Yahoo Lifestyle 12 "Couldn't Put Down" Books I Read In 2024 That Had Me On The Floor, Screaming, Crying, And Giddily Kicking My Feet
Hi! I'm Dannica, and I love to read. This year, I challenged myself to read 80 books, and though I genuinely thought multiple times throughout 2024 that I was way over my head, I made it! So, as the year closes out, I wanted to share my top 12 favorite books I read this year that had me on the floor, kicking my feet, screaming, and crying (in the best way possible).
I try my best to read a good mix of genres, but I am definitely a fantasy genre girly at heart, so if you're specifically looking for fantasy book recs, you've come to the right spot. HOWEVER! I did read some excellent non-fantasy books this year as well, so without further ado, here are some of my favorite books of 2024 in no particular order:
The other books I read on Kindle, BTW!
And if you're curious, check out my top 10 books of 2023!
1.The Will of the Many by James Islington
One thing about me is if there's an academy involved with a cutthroat, life-threatening competition among its students, I'm in. This was my first time reading a James Islington book, and it most definitely will not be my last (especially considering this is the first book in a trilogy).
WHY I LOVED IT: This was a nearly 650-page book, but it literally went by so fast because I simply couldn't put it down. Like, I was out here reading 200 pages in one sitting — that's how much I needed to know what was going to happen. But, okay, let me back up for a sec and set the scene.
So, this book is set in the Catenan Republic, where magic is controlled through this complex system called "Will" by the Hierarchy. Basically, everyone has Will, but those with a higher-ranking citizenship in the Republic can essentially leech the Will off people who are "below" them. Of course, that's not the cutest government set up in the world, so when an opportunity to uncover the secrets of the Hierarchy arrives at the feet of our main protagonist, Callum, he finds himself infiltrating the prestigious Catenan Academy, where he has to fit in and play along with the political games of the Republic.
LISTEN! This book was giving dark academia sci-fi fantasy goodness. The world is entirely unique, the characters are complex, and the mystery of it all had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: High fantasy, sci-fi fantasy, dark academia, mystery, magic, trilogies
2.Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
This is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea (one of my top books last year) and was one of my most anticipated books this year. And let me just say it did not disappoint! Much like the first book, I cried many times due to how wholesome and full of love it was.
WHY I LOVED IT: A found family is going to reel me in every time, but when the found family in question is a group of orphaned children consisting of a gnome, a sprite, a green blob who wants to be a bellhop, a wyvern, a were-pomeranian, a yeti, the anti-Christ, and two headmasters who are totally in love with each other and would do anything for the children?! I'm instantly obsessed and in love.
Without spoiling the first book, Somewhere Beyond the Sea continues the story of the "dangerous" children of Marsyas Island as they continue to navigate a world where magic is often misunderstood and feared. The government continues its investigation into the orphanage with a focus on Arthus Parnassus, the founding headmaster (a magical orphan himself) who constantly tries to protect the children and give them the tools they need to face those who look down on them for being different. Honestly, this book tackles some serious themes on acceptance and what it means to be inclusive, swirled with a whole lot of wholesome fun, adventure, and imagination.
Oh, and T.J. Klune dedicates the book to the trans community and cites themselves as the "anti-J.K. Rowling," which is pretty iconic.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: YA fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, comedy, low fantasy, romance, found family, magic
3.House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
You might know Sarah J. Maas for her ultra-popular series A Court of Thorns and Roses (Throne of Glass is better, and I'll stand on that), but I decided to start her latest Crescent City series this year, starting with House of Earth and Blood. There are three books currently out (I haven't read the third yet), but House of Earth and Blood surprised me because I didn't think I would like it since it took me a while to get into it. But let me tell you: once I was in, I was IN.
WHY I LOVED IT: I've read every single book Sarah J. Maas has written, so I went into this book thinking I had a general sense of what was about to go down. Boy, was I wrong. First of all, it took me a while to become immersed in the book because the world was a little hard to follow because there was just so much. There was a whole lot of lore and aspects of the world to remember, and it didn't help that there wasn't a map or anything to refer back to. However, after everything became more comfortable, I could not put this book down.
This book follows Bryce Quinlan, a half-fae, half-human woman who lives in — you guessed it — Crescent City, a hi-tech place where a whole bunch of supernatural beings reside. But after Bryce's bestie suffers a gruesome death, she's determined to find out what happened and who's responsible. With the help of Hunt, a super powerful (and hot) fallen angel, she uncovers the city's secrets — and what her best friend was so intent on keeping hidden.
This book was action-packed, kept me guessing, and had me kicking my feet at Bryce and Hunt's witty banter. And in classic Sarah J. Maas fashion, the last 100 pages were WILD. 10/10.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Fantasy, urban fantasy, high fantasy, romantasy, supernatural, magic, spice, strong female leads, slow-burn romance
4.Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
OK, I know I said this list has no particular order, but I think the Defy the Night trilogy is, like, my second favorite thing I read this year (as a whole). Defy the Night was actually the first book I read in 2024, and whenever I think back on it (like right now), I'm shocked by how good it was. Not because I had low expectations or anything, but because it was so refreshing to read.
WHY I LOVED IT: This book is set in Kandala, a kingdom whose people have been dealing with a deadly illness of unknown origins. The only thing that can seemingly keep the illness at bay is moonflower, but moonflower is rationed to the point where not everyone can receive it, particularly those in the kingdom who are poor. In an attempt to help, Tessa, a healer, regularly meets up with a guy named Weston, and in Robin Hood-esque fashion, the masked duo regularly go door-to-door delivering aid to those suffering from the illness. To protect their identities, Weston and Tessa have no idea what the other looks like, but they very much ~ understand each other~ and share the same hatred for the kingdom's royal family. But when the monarchy takes an interest in Tessa and her skillset, she finds herself in the middle of a looming rebellion, political tensions, and an unexpected connection with Prince Corrick.
What made this book so refreshing to read was that it was a fantasy book that almost read like a mystery? Plus, I don't believe there's any magic! It was just straight-up a good plot, incredibly likable characters, great writing, and sweet romance. BTW, book 2 had me giggling and giddily kicking my feet, and book 3 had me in a CHOKEHOLD. Just read it.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: YA fantasy, fantasy, romantasy, dual POV, romance, trilogies, fiction, strong female leads
5.The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
If you love a series like I do, it's time for you to consider this book. Mind you, I've only read the first two books out of, like, seven, but the first two were so good that I genuinely don't think I would ever regret recommending them to anyone.
WHY I LOVED IT: This book is a dystopian sci-fi fantasy set in the UK where clairvoyants exist and are hunted by police and vilified by the government. The story follows Paige Mahoney, who has an extremely rare power and works in a powerful position for an underground criminal organization called the Syndicate. However, Paige gets attacked and taken by a race of people called the Rephaim, and she is forced into servitude in a hidden city. Paige hones in her skills and strengthens her abilities under the "mentorship" of a Rephaim she calls Warden, all while desperately trying to find a way to freedom before she is enslaved forever. But when Paige learns more about Warden's past and the history of the Rephaim, she realizes the Bone Season and the hidden city is just the surface.
There is honestly so much to this book and world that my silly little words can't do them justice. The magic system is so intricate and thorough, Paige is such a badass, and the stakes are SO HIGH. There was truly never a dull moment, and I never knew what was going to happen.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Fantasy, sci-fi fantasy, paranormal, strong female leads, magic, dystopian, slow-burn romance, urban fantasy, found family, romantasy
6.When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This was a beautiful and tragic story that had me tearing up so badly during the last 25% of it. I read a couple of memoirs this year, but When Breath Becomes Air truly did a number on me.
WHY I LOVED IT: Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon and writer who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. His memoir documents his journey from a medical student to doctor to — eventually — patient. It gives thought-provoking insight into how he viewed morality and existence and managed throughout his treatments and diagnosis, all while giving readers a sort of "deep dive" into medical procedures and terminology.
