My Top 5 Books of 2024

I ended up finishing over 75 books! That’s quite a lot more than I’ve read previously. I can honestly say I am branching out and tried different genres and recommendations, and increased my odds of finishing with Audiobooks. My friend Tahnee asked me what my Top 5 reads of the year 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 do I appreciate? As much as I enjoy the idea of becoming worldly, knowledgable, self-improving, and edgy… I realize that I force myself to finish these in an effort to be well-informed; they have their place, but this year I’ve chosen to find the kind of books that feed my soul and are strictly for my pleasure. Reading is my comfort where I enjoy letting go of reality, so why burden myself with anything that resembles life too closely? I chose books that contain:

• Something fantastical bordering on the edge of unrealistic
• A sense of humor
• Clever storytelling
• Thrills, Intensity, Suspense, Surprise
• Not too much darkness
• Colorful characters
• Meaningful relationships
• 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:

• 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
• Sexual assault or sexual violence = NO
• An air of heaviness, heartache, and tragedy without balance or resolution
• The cussing and adult content is so overused it’s no longer effective
• 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

This year I discovered I’m a fan of “Brando-Sando” and his writings. I think the major descriptor for this book would be Whimsical. I immensely enjoyed this coming-of-age story on adventures of a girl turned spore pirate. 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 Hail 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 (using Science, Math, Logic, and Reasoning!) to make 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. Folly, puns, and circling back to neatly close the questions of identity, history, love, and the future of what truly is in a name.

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 Romantic Comedy – The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
• Best Self Help – The Rabbit Effect by Kelli Harding, MD, MPH

Other Feel-Goods:

• 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
• A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I’m so excited to continue the passion I’ve felt from reading again! I hope 2025 is a wonderful year of books for everyone—keep reading!

Love, Kat