My Best and Worst Reads of 2024

On the 5 star reads and the ones I forgot about...

In 2024, I read 59 books. I started the year without a set goal because I didn’t want reading to feel like a task or something I had to check off a list. My aim was to truly savour the act of being immersed in a book. But here's the thing—I can't stand when a book drags on for more than a week. I wanted to set a goal that would keep me motivated without feeling like I was just plowing through books for the sake of it.

A couple of months in, I set a target of 50 books. It's far fewer than the 200+ I read in 2020, but life is different now. I work full-time, write after hours, and, of course, there are adult responsibilities like laundry and dishes to juggle. Sometimes, I just want to listen to music, not an audiobook.

Even with this shift in pace, I don’t feel that the quantity compromised the quality of my reading. Each book was chosen with care, and I can honestly say I don’t regret a single one. I also explored some new genres and rediscovered my love for literary fiction along the way.

As the year wraps up, I find myself reflecting on the numbers, so here are some stats pulled from my StoryGraph (and if you’re not using StoryGraph, I highly recommend it—it’s so much better than Goodreads!). I rate books on a 0.25 scale to get a more nuanced feel for my thoughts, but for this summary, I’ve rounded the ratings to the nearest whole number. Some of my ratings might be off a bit due to human error—because the math’s not quite adding up!

2 stars = 2 books

3 stars = 24 books

4 stars = 12 books

5 stars = 8 books

Average rating = 3.68

My Top Books:

Our Wives Under the Sea, Julia Armfield

The title may sound a bit of obscure, but it’s link to the book fits perfectly. I’ve never read a book like this, so relevant yet also so niche at the same time. I’m never going to have a partner who goes on submarine expeditions, but I understand the fear that the ocean and it’s dark uncertainty can cast upon us. Armfield’s interest with water and the environment prevails through her novels but not in an obnoxiously loud way that screams THE WORLD IS FUCKED. No it’s subtle, genius and quite frankly terrifying. Her character relationships are also chef’s kiss. If you put anything on your reading list make it this book (or any Armfield book)

Funny Story, Emily Henry

This book is likely on many people's lists for the best of 2024—and for good reason. It's witty, clever, and deeply thoughtful, with a narrative that feels fully realized. It’s the kind of romantic literary fiction that doesn’t just entertain, but makes you feel something real. The characters are so well-developed, their complexities unfolding in ways that resonate long after the last page. I’m confident that her next release will only build on this success, showing even more growth in her craft. Her ability to evolve as a writer is undeniable, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Intermezzo, Sally Rooney

Another release I was highly anticipating this year, though I think it didn’t get as much widespread praise—probably because not everyone fully grasps the complexity of the novel or wants to engage with the idea of being working-class. But I absolutely loved it. Sure, it took a little while to fully pull me in, but once it did, it hit all the right notes. The philosophical conversations felt like they were written just for me, speaking to the deepest parts of how I think and see the world. Rooney’s writing truly encapsulates so much of who I am. It's sharp, introspective, and layered, capturing the nuances of identity and class in a way that felt incredibly personal.

Piglet, Lottie Hazel

I stumbled upon this book on a whim, and I’m so glad I did! While the themes of marriage and feminism might feel a bit overdone by now, Hazel brings a fresh perspective that sets her story apart. It’s both witty and tragic, capturing the harsh realities and quiet struggles of women’s lives—how they navigate the everyday difficulties and the emotional labor of making everything work. The book touches on the kind of narrative that often gets overlooked, one that feels like a novel everyone have been talking about, but didn’t. Hazel’s take feels both timely and timeless, offering a sharp commentary on the complexities of womanhood, all wrapped up in a story that is both deeply human and wonderfully compelling.

