Between December 2023 and December 2024, I consumed 104 books. I use “consumed” instead of “read” or “listened to” because the stories I chose to pursue this year came in both written and audio form. Since some people think listening to a book doesn’t “count” as reading, I thought it would be best to address the question of “how” up front. I also think it’s best to tell these same people to kindly and sincerely knock it off with the criticism. Satisfying a weary soul and escaping daily life through storytelling instead of injecting heroin should be commended not judged, so let’s find a more worthy cause to rage against and consider both of these mediums as reading from here on out, OK?
Out of the 104 books I read, 30 of them were physical books and 74 were audio. What’s important to note about the format is that a good narrator can make or break any story. Take for example The Teacher by Freida McFadden, which I read as an audiobook and also consider one of the worst books of 2024. Considering The Teacher has topped the “best of” lists of friends and critics alike, I can’t help but wonder whether it was the terrible narration that incited my disdain toward this book or whether it was the story itself. On the other hand, I also question whether a book like Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid was as good as I believe it is or if narrator Nicole Lewis made the characters more compelling than they would have been had I read the book in physical form. With that said, even though I still consider the consumption of any book reading, the format is certainly something to keep in mind as you compare my list of favorites to your own.
There were only three books I did not finish this year: Reboot by Justin Taylor, Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, and One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole. The first two books are among The New York Times must-read books of the year, so perhaps I just have no taste, which is something else to keep in mind since anyone’s opinion of a book is so incredibly subjective. For me, the central character in Reboot is both boring and unsympathetic, and the overall pacing and tone of Intermezzo just wasn’t my speed. As for One of Us Knows, reliability was something I had a hard time with due to the central character’s Dissociative Identity Disorder, although I may go back to this one at some point because I think this story actually does have a lot to offer.
In addition to The Teacher, the other books on my worst-of list include The Villain Edit by Laurie Devoe, The Project by Courtney Summers, Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang, and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. On this last one, yes, I am fully aware that a lot of people LOVED this book, but as I’ve said before, while the concept is clever, the primary character sucks as a person and can never seem to get out of her own way. With no real reason to cheer her on, I never cared whether she made it out of the Midnight Library to live a better life or not. So if you’re looking for a great book that explores both existentialism and the laws of physics, I recommend reading Dark Matter by Blake Crouch instead.
Now, with all of that out of the way, here are the 10 best books I read in 2024. While most of these books were published in 2024, some were published several years earlier, and all of them are works of fiction. I also often include short, unedited portions of the publisher’s summaries in each of my reviews for context, so try not to come at me for plagiarism. Enjoy.
Top 10 Books of 2024
1. All the Colors of the Dark, Chris Whitaker
This is one of those books that made me realize almost immediately I was in the presence of greatness. Clocking in at 595 pages, All the Colors of the Dark is a masterclass in storytelling, and I’m so glad I read this book in physical form instead of as an audiobook because it allowed me to take the time to reflect upon the book’s many profound passages, flip back to marvel at the prose, and honor the characters whose understanding of humanity is nothing short of magnificent. As a genre, this novel is classified as a mystery, but at its heart, it’s a beautifully executed love story. In it, readers follow the story of Patch, a young boy who, while saving a girl from abduction in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, triggers a series of events that leave him deeply affected and on a lifelong quest to find a mysterious woman named Grace who he only encountered while held in captivity in a dark room. As years pass, Patch’s childhood friend, Saint (who may be my favorite character of all time), becomes determined to unravel the truth behind his disappearance and learn whether a serial killer has been the true culprit of their collective trauma all along. Learn more about All the Colors of the Darkand purchase the book here.
2. Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
I read Demon Copperhead as an audiobook, but I almost stopped two chapters in because I questioned whether I should be reading it in physical form instead. While I’ve resolved to pick up the paperback at some point, Charlie Thurston’s narration is some of the best I’ve ever heard and the reason I recommend listening if audiobooks are your preference. As for my thoughts on the story itself, this novel is magnificent and now ranks among my top 10 favorites of all time. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born into poverty who braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, Demon Copperhead speaks on behalf of a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind. This story is sad, angry, endearing, oddly funny (especially through the voice of Charlie Thurston), and downright exquisite. The characters are layered, the addiction and death are very real, and the relationships are authentic. It’s clear why this book won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, and if there’s one book I recommend anyone read immediately, it’s this. Learn more about Demon Copperhead and purchase the book here.
3. Long Island Compromise, Taffy Brodesser-Akner
This is one of my personal favorites from this year even if it doesn’t make anyone else’s list. It’s witty, insightful, different, and wonderful, and what’s most interesting to me—and truly indicative of Brodesser-Akner’s ability to tell a good story—is that I neither liked nor related to any character in the entire book. Quite simply, this novel is about what happens to a family in the decades that follow the brief kidnapping and swift return of husband, father, and businessman Carl Fletcher. Although Carl was returned less than a week following his abduction and the family seemingly moves on with their lives, 40 years later, it’s clear that perhaps none of them ever got over anything at all. Long Island Compromise spans the entirety of one family’s history, winding through decades and generations, all the way to the outrageous present, and confronts the mainstays of American Jewish life: tradition, the pursuit of success, the terror of history, fear of the future, old wives’ tales, evil eyes, ambition, achievement, boredom, inheritance, pyramid schemes, right-wing capitalists, beta-blockers, psychics, and the mostly unspoken love and shared experience that unite a family forever. Some parts of this book are anxiety inducing (the youngest son’s mania as he tracks down Mandy Patinkin), some are hysterical (almost every scene involving wife and mother Ruth and her catch phrase, “so-and-so over here”), and some are quite sad, like when Carl recalls his kidnapping and discovers a few family secrets in the afterlife. It’s also proof that money may not be able to buy happiness, but it sure as hell can buy everything else. Oh, and generational trauma is very real even if you’re not alive when a parent is impacted and even if some may lean into their grief more than others. Learn more about Long Island Compromise and purchase the book here.
4. The Wedding People, Alison Espoch
Even though The Wedding People received rave reviews just after its debut in July, I was still reluctant to dive in out of fear it would be just another romcom designed for hopeless romantics. However, as a happy cynic (yes, these characteristics can co-exist in one human being) who prefers character development to repetitive storylines, I was pleasantly surprised by both the heart and the heartiness of this book. This story is not a romcom at all. Rather, it’s a story of growth and an inherent need for change even if that change is something we could never have envisioned even moments prior. In it, 40-something Phoebe arrives at the Grand Cornwall Inn at rock bottom and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself before she takes her own life. Meanwhile, 20-something bride Lila prepares for her wedding at the same venue when she encounters Phoebe, learns of her plans, and the two women strike up an unlikely friendship. Predictably, Phoebe does not die by suicide. Surprisingly, a funny and tender story unfolds, which provides an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths of life and the chance encounters that often reroute us regardless of age. What I loved most was Phoebe’s quiet maturity and Lila’s loud perfectionism coupled with their shared need to better understand themselves as individuals. It’s also worth noting the superb narration of Helen Laser who truly made these characters come to life. Learn more about The Wedding Peopleand purchase the book here.
5. The Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon
While I adored this story for what it is, what I loved even more was Jane Oppenheimer’s narration in the audiobook, which brought a bright, beautiful light to a woman living in a time (1789) when most women didn’t have a voice let alone an outlet in which to share their stories. In The Frozen River, Martha Ballard, a midwife and a healer, is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in the close-knit community of Hallowell, Maine. Her daybook is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds and, months earlier, Martha documents the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her daybook soon lands at the center of the scandal and compels Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie. Clever, layered, and subversive, The Frozen River introduces an unsung heroine who refuses to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. Martha is a dear, smart, loving, and insightful protagonist whose relationships with herself, her husband, children, and community shape both who she is and the story we are told. In its most basic form I suppose this novel is a mystery even though (at least for me) the identity of Joshua Burgess’ murderer wasn’t what kept me engaged. Rather, it was Martha’s curiosity and introspection that made me want more of her and her wisdom, which continues to evolve throughout the story due to her uncanny self-awareness and belief in herself and her abilities. Learn more about The Frozen Riverand purchase the book here.
6. Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Rufi Thorpe
I think this may be one of the most thought-provoking books I read this year although you’d never know it based on the publisher’s summary and the somewhat playful tone in which it’s told. Margo’s Got Money Troubles is about Margo Millet, a 19-year-old child of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, who has a brief affair with her English professor, gets pregnant, and decides to keep the baby. Following the birth of her child, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. When her estranged father, Jinx, asks to move in with her, she agrees in exchange for help with childcare. Margo then starts an OnlyFans and soon finds herself adapting some of Jinx’s advice from the world of wrestling. Before she knows it, Margo has turned into a runaway success online, but continues to battle with the outside world about how she’s making the money she needs to care for herself and her child. This is a tender, witty, and sharp story that quietly and expertly asks readers what they would do and how they would react to very serious and complicated situations through playful prose and a naive protagonist who I sometimes agreed with and sometimes did not. Some questions I pondered while reading this book include: What does being a good person mean? How are mothers who decide to keep their babies expected to provide for the children a society tells them must have? Who decides whether someone is qualified to be a parent and why? Is the real reason sex work is frowned upon because women are the ones who are making all the money? (spoiler: yes, absolutely) And, perhaps most importantly, how can a woman control her own destiny with so many odds stacked against her? Learn more about Margo’s Got Money Troublesand purchase the book here.
7. Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid
Such a Fun Age is a captivating and big-hearted story about race and privilege set around a young Black babysitter, her white savior of an employer, and a surprising connection that adds further intrigue to an already interesting narrative. According to the publisher’s summary: “Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young Black woman out late with a white child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right, but Emira herself is aimless, broke, and wary of Alix's desire to help. At 25, she is about to lose her health insurance and has no idea what to do with her life. When the video of Emira unearths someone from Alix's past, both women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know about themselves, and each other.” For me, while the very beginning of this book is in fact as heavy as the summary would have you believe, the rest of the novel is a bit lighter and told in a way that helped me both relate to and encourage Emira and Alix even though I can’t personally identify with either one. I loved Emira’s growth as a young woman who is discovering who she is and what she wants in life, and how her relationships with her employer and her girlfriends ultimately impact her choices. I especially admired her relationship with Zara who is as loving, loyal, and honest as any woman could ever hope to find in a best friend. On top of all that is the narration by Nicole Lewis who could honestly read a phonebook and make it sound compelling. Learn more about Such a Fun Age and purchase the book here.
8. You Like It Darker, Stephen King
You Like It Darker is a collection of 12 short stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. Written by the best living storyteller there is, these unbelievably satisfying and thought-provoking stories take a deep dive into both the real and paranormal mysteries Stephen King knows, loves, and writes so well. Some, like “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” could have been standalone novels, while others, like “Two Talented Bastids” and “The Answer Man” are so perfectly crafted that I can’t imagine them being even one word longer than they are now. “The Answer Man” in particular will stay with me for a very long time, and it pleases me to no end that such a fascinating take on fate will occupy my brain for many years to come. Learn more about You Like It Darkerand purchase the book here.
9. Notes on an Execution, Danya Kukafka
Notes on an Execution is a powerful, intriguing, mysterious, devastating, and hopeful novel about the life and crimes of Ansel Packer ahead of his scheduled execution in a Texas penitentiary. In it, readers learn about Ansel’s legacy and the reasons he’s currently on death row through his mother, Lavender, a 17-year-old girl pushed to desperation; Hazel, twin sister to Ansel’s wife, who is forced to watch helplessly as her sister’s relationship threatens to devour them all; and, Saffy, the detective hot on his trail, who has devoted herself to bringing bad men to justice but struggles to see her own life clearly. What I loved most about Notes on an Execution were the transitions between Ansel’s second-person point of view chapters and those that provided anecdotes from the women whose lives were shaped by his existence. From Lavender’s heartbreaking beginnings to Saffy’s lifelong search for balance, I was captivated by both their stories and Kukafka’s writing, which was poignant and impactful. I was also particularly struck by how naturally my feelings toward Ansel and his fate gradually but not forcibly changed throughout the book. In the beginning, I was naturally sympathetic to Ansel’s impending death and perhaps even hopeful it wouldn’t come to pass. By the end, I was resigned and even ready for him to die in a way that didn’t feel vengeful or angry but instead right and just (and this from a person who opposes the death penalty). This was a book I couldn’t put down, and I’m so glad it finally landed on my radar two years after its initial publication. Learn more about Notes on an Executionand purchase the book here.
10. The Push, Ashley Audrain
I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Push earlier in the year and I still can’t stop thinking about it. I also still want to both recommend it to everyone I know because it’s such a captivating story, and discourage everyone I know from reading it because the subject matter is so incredibly heavy. The writing is excellent, honest, and thought-provoking and while, yes, the book can be quite disturbing at times, I also enjoyed it for the psychological thriller it is. With that said, if you DO decide to move forward with The Push, I strongly recommend you read the following publisher’s summary and avoid it altogether if you’re pregnant: “Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby, Violet, that she herself never had. But in the thick of motherhood's exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter—she doesn't behave like most children do. Or is it all in Blythe's head? Her husband, Fox, says she's imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Then their son, Sam, is born—and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she'd always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.” Learn more about The Pushand purchase the book here.
Honorable Mention:
A Calamity of Souls, David Baldacci
When I first started A Calamity of Souls, I thought it was going to play out like every other courtroom drama set in the 1960s: Southern white lawyer playing the role of reluctant savior to an innocent Black defendant. And although this loose assumption is still true to some extent, what made this book so profoundly different from its predecessors is the bigger mystery of the case itself and the notable collaboration between lead defense attorney, Jack Lee, and his highly educated, experienced Black female co-council, Desiree Dubose—who happens to be fueled by both racial equality and her own ego. This novel explores systemic racism, affluence, our deeply flawed judicial system, equality, war, familial bonds, inherent bias, and justice. From what I understand, it took Baldacci 10 years to write this book which wasn’t surprising given the level of thought, research, and care he put into developing each character, and especially Jack and Desiree. Learn more about A Calamity of Soulsand purchase the book here.
Victim, Andrew Boryga
This novel is a lot like Yellowface, but much more realistic and a lot less satirical. In fact, although the publisher describes it as a satire, I actually think Victim is quite a bit deeper and very honest. If you didn’t know better, you may even think it’s a memoir. What I particularly enjoyed about this book is the juxtaposition between what progressives living in a white world often imagine diversity and inclusion to be versus what it actually looks like to people of color living in areas that are actually populated with people who look just like them. It works because of Javi’s roots in the Bronx, but it wouldn’t work if Javi grew up in central Ohio, for example, in a hometown populated by nearly all white people. The novel is ultimately about Javi’s ego and his constant need for praise, which is what leads him to both exaggerate and romanticize his lived experiences. This is a quick read that really makes you think. Learn more about Victim and purchase the book here.
All Fours, Miranda July
This novel made me extremely uncomfortable, which I’m pretty sure is the point. It also made me question my own experience as a middle-aged woman, which differs vastly from the woman—who is never given a name—in this book. With that said, and as much as I wanted to give All Fours a lower rating because I personally think it’s unnecessarily vulgar, Miranda July explores a theme that isn’t often discussed as openly as it should be through prose that, while intentionally shocking, is on a level most writers can only hope to achieve. A few takeaways I really need to address: (1) I’ve read several reviews about this book that include complaints about the woman’s child, Sam, not being assigned a gender, which I actually thought was brilliant. Sam is dear and kind and possesses all the traits parents hope for in ALL children. What does it matter if they’re a boy or a girl? What’s more, I think gendering Sam would have given readers the permission to further judge the woman’s parenting. If Sam were a boy, readers would say it’s inappropriate for a mother and son to bathe together. If Sam were a girl, readers would question what kind of example the woman is setting for an 11-year-old who is transitioning into womanhood. July couldn’t have won this battle either way, and a non-gendered child removes a lot of these potential stereotypes even if it inadvertently created others. (2) Are middle-aged women really this fucked up or is it just the really rich ones? Also, are middle-aged women who are this fucked up really this unaware of perimenopause? I truly could not understand how a woman so controlled by sex and sexuality had no concept about the hormonal changes a woman experiences in her 40s. (3) I’m so glad July narrated the audiobook because I think I would have read it much differently (and likely not finished it at all) if it hadn’t been for her intentionally dry, monotone, and sometimes (but not often) endearing inflection. Learn more about All Foursand purchase the book here.
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, Robert Dugoni
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a beautiful story about friendship and family and how both sustain us throughout our lifetimes and mold us into the people we were always meant to be. The characters are wonderful and deeply loved by the author, which is a connection I believe is imperative to any good story. I also (and especially) enjoyed the depiction of the Catholic faith and the question of devotion as it relates to actions and outcomes. Additionally, reading about the family’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, France on Ash Wednesday of this year was so fitting and, in my opinion, no coincidence. This story reminded me how fortunate I am to know and love my faith even if I’ll always question the religion. With that said, please don’t let Catholicism be the reason you don’t read this book because it’s about so much more than that. Learn more about The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and purchase the book here.
All the Sinners Bleed, S.A. Cosby
All the Sinners Bleed is both unbelievably dark and undeniably profound, and its categorization as “crime fiction” doesn’t even remotely do this novel justice because it’s so much more than a procedural read. While, yes, the story addresses horrendous acts of violence against children, it also poignantly discusses issues of race, history, love, and familial bonds, and the primary character, Sheriff Titus Crown, is a man whose side you’re on from the very start. Exceptional storytelling and expertly written dialogue make this one worth reading, although the subject matter of the investigation can make it hard to stomach at times, so I recommend proceeding with extreme caution if you do add this to your “TBR” list. Learn more about All the Sinners Bleedand purchase the book here.
Title Track: “You’re the Best,” Joe “Bean” Esposito. Listen here.
