The Top 10 Books I Read in 2024

As you know I love to read! I read 50 books in 2024 and wanted to highlight my top 10. Sometimes it can be tough to narrow your list down when you love books as much as I do but I managed to do it.

There are so many great books to read and choose from and it is not always easy to decide what to read next. I find keeping a TBR list on Amazon helps me pick a new book faster. I try to read a great variety of books in different genres. I also challenge myself to read something outside my comfort zone or something I don’t think I will like.

For example, I tried a graphic novel a few years back (thinking I could never get into one) and I realized I like graphic novels. I will be doing a post soon telling you my favorite ones.

So, without further ado, in no order, here is my top 10 of 2024.

THE BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2024

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First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Thriller/Mystery

I enjoyed this one so much I told my husband he should add it to his list, and he ended up reading it also. Sometimes in books where there are women spies/informants/ or any job like that the author has the woman overthink so much, I find it annoying. This book did not do that! The main character was smart, capable, and brilliant in her work. This book had many twists and turns, and I loved every minute of it! It kept me guessing until the end.

None Of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Thriller

My husband and I listened to this on a weekend trip we were on and wow-it was amazing! The audio is the best on this one because they make it sound just like a podcast and it sounded so real life. This book will have you questioning everything about the story and what is exactly true. Loved it.

The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz

Mystery

Well, as you can tell my favorite genre is mystery/thriller and I’m a big fan of Anthony Horowitz. This book is in his series called A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery and its book two. I enjoyed book one as well. It is such an interesting concept because Anthony plays himself in the book which makes the book so much fun. There are references to past books and his sidekick is a grumpy retired detective who does private work now and gives Horowitz a run for his money. If you are a big fan of a good whodunit, you must check this one out.

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

Nonfiction/Finance

This is the most interesting book on money I have ever read. It has everything you have ever thought about money differently. I talked about this book to my husband, my brother and anyone who would listen. I’m not saying I agree with all of it, but it certainly made me think differently and this would make a great book club pick for a nonfiction section. You will have some amazing conversations about it.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Middle Grade/Fantasy

My husband, son, and I listened to this together. It is fabulous. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. The story has many twists and turns and great adventure. This is a series and my husband and son went on to listen to all of them, they have one more book to go! This is great for the whole family.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Contemporary Fiction

I read this book this past summer in my pool. I think this book is perfect for the summertime. Sometimes you know right away when a book is going to stick with you but sometimes you don’t realize it will stay with you until it’s over and you find yourself thinking about the book so much. This was one of those times. This book doesn’t have some dynamic twist (although there are a few surprises) or majorly action packed. It is slow, steady, and masterful at sharing a good story. It truly reminds me of the days of summer. I really enjoyed this one.

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Picture Book

Although my children are grown, and I don’t have grandchildren yet, I will always love children’s literature. There is just something magical about it and I’m constantly checking out what is new in the children’s section. I love to pick up a middle grade or a beautifully illustrated picture book. We never get too old for the magic. This picture book is just stunning! If you are still building a child’s library in your home for a child in your life you must have a copy of this one.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

Mystery

I absolutely loved Laura Dave’s book The Last Thing He Told Me. They even did a mini-series on that book with Jennifer Garner, and I loved that too. They did a great job with it. The Last Thing He Told Me had me turning every page quickly, so I knew I wanted to read her new one The Night We Lost Him and I was not disappointed. Some of the reviews are not as good on this one and although I will admit it didn’t have quite the excitement of the other book, I still enjoyed this thoroughly. The thing I love about this author the most is her brilliant way in making you feel like you are exactly where she is describing. I could literally feel myself in the car with her and her brother. and all the places they went searching for answers about their father’s death.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Christmas/Fantasy

Can you even imagine J.R.R Tolkien as your dad and writing letters from Father Christmas (Santa) to you growing up? What a wonderful gift he gave to his children. The letters themselves were written over a period of over 20 years to entertain Tolkien’s children each Christmas. I was so into the story of Santa and the Polar Bear; he sucked me right in. He didn’t plan on publishing these letters, they were just for his children, but after his death they were published. They have dates and illustrations and everything! Great Christmas read!

On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble

Faith Based

I am a Christian, so I always love to challenge myself to read books that grow me in my faith. This is one of those! It is on getting through the hardships of life, especially the deep, raw grief and traumas we face. This book spoke to me on so many levels and as I was reading, I thought, this man KNOWS grief. I don’t just mean grief when someone passes but anything that causes the heart true heartache. I found out after I had read the book that his child had committed suicide. He doesn’t mention it in the book which I found amazing. It wouldn’t have been a bad thing if he did but for some reason him writing it with his reader in mind and not his own story stuck with me even more. This man knows God and he knows grief.

In conclusion

So, there are my top 10. I read 50 books this past year, I was hoping for a little more but to me you can’t ever be sad about getting 50 books read. I track all my reading on Goodreads if you want to follow along! I do not write fancy reviews or anything, I just track them and write a quick thought. I love that different people use Goodreads all different ways. It was fun putting together my top 10 favorite-I was so happy to have such a great variety.

If you would like to share some top books you have read this past year, leave them in the comments. I always think people love to see what other readers are loving.

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