Penance, Eliza Clark

Without a doubt, this is my favourite book of the year—I find myself thinking about it all the time. Eliza Clark has truly cemented her place as a go-to author for me. This novel is absolutely chilling, in the best possible way, and genuinely scary. The depth of research and attention to detail that went into fictionalizing true crime is astounding, making the story feel so grounded in reality. The characters are so vividly real that I had to double-check to make sure this wasn’t based on a true story. It’s one of those rare books that pulls you in so completely, you start to question what’s real and what’s not. Clark’s ability to weave such an unsettling yet compelling narrative is unmatched, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros

I dipped my toes into a few other fantasy novels earlier in the year, but Fourth Wing was my biggest leap into the genre—and I’m so glad I made that commitment. The book was both magical and romantic, and I found myself falling in love with dragons for a while! What truly impressed me, though, was Yarros' skill in world-building. Rather than overwhelming the reader with an info dump in the first 50+ pages, she weaves the world’s details into the story gradually, through the protagonist’s experiences and conversations. It’s such a clever approach, and it’s part of what makes this novel so accessible, even for readers who don’t usually gravitate toward fantasy. Yarros creates a world that feels fully realized without bogging down the pace, making it a perfect entry point for anyone curious about the genre.

Blue Sisters, Coco Mellors

I wasn’t a fan of Mellors’ previous novel, so I approached this one with some hesitation. But to my surprise, it was utterly captivating. The story delves into the complexities of sisterhood and mother-daughter relationships, exploring themes that resonated deeply with my academic interests. The way Mellors captured the intricacies of these familial dynamics felt both profound and relatable, offering a nuanced exploration of identity, conflict, and connection.

I Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline Harpman

This is easily one of the best dystopian novels I’ve ever read. I don’t know much about the world it’s set in or what exactly happened to it, but the atmosphere is haunting, and the exploration of human nature is deeply unsettling. The way it delves into the complexities of survival, morality, and society is both thought-provoking and eerie. Even without a clear picture of the world’s backstory, the book pulls you in with its stark, chilling depiction of humanity at its most vulnerable. It’s a novel that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.

My Least Favourite:

Acts of Service, Lillian Fishman

I don’t really remember this book but I knew I was disappointed.

Study for Obedience, Sarah Bernstein

The same goes with this one, I just knew I had high expectations!

A list of every other book I read in 2024 (3-4 stars):

- Women Watching Women, Danielle Pender

- Ninth House and Hell Bent, Leigh Bardugo

- A Wild Sheep Chase, Haruki Murakami

- Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid

- Notes on Execution, Danya Kukafwa

- The Goldfiinch, Donna Tart

- Good Material, Dolly Alderton

- Rouge, Mona Awad

- Big Swiss, Jen Beagin

- Just for the Summer, Abby Jimenez

- Department of Speculation, Jenny Offill

- Severance, Ling Ma

- Butter, Asako Yuzuki

- Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner

- Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley

- Small Things Like These, Claire Keegan

- You and Me on Vacation, Emily Henry

- The Temporary, Rachel Cusk

- Mrs S, K. Patrick

- Pure Colour, Sheila Heti

- Private Rites, Julia Armfield

- Beach Read, Emily Henry

- Another Brooklyn, Jacqueline Woodson

- A Kiss for the Absolute, Shuzo Takiguchi

- The Bee Sting, Paul Murray

- Tender is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterrica

- Death in her hands, Ottessa Moshfegh

- Second Sister, Chan Ho-Kei

- A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J Mass

- The Premonition, Banana Yoshimoto

- She’s Always Hungry, Eliza Clark

- We Solve Murders, Richard Osman

- The Guest Lecture, Martin Riker

- Swimming in the Dark, Tomasz Jedrowski

- Check and Mate, Ali Hazelwood

- Wild Love, Elsie Silver

- The Last Devil to Die, Richard Osman

- Milk Teeth, Jessica Andrews

- Bride, Ali Hazelwood

- Not in Love, Ali Hazelwood

- The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, Mark Lawrence

- Once Upon a Broken Heart Trilogy, Stephanie Garver

- Caraval Trilogy, Stephanie Garber

That’s really it. I think it reflects the quality-over-quantity approach I took this year—being intentional with my choices and allowing myself to reflect on each book before picking up the next. And this is something I want to carry into next year. Carefully selecting 5-10 books each month, placing them in a kindle collection titled the month and then reading from them as the month progresses.

I don’t think there is anything I would change going into 2025 in regards to how I read, but in my 2025 reading and writing goals I’ll go into detail on what I hope to read.