It's time to reflect on my favorite reads of 2024. I read over 100 books this year and gave out 30 five-star ratings so it's safe to say I had a great reading year! After much deliberation, I've narrowed this list down to the top 10 books I absolutely loved — including new releases and some backlist titles I finally got around to reading.
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
This was the first book I gave 5 stars this year and it was unlike anything I’d read before. It helped me realise that I prefer crime and mystery novels over 'pure' thrillers. The plot feels unique because you know from the first chapter that a crime has been committed. It then switches to the perspective of the detective investigating this crime, and I found it fascinating to watch them piece together the puzzle. It’s slow-paced, with minimal action, but the tension and suspense kept me hooked. If you're looking for a unique crime novel then I'd highly recommend it! It’s part of a series featuring the same detective, but I think it works well as a standalone.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
This cosy mystery has one of the most iconic main characters I read this year. Vera Wong is a 60-year-old woman who stumbles upon a body in her teashop and decides to 'help' the police by conducting her own investigation. This is a book about found family and I loved that aspect. It’s funny, and heartwarming, and it made me cry because it was so wholesome. I listened to the audiobook and the narration kept me engaged throughout. The sequel comes out in 2025, and I’m hoping I love it just as much as book one.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
I read Serpent and the Wings of Night back in January and knew it would be one of my favourite books of the year. While it didn’t take the top spot, it came very close! This fantasy romance has a fascinating world, complex politics, and a slow-burn romance that had me hooked from start to finish. We follow Oraya, the human daughter of the Vampire King, who enters a dangerous competition where the winner will be granted one wish by the Goddess of Death. The stakes feel high, and the ending is so intense you'll immediately want to pick up the sequel.
The Liar’s Knot by M.A. Carrick (The Rook and Rose Trilogy)
The Rook and Rose trilogy follows several characters, including Ren, a con artist who is trying to infiltrate a noble family to secure a fortune for herself and her sister. I loved the Venetian-inspired setting, and it has so much political intrigue. The world-building is intricate, and the magic systems are fascinating. If you love fantasy books with complex characters and an immersive world, I can’t recommend this series enough.
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
A historical fiction novel with horror and paranormal elements, The Reformatory was a heartbreaking read that’s stayed with me long after finishing it. Set in 1950s Florida, it follows Robert, a 12-year-old boy who is sent to the “reformatory” after kicking a white boy while defending his sister. The story is gut-wrenching and tackles hard-hitting themes, but I appreciated how the author handled them with care. Although it has a slower start, I thought this was essential to make you feel invested in the characters. A must-read.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Bright Young Women is a literary crime novel set in the 1970s. It follows Pamela, who is the president of her sorority when a man breaks in overnight and murders two women, injuring several others. I really appreciated how this book challenged the narrative around how serial killers are portrayed by the media. It's frustrating in a deliberate way and I felt so much rage on behalf of these women whose testimonies were repeatedly undermined and dismissed by the police. It's a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
I don't read many classics, but I finally picked up Rebecca this year and it completely captivated me. The story follows a young woman who marries a wealthy widow and moves into his grand estate of Manderley, only to feel overshadowed by the mysterious and haunting presence of his late wife, Rebecca. The atmosphere, tension, and themes are all brilliantly woven together. If you enjoy gothic stories, Rebecca is a must-read! I loved seeing how modern-day authors may have been inspired by Du Maurier's writing and I'd love to read more of her work.
Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb (The Realm of the Elderlings)
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb is a masterpiece. Her character writing is incredible and the slow pacing is so rewarding if you appreciate deep emotional connections with characters. Assassin's Fate is the final book in this 16-book series and it felt so satisfying to see all the threads come together. I sobbed my way through the ending and I don't think I'll ever recover!
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Written in the 1990s but set in the 2020s, Parable of the Sower is a dystopian novel that explores a world that has descended into chaos. Water is scarce, the government is corrupt and vigilantes roam the streets. It follows Lauren as she forms a new religion and plans to leave the gated community she calls home. It's brutal and doesn't shy away from showing the trauma these characters experience. If you enjoy TV shows like The Walked Dead and The Last of Us, I think you'll appreciate the commentary it has on humanity.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Although I loved all the books on this list, The Measure takes the top spot of my best book of the year. It’s speculative fiction that explores a fascinating concept - what would happen if everyone woke up to find a box outside their front door containing a piece of string that tells you how long you have to live? The story weaves together the lives of several characters and explores the political, societal, and personal ramifications of this discovery in such a thought-provoking way. It resonated with me on a personal level and has become one of my all-time favorites.
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That wraps up my top 10 best books of 2024! What were your favourite reads of the year?
> Click here to check out my best books of 2023 <
