Reading has become a huge part of my life this year, so I wanted to share my picks for the best books of 2024. I “took a break” from reading after leaving college that has become an almost 10 year hiatus. This year I have been focusing on creating systems in my life that benefit me and generate good habits, and reading has been a big part of that focus.
Overall, the journey has been exciting and I look forward to picking up the next book on my wishlist. I use Libby for my book reading, so I’ve read a variety of book titles I wouldn’t normally reach for.
The Beginning of a Lifelong Commitment
As I’ve talked about in my Reading Log entries, reading has been a means of eliminating a bad habit. I tended to scroll social media for hours up until recently. Simply put, instead of picking up my phone and opening Tiktok, I pick up a book instead. I feel like I don’t waste time doomscrolling online, and instead I’m kind of feeding my brain.
I also like to keep track of my thoughts about the books I read in my Ultimate Reading Journal. Be sure to pick one up for yourself!
Since I’ve been out of the reading game for so long, I have a lot of reading to catch up on. The books that I’ve decided are the best books of 2024 are based on books I’ve read this year. Surprisingly, none were actually published this year. That being said, I really loved each one of these books and that is why I wanted to showcase them in this “end of year overview” of sorts.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 368 pages
A completely inspiring and elegantly written historical fiction novel about a Chinese girl who becomes an orphan. She goes on to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps to become a doctor to women. The concept of which is unheard of at this time. I did write a review this book, so check it out to learn more about the book.
Lisa See is an amazing author and this book was very easy to read. The themes covered in this book include the power of female friendships, class discrepancies in 15th century China, and gender inequality. I cried multiple times throughout this book and I loved every minute of it.
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin 2023
Genre: Novel/LGBT
Page Count: 552 pages
A truly bizarre novel about a woman who falls in love with another woman who is the subject of her transcription job: transcribing a therapist’s sessions. She meets her subject by accident and manipulates their relationship due to the nature of her job and knowing the most intimate details about her life. This might be my favorite book of the year, and I’m glad I gave it a chance because it was a totally random book choice. It was like a sucker punch, so unexpectedly good.
She Lies Close by Sharon Doering 2020
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Page Count: 481 pages
This story is a perfect personification of a mother’s anxiety. We follow our main character, Grace who has recently learned that her new next door neighbor is a suspect in a child’s kidnapping and murder and the case begins to consume her. Soon after, her neighbor is discovered dead and the reader begins to suspect if Grace is the one to commit the murder.
I was able to empathize with her character. As a mother, I couldn’t help but put myself in her shoes. I couldn’t imagine what I would do in her situation. This one was full of twists and I genuinely loved it.
The Best Books of 2024, in My Opinion
Each of these books were not written or published this year, but I still have to put them in the running for the best books of 2024. At least, for myself. I know that the year has not ended yet, and I may very well find another book that fits into this category. But we will just have to wait for the upcoming December Reading Log to see if that is the case!
I hope to inspire anyone who has not read any of these titles, to give them a try! All are written by female authors and I give them all a 5/5 rating. Reading is not only a fun hobby, but a good habit that can make you feel more productive with your time, so I’d recommend anyone interested to start with these titles. Grab one of my Ultimate Reading Journals to help with your reading goals.
Which titles would you put in the running of best books of 2024?
Were they published in 2024, or earlier, like my picks?
Leave a comment below!
Until next time.
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