I read a total of 28 books this year and loved a lot, liked many, and really hated a few. But in the spirit of positivity, I’m sharing only my favorites here today, 11 in total. Some of them made me cry (Demon Copperhead), some made me terrified to sleep at night, but like in a good way (None of This is True), and some were feel-good stories that swept me up into another world (Thank you, Ina Garten).
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: I was absolutely obsessed with this incredible story set in the 1970s of a small town in Missouri where girls start to go missing. For the first quarter of the book, you think it’s about one missing person, a one-eyed teenage boy nick-named Patch, and then it unfolds into a more terrifying story about finding a serial killer while also focusing deeply on each character and their relationships. If The Women was my favorite book this year, All the Colors of the Dark was for sure my second fave! Generally thrillers for me are quick, easy reads, but this one had so much more depth than others I’ve read lately and the writing is excellent.
The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza: I read this for book club, and it’s best enjoyed in the summer. The story goes back and forth between Sara (in current times), who has a failing business and marriage in the States, and her great-grandmother, Serafina, a strong-willed Italian woman in the early 1900s. There is a murder mystery aspect and a lot of great visuals of the Italian countryside.
God of the Woods by Liz Moore: Also set in the 1970s, about a teen who disappears from her cabin at summer camp in the Adirondacks. It is an absolutely chilling read but beautifully written, similar to All the Colors of the Dark. I had seen both of these on must-read lists for 2024 and I get why!
The Women by Kristin Hannah: Without a doubt this was my favorite book of 2024. I always love the way Kristin Hannah can tell a story and make you fall deeply in love with her characters. The Women tells the story of a young woman, Frances “Frankie” McGrath, who becomes a nurse during the Vietnam War. As she faces the brutal realities of war, she also navigates personal challenges, including the loss of loved ones and societal stigma. When she comes home from her tour, Frankie struggles with PTSD and the emotional scars left by her experiences. I learned so much about the Vietnam War and the role that women played in it.
All Fours by Miranda July: Ok this book is weird. Like really weird. And… I loved it? I read another one of Miranda July’s books many years ago (The Last Bad Man) and it really stuck with me. This one will too. It’s a quirky (to say the least) and surreal story following a woman who is going through menopause and learning about herself and her sexuality along the way. Side note: I listened to this one on Audible and am obsessed with Miranda July’s voice.
Trigger warning: Highly sexual content
Sociopath by Patric Gagne: I love a memoir and I am fascinated by sociopathy. This book married both as it’s a memoir written by an actual sociopath who has dedicated her life to helping other sociopaths as a psychologist. She shares the deepest darkest thoughts that have crossed her mind from childhood until today. Loved it.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong: Another favorite of 2024, this book spans generations of an Asian-American family from the perspective of May (grandma), Lily (mom), and Nick (son) Chen. It showcases the struggles of 1st and 2nd generation Chinese American immigrants. I loved reading from all of their perspectives and seeing how family trauma can be perceived so differently by different people involved.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: My book club read this book in April and wow. Just wow. I am a touch too old to be an iCarly fan so I had never heard of Jennette McCurdy before. Because of that, I thought it wouldn’t be interesting but I was drawn into her wild, heart-breaking yet heart-warming memoir from the very first paragraph. She will make you simultaneously laugh and cry as she tells her tale of life as a child actor, abuse, an eating disorder, bad relationships, addiction, and so much more.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell: My book club read this thriller and I loved it. Lisa Jewell always writes the most interesting characters and dark stories with lots of good twists. I couldn’t put this one down! It’s about two women, Josie Fair and Alix Summer, birthday twins who meet at a restaurant celebrating their 45th. Josie has a story to tell and propositions Alix, a famous podcaster, into telling it on her platform. As she tells more and more of her (very dark) story, we learn secrets about her along the way. There’s murder, affairs, lies, and so much more. It’s a good one!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston: After I finished that, many of you recommended First Lie Wins, which I ended up devouring in 3 nights. It wasn’t as murder-y as None of This is True but a fun mystery where you’re always trying to figure out who the real bad guy is. Evie Porter is a sweet young woman engaged to her new (very handsome and charming) boyfriend Ryan, but you quickly learn that she is some sort of secret agent with Ryan as the “mark” in the case. It was a action-packed and just overall fun to read.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: I wrote about this last month but finally finished it. Demon Copperhead is a really really tough read but man was it incredible. It won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize and was part of Oprah’s book club in 2022 for good reason. It’s about a boy born to a teenage mother in the mountains of Appalachia and his survival from abuse to foster care to success to addiction and everything in between. As a mom, I had to stop and start it multiple times because I couldn’t handle too much of it at once but I’m very glad that I finished it. If you can’t handle a heavy plot line right now, skip it.
