At the start of this year, I set a modest reading goal of 24 books – 2 per month seemed reasonable! I ended up smashing that goal with 46 (not that the number matters, but it gives you an idea of how filtered this top 10 list is!). So, here are my top 10 favourites—categorised, briefly summarised, and rated. I hope you find something to add to your TBR list!
To see everything I’ve read and to keep up with current reviews, make sure to check out my goodreads!
Mind-Bending Reads
1. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (5 stars)
Summary: Nora Seed finds herself in a magical library where every book represents a different version of her life. She gets a chance to explore the infinite possibilities of her choices and regrets.
Review: This book was short and sweet, but it left such a big impact. There’s one passage I keep going back to that feels like it was written just for me. As someone who constantly wonders about all the paths not taken, this story was exactly what I needed.
2. The Great Forgetting by James Renner (5 stars)
Summary: A sci-fi thriller where conspiracy theories collide with chaotic events, uncovering secrets about memory and truth.
Review: This book was a wild ride – as soon as I finished it, I wanted to start it over. It’s a sci-fi thriller with a very chaotic series of events that’s wonderfully paced and full of conspiracy theories. I liked how they were just woven into the story – if you hadn’t heard of them before, you wouldn’t notice them. If you love mind-bending books, you’ll devour this.
3. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (5 stars)
Summary: A physicist is thrown into a multiverse of possibilities when he is abducted and wakes up in a world that is not his own.
Review: I couldn’t put this one down! It’s thrilling, fast-paced, and completely mind-blowing. It’ll make you question your reality in the best way.
Bonus: This is now a TV series on Apple TV! I’d definitely recommend reading the book first, but the show is very well done too.
Emotional and Reflective
4. Greenwood by Michael Christie (4.9 stars)
Summary: A sweeping family saga set against a backdrop of environmental collapse, exploring themes of legacy and interconnectedness.
Review: This generational saga was beautifully told, with just the right amount of detail to immerse me in the story. The structure, moving through time from 2038 back to the 1930s and then forward again, was so well done. The only thing keeping it from a perfect 5 stars? The ending, which felt a bit lazy and underwhelming after such a great build-up.
5. The Coral Bones by E.J. Swift (5 stars)
Summary: Three interconnected stories across different timelines explore the impact of climate change on coral reefs and humanity.
Review: This was a slow start, but once it got going, I was hooked. It’s thought-provoking and made me feel smarter just reading it! Of the three storylines, one was so compelling I wish it had its own book.
Thrillers That Hooked Me
6. Descent by Tim Johnston (5 stars)
Summary: A family’s vacation takes a tragic turn when their teenage daughter goes missing in the Colorado mountains.
Review: I wasn’t sure about this one at first, as the writing style was a bit hard to follow – using “the boy” and “the young man” and “the woman” instead of names made it confusing until I got in the flow. But once I was into it, I couldn’t stop. The story was gripping, and even though it’s not super realistic, it’s fiction, so who cares?
7. Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter (5 stars)
Summary: A gripping whodunit told through police transcripts, emails, and other media as a family murder case unfolds.
Review: This was a proper page-turner with so many twists. Some people say it’s predictable, but I think they’re missing the real brilliance of the ending. It’s packed with unexpected reveals—almost too many—but I was completely entertained from start to finish.
Unique Storytelling
8. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (5 stars)
Summary: A haunting tale of love, loss, and redemption that spans decades and reveals the deep scars of the past.
Review: This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s long, but I didn’t mind because I was so invested. I even set aside specific hours to read it instead of just squeezing it in here and there. That’s how good it was!
9. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (4 stars)
Summary: A historical fantasy that intertwines timelines and follows a secretive organisation protecting history from unravelling.
Review: I could have read another 300 pages of the middle of this book. I loved the writing style and the storyline. It got a little confusing towards the end I cannot lie – but it was exciting! I’ll probably revisit this one to fully appreciate all the twists.
Classics That Stood Out
10. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (5 stars)
Summary: Arthur Dent is swept off Earth before its destruction and embarks on a wild journey through space with a group of quirky companions.
Review: This was such a unique, clever read. It’s funny, exciting, and completely unlike anything else. I can see why it’s considered a classic.
Closing Thoughts
While I had to plow through some horrible books this year, I’d say overall 2024 was a fantastic reading year. These books stood out not just for their quality but for how they made me think, feel, or stay up way too late turning pages. What were your favourite reads this year? I am always looking for recommendations so please let me know in the comments, on socials, or on goodreads!
