Category: book lists

I have a very hard time picking just one favorite book, so this past few years I’ve been picking my favorites by category and genre, sometimes adding or removing a few depending on what I read this year.

So without further ado, here are the books that I loved for 2024

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Fiction:

Mystery & Thriller: Listen for the lie by Amy Tintera

This was a #bookstagrammademedoit pick. I went in almost blind, and it truly surprised me. The story had me instantly hooked. I was suspicious of everyone and everything, second guessing every one of my predictions every time a new detail was revealed throughout. The MC was great as an unreliable narrator, and how she involved herself with the podcast host who was looking into her case, it had me feeling like I was witnessing a train wreck as it happened in slow motion. The podcast addition was great. It was so twisty and fast paced, I couldn’t stop listening.
I loved the dual audiobook narrators, who really made the story come alive.

Runner up: One perfect couple by Ruth Ware

Historical Fiction: Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

Moloka’i was one of my favorite books of 2023, I knew I had to read the follow up. The story follows Ruth, the daughter pf Rachel, the protagonist from Moloka’i, her story was at times so different but in many aspects so similar to that of her moms. In Ruth’s story, we see how she’s adopted into a loving family, and how she grows to be an adult that faces tragedy and uncertainty. The parts during Japanese internment were specially heartbreaking. I loved getting to see Rachel again, how their stories finally connect and how they develop a relationship as adults.

Overall, both are amazing and beautifully written novels, that I highly recommend.

Runner up: Anita de Monte laughs last by Xochitl Gonzalez

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Adult Contemporary: And so I roar by Abi  Daré

I honestly went into this book blind, just knowing it was the follow up to The Girl with the Louding voice was enough for me.
Adunni once again ginds herself having to fight for her basic rights, of freedom, of getting an education, of living a full life where she want to give back to her community.
Ultimately the story and message are beautiful, uplifting and powerful, but not before taking us through harrowing, gut wrenching and heartbreaking moments.
Adunni goes through moments where we think nothing will change, but she’s willing to fight to the very end, to roar to be heard, since she’s not even aloud to have a voice. She magages to make it to the other side, having shown how resilient and strong she is, and helping other girls in her village also have a voice to speak for themselves.

The audiobook narrator brought the story and the characters to life.
Like the first book, this story will stay with me for a long time. I think both books are must reads.

Young Adult Fantasy: Ruthless vows by Rebecca Ross

This was the perfect sequel to conclude this beautiful duology. The pacing felt perfect, there was more action but it didn’t feel rushed. We learn more about the Gods, their magic and the magical world in this book, but still, the historical fiction feel remains. This one deals more with separation, loss, and grief, we see the people, not just the flashy parts of war, but those that are affected deeply by the conflict. There were so many emotions in the end, it had my heart breaking and reattaching itself over and over. I loved the audiobooks having the 2 POV with each narrator doing a fantastic job.

Runner up: A tall dark trouble by Vanessa Montalban

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Cozy Fantasy: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

I absolutely loved this book and this series. The story is again told through Emily’s academic journal entries, I find her footnotes to be so amusing and informative at the same time. The author does such a fantastic job making you feel inside the story, with such detailed and nuanced descriptions. There was more action from the start kept the story moving at a good pace, then coupled with the different magical locations, with a new set of Folk and magical creatures is so incredibly charming. I enjoyed how the MCs relationship develops from reluctant colleagues, to friends to lovers. And I absolutely love their constant banter.

As the previous, the narrator was just absolutely perfect. This was the perfect sequel and exceeded all my expectations.

Magical Realism: The Cemetery of untold stories by Julia Alvarez

This novel was an absolute treat to read. I found this one to be the perfect mix of contemporary, historical and magical realism that somehow works.

My favorite character was Filomena, so quiet and humble, she’s been underrated her whole life. But it’s to her that the characters of Alma’s stories start to speak to. I loved how all of them were masterfully weaved together. The characters felt like old family and friends. The audiobook narration was fantastic.

As a writer, I also have stories and characters that haunt me. So the focus of this book really spoke to me, the importance of stories, memories, who gets to tell them and how sometimes, some things are better left burried.

Runner up: We need no wings by Ann Davila Cardinal

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Fantasy Romance: When the moon hatched (Moonfall #1) by Sarah A Parker

I don’t think I can do this book justice. I think it deserves all the hype it got and then some. Initially took me a while to understand what was going on, but the story had me engaged and constantly thinking, as it has so many layers and intricacies. But when they all clicked together I was honestly mindblown.

I felt connected to the characters and felt their emotions as they played out in the story. I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the romance, the action, the steam… and the descriptions made everything feel so beautiful and I was lost in the magic. The audio narration was fantastic as well.

Runner up: Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco

Adult Romance: The Paradise problem by Christina Lauren

CLo wrote the perfect summer romance book with a mix of banter and lust and over the top richness. The characters, appearing polar opposites, had enough in common to hit is off, with a simmering burn that then exploded into perfect amount of spice.
I loved how they faced things and discussed them head on, avoided the “insta love” and managed to given them time to properly fall into each others lives, making it believable despite the unbelievable circumstances of the whole event.

Runner up: Funny story by Emily Henry

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Poetry: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

I can’t believe I waited so long to read this one. I savored every poem and I felt so many spoke to me and my feelings at different parts of my life. Even those that didn’t, I could still feel the emotions and the turmoil. I will be reading this again.

Graphic Novel: Lightfall series by Tim Probert

I have absolutely loved reading this series. The development of the characters and the story, with beautiful and colorful illustrations that bring this wonderful and cosy fantasy world to life.

Runner up: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

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Middle grade: Impossible creatures by Katherine Rundell

This book is a gem. It’s been getting a lot of hype worh good reason. There isn’t anything particularly new or original about it, 2 kids trying to fix a big problem imthat has the potential to destroy the world as we now it, trials to be faced, magical creatures, interesting and fun side characters. Yet, the way the author has come up with the story m, feels so original. The feelings the story stirs up, going through a wide range of emotions but managing to end up feeling hopeful and uplifted.

Runner up: Something like home by Andrea Beatriz Arango.

Children’s Picture Book: Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Yas Imamura

This beautifully story brings to life a horrible chapter in American history. While in the Japanese internment camps a couple meets and falls in love. It teaches in a easy to understand manner for children what happened, yet it highlights that even among all the horrific circumstances, still there hope of something pure and good to flourish. Despite being a children’s book, I think this one can be appreciated by anyone at any age.

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Non-Fiction

Memoir: The diary of Anne Frank graphic adaptation by Ari Folman & ilustrated by David Polonsky

This graphic adaptation of the story of Anne Frank and her family when they went into hiding during the WWII was masterfully adapted and illustrated. I read Anne Frank’s diary in the past, but this version gave me a different reading experience and helped me visualize the setting much better. The graphic format can make it more accessible to readers who might not read the whole version.

Personal Development: Atomic Habits

This book was so surprising in a positive way. I found the information to be helpful in my work and a topic I usually discuss with my patients and feel it will be of benefit.

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So that’s it for this year. I’m looking forward to keeping the same diversity as I had this year and maybe read more nonfiction.

What were your favorite books of the year?

Have you read any of the ones I have on my list?

Tell me in the comments.