As a little recap of some of the reads this past year, here are my top 6 books. My goal was to read 24 books, and from that, is this: 

Number 6 

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden 

I think I’m relatively new to this whole genre. I didn’t start falling in love with the realm of thrillers, mysteries, and crime until about 2 years ago when I started listening to Stephanie Soo. This was the introduction to it all. I knew that I had gotten comfortable in my favorite genres, and hey, I think reading anything, even if it is faerie smut, is better than not reading at all. Reading itself is the power. It doesn’t matter that I love romantasy more than self-help. Anyways, that is to say that this genre of mysteries and thrillers feels newer to me, yet is making its way into the nooks of my heart. And although I’ve only read a few this year, I especially enjoyed this one! It’s the first book I think of when recommending in this genre, and Freida McFadden has quickly become one of my favs. 

Please let me know what I’m missing out on in this genre. A few on my TBR list are The Perfect Marriage, Then She Was Gone, and Rock Paper Scissors. Any favorite authors I should get into? Or any other books you’ve read that have topped all other thrillers, I would love to dive into! 

Number 5

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross 

This was such a wholesome feet-kicking read. It’s so reminiscent of all the YAs I’ve read as a high schooler. Although many authors can write a good romance, this author in particular wrote one unlike any other. I feel like they’re real, and their connection feels so sighing-ly sweet. I feel that this trope isn’t as common, and so it felt like a breath of fresh air. I think I need to stop using that phrase. First breath out of the water?  

Number 4

The Women by Kristin Hannah 

Oh, how I love this book so much. This genre is slowly climbing the ranks in my heart. It’s so heart-wrenching and empowering in the best ways. The history lesson, intertwined with life as a woman, makes me want to cry with happiness, anger, and at the unfairness of the world. This feels like angsty, strong-willed feminism in the best way, in the way that makes me proud to be a woman. 5/5 read; this is a marriage of art and academics, as I’m finding all historical fiction is.

Number 3 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 

This was one of my first reads of 2024, and after college and falling into self-help books, I finally felt like I was getting my personality back. This felt like I was defrosting. It felt so me and so much of everything I loved. Oh, how I so, so love escapism and how much I wish I lived in any of these fantasy worlds instead of a capitalistic corporate one. It’s pretty much everything I love: classic enemies-to-lovers trope, dragons, training arcs, internal and external struggles. It’s wonderful. I adore this series. I’m so stoked to read Onyx Storm, and I think I could probably talk about my feelings on this for hours. 

Number 2

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

This book converted me into an ACOTAR fan. To be so honest, if people on the internet didn’t hype up the series the way they did, I probably would’ve stopped reading after book one. See, book one just didn’t do it for me. But book two, wow. This book changed everything. I think to experience this for the first time again would be incredible. The character development, romance, and plot are incredible. Nothing like falling in love while the impending doom of war creeps up on us. Honestly, a found family, healing journeys, and love will always get me. 

Number 1 

Crown of Midnight/Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas 

Okay, this might be cheating because technically, I’m not choosing a book in this series, but I think it’s not fair to pick yet since I haven’t finished the series. All I know is that the series gets better and better. Technically, I haven’t even written a review for either of these books. I am very backed up. No one cares but to reach my reading goal of the year I had to take a small break from review writing because I was being such a procrastinator. Anyways, I love these books. I am only three books deep into this series, and I think I like it better than the ACOTAR series, and that felt like my Roman Empire this year. The books, like literally book one, book two, etc., feel intentional. The way it breaks up feels like seasons in a show, highlighting different types of struggles or arcs, all relating to the overall giant plot. It just feels so thought out, and I’m genuinely loving every second of it. I am trying to savor it because I feel this might be a series I wish I could read for the first time again. 

Sneak peek at my thoughts: I already love our main character. AND YET, there is still growth! How are we doing this??? There is character exploration and internal battles. There are mysteries, world-building, and supporting characters who are complex and interesting. You know how there are books that have a best friend character, and all that’s to them is the sassy remarks and that they got their girl’s back? Well, these book actually feels complex. Supporting characters come to their own realizations of their flaws and actually challenge their mindsets. It’s so good. I am so happy. You could be too. 

Overall, it’s been a splendid year of reading, and I am so happy to have been part of all of these characters’ journeys. I wonder if the TOG series will be part of my favorites for 2025. It’s only the beginning, so there may be so many more amazing reads to come. Isn’t that exciting?