With 2024 drawing to a close, it’s time to think back on all this year’s reads! This year, I read 48 books (including some novellas). Here are my favorites, along with a list of all the books I read in 2024.
Five favorites of the year (alphabetically, by title):
America the Beautiful?: One Woman in a Borrowed Prius on the Road Most Traveled, by Blythe Roberson
This book chronicles the author’s solo road trip to several national parks throughout the United States. Along with her personal experiences, she weaves in historical facts as well. I read this in preparation for my own cross-country road trip, and I’d recommend it to anyone doing the same or with an interest in American road trip lore.
Funny Story, by Emily Henry
Oh look, an Emily Henry book on a year-end “best of” list, how groundbreaking! Funny Story tells of a librarian who starts fake dating her ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (got it?). Set in a small town, the story is cozy, witty, and an all-around enjoyable read. It’s classic Emily Henry vibes, so if you’re in need of a fun contemporary romance, this is a good place to start.
The Magical Bookshop Series (Crime and Poetry, Prose and Cons, Murders and Metaphors, Verse and Vengeance, Crimes and Covers), by Amanda Flower
Yes, I’m counting the whole series as one (this is my party, after all). This cozy mystery series follows Violet Waverly, whose family owns Charming Books in Cascade Springs, New York. Throughout the series, Violet, along with her Grandma Daisy, talking bookshop crow Faulkner, tuxedo cat Emerson, and a classic small-town cast of characters, come together to solve mysteries in their village. Oh, and having a magical bookshop helps too. It’s a perfect series for cozying up during the fall and winter months.
The Merriwell Sisters Series (Never Fall for Your Fiancée, Never Rescue a Rogue, Never Wager with a Wallflower), by Virginia Heath
Another series, I know. Here we have a historical romance series set in early 1800s England, which focuses on the Merriwell sisters and their romantic quests. I’d recommend reading them in order, though I’ll note the second one was my personal favorite!
Paris: The Memoir, by Paris Hilton
I’m not sure what I was expecting from Paris Hilton’s memoir, but I was floored by this book. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. As an elder millennial from the Los Angeles area, I grew up watching Paris Hilton. It was so interesting to hear her story from her perspective, especially having watched how she was portrayed in the media at the time. This book deals with some very heavy topics (CW: mental health, abuse, assault), so that is something to know before reading. Despite what she’s been through, Paris manages to bring lightness, hilarity, and grace to her story. As one of only two books I gave five stars to this year, I highly recommend it.
All the books read in 2024 (alphabetically, by title):
All’s Fair in Love and War (Miss Prentice’s Protegees, #1), by Virginia Heath
America the Beautiful?: One Woman in a Borrowed Prius on the Road Most Traveled, by Blythe Roberson
The Black Bird Oracle (All Souls, #5), by Deborah Harkness
The Burnout, by Sophie Kinsella
The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids, by Jessica Joelle Alexander
Dating You / Hating You, by Christina Lauren
Don’t Believe Everything You Think, by Joseph Nguyen
The Duke’s Diary (Noble Charades #2), by Ashtyn Newbold
Emma of 83rd Street (For the Love of Austen, #1), by Audrey Bellezza
The Flatshare, by Beth O’Leary
First Lie Wins, by Ashley Elston
Funny Story, by Emily Henry
Happily Never After, by Lynn Painter
Haunted Ever After (Boneyard Key, #1), by Jen DeLuca
The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1), by Freida McFadden
The Improbable Meet-Cute Series (The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren; Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez; Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne; Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory; With Any Luck by Ashley Poston; Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson)
Love, Theoretically, by Ali Hazelwood
The Love Wager (Mr. Wrong Number, #2), by Lynn Painter
The Magical Bookshop Series (Crime and Poetry, Prose and Cons, Murders and Metaphors, Verse and Vengeance, Crimes and Covers), by Amanda Flower
Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection, #4), by Alexandria Bellefleur
The Merriwell Sisters Series (Never Fall for Your Fiancée, Never Rescue a Rogue, Never Wager with a Wallflower), by Virginia Heath
Not in a Million Years by Sophie Ranald
Old Flames and New Fortunes (Moonville, #1), by Sarah Hogle
Paris: The Memoir, by Paris Hilton
The Pumpkin Spice Café (Dream Harbor, #1), by Laurie Gilmore
The Rachel Incident, by Caroline O’Donoghue
Raiders of the Lost Heart, by Jo Segura
The Second Chance Hotel, Sierra Godfrey
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Snowed In (Fitzpatrick Christmas, #2), by Catherin Walsh
Tangled Up in You (Meant to Be, #4), by Christina Lauren
Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett
This Spells Love, by Kate Robb
The Wedding Witch (The Ex Hex, #3), by Erin Sterling
Unfortunately Yours (A Vine Mess, #2), by Tessa Bailey
Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder
Written in the Stars (Written in the Stars, #1), by Alexandria Bellefleur
That’s a wrap! Cheers and happy reading in 2025!