This book was posthumously published as Paul passed before his memoir was finished. However, Paul's wife, Lucy, wrote the epilogue in the book, which, as you can imagine, had me bawling my eyes out. This was just a stunning, stunning read that I often think about.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Memoirs, nonfiction, biographies, science
7.An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Nothing can encapsulate my utter love for these books, so I'm just going to hope you guys believe me when I say this is one of the best series I've ever read. I read all four this year, but An Ember in the Ashes is just THAT girl.
WHY I LOVED IT: I'm actually ashamed that I didn't find this book sooner because it has everything I could possibly want in a fantasy novel and MORE. OK, this book is set in a Rome-inspired empire with an oppressive ruler, class division, and an extremely brutal military. The two main characters are Laia of Serra, a Scholar girl who becomes entangled in the rebellion and agrees to become a slave in the empire's military school as a spy in exchange for the rebels' help to rescue her imprisoned brother — and Elias Venturias. Elias is a top soldier in the military academy from a well-known and rich family but wants to get away from the violence and run away. But under the watchful eye of the Commandment, meeting such goals seems almost impossible — especially when Elias finds himself needing to compete against his fellow classmates in brutal wargames.
There's action, there's romance, there's brutality, there's desperation, there's politics, there's EVERYTHING! Wow, the way I might need to reread this book in 2025.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Fantasy, YA, romantasy, dystopian, strong female leads, dual POV, slow-burn romance, magic, love triangles
8.The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
I love a whodunnit book, and Lucy Foley fills my cup every time. The Midnight Feast is her most recent publication, and I think it's my favorite among the other books I've read by her!
WHY I LOVED IT: This book is mainly set in a large estate referred to as The Manor, which was turned into a resort-like getaway spot for the wealthy. The Manor is owned by a woman named Francesca, and little does she know that one of the guests — Bella — is at The Manor to confront her about a life-altering incident that's been haunting Bella for over a decade. However, as secrets about The Manor begin to unravel, it turns out it might not just be Bella with a bone to pick.
Honestly, the vibes of this book are EERIE, and I loved every bit of it. The characters and their personalities were so distinct, and I was so immersed in the story and mystery that I think I read this book in under 24 hours because I just had to know WTF was going on! If you're looking for a fast-paced, spooky read, The Midnight Feast is surely a contender.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Mystery, thriller, fiction, whodunnit, multi-POV, small-town stories
9.One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
If I could describe this book (and duology) in one word, it would be "HUH?!" but in the most positive way possible. One Dark Window has one of the most unique magic systems I've seen in a fantasy book because all the magic depends on a deck of cards (not quite like in Caraval, either). Depending on which card you possess, you can tap into that card's power and use it as much as you'd like — but not without consequence. This book was a wild, wild ride, and I got through the duology in, like, three days.
WHY I LOVED IT: This is a dark fantasy about princes, families named after trees, a broody (and hot) royal guardsman, magic cards, and a woman possessed by a demon. What more can I say? But if you want a little rundown...
This story follows Elspeth, a young woman who accidentally tapped into the power of the rare Nightmare card when she was younger and now has this demon-like entity she calls Nightmare living in her head. What makes Elspeth special is that she can "sense" when there are other cards in her presence and knows which ones they are. Because of this, she's basically contracted by the royals so she can try to unite the full deck of cards so that the dark magic that's infecting the people of Blunder can be cured. Of course, not everything is as easy as it seems, and all magic comes with a price.
This book was so fast-paced and entertaining and held a very mystifying and almost gothic atmosphere throughout. I was engrossed the entire time, and I fell in love with basically all of the characters!
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Dark fantasy, fantasy, gothic, romantasy, dual POV, magic
10.Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Hear me out: I'm not entirely sure if I understood this book, but I fully enjoyed it. This was one of the strangest, most whimsical, and most bizarre books I've ever read, and I loved every drop of it.
WHY I LOVED IT: If I'm being honest, I don't even know how to describe this semi-silly goose of a book. As I said, I'm unsure if I absorbed it the way Susanna Clarke intended, but basically, it's about this person named Piranesi who lives in this exceptionally wild labyrinth of some sort, complete with endless halls, tons of statues, a whole lot of rooms, and an ocean that frequently floods the lower levels. Piranesi has his whole morning, afternoon, and night routine down, where he basically takes care of the labyrinth. But then, Piranesi has reason to believe that there's another person in "the House" with him, whom he calls "The Other." Piranesi is confronted with the possibility that the labyrinth is not what he thought it was and begins questioning his memories, experiences, and what lies beyond the House's halls.
