Book List 2024
I’ve rounded up my book list for the past year and am excited to share the best books of 2024 (in my humble opinion). While the total number of books I read didn’t surpass my former record, my total came in at a respectable 42 books, ranging from historical fictions to fantasy thrillers. I find that one of the best ways to unwind before bed is to read a chapter (or two) - much preferable to watching a show or scrolling social media. Recently, I’ve purchased an Oura ring, which backs up the habit of no screens before bed.
Books > TV any day!
In an effort to continue creating community in Denver, I’ve also been an active member of not one but TWO book clubs! It’s been so great to meet like-minded, reading-enthusiast friends and use books as an excuse to get together once a month. Let’s be honest, only about thirty minutes of book club is spent talking about the book itself, with the rest reserved for wine and gab.
I have all the book titles and ratings listed below, and if a book catches your interest, simply click on the cover art and it will take you right to Amazon to purchase. Scroll to the very bottom to see my Top 3 Books, ranked in order.
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Fiction & Non-Fiction:
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 7.5/10
As a lover of Greek mythology., this book really hooked me from the beginning. It tells the story of Achilles from birth to death, and his relationship with friend turned lover, Patroclus. It weaves in the tale of Helen of Sparta and the battles to return her from Troy. Really a page tuner!
Circe by Madeline Miller 8/10
I liked this book even more than The Song of Achilles, and have come to really enjoy the writing style of the author. I was less familiar with the Greek tale of Circe, and found her story fascinating. Rather than a goddess, Circe discovers a talent for witchcraft and throughout her lifetime comes in contact with other famous Greek heroes. Loved it.
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen 8/10
My final Greek-themed story of the year, which I’d classify as The Hunger Games meets Greek mythology set in modern-day. I was totally hooked on the main character’s journey and found myself staying up late at night to read more. Book #2 in the series comes out in 2025!
On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass 7/10
If you’re looking for a thriller, pick up this book! Set in an idyllic Oregon neighborhood, you soon find out that the perfect lives of neighbors Cora, Paige, and Georgia aren’t what they seem…. let’s just say I did NOT see the ending coming. I think I prefer this author to her counterpart, Ruth Ware. Less gore/gratuitousness and more storytelling.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 9.5/10
WOW this psychological thriller quite literally kept me up at night. The twists and turns throughout really keep me turning the page. I liked that it was told from the perspective of the therapist, who you come to trust as the narrator… which in turn leads to a shocking final reveal.
The Trees by Percival Everett 9/10
A murder mystery written as a twisted, yet considered vehicle that offers a devastating critique of white supremacy and the legacy of lynching in the United States. It felt like an important book to read, especially in an election year, and completely flips the script, making the reader root for the murderers rather than the murder victims.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach 10/10
I loved this book from the very first chapter. The title and the book cover made me think it would be a rom-com-esque story, but it turned out to be a poignant reflection on the choices we make, and how chance encounters can change the course of our lives. Highly recommend.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 10/10
Another fantastic, yet shocking story. A woman becomes a wildly successful OnlyFans creator in order to provide for her son. The dialogue was bold and the story was surprisingly heartwarming, filled throughout with sharp insight, examining the art of storytelling, controlling your own narrative, and empowering yourself to be your own person, both online and off.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston 8/10
If this doesn’t become a movie or show in the next few years, I will be shocked. A woman falls in love with her temporary roommate, only to find out he lives seven years in the past. Sometimes you just want to read a book that makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy, and this is the perfect book to do just that.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 10/10
This book touched me deeply and profoundly and I think may be one of my favorites of all time. The main character tells the story of her life to her daughters during cherry-picking season on their family orchard in Michigan, and is a meditation on family, love, and growing up. The main takeaway I got from it was that it’s okay to change your dreams and to cherish the different types of love that weave throughout your life.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 9/10
I read this book for one of my book clubs and it was highly regarded by pretty much every member (you can definitely see why it has such a high rating on Goodreads). A teenager vanished from her Adirondack summer camp and a town-wide search unfolds. It’s a multi-threaded thriller/drama that explore secrets and second chances. You won’t be able to put it down!
Go as a River by Shelley Read 9/10
As a Colorado-resident, I appreciated this story more than I thought I would. A sweeping, heart-stopping epic of a young woman’s journey to adulthood set against the harsh beauty of mid-century Colorado. I was so moved by the courageous choices made by the main character, Victoria, and found myself reflecting on the resilience of women throughout history.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 9/10
Another book club pick. I really enjoyed it! Set in 1789 Maine, the story follows the diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote her legacy into American history. The craziest part? The story was based on a real-life midwife from the time. Absolutely gripping and a riveting look at the role women played at the beginning of our country.
Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs 7/10
Here’s what I enjoyed the most from this book - it explored a lifestyle and a region that I am unaccustomed to, making me appreciate and empathize with those living differently than me. And I think that illustrates the power of literature perfectly. The story follows the family that owns an oyster farm along the Louisiana coastline following the massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
North Woods by Daniel Mason 7/10
An epic tale of a single house in the woods of New England, told through the lives of those who inhabit it across the centuries. There were certain sections that really resonated with me and I sped through; however, other sections really dragged. The ending was fascinating, though, and helped to give me a positive appreciation for the story.
The Women by Kristin Hannah 9.5/10
This author continues to be one of my favorites. I really connected with the characters in this story and felt a profound impact from the perspectives and various situations portrayed throughout the tale. It follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath as she enlists in the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War, shedding light on the little known stories of the women who served our country during that time. Excellently written.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai 6/10
Originally, I walked away liking this book a lot more than I do now… upon further reflection, it felt quite disjointed and the stories were a bit disconnected. Multi-timelines in the book explore different storylines, the main one being the rise of the 1980’s AIDS epidemic in Chicago, and then the effects on those who lived through it in contemporary Paris. Good but not great.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins 7.5/10
A gothic suspense set in an Italian villa, flipping between when a rock n’ roll band stayed there in the 1970s and when two young writers return in present day to try and solve the murder that occured many years before. Another book that needs to be turned into a film. Really fun and juicy to read.
The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka 8.5/10
I love a good romance novel, and this one hit the mark in all the right places. Two former lovers (and literary darlings) turned enemies return to a summer rental in Florida to write one last novel together. Prose turns into passion under their publishers looming deadline as they explore what went wrong and if the other has lingering feelings.
Funny Story by Emily Henry 10/10
Another flawless romance novel by Emily Henry! This time set in small town Michigan as two ex-fiancées join forces to make their mutual ex’s jealous… and fall for each other as a result. Deliciously written romantic scenes mixed with laugh-out-loud dialogue. This book is a total treat to read.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez 8/10
The best part about a well-written romance novel is that the author sucks you in to root for the main characters - and this book totally hits the mark. It’s a will-they/won’t-they tale of two people trying to break their mutual curse of dating people who then go on to find their soulmate following their own breakup. Such a fun one.
You, With a View by Jessica Joyce 8/10
Great dialogue, great chemistry between characters, great storytelling - what more could you want in a rom-com? I think the TikTok element made it feel extremely timely (albeit possibly dated in a year or two) and I loved the story between Theo and Noelle, the two main characters. A perfect beach read.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood 5/10
I had to see what all the fuss was about over this author and she delivered with a cute, easy-to-read story about two Master chess players who fall for each other over the course of a year of tournaments. I appreciate the inclusion of hyper-specific chess details; however, it was a bit too “young” for me, almost in the YA category. Fun but didn’t blow my socks off.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood 5/10
I think I’ve had my fill of Ali Hazelwood after this book. Another fun one, but compared to other rom-coms I read this year, it was by far my least favorite. It started off decent enough but I really don’t remember any huge beats or changes in the story. It does shed light on the difficulties women face in the STEM field, which I appreciated. I liked the romance in an academic/scientific setting but overall felt that it was just fine.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley 8/10
Probably the most unique story out of this entire list, including themes of time travel, romance, and a spy thriller. I honestly don’t know how to sum up the story in one or two lines, so go check it out for yourself if you like movies like The Bourne Identity. Really shocking twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. I’d definitely recommend this one!
The Outsider by Stephen King 8/10
Will it shock you to read that Stephen King wrote yet another fantastic story? This one hits all the right notes of creepy, whodunnit, and supernatural, rolled into one page-turner. What happens when eye-witnesses accuse someone of committing an unspeakable crime…. that they emphatically did not commit? The final few chapters will shock you. I loved this book!
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 9.5/10
I’ve had this book on the “want to read” list for a while, and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to read it. Extremely impactful and at times extremely difficult to read, simply due to the gruesome nature of the subject matter. What I found the most inspiring was the resilience and bravery of the main character Lale in the face of the darkest adversity. A must read for everyone.
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas 8.5/10
Perhaps you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of Sarah J Maas so allow me to introduce you to her masterfully crafted world. The Crescent City series was the third one I’ve read of hers (first was ACOTAR, second was Throne of Glass) and it admittedly is my least favorite. However! The first Crescent City book is a really thrilling story! Definitely the best of the three in the series. The plot twists just keep on coming!
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas 7/10
The least compelling of the three books in the series - but by the time I’d finished the first book, I absolutely had to know what happened next. So in that sense, I did enjoy it. But more like in a rabid desire to learn the about each character’s journey, rather than enjoying the book outright.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas 8/10
My favorite part of this book was that the story was woven in to other world’s built in Maas’ previously written series. It was extremely satisfying to see how the different worlds and characters came together. And it was enjoyable to reach the end of the story of these particular characters! I will say, I think reading the Crescent City series last (following ACOTAR and Throne of Glass) is the best order.
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J Maas 7/10
As the prequel to Throne of Glass (which I read following Heir of Fire following the much debated “best” reading order for the series), I really enjoyed learning more about the backstory of Celaena Sardothien. At this point I’d become very invested in her character and in the story as a whole. It’s written a bit elementary, which is why my rating is lower.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas 6/10
Now that I’ve finished the whole series, I can’t believe I rated this so low; however, I really didn’t understand the hype of these books after finished #1. The writing is fairly basic and the storyline is just…fine? Afterwards I learned that it was Sarah J Maas’ first book (which is impressive) and upon completion of the full series, I would have rated it much higher. The main takeaway - stick with this series! It just gets better and better as you go along.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas 7/10
The world of this series begins to expand in this book and character relationships deepen, which really started to pull me in. The writing begins to become more sophisticated and I really started to root for Celaena. There was no question that I wanted to keep reading more!
Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas 8/10
The main character, Celaena, really is revealed to be a true icon in Heir of Fire. I loved reading about her journey into accepting her true power and heritage, as well as the beginnings of her relationship with Rowan. I am fully drawn into the series at this point and I love the unpredictability of Celaena’s character arc.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas 9/10
PLOT TWIST! Celaena is actually Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen! I did NOT see this coming and my mind was absolutely blown. This book made me realize this series was a true EPIC, one worth rereading again and again. I ravenously read each page, each chapter. I fully get the hype now!
Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas 10/10
I am proud to say that I did the infamous tandem read with Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. Yup, that’s right. I read two 700 page books simultaneously, flipping from one to the next at the designated spots. And I HIGHLY recommend reading the series this way. The plot twist at the end of Empire of Storms is unimaginable, and then the story of Tower of Dawn woven throughout really makes for an enjoyable experience.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas 9.5/10
Had I not done the tandem read with Empire of Storms, I don’t think I’d enjoy Tower of Dawn as much. It doesn’t follow Aelin’s storyline at all and actually takes place following a different character on an entirely separate continent. BUT because I read the two books at the same time, I fully appreciated the revelations found in Tower of Dawn. I’m blown away at Sarah J Maas’ world-creating ability, which only expands further in this book.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas 10/10
I don’t think I can fully express how much I enjoyed this book, the final of the series. I was emotional reading the climactic scenes and really was invested in the journey of Aelin and the rest of the characters. I’m so impressed with the epic tale that Maas told throughout and think this it’s one of my favorite series of all time. Unlike her other books (ACOTAR and Crescent City) the focus isn’t on sex but rather on the character arc of Aelin - I absolutely loved it.
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson 7/10
After hearing the praises of Brandon Sanderson sung for years, I finally read my first book of his. And it was… fine? I can understand why people enjoyed it, but it didn’t grab me as much as other fantasy series. This may also be because it was the first one in a long grouping of tales. I’ll consider giving the next one a shot in the new year.
Welcome to Pawnee by Jim O’Heir 7/10
For fellow Parks and Rec fans, this book will be a total delight to read. Jim O’Heir (who plays the character Jerry/Garry/Larry) lovingly regals readers with behind-the-scenes stories of his life leading up to and filming Parks and Recreation, a show that both my husband and I loved. In fact, I’m inspired to do a bit of a binge after reading this book (which I finished in a day and a half).
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss 9/10
When I read Never Split the Difference, I was in the midst of looking for a new job and the subsequent job interviews, which ultimately led me to finding a fantastic job at a great company. I really appreciated the insights into negotiation and how to apply them in real life. This resulted in me negotiating a higher salary than originally offered, and helped me become a better listener and communicator.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel 6/10
People view money differently, based on the circumstances of their childhood and present-day situation.Doing well with money is less about what you know and more about how you behave. That’s basically the takeaway from this book. I found it to be…. fine? Kind of dry and hard to get through. Not my favorite but I can appreciate why other people may like it.
Top 3 Books (in order):
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
(honorable mention: Funny Story by Emily Henry)
