Top 10: Favorite Books of 2024

My goal for 2024 was to read 65 books, I managed to read 86 books. Of those books, 52 were physical, 34 were audio books. My most read genre was thriller and I read most books by Janice Hallett and Peter Swanson. Of all the books, my average rating was 3,6 which is pretty good. I’ve read some really good book this year, I had 16 five star books. Of those 16, there was one reread. I will not add any rereads to my top 10. Here is my top 10 favorite books, that I read in 2024.

10. Any Man by Amber Tamblyn
In “Any Man”, a female rapist is at work. She’s hunting men like prey. The book focuses on male victims, instead of women, and it will impact each reader differently. It’s very thought-provoking and extremely difficult to read because of the heavy subject matter. It’s brutal, poetic and raw. A book that I will most likely never forget, it really got under my skin. READ MY FULL REVIEWHERE
 

9. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
A romance in my top 10? Who is she? We meet Alexis, a successful doctor carrying on a legacy from a long line of talented doctors. She meets small-town carpenter Daniel when her car breaks down and eventually ends up at his house, spending the night together. He is ten years younger and their lives couldn’t be more different. But they can’t deny the chemistry that they have between them. It does not sound like anything new in the rom-com universe. But Jimenez somehow made it so heartfelt. "Part of Your World” deals with light themes, but also manages to touch upon some heavier themes like abuse. It’s interwoven in the story and never gets too heavy, but it was beautifully done.This book was everything and I really do want to read all of Abby Jimenez’ books now. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

8. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Simone St. James has become a favorite author of mine since last year and with “The Sun Down Motel” she yet ends up on my end of the year’s favorites list. It follows two timelines, set in a small town called Fall, set in the state of New York. A town where it seems time stood still. The young Carly Kirk travels to this town, trying to figure out the truth about her aunt Viv Delaney, who went missing in 1982, while working the night shift at the Sun Down Motel. When Carly manages to get that same job at the now rundown motel, she soon figures out something is not right in this place. It has a spooky, eerie atmosphere, you know something’s up and it’s genuinely creepy at times. Both female characters are compelling and complex women, interesting to you about. And the story is well-crafted and has some masterful plotting, even though they aren’t many shocking twist or reveals. This was a book I just couldn’t put down. I want to read everything the Simone St. James has ever written. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

7. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
Like Simone St. James, Janice Hallett has become a favorite of mine. She is a modern-day Agatha Christie, where she tells her mysteries through mixed media. In “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels” there is a safe that has research material of true crime events. You have to read the documents and make a decision: destroy them or deliver them to the police. The documents are about the Alperton Angels, a well-known cult that made a teenage girl believe her baby was the anti-Christ. Almost twenty years after the fact, crime author Amanda Bailey wants to write a book about the Angels. Because the Alperton baby has turned eighteen, they can finally be interviewed. If Amanda can find her. She believes she could have the scoop of the year if she manages to track down the baby. But her rival Oliver Menzies is just as smart and also after the story. The story and mystery are so well-crafted. Hallett’s writing is so clever. And I loved the ending, even though it gives you a bitter after taste. This is her best novel yet. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

6. Pines by Blake Crouch
I saw the TV-series that was based on this book, when it was just released. That’s been a while, but I never read the book. It’s the first book in a three-part series. Secret service agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, with one clear mission: to search and find two federal agents that were sent here month ago and went missing. But Ethan gets into an accident and ends up in the hospital. When he wakes up, his ID and cell phone are missing. He quickly realizes that something is very wrong in Wayward Pines. While investigating, Ethan gets more questions than answers. I absolutely loved “Pines” and I will most definitely continue this series and want to read more by Blake Crouch. A goal of mine in 2025. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

5. It by Stephen King
Well, this was a chunker. I read this book in January and it took me forever. But I’m so glad I read it. And of all the Stephen King books I have already read over the years, so far, this is my favorite. Seven teenagers, living in Derry, Maine, all face their biggest fears and it still haunts them as adults, when all but one has left Derry. When, after 27 years, that thing they feared the most is back, they all return to Derry to face it once again. The story is disturbing and scary, but a very necessary read for Stephen King fans. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

4. Foe by Iain Reid
Have you ever read a book, where not a lot happens, but somehow it captivates you? “Foe” is that kind of book. And you better read this going in blind. In “Foe” the married couple Junior and Hen live a quiet life on a farm. They live far away from the city. Junior works at the factory and likes things as they are. Even though they have no friends and almost every day is pretty much the same. Hen, on the other hand, feels a bit trapped and the everyday rut. When one day a man named Terrance tells them they have been placed in a lottery in which people can be chosen to participate in a special space mission. From that day forward, Junior and hen’s peaceful life is taking a turn. The book has a great twist, that had my jaw dropping to the floor. The ending is open, sort of. Or at least open for interpretation. The story isn’t very eventful, but I just wanted to keep reading. It was such an intriguing book, loved every minute of it. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

3. Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
We meet three women, that grew up in a foster home together. Now all grown up, they learn of a body being found under the home they lived in for years, Wild Meadows. The story is being told through alternating timelines, twenty five years apart. And we follow the story from different perspectives as well. This really works for this story. We get to know the girls and meet them again as damaged, traumatized women. The story is compelling and so are the characters. The book has some really strong reveals and twists, but just when you think the story is about to wrap up, Sally Hepworth gives us one final twist. And I loved it! I really can’t fault this book, it’s such a good story. I had read from Hepworth before, and I found that book to be just okay. But this book really blew my mind. It’s definitely a new favorite for me. And now I do want to read more of Hepworth’s books. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A feminist in the 1960s? There were plenty of them. But none like Elizabeth Zott. This feminist debut novel by Bonnie Garmus paints a stunning portrait of a woman in the male-dominated world of science and chemistry. “Lessons in Chemistry” is a novel that gives you an insight into the life of a woman in the 1950s/ 1960s. It beautifully highlights the hardship women have to endure when they want something different from what society dictates. It grabbed me from the start, Elizabeth Zott is an inspiring character and I loved every minute of this book. “Lessons in Chemistry” is definitely a new all-time favorite. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE
 

1. We Spread by Iain Reid

I already couldn’t fault Iain Reid’s “Foe”, which I believe to be a masterful piece of literature. I kept reading that “We Spread” was his best book or at least it was the favorite of Reid’s book for many readers. And I now know why. What an amazing book! Penny lives alone after her long-term partner has passed. She is content with her life as is, but after a fall she is being placed in a care facility her partner had arranged for, right before his passing. Soon after settling in, Penny starts to lose her grip on time and reality.Iain Reid keeps ups guessing until the end. I could not put this book down. I loved everything about this and, like “Foe”, I can’t fault this book. It’s perfection. I have new author I can add to my favorites list. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE

 

Honoroable mentions:
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
The Last Devil to Die by Rochard Osman
I Don’t Need Therapy by Toni Lodge
Heartstopper Volume. 2 by Alice Oseman
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
The Lies You Told by Harriet Tyce