Like many of my ideas for posts, I can not take full credit for this idea. I saw a YouTuber do something similar and thought it sounded interesting. Kind of my own personal reading goal to see how many of these I can get to in the next year. Now I did turn 26 in June so by the time I got to writing this down, I had already read some of them. Figured I’d add my brutal opinion of them for you all to determine if you want to read as well.
1. King: A Life by Jonathan Eig
Why I want to read this book: I think every American has a brief overview of who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is and what he accomplished. But, if you are like me, it is only brief and doesn’t truly encompass everything this man accomplished and fought for. There are so many people in history I want to learn more about and thought King was the perfect person to start that journey.
Review: Fair warning this is an absolute mammoth of a book. It was a fascinating book about Dr. King. It went through his whole life from beginning to end. Talked about all the highs and lows in his life. The amount that King was a part of that I had no idea is astonishing. My only critique is I don’t know if it needed to be the full 700 pages. Yes, the Dr. lived a very impactful life but it sometimes went into too much detail that took away from the plot. 4-star read.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62039291-king
Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History
2. The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
Why I want to read this book: Every once in a while you need a book that you know will absolutely destroy you and that is ok. I have a feeling this book will make me sob. A powerful Memoir sharing one woman’s journey through incarceration and finding herself afterward in a changed world.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64631561-the-many-lives-of-mama-love
Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography
3. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
Why I want to read this book: I fell in love with Brandon Sanderson’s writing earlier this year when I read Tress of the Emerald Sea. I immediately added every other book by him that is part of his side project. All the books outside of his usual high Fantasy series. He has an ability to make you fall in love with his characters and I can’t wait to dive into this book. Plus he is partnered with a super talented Illustrator who brings his words to life.
Review: I wanted to like this book. No, I wanted to love this book so deeply. Tress was one of my top books so far this year and I was hoping to find that same love with this one. I struggled hardcore to understand what was going on for the majority of this book and found it to be like a weird version of Freaky Friday. Gave it 2 stars in the end.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60531416-yumi-and-the-nightmare-painter
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
4. Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Why I want to read this book: I’ve always enjoyed Greek Mythology ever since I read the Percy Jackson series when I was a kid. It’s just something I find fascinating and love reading books set in this genre. I know of Persephone and her story only briefly, so when I saw this book coming out about her becoming the Queen of the Underworld I knew I needed to check it out. Plus the cover is STUNNING!
Review: I wanted to love this book so badly. I wanted to open the book and not be able to put the book down. While I did enjoy the book, it wasn’t the 5-star read I thought it was going to be. It ran a little too slow for my liking. I needed more action. Some oomph. In the end, I settled on a 3.5 rating. While I loved the Greek Mythology aspect, I was left wanting something more.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63057457-girl-goddess-queen
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance
5. The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
Why I want to read this book: Mitch Albom is one of those authors that I think everyone has read something by him at one point in their life. His books are normally nice and compacted but still pack so much inside. His latest book follows the lives of three Holocaust survivors and how far they’ve come from their small coastal Greek town. How the truth will set you free even in your darkest hour.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112975105-the-little-liar
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, WWII
6. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Why I want to read this book: Like many authors on this list, Abby Jimenez is someone that I will continue to read everything that she writes. While her books look like a nice beach read (I’m not saying they aren’t), they are packed with so much emotion and depth that you might find yourself crying on said beach. She has the ability to write the perfect book boyfriend. Yours Truly and Part of Your World have been some of my favorite books ever written.
Review: This book definitely got me. I definitely teared up a few times while reading it. My only thing is it wasn’t that 6-star read her other two have been. I was missing something that makes it that 5-star read. I think I just didn’t love the characters as much as I loved them from her other stories. I loved the male, per usual, but the female in this book wasn’t my fav. In the end, gave it a 4-star rating.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195820807-just-for-the-summer
Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary
7. James by Percival Everett
Why I want to read this book: Most people are pretty aware of the story The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. So when Percival Everett came out with the book from the slave’s, Jim, perspective, I was definitely interested. This is also being reported as one of the top books to be published in 2024. I love retellings of literature classics. Especially if it has either a modern retelling or we get a whole different side of what the original story was.
