Hello and Welcome! Somehow we are at the end of 2024 and I don’t know how. Like I get that time has passed but how has this much time passed. Confusion! Anywho, I thought I would change the end-of-year favorites post and give out some end-of-year superlatives. I’ll still include my top 10 at the bottom but I wanted to spice it up a little. Include the good, the bad, and the ugly. What were your top books of the year? Cheers to 2025!
1. Most Disappointing Book of the Year
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides has written some of my favorite thrillers. He has a way of creating these truly unexpected twists. When he announced his third book, I knew I would be reading it as soon as it came out. This fell so short compared to The Silent Patient and The Maidens. It lacks the normal perplexity he normally enraptures his audience with. I will continue to read his books, but they might not be ordered as soon as they are released.
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
When I was getting into my mystery era, I read The 7 1/2 Lives of Evelyn Hardcastle and was hooked. I loved the whodunit and felt like I was playing Clue but in book form. I was super excited to hear that the author was coming out with a new book this last year. I think I went in thinking it would be a similar style of writing but unfortunately was not the vibe. It wasn’t really a mystery book. It felt more dystopian. Probably my least favorite subgenre to read. It might be for some people but just was not the book for me.
2. Underdog of the Year
The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
I talked about the first one in this series, Die Around Sundown, last year, and I still don’t understand why this series isn’t getting talked about. It is so well done and it hits so many boxes. You get your historical element, your mystery element, and sometimes a little romance. It is so underrated in my opinion. I will continue to read as many that Pryor will write and encourage everyone else to read these as well. Book 3 is already out and I will be ordering it right away.
To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson
This was one of the most beautiful books I read all year. I love any historical fiction where they talk about women in history, especially those who accomplished so much but have been forgotten about. I’m embarrassed to admit I had never heard of Hannie Schaft. She played such a huge role in the Dutch resistance and saved so many lives. This is a book I would consider a must-read.
3. Overhyped Book
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
I am first to admit that I fell victim to the hype that was Fourth Wing. I was obsessed. Dragons, Romance, Enemies, etc. I devoured this book and was excited to see what Iron Flame would be like. While I get the hype of Fourth Wing, Iron Flame was nowhere on that level. The people who say Iron Flame was better or even on the same level as Fourth Wing are very wrong (in my opinion).
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Booktok has kind of become the go-to of the top books these past few years. I kept hearing about Binding 13 and the Boys of Tommen series and was intrigued to pick it up. While reading this first one I barely made it through. I struggled to understand the hype of it all. The characters got to the point of becoming unbearable to read and made me mad pretty much any time they talked. It didn’t need to be 600 pages either.
4. Top Series I read
The Prison Healer Series by Lynette Noni
I devoured this series. I struggled to put down the 3 books and kept finding little breaks in my day that I could read just one more chapter. Noni had a way of ending certain chapters of each book with a cliffhanger that had you wanting to read more right away. It’s incredibly entertaining and has a cast of characters that you learn to quickly love. I finished these 3 books and wanted to reread them right away.
The Crimson Moth Series by Kristen Ciccarelli
Is it cheating to include this in the list of Top Series when I only read one book so far? Not sure but I feel fairly confident that I will equally like this second book once it is released in February (knocks on wood). It gave me just enough drama, romance and fantasy to be hooked. This is an order-as-soon-as-it-is-released kind of book.
5. Favorite Main Characters
Grandmother’s in both Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood and Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Give me a sarcastic grandmother and they will instantly become my favorite character. Both Love, Theoretically and Listen for the Lie have these grandmothers that you can’t help but cackle anytime they speak. Though they tend to be just minor characters, they bring so much to the overall enjoyment of the storyline. I truly think they helped with my overall thoughts on both of these books and would recommend them just so you can enjoy their personalities.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
TJ Klune has a truly incredible gift to craft characters that will have his audience feeling all the emotions. To this day they are some of my favorite characters I’ve ever read and I think back very fondly on The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea. No matter how many times I read these books, my love continues to blossom.
6. New Favorite Author
Hannah Nicole Maeher
I got introduced to Maeher when she released Assistant to the Villain. She is so incredibly witty and crafted a book that is deeply entertaining for her readers. I have the second book already on my shelves and need to pick it up as soon as possible. I hope she continues to write and bring her sarcasm to her other works.
Brynne Weaver
Let me start by saying this author is writing books that are very much not for everyone. In fact, if you are related to I would strongly recommend you don’t pick up her books. That being said, if serial killer dark romance sounds interesting, then you need to check out The Ruinous Love trilogy by this author. I’m not sure if she has written outside of this specific genre but will be excited to check it out.
7. Top Hug in a Book
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
If you look up cozy fantasy in the dictionary, I’m sure this and TJ Klune will be right there on the page. It’s just a feel-good book that you want to protect at all costs. The plot alludes to this; An orc (kind of ogreish) is opening up a coffee shop. What can be more wholesome than this? I hope Travis continues to write in this world. Great escapism.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
This book brought out all the emotions. I fell in love with so many of the characters and just wanted to be a part of this family. Poston does a great job of highlighting grief and how it affects each of us individually. Just wanted to curl up while reading this and cocoon myself. While I’ve read a few others by her, none brought out the same reaction as this one did for me.
8. Saddest Book I Read
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
I think one of the reasons that truly had me sobbing for hours while reading this book, was knowing that the author speaks from personal experience after losing her own husband. How she learned to find herself and learned how to love herself again. I just sobbed while sitting next to my mom for 2 hours. But would recommend it despite all the tears.
Here After by Amy Lin
When I say I cried the entire 250 pages of this book, I mean I cried from start to finish. So if you want to get the emotions out quickly, then this is a good choice. You feel so much pain while reading this book. Clearly, the plot line of a wife losing her husband has the ability to absolutely destroy me.
9. Favorite Covers
Hula by Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes
The blues and greens in this book just are very appealing to the eye.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
This book cover reminded me of The Inheritance Series covers. All the hidden details and clues for what you were about to read. Quite beautiful and made it a fun game of seeing what might be happening in that book to come.
10. Books I would Reread Right Now
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
I simply adored this book. I adored the plot, the characters, and just simply everything. I wanted to reread it right away and absorb the warmth it radiates. In fact, I might pick it back up right now. It’s the kind of book that had me falling back in love with reading when I was going through a reading slump.
James by Percival Everett
I was never really into the classics in school. The forced literature never really caught my attention enough to read them outside of school even all these years later. However, when James got released and it was a retelling of Huckleberry Finn I was definitely intrigued. It’s a short, impactful book that not only had me wanting to reread right away but also has me considering trying other classic retellings.
Top 10 Books of the Year
- All the Glimmering Stars by Mark T. Sullivan
- Funny Story by Emily Henry
- The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
- Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
- To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson
- The Prison Healer Series by Lynette Noni
- The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
- Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- James by Percival Everett
Until Next Time, The Library Abroad
The Library Abroad 
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