This book scared me! The mystery surrounding The Other was so compelling that I finished this book in one sitting. I remember dropping my jaw when I learned more about Piranesi and the "truth" about the labyrinth, and I sincerely didn't even know what to think about the ending. Like, I felt delusional reading it, so IDK how Piranesi managed.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Fiction, magic, philosophy, science fiction, literary fiction
11.A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Brigid Kemmerer, you have bewitched me body and soul this year. Yes, I decided to try out another Kemmerer book after the Defy the Night trilogy left me broken and in pieces (positive), and this one was an absolute smash with me as well.
WHY I LOVED IT: I love a Beauty & the Beast retelling, and I won't apologize for it! A Curse So Dark and Lonely is about a young woman named Harper who lives in Washington, DC, and is just going through it. Not only does her mom have cancer, but her older brother started doing "jobs" for the same seedy people their dad got involved with and now constantly owes them money. One night, while Harper is waiting for her brother to come back from a deal, she attacks a man whom she noticed was carrying an unconscious woman. The man, who turns out to be a prince's commander from another realm, transports Harper into the prince's castle, where she is kept prisoner (remember, this is Beauty & the Beast). Meanwhile, Prince Rhen is trying to break the horrific curse that turns him into a monster after every season with ~ true love~. He really doesn't think Harper is the one who'll break the curse, but...well, you see where I'm going.
I loved this book SO MUCH. Harper is a badass with cerebral palsy, Prince Rhen is a tortured soul who needs to learn how to catch a vibe, and Commander Grey is a dark-haired broody hottie who is constantly torn between loyalty and love. There's fun banter, romance, sword fights, lying, and YEARNING!
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Fantasy, romantasy, strong female leads, slow-burn romance, dual POV, love triangles, magic, retellings
12.A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
This book has been around for a while (2007), but I think I'm late to Khaled Hosseini's books in general because I read The Kite Runner for the first time last year and was absolutely blown away. And after reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, I was equally, if not more, amazed and, yes, cried multiple times throughout the book. This is a story about the unrelenting power of female friendship, the grim realities and oppression women face against the backdrop of Afghanistan's history, and the strength of women, PERIOD!
WHY I LOVED IT: This book centers around two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila. Mariam grew up in solitude and shame since she was the child of a rich businessman and his servant. On the flip side, Laila is a young, educated girl from Kabul with a more progressive societal outlook. But when Laila's parents are victims of a bombing, she is forced into an arranged marriage with Mariam's abusive husband, Rasheed. At first, Mariam resents Laila, but the two slowly form a strong bond as they face Rasheed's abuse and navigate war, political upheaval, and the severe rules and treatment of women in Afghanistan.
This book quite literally took my heart in its hands and strangled it. The resilience of Mariam, Laila, and the other women in the story was inspiring, and the characters were all so life-like that it felt like I knew them. I loved, loved, loved this book, and one quote that resonated with me so deeply is: "Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman."
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE: Historical fiction, fiction, literary fiction, strong female friendships, strong female leads
And that wraps up my top 12 books of the year! Thank you for reading through all my passionate yappin' about these books. I read so many other wonderful and incredible stories in 2024, but I'm excited to see what 2025 has in store! Half of me wants to challenge myself to read 80 books again, while the other half wants to try...maybe 83? I guess we'll see, but I'm sure there will definitely be some rereads in the future.
Here's a recap of all the books on the list:
• The Will of the Many by James Islington
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
• House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
• Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
• The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
• The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
• Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
• A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I'm always looking for book recs and love to hear what other people are reading or have read, so I'd love to know what your favorite books of the year were and what you're looking forward to reading in the new year! Comment down below, and let's talk books!
(Also, very willing to talk about the popular books this year that I DIDN'T like... *cough* Fourth Wing *cough*.)
