Top Books I’ve Read in 2024 (So Far)

I don’t know if anyone else feels this way but man am I struggling to comprehend how we are somehow already in July. I say this every year but I just feel like as I get older, each year goes by quicker and quicker. 2024 has been a year of decent reads so far. I only have had like five 5 star reads but lots of books that I deeply enjoyed. Here are some of my favorites from this first half of the year. What has been your favorite book so far this year?

1. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

I read this book at the beginning of the year and just remember how addictive it was. It has drama, romance, twists, and magic. I am so excited to read the second book in the series this year but will definitely need a refresher on the original.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59227936-belladonna

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

2. A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

Amy Harmon is an author who has quickly grown on the list of authors I will read pretty much anything that she writes. She is one of my favorite Historical Fiction authors and has a knack for sharing stories that are often forgotten in history, especially women in history. This particular one is set in 1760s at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Imagine if Mulan was set in the Revolutionary War and you get A Girl Called Samson.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58769584-a-girl-called-samson

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War

3. Caught Up by Liz Tomforde

This is for my romance friends especially those who don’t mind a little spice. I love this series so much. The characters are so funny and personable. Plus I love a book set in Chicago. I personally think the first book is my least favorite of the series (still good just the others are better) but I have loved all the other ones and can’t wait for the latest book to come out this month. Each one follows a different sport and romance trope. Single dad trope anyone?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/88151671-caught-up

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary

4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I almost hate how much I loved this book. I was hesitant to read it originally because of the hype it has gotten but it truly deserves all the hype and more. It was so so good! It kind of gave Divergent vibes just add in Dragons! I was so obsessed with this book and did not see the end coming. I will say that I read the second book and did not like it at all. So just read the first one.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Dragons

5. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Literally in the book description the first sentence is Once Upon a Time meets The Office. Say no more! The writing and plot kind of reminded me of TJ Klune who is one of my favorite authors of all time. Has light fantasy, some romance, tons of witty comments, and overall a very feel-good book. The second one is set to come out later this year and I can’t wait!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257687-assistant-to-the-villain

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

6. The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

I always enjoy a book set in New York, especially New York from the past. It just feels glam. The Spectacular is set in the 1950’s at the Radio City Music Hall following the life of a Rockett and what it takes to be one of the very famous dancers. It adds this element of mystery that elevates it up from your typical Historical Fiction. Was fun trying to determine who done it. A historical event that I truly had never heard of before reading this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62588481-the-spectacular

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

7. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

This is the perfect fantasy for someone just getting into this genre as it is more magical than fantasyesc (made up that word). But not as magical as like Harry Potter. Very subtle. It’s so beautifully written that you can’t help but tear up at certain points. The ending twist was so not what I expected either.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66087062-the-unmaking-of-june-farrow

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Magical Realism

8. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

I’m going to go on record and say that this was my favorite book that I have read so far this year. Apparently, I am turning into a fantasy girlie. The beautiful thing about this book compared to some of Sanderson’s other works, is that it is not heavy world-building or really intense fantasy. It’s like a Klune book. An absolute hug in a book. I fell in love with so many of the characters and loved being able to see them develop from start to finish. Pro tip: if you get the Kindle version it includes pictures.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60726942-tress-of-the-emerald-sea

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Adventure

9. Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea

I will read everything that Charlie Donlea puts out as I know it will take me on an absolute roller coaster. He has such an incredible talent to completely change the narrative with one simple sentence. His twists have the ability to raise a book from a 4-star read to a solid 5-star read. Twenty Years Later will always be my favorite by him but Those Empty Eyes was very solid as well.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61392514-those-empty-eyes

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

10. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I think this particular book was exactly the kind of book I needed at the time of reading. I loved the characters and plot. The author did such a great job of highlighting grief and how it affects everyone differently. It brought out so many emotions and just found myself happy crying through multiple points. Have enjoyed her other books that I have picked up since and will continue to read other books by her.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58885776-the-dead-romantics

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Paranormal

11. Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad

This is definitely not an easy book to get through but I dare say one of the most impactful books that I’ve read in a long time. I would recommend this book for everyone to read at some point in their life. How one woman’s life is able to impact people from all different backgrounds across multiple countries. Not a clear eye in sight after reading this.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50743767-between-two-kingdoms

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography

12. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

A thriller that is super fast-paced and filled with witty comments and a sarcastic grandmother. Count me in. I struggled to put this book down and found myself sneaking sentences every chance I got. I think the comical aspect of it was really what sold me on it. I was just laughing out loud while reading it the entire time. Kind of forgot it was a thriller for some of it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127279000-listen-for-the-lie

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

13. The Prison Healer Series by Lynette Noni

I am not one to usually get involved in a series but from the beginning, I knew I would be reading every single book possible in this trilogy. I read these 3 books in pretty much 3 days and could only think about when I could read more. It was so fast-paced and action-filled. I became addicted with all that encompasses this entire series. Lynette Noni did such an incredible job of keeping the reader entertained and throwing elements into the plot you never saw coming. I want to reread this series right now if I could.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53968496-the-prison-healer

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic

14. The Only One Left by Riley Sager

Riley Sager is an author who is hit or miss for me in the sense that some of his books terrify me. I’m all for a good thriller but when it gets to the point that I am too scared to close my eyes at night, it is too much. This was just the perfect amount of scary but still allowed me to sleep. His writing is so captivating it’s often hard to put them down.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62703226-the-only-one-left