More of My Favorite Books of 2024
Around July, I wrote about my top favorite books I have read for the first half of 2024. Now here is a review of the top 10 books for the second half of my favorite books of 2024.
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
One of the most compelling thrillers I have read is A Flicker in the Dark. Chloe Davis is a psychologist with a complicated past—her father was arrested for killing six teenage girls. Twenty years later, two more girls go missing, and