My Favorite Books of 2024

As per tradition, I am sharing my favorite reads of 2024. 

Before I jump into it, though, I wanted to clarify that these are books that I read in 2024, not necessarily books that released in 2024. I hope you find something to read. Feel free to share your favorites in the comments below! I always love suggestions. If you want to see a full list of everything I read this year, visit my Goodreads. My only other caveat? I am a Penguin Random House employee. I put asterisks * around any PRH title that I received for free. (It’s still my honest review!) 

Nonfiction 

Toward the end of this year, I had a realization that I was struggling to connect with fiction. Maybe it was creative burnout. No matter what, I started picking up nonfiction again, and these two titles really stuck out to me. *The Attention Fix* will help you break up with your phone (and understand why it’s so addictive). *Vanishing Treasures* is a fabulous, short collection on animals on the brink of extinction, but it’s also stories about humanity. I was so amazed by these animals and the footprint they have on our history. 

Romance 

I found myself reaching for contemporary romance more than I usually do, and these two really stuck out for me. *Same Time Next Summer* is a cute second chance romance set on a beach, and it was exactly what I needed to read when I found it. I really loved all the characters. Not Another Love Song is my second Julie Soto novel, and I am such a diehard fan. I actually went to her launch party here in Kansas City, and it was one of the highlights of my year. She is hilarious, and I can’t wait to read her romantasy next year. 

Graphic Novels 

All three of these were so delightful. The Kiss Bet is a cute webtoon about the awkward hilarity of first kisses and crushes. It’s coming out in print, and I actually received an ARC from NetGalley. The artwork is so pretty, and I laughed out loud so many times. I look forward to reading more. *A Field Guide to Mermaids* is such an imaginative, fun take on mermaids throughout the world. It subtly introduces kids to different types of environments and animal/plant life through colorful illustrations of potential mermaids. I can’t wait to give this to my kid when she’s older. *Viewfinder* is the first wordless graphic novel I’ve ever read, and I loved it. The artwork is gorgeous. You can stare at the pages for hours. And there’s still an amazing story. Such a neat experience. 

Picture Books Because I’m a Mom

These are the picture books that my daughter loves a lot (and I don’t mind reading a million times with her). If this was her list, there’d probably be a few that I don’t like to read that much. (I’m looking at you, Fox in Sox.) Anyway, I love *Buffalo Fluffalo*. It’s a great story with beautiful art and a lovely message. Mermaid Day has got to be my daughter’s favorite. It’s so fun to read, too. The rhyme really bounces, too. There’s An Alien in my Book (and this whole series) gets my kid interacting with books like nothing else does. It’s magic. 

Most Surprising Favorite

*Here One Moment* is not a book I would take on a plane. (But I saw a lot of people reading it on a plane, ironically lol). Anyway, it’s about a group of passengers who get on a plane, where a woman walks down the aisle telling everyone how and at what age they will die. Once the passengers depart, the predictions start coming true, and everyone has to grapple with what that means. It’s a deeply touching look at fate and life. I got attached to so many of the characters so fast, it was an emotional ride. 

My Ultimate Favorite! 

I really couldn’t choose between these two books, and quite frankly, they go together so well that I kept them together. Leave: A Postpartum Account is nonfiction. It’s the book I wish I had when I was postpartum. It’s focused on the fourth trimester, particularly dealing with an unexpected, traumatic birth. Even though the author deals with a four-degree tear (while I dealt with an emergency C-section), it’s still incredibly relatable and validating. Every topic is written in short accessible essays about various topics dealing with birth trauma and motherhood in general, including generational trauma, pain management/medical neglect, and more. Honestly, anyone who had a traumatic birth should pick this up (and their partners)! 

*Nightbitch* is a fictional story about a mom rage. It starts off two years into motherhood, showing a mom who is grappling with the reality of how much society sets moms up to fail, both in their careers and motherhood in general. I felt so seen while reading this book. I absolutely loved it. Did I mention the movie (starring Amy Adams) comes out this Friday? I can’t wait. 

These were my favorite reads of 2024. 

What were your favorites?

~SAT