My Top 5 Books of 2024
I ended up finishing over 73 books! That’s quite a lot more than I have read previously. I’ve been branching out trying different genres and recommendations, and I’m pleasantly surprised. My friend asked me what my Top 5 were, so I thought long and hard about which books really stayed with me and touched my heart in the best of ways.
What kind of books make me happy? I read to escape reality, so I tend to love books that have:
- Something fantastical bordering on the edge of unrealistic
- Humorous
- Clever storytelling
- Thrills, Intensity, Suspense, Surprise
- Not too much darkness
- Colorful characters
- Leaving you with a Warm and Fuzzy feeling at the end of reading
What makes a doozie for me? Usually I measure this by how many times I involuntarily eye-roll in annoyance, disbelief, and frustration:
- The cussing and adult content is so overused it’s no longer effective
- Sexual assault or violence = NO
- Inconsistent unexplained behavior, glaring plot holes, hard to follow timelines
- Enough tropes to win BINGO, done badly
- Un-ironically incompetent or mentally immature main characters
- An air of heaviness, heartache, and tragedy without balance or resolution
- Repetitive in word or plot to the point of being tiresome
So let’s get to the list!
#1. Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by Isthisselfcare
This is seriously my new favorite book. I’m really embarrassed by the fact this is a fanfic, but it was masterfully written with so much character development and seamless storytelling from the existing world of Harry Potter. Hilarious to me as an adult with the playful and funny inner- and outer-dialogue, ridiculous scenarios, and adventures in different ancient parts of Europe and the world. Interesting from start to finish. Absolutely entertaining and delightful. Nothing I read will ever compare to the masterpiece that this is. I wanted to re-read it immediately.
#2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
I tried this as my first Stephen King novel (I can’t do scary), and it was AMAZING storytelling and writing. Transportive in time travel and history. Thrilling, riveting, intriguing, historical, gory, dark, melancholy. Sad romance. “If you’ve ever been homesick, or felt exiled from all the things and people that once defined you, you’ll know how important welcoming words and friendly smiles can be.” 842 pages of a rollercoaster I’ll never forget.
#3. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
I think the major descriptor for this book would be Whimsical. I enjoyed this coming-of-age adventures of a girl turned spore pirate immensely. I ended up buying myself a special hardcover edition with beautiful illustrations and gold edging so I can enjoy the experience of re-reading this story for many years to come.
#4. Project Hair Mary by Andy Weir
This book will stay with me for a long time. A scientific adventure, mystery, and action packed story of friendship and humanity coming together to save each other. Hopeful against all odds. Problem solving and making it work. Lots of luck and bravery and strong characters. An enjoyable rollercoaster ride.
#5. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
This was clever and witty and hilarious in all the right ways for me. I laughed and laughed, and laughed some more! And then we listened to the play and rented the movie, and I got my daughter hooked on it.
Honorable Mentions:
- Best Cozy – All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
- Best Humor – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- Best Thriller – Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
- Best Fantasy Romance – A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
- Best Action – The Reckoners series by Brandon Sanderson
- Best RomCom – The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsio
- Best Self Help – The Rabbit Effect by Kelli Harding, MD, MPH
- 84, Charing Cross Road
- Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
- A Man Called Ove
- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
