2024 in Book Reviews

I read 75 books in 2024 and wrote half of my sixth novel, which is tentatively titled Four Hearts. While I originally planned to set a goal of 100 books, I changed my goal to 75 books early in the year due to unforeseen circumstances.

Here are my top reads for the year.

Top 10 best reads for 2024 (traditionally published)

These are in order, starting with my favorite read of the year.

1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
2. This Used to Be Us by Renée Carlino
3. This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann
4. Spirit Crossing (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger
5. Camino Ghosts (Camino Island, #3) by John Grisham
6. Exposure (Rita Todacheene, #2) by Ramona Emerson
7. The Giver (complete series) by Lois Lowry
8. The Art of Forgetting by Camille Pagán (published under Camille Noe Pagán)
9. This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
10. Cope Field and Strong Like You by T.L Simpson (tie)

Notable independently published books

These are in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, and I rated each 4 stars or higher.

1. Pavey Boulevard, On Island, and Hunter’s Moon by Rie Anders
2. A Perfect Flock by Mike Bogue
3. Beneath the Surface: Echoes of a Mother’s Heart by Brooke Devine
4. Tale of a Part-Time Hero by G.W. Tise

Note: I had the pleasure of beta reading and editing a new novel by Sarah Louise Dale, Chasing Time, which I know will be on my list for 2025.

Best nonfiction reads

These are also in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, and I rated each 5 stars.

1. Get Rid of the Mess: Decluttering What You Don’t Need to Make Space for What Matters Most by Jenna Ford
2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
3. The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zazio

Goals for 2025

When I initially aimed to read 100 books for 2024, I didn’t know what would happen. That’s true of every year, really. For 2025, I’ll stay conservative by setting a goal of 75 books to match this year. This time next year, I plan to have published my sixth novel.

Readers, what were some of your favorite reads of the year?

Thanks for reading,
-Brandi Easterling Collins