BEST OF 2024: THE BOOKS I DIDN’T READ BUT WILL HOPEFULLY LOVE
As anyone who reads here often knows (and yes, I apologize in advance because I know this rhetoric is roat and tired), I haven’t read hardly at all in what, the last five years? The date I may not be firm about, but I do know that the numbers are down. Even still, I still love books, buy way too many, get over excited when I read about a new one coming from a favored author and enjoy putting together lists celebrating books. As each end of the year does, we are asked to share about our favorite books of 2024, and so with this in mind, I set out to try and curate some kind of list.
LIST | BEST in FILM and TV 2024: THE FAVORITE FILM and TV SHOW DISCOVERIES OF 2024
BEST OF 2024: THE BOOKS I DIDN'T READ BUT WILL HOPEFULLY LOVE. A #BookList of books I wish I'd read and anticipate reading. #TTT #BestinYear #BestofYear #YearinReview #GoodBooks #TopTen Share on XSince I’m not really reading, this is more of a “Best of 2024 Books I Should Have Read” kind of roundup. How I’m defining this is by looking at the 2024 books penned by authors I consistently love but didn’t read. Let’s see how many we can find to feature!
Note: there are lots of other books I’m sure I’ll enjoy that I added to my shelf in 2024 but I want to limit the books I feature to authors who released novels I’ve read other books by and enjoyed. Makes it feel like a “safer” list to title “best of” (or possible favorite books of 2024) since there’s a higher chance I’ll enjoy these.
BEST of 2024: THE BOOKS I SHOULD HAVE LOVED
SUMMERLIN GROVES, ELIZABETH CAMDEN
The first contemporary by historical author Elizabeth Camden, the idea of discovering this author “anew” with a new genre makes me curious. Goodreads
THE ROM-COMMERS, KATHERINE CENTER
I loved Happiness for Beginners by Katherine so reading more by her is high on my priority list. Given how colorful this cover is, plus that title, I have the highest hopes for this one winding up on any best of list I would make. Goodreads
DRIVE YOU CRAZY, JESSICA KATE
I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica’s ‘Outback Guide’ novel so reading her 2024 release is a must. Why I didn’t make time for this rom-com is beyond me! Goodreads
ONE WRONG MOVE, DANI PETTREY
I’ve read many books by Dani and enjoyed them all, and so reading this new one is something I am sure would be on a list of favorite books of 2024! Plus who doesn’t love a good bit of suspense now and then. Goodreads
THE BERLIN LETTERS, KATHERINE REAY
It’s been forever since last I read a novel by Katherine so I have many to catch up on by her. But this is the one she published in 2024. Back in the day I read every new release by her so reading this is still on my (too long) TBR. Goodreads
BETTER THAN REVENGE, KASIE WEST
Technically it would have been tough for me to read this one in 2024 (unless I was still active on NetGalley or requested and was accepted for an ARC), but since technically it has a 2024 release date (and I love Kasie’s books), it fits the parameters of my list. Goodreads
2024 READING: two of the books I did love
A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE to MURDER, HOLLY JACKSON
I read this one prior to the Netflix series adaptation and loved it. Definitely the first of a series that I need to read more by. Goodreads
A LADY’S GUIDE to FORTUNE-HUNTING, SOPHIE IRWIN
This historical novel was supremely entertaining. It doesn’t brim with romance if that’s more a reader’s style, but it’s nonetheless a fun read. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? How many would you consider reading? What books did you place on your Best of 2024 (aka favorite books of 2024) lists? Comment all of your thoughts below. Share all of your thoughts.
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The Rom-Commers is still on my TBR :)
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2024/12/31/top-ten-tuesday-2024-favourites/
Glad I’m not alone in this! It certainly looks all kinds of fun. :)
Rom-Commers was a DNF for me; I struggled to connect with the characters. I have A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting on my TBR and hope to try it in 2025.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-twelve-favorite-reads-of-2024/
That’s always a bummer; I’ve read some books too where the characters just weren’t “it” for me. But I guess it’s a good thing there are SO many books in the world that do suit us. :) Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy ‘Lady’s Guide.’ I thought it was fun though more comedy than romance. :)
The Rom-Commers was my first Katherine Center book a d I’ll definitely be reading more. Happy new year!
