Favourite Books of 2024!

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with my Favourite Books of 2024!

So far I've read 50 in total, and I am hoping to read two more before the month is out, but as of now, I have comprised a list of all of the ones I have finished! 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy reading. 

~Favourite Books of 2024~

1. Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, by Matthew Perry

Every time I'm on my way home, I remember hearing Matthew Perry's voice telling me his version of his life. It's hard not to add a story that so moved me, onto my yearly favourites list. I know it's easy to love something after it's gone, but Matthew Perry's story has really stuck with me, especially after it's no longer possible to tell him that. 

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terribe Thing is an astonishingly moving, honest novel about Matthew Perry and his trials and tribulations, as well as his successes in his acting career; and then there are parts, also extremely honest, within his personal life. Of course, they were intertwined, as all of our lives are. 

Absolutely phenomenal novel. 

2. Dragon Republic (The Poppy War #2), by R.F. Kuang

I know everyone will have their own opinion on which of these is there favourite, and ordinarily, I'd be going with the first book in the series, given they usually have a clear premise, and I know what to expect- somewhat. 

In The Dragon Republic the floodgates open- the plot goes in so many directions, so many new characters are introduced, and the ones I had already met in the first one grow so much- it's bloody chaos. That's more or less what the story is. 

I have no idea how R.F. Kuang imagined this story up, but it never once feels rushed- it's always fast paced, but you never feel like you don't know what's going on. Sometimes when reading this book I gasped out loud, or covered my eyes, because I didn't want to believe what I was reading. 

I wish I could pick this book up again with fresh eyes again, to take it in again, completely new. 

3.Beyond the Wand, by Tom Felton

I'm beginning to wonder how both autobiographies I picked up this year (not including my CR) have ended up on my Favourites List (I'm either picky or just really good at picking my autobiographies- or maybe it's just that I listened to them on Audible). 

But whatever the reason, what started as a book I wanted to get to and finish before the end of the month, ended up as so much more than that. 

Tom Felton's storyt-telling, from describing his upbringing, to getting to meet some of the acting greats- both before and during his time filming the Harry Potter films- was light-hearted, candid and funny, and it was that voice that made it such easy reading, and made for a nice balance when he was talking about the less fun stuff he had to deal with as an adult. I would recommend this book to any HP fan that wanted to know more about the rival to 'the boy who lived'. 

4. A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness

Wow. 

What an emotional read. Story about a boy that has to come to terms with his mum's declining condition, and learn to let go. 

I was in tears throughout this book- and not becuase it was the fourth book I'd picked up that day. 

I genuinely can't believe it's been three months since I picked this one up, because I still remember it, like it was yesterday. 

I'm genuinely trying not to just write single sentences about this, but honestly, I'm struggling to find the words that can best describe how this book made me feel. I was distraught, my heart was sobbing inside. I was sad. I was so desperately hoping that the unthinkable would happen, and the boy's mother would pull through. What this book does to you- it tugs on your heart-strings. 

Just read it guys. It's amazing. 

5. The Women, by Kristin Hannah 

If you want my most in-depth thoughts about this book, you can click the link on the title and read my full out review. 

The Women, in short is a story about the Vietnam nurses in the 1960s. We follow Frankie, who is determined to do her bit for her country, and to follow her brother into the Vietnam War- to help the soldiers that are fighting for freedom. 

Surrounded by bloodshed, of soldiers with limbs falling off, Frankie is fighting a losing battle, and she knows it, for she doesn't have half the supplies or staff needed to feel like she's making any sort of difference. Just carry on she must, for she made a promise- to carry on, and do as much as she can. 

And then she leaves, to return to the society that considers it a crime to have served in the Vietnam War, (the soldiers don't even believe that there were any women in the Vietnam War). 

The Women is a moving, powerful story about a minority group that served their country, and got all the bullshit dropped on them, upon returning home. The Women centres around Frankie, Barb and Ethel- three powerful women that will stick with you long after you finish the last page. 

6. Daydream (Maple Hills #3), by Hannah Grace

And my final Favourite of the Year- of course it was going to be Daydream! I've loved the Mapel Hills books more and more, each time I've picked one up! 

I've talked about this book maybe three times since I first mentioned it, so if you want to know what it's about, either go and find my November Wrap Up, my July- September Anticipated Releases post, or my November TBR, cos all the details are on there! 

The Maple Hills trilogy are all cute, romance based YA novels, with lovable, funny, yet realistic characters with genuine issues that need to be worked through. I do not think I could love any Hannah Grace book more than I love these stories. 

But never say never. 

Okay! Those are my Favourite Books of the year! Since I hope to read more next year, I'm hoping I won't have to think so hard, and I may even have a longer list! (Or it may be ten times harder- who knows!) 

I hope you have a lovely evening, and I'll see you all soon with my 2024 Wrap Up! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx