My Top Books of 2024 ⭐
2024 was an incredible year for reading! Out of the 42 books I devoured, I'm excited to share my absolute favorites with you. These are the stories that kept me up late at night, made me think differently about the world, and left a lasting impression.
Rating System Explained
Before diving in, here's how I rate books:
5★: That magical "can't put it down" feeling
4★: Highly recommended, thoroughly enjoyed
3★: Good, but recommendation depends on reader preferences
2★: Finished it, but wouldn't recommend
1★: DNF (Did Not Finish)
Vampire Tales with Historical Depth
Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson (4.5★) offered a unique perspective on Dracula's story through his wife's eyes. What made this book special wasn't just the vampire element, but how it wove through different historical periods, including the French Revolution. While not plot-heavy, the lush prose and historical elements made it a captivating read.
S.T. Gibson's An Education in Malice (4★) combined dark academia with vampire lore in a sapphic romance. While the ending felt slightly anticlimactic, the academic setting and gorgeous writing style made it a worthwhile read for fans of scholarly settings.
Historical Fiction That Changed My Perspective
Kristin Hannah's works dominated my reading list this year:
The Women (5★): A powerful story about Vietnam War nurses that opened my eyes to modern historical fiction
The Nightingale (6★): An extraordinary tale of two sisters in German-occupied France
The Great Alone (5★): A gripping story of survival in the Alaskan wilderness
Winter Garden (5★): A moving narrative that interweaves family dynamics with Soviet history
These books not only entertained but also sparked my interest in 20th-century history, an era I'd previously overlooked.
Fantasy and Romance
Reckless by Lauren Roberts (4★), the second book in the Powerless trilogy, delivered an engaging enemies-to-lovers story in a world where lacking magical powers is punishable by death.
Claire Sager's Shadow of the Tenebrous Court series impressed me:
A Kiss of Iron (5★): Perfect pacing and chemistry
A Touch of Poison (4.25★): Excellent world-building and political intrigue
Book of the Year
My top read of 2024 was Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wong (6★). This thought-provoking story explores privilege, prejudice, and colonialism through the lens of a magical academy. It challenged my perspectives on intent versus impact and continues to influence my thinking about societal structures and personal responsibility.
The book masterfully demonstrates how fiction can help us engage with real-world issues in meaningful ways, making it not just entertaining but transformative.