Review: I say this pretty much never, but this was one of the very few times I wish the book was longer. It’s just under 300 pages and I could’ve read another 100-200 pages of this story. I wanted more! I wanted the story to continue and to see what else was to occur for Jim and Huck. It was such a compelling story that I understand why there is all this talk already about it. Ended with a 4-star rating as I needed it to be enhanced.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173754979-james
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction
8. Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
Why I want to read this book: I think of all these books, this is the one I am the most excited for. I can’t wait to dive back into this world. The House in the Cerulean Sea is probably my favorite book of all time. It’s the book that had me falling in love with Klune’s writing and the Fantasy genre. I adore these characters and am ready to have my heart ripped open. 100% I have already preordered this book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199347538-somewhere-beyond-the-sea
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBT
9. Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
Why I want to read this book: Belladonna was one of the first books I read this year and I remember really enjoying it. My mistake was waiting too long before picking up Foxglove. But I will be rereading Belladonna and excited to get back into this mind space. Just in time for book number 3 to come out in August! (And yes I know that it is September when this post is being published).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58651856-foxglove
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
10. Play Along by Liz Tomforde
Why I want to read this book: Book #4 in the Windy City series and ready for Kennedy and Isaiah’s story! I love any book set in Chicago so this whole series was an easy yes. I will say book #1 is definitely the worst of the series but it gets better. This is for my spicy romance readers. Accidental marriage trope anyone?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199285128-play-along
Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance
11. Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Why I want to read this book: This series is such a nice comforting read. A cozy mystery if you will. It’s my underdog of the year and I think more people need to be talking about it. The second book is set to come out sometime this month and I will be ready. Ready for just a feel-good fantasy that will have me cackling while reading along.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/188563943-apprentice-to-the-villain
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
12. Babylonia by Costanza Casati
Why I want to read this book: Finally!! Costanza Casati is releasing her latest book. Clytemnestra was in my top 3 books of last year and I have been patiently (not so patiently) waiting for her next book to be released. If you live in the UK, you already got this wonderful gift and I am so jealous. My fellow Americans need to wait till early 2025 for it to be released and I can’t wait! Take me to Babylonia! Costanza if you ever do a US book tour, please come to Chicago.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200468411-babylonia
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy
13. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
Why I want to read this book: I fell in love with Turton’s writing when I read the 7.5 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It was such a fun mystery and not like anything I read truly read before. When he announced he was coming out with a new book, I knew it would be added to this list right away. Though this one has not gotten as much love as Evelyn Hardcastle, I’m excited to get my hands on it and see if it lives up to his previous writing.
Review: This was a major letdown. I was so excited to read another book by this author and dive into another mystery by him and was drastically disappointed. This wasn’t really a mystery at all. I would say it was more dystopian vibes. Kind of gave The Giver but not nearly as good as The Giver. The chapters are very short and I still struggled to get through this book cause most of the time I had no idea what was going on. Ended up with a 2 stars for this one.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136276877-the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world
Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller
14. Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
Why I want to read this book: Donlea is someone who I will read pretty much anything that he writes. His ability to create such shock-value plot twists blows my mind. Twenty Years Later is still one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read and find myself constantly telling others to read as well. Can’t wait to see what Charlie brings to this new book coming out!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136276877-the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction
15. All the Glimmering Stars by Mark T. Sullivan
Why I want to read this book: Attention!! Mark Sullivan has come out with a new book! If you have been living under a rock, Mark Sullivan has created some classics that I think everyone needs to read. Beneath a Scarlett Sky and The Last Green Valley are two books I think everyone needs to put on their to read list right away. While his latest is not set in WWII, I think it will be just as impactful and tear-worthy.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123252117-all-the-glimmering-stars
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Africa
16. The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys
Why I want to read this book: If you are looking for a great Historical Fiction writer, especially for Young Adults, Ruta is a great author to turn to. She has a knack for writing about these countries in history that often get overlooked. She has some great books set in Spain, Romania, and Lithuania. Her new book is set to add an element of mystery and thrill!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205064698-the-bletchley-riddle
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
17. The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
Why I want to read this book: Die Around Sundown was my underdog of 2023. I had never heard of this author but I bought it for my dad as a Christmas gift the year prior and loved it. I fell in love with the historical elements, the mystery plot, and the romance. I might need to reread before picking up the sequel but excited to read more about Detective Lefort.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884904-the-dark-edge-of-night
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, WWII
18. Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Why I want to read this book: I am guilty of falling for Tic Tok book trends pretty much all the time. I am also a sucker for a gorgeous cover. This book checks both of those boxes easily. I’m currently in my Romance Fantasy era and can’t wait to read this one ASAP!
Review: The Tic Tok girlies have not steered me wrong. This book was really good! I don’t read a lot of fantasies that have witches so it was a special treat. Got me in the fall vibes hardcore to the point that I went to Bath and Body Works the next day and just bought a bunch of fall candles. It ended with such a great note that I will be the first in line to pick up the second book in February. Could also win an award for most stunning cover. I would be a good judge for that. A solid 4-star read.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305713-heartless-hunter
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
19. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Why I want to read this book: When this book was picked as one of the Book of the Month choices a few months ago, I was very intrigued. When it comes to Historical Fiction, I read very little that does not take place in the 20th century. I’m not always a fan of the writing style that takes place prior to then. However, when this book came across my radar, I definitely knew I needed to check it out. Set in Maine in 1790’s, follows a midwife who is requested to help solve a murder in this sleepy town along the river.
Review: This book managed to contain just a little bit of everything. It was both slow and fast-paced at different moments. And while it was definitely a chunky book, I felt like it was the perfect length to encompass everything that was needed to be said. A fascinating story about an incredible woman from the 1790s, who we don’t really think of at all today but has impacted all our lives in different ways. I settled on a 4-star read for this book as well. Really enjoyed it but it wasn’t a full 5-star.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112975658-the-frozen-river
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery
20. To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson
Why I want to read this book: I love Historical Fiction that follows a true story about an incredible woman. Especially if she isn’t as well known but her story is finally being shared with all of us. This particular one is set in the Netherlands and follows Hannie Schaft who was part of the Dutch Resistance. She became so famous that even Hitler himself sought to capture the girl with the red hair.
Review: This book is easily in my top reads now of the year. Hannie was truly an inspiration and I wish she was remembered more in history. She helped save so many lives and was such an important person in not just the Dutch Resistance but the entire war. Her bravery is something to be talked about. I think this is a book everyone should read. 5-star read right here!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61897929-to-die-beautiful
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, WWII
21. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence
Why I want to read this book: As I enter my Fantasy era, I am ready to take on books that once scared me. Plus the cover gives me Beauty and the Beast library vibes and looks so cozy. This looks like a great book to pick up during the fall. Dark Acadamia and Fantasy are some of my favorite genres for fallish vibes.
Review: I don’t know if I was ready for this book. I think it was too high fantasy and went over my head. Resulting in me being confused. I felt like it kept repeating what was previously said making me think I was just reading in circles. I would say if you enjoyed the Dune series, this would be a great book to read as well. I settled on a 2 star for this book but I don’t think I was the right audience.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61145554-the-book-that-wouldn-t-burn
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction
22. The Will of the Many by James Islington
Why I want to read this book: This book has caught my eye just by simply having 50,000 reviews on Goodreads and an average of 4.62 which is insane. Anything that has that many successful opinions needs to be looked at from my critiquing eye. I also keep reading it as the Canadian Republic and not the Catenan Republic which makes me chuckle every time.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62919748-the-will-of-the-many
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery
23. The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
Why I want to read this book: As stated just above, I love Historical Fiction that follows a strong female lead and how they impacted history. I also just returned from Paris and am ready to be transported back into the City of Love. Feels like I’m walking along the streets with these characters.
Review: This book just kind of fell flat for me. It didn’t grab me as much as I had hoped. Was just a little bored while I read this. I don’t know if I needed more history or more action. It was just missing something for me. 3 star read for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62197599-the-paris-agent
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, WWII
24. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
Why I want to read this book: Sangu Mandanna fell on my radar last year when I read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and absolutely loved it. A great cozy fantasy read. When she announced this book, I knew I needed to check it out as well. Cozy fantasy books for me are a great choice when I don’t know what I want to read or if I need a book cleanse. Just leaves me feeling happy.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182484370-a-witch-s-guide-to-magical-innkeeping
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
25. Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
Why I want to read this book: Most historical fiction tends to be set in Europe so I am always interested in reading books that are set in other places in the world. This particular book is set in the 1940s China and during the civil war that was going on at this time. I know absolutely nothing about this time frame and am very excited to pick up this book and start learning.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195888874-daughters-of-shandong
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Asia
26. Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino
Why I want to read this book: Just like The Will of the Many, this book has intrigued me with how high the rating is and how many people have read this book. Plus reading the book description just has captured my attention. A sassy grandma matchmaker who helps her granddaughter figure out what she really wants in life, count me in. Bring on the sassy grandmas!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75349380-don-t-forget-to-write
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance
27. Under the Naga Tail: A True Story of Survival, Bravery, and Escape from the Cambodian Genocide by Mae Bunseng Taing
Why I want to read this book: I’m trying to read more Nonfiction these days, especially Memoirs or Autobiographies. There are just so many fascinating people in this world and I want to read their side of the story. I know that this book has the ability to absolutely destroy me just based on the title but I’m ready to learn about Mae and what it was like growing up in the Cambodia Genocide.
Review: Yep, I was destroyed. Hot take, don’t read this book during your family vacation cause you’ll just be crying in front of everybody. Learn from my mistakes. It is easily one of the toughest books I’ve read in a very long time. The author adds so much history and detail to what was going on during this time period and I personally feel like a lot of what he does talk about, has been pushed to the side and forgotten about. It was easy to give this book 5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62588156-under-the-naga-tail
Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Historical
Until Next Time, The Library Abroad
The Library Abroad 
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