which is about a girl who goes missing from a 1960s summer camp) while running alone in the woods and it really added to the experience. It’s a slow burn with some incredible payoffs.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: So riveting and I highly recommend the audiobook, as it’s voice-acted and includes a podcasting storyline.
Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter: One of the first books (that I know of) to explore the whole “children of influencers” situation and I was extremely interested.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Themes: queer love, second chances, identity
Finally a bisexual romance that really explores bisexuality to its full potential. Two exes of different genders having a hookup contest where they are often competing to hook up with the same person?? I was sat. Add in the food adventures through Europe and I think this romance was actually written for exactly me.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune: This one also really got me with the whole best friend’s brother, oyster shucking thing.
Funny Story by Emily Henry: I always love an Em Hen, and while this one wasn’t my favorite of hers it was obviously still very good.
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Themes: female empowerment, mother/daughter relationships, coming-of-age
Safiya Sinclair is an astounding writer in the way she can write about people who have harmed her deeply but still explore all their complexities, good and bad. I learned so much about Jamaican culture and Rastafari, and felt so much for her and with her.
Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller: A reread for me and as good and hopeful as ever.
Lifeform by Jenny Slate: What’s not to love about a Jenny Slate memoir, especially one about her journey into motherhood? The audiobook is a must.
To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma by Molly Millwood
Themes: motherhood, identity, partnership
I have complicated feelings about parts of this book but it did make me feel very validated and less alone in some of the things I experienced postpartum and as a new mother. I’m grateful to be mostly on the other side of that but damn, it was so hard for such a while. Do not recommend reading this book before you have kids, though.
Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy by Beth Kempton: I needed this reminder to take the holiday season more slowly and calmly, and can’t wait to use some of the journaling prompts for my new year’s reflections.
Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do by Eve Rodsky: At this point I fear these choices are saying too much about my frame of mind this year. This was a good one though.
A few more rapid-fire recommendations
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: Difficult subject matter and themes but impossible to put down. Absolutely incredible.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton: So funny, so modern, such a good time, and then Alderton manages to turn it heartwarming and expansive in the end.
Anyone’s Ghost by August Thompson: A gorgeous and sad queer love story, but definitely not a romance. I cried a lot.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: A story full of characters making bad decisions and then trying again and again to do better and be better for each other. No one was letting any one thing define them (not even OnlyFans or pro wrestling).
Open Throat by Henry Hoke: This little novella (I read it in one sitting) packs a punch. It’s about a queer mountain lion living near the Hollywood sign who loves to spy on hikers.
That’s it, folks
I would love to hear about some of your favorite books of 2024 if you’d like to tell me! Have you read any of these, and did you like them as much as I did?
Great roundup as always!