How fun! My first read by her was Happiness for Beginners which I did really like so I’m eager to read more. :)
Interesting how you’ve segregated your list. 2024 was similar for me – so many books that I should have loved but even ended up DNFing. Sigh. Let’s hope 2025 fares better.
Wish you a very happy ’25 ahead, full of very good books that would be difficult to choose from. :D
I just haven’t been reading much so while I did read more than the two I put under “favorites,” they weren’t a new favorite. That said, I do want to get back into a routine of reading (I did during the summer!) come the new year. It just feels like the end of the year is always “different” with things that need to get done so I don’t have the same time as usual. :) Same to you! Happy 2025. Hope your new year is amazing and has lots of fab reads. :)
Heh, I like this twist. I think it’s cool you’ve continued book blogging even though you’re not really reading much.
I did have a stretch in the summer when I was, but for some reason the end of the year always means “no reading.” It’s just different and I feel like I have more to do. Hopefully the start of the new year will renew the hour or so I had set aside in the summertime to read. :)
I hope you find your reading mojo again! And if not, enjoy what you do read, that’s why we do it after all. Eventually, I will pick up A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder as I enjoyed the Netflix series.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I really enjoyed AGGGTM! Both the book and TV series. Hope you also enjoy the book when you read them. :) And thanks! I hope to start reading more again.
I also have Katherine Center on my tbr, I read The Bodyguard and I liked the movie Happiness for Beginners, so I want to read more of her.
YAY! Hope you too enjoy more of Katherine’s books. Hoping I make the time to read other books by her in 2025. :)
I really enjoyed A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER. I also like Center and West. They can be counted on for great reads. I hope you do love all these when you get to them!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thanks, Susan! I hope so too – and I’m all about authors who can be counted on. :)
I adored AGGGTM and Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting! I hope 2025 will be the year the book bug gets you reading again and you enjoy all the books you pick up (including all of these)! 🤞🏽
Thanks so much! I hope so too. :)
Finding time to read can be difficult and sometimes I’m just not in the mood. I like to have a balance of my hobbies. I haven’t read any of these but I’ve heard of a few from other bloggers.
When I visit lists every week, I’m the same, Carla. I often see titles I haven’t read, but have seen lots of others share or gush about. Even when I do read all the time, I still like breaks which is probably why I’ll never by one of those 100+ a year book readers. ;)
I have not read any of these but do hope to read Drive You Crazy soon (I have it). Thank you SO much for the surprise book mail! I really appreciate it and you! I hope you have a great start to the New Year.
I loved Jessica’s ‘Outback’ rom-com so I need to read this one at some point too! Maybe 2025 will be THE year – and hopefully we both enjoy! ;)
Happy reading (hope you enjoy all of the books Santa brought ya :D)… and New Year, Cindy!!
I love her Outback rom-com, it was hilarious, so I have high hopes for Drive You Crazy, I just got bogged down with ARCs again…not this year (hopefully I do better with staying away from them, LOL).
Ugh, yes! I used to know that too-many-ARCs feeling well! I always *had* to sign up for/request ALL the books. In some ways I miss that… but also, I think it’s good I’ve realized I don’t do well with all that reader pressure. :) Hope we both enjoy ‘Crazy’; it sounds fun!
I love how you spun this week’s prompt to suit you better. This is the kind of topic that could also work for books I thought I’d love but didn’t – mind if I borrow it? You’ll get credit for it! A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting looks like a good one, I’ll be adding that to my TBR. Happy 2025, and hopefully you’ll continue to make these wonderful lists.
I think I’ve done some version of this for a couple of years, Leah! It just felt more realistic since I didn’t actually read many that I considered new favorites. ;) And of course! Feel free to use this topic however you like. :)
‘Fortune Hunting’ was so fun and I hope you enjoy it if you read it. :)
Great list! I like the A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder trilogy too, though the 1st book is my favorite :)
If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT:https://thebooklorefairy.blogspot.com/2024/12/top-ten-tuesday-the-best-books-i-read-in-2024.html
I need to read the rest this year! I think there is going to be a second season TV series too so I for sure need to read book two. :)
I’ve not read any of these but have heard great things about books by Katherine Center!
!
I’ve enjoyed Katherine’s books (so far) and look forward to reading more by her! :)