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I’m a little late to the recap party, but somehow it feels like perfect timing to reflect on the books I read in 2024. Last year’s reading journey was nothing short of extraordinary. Join me as I take a look back at the characters, plots, and themes that shaped my literary adventures. These books are in no particular order!
Highly anticipated book 2 of the Davenport series. I immensely enjoyed book 1 and was so happy when book 2 came out in the late fall. We immediately catch with all the main characters from book 1. What’s great about The Davenports series overall is reading the experiences of wealthy Black families in the 1900s which we rarely read about. More than This is great if you enjoy compelling female leads, barrier-breaking women, heartwarming romance, family dynamics, and exploring American history.
I randomly select this book on Libby while search for my next read. Think I have type about historical fiction. Mary Not Broken is far different than the Book above. We follow the main character, Mary throughout her life and decisions that are made for her and by her and the implications they have. Apparently, this is part of series but can standalone it is the prequel to, The Bishop Women series. During my time reading this book I constantly thought of the song, Mary Don’t You Weep sang by Aretha Franklin.
In 2024, I decided to dive into a classic. I’ve always loved The Lord of the Rings movies, enjoyed The Hobbit films, and got into the Rings of Power series. I even have a yearly tradition of rewatching the LOTR movies—no set time, just whenever the mood strikes. This year, I decided it was finally time to read a book from the universe. I started with The Hobbit after checking the Tolkien Society for the reading order. It’s a fun, adventurous, and short read, though Bilbo annoyed me at times. The Desolation of Smaug felt like a blur—listening to the audiobook, I almost missed how Smaug was killed because it happened so quickly. Maybe I’ll tackle another Tolkien book soon!
I noticed this book was constantly being checked out at my library, so I finally gave it a try. That’s how I was introduced to the genre of romantasy. While it’s a very long book that could’ve used some editing, I enjoyed it—especially the world-building and the intense moments. The main character, Violet, has weak bones and lives with constant pain, offering some thoughtful disability representation. The story feels like a mix of Harry Potter, Divergent, and The Maze Runner, which gave me a nice dose of early 2000s nostalgia.
After reading book 1 I immediately checked out book 2. Again, the series immediately picks up where it left such a plus for any book series. I really enjoyed this book, this time it leaned heavily into the politics of its world, which I found fascinating to learn about. In my opinion, there were some filler parts that made the story feel a bit drawn out, but overall, it was a great read. The spicy romance part is also very heavy in part, very angsty love which was annoying at times. Overall, a good book.
Probably my favorite book of the year, James is a retelling and reimagining of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Quick story: in high school, we read Huckleberry Finn, and it’s riddled with the n-word. Our teacher read it aloud, and it made me really uncomfortable, but as a young student, I didn’t know how to react. Some people seem to feel it’s okay to say it because it’s in literature, but I still don’t think that’s right. Well, James makes up for that. James makes up for that—his character outsmarts the white people around him, living a duality many Black people understand. James brings humanity to the enslaved and adds a fresh perspective to a classic.
Historical Fiction was definitely my most-read genre in 2024. I came across this book on Libby, and it’s a fictionalized account of the real women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Told from the perspectives of Judy, Mary Alyce, and Charity Adams, the story highlights these incredibly strong women who faced numerous challenges while performing vital work sorting and delivering mail, with all odds stacked against them. The book offers rich storytelling and a fascinating look into a piece of history I didn’t know. A big thank you to the women of the 6888th Battalion. Tyler Perry also made a Netflix movie about them.
While browsing my Kindle app, I came across a section of novellas and found Fallen Grace by Sadeqa Johnson, who also wrote House of Eve, which I truly enjoyed. When I saw this book, I was excited—it’s a continuation of a side character we met in House of Eve. The novella follows Bubbles, who successfully escapes the home for unwed mothers with her baby. As we follow her journey, she faces many disappointments, but you can’t help but root for her when it seems like everything is finally coming together.
Glory Be was fun reading for the summer. The book is about an older woman, Glory solving the murder of her best friend with the help of her daughter. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the story moving and the reader guessing. Despite some of the serious issues explored, there’s a great touch of humor throughout. But the best part of the story is Glory B herself—a complete force of nature. She’s brash and outspoken, yet also loyal, brave, and good-hearted, especially when it comes to her friends and her daughter. At times, she reminded me so much of my own mother. Can’t wait for the next book.
This story starts out feeling very YA, which makes sense since the characters are teenagers. However, it’s not a YA fantasy, and despite the young characters. The Blood Trials is fast-paced, full of action, and features a well-described magic system that adds mystery without being confusing. Ikenna, the strong-willed main character, makes bad choices that lead to both gains and consequences, and her incredible group of friends makes you root for them all. The world-building is vibrant, reflecting real-world issues like politics, racism, and sexism, while still keeping the story separate from today’s world.
The Lincoln Lawyer series is always a good series to pick up when you need something to read. The TV series on Netflix is amazing however, I am very upset with what they did to Eddie’s character. Every book in the series has a strong plot, and this one is no exception. After successfully overturning another client’s conviction, Mickey takes on the case of Lucinda Sanz, who is convicted of murdering her husband, a sheriff. The story is filled with twists and turns, especially during the final courtroom scene, which genuinely surprised me. Read my full review here.
I think I read Angry Cookie while shelving it onto the return cart at the library. It looked fun. Angry Cookie warns readers not to open the book, but when they keep turning the pages, he decides to share the story of his bad day. As he recounts his misery and the reader remains, Angry Cookie learns that having someone listen makes him feel better. The story teaches that friends stay around through bad moods and mistakes, reminding readers that sharing both the good and bad helps us cope with all emotions. A good lesson for adults to remember.
This book totally hooked me! It’s thought-provoking, captivating, and kind of mind-bending. I found myself really getting into the characters—their struggles, how they adjusted to a new normal, and all the twists in their stories. Many of the events, characters, and journeys felt oddly similar to what we’re facing in real life. There were so many moments when this book made me reflect on current affairs and my own life as I saw parallels with the characters or events. Read the full review here.
As I wrap up my 2024 reading journey, I’m super grateful for the wild mix of stories that made my year so much fun! From heartwarming tales of love and resilience to mind-bending adventures in totally bonkers worlds, each book had its own little impact. Here’s to the joy of reading and all the amazing stories waiting for me this year!
The Book Review Template is perfect for taking quick notes on how you feel about the characters, theme, plot, or whatever seems important to you. Additionally, there are helpful phrases and descriptors to help write your review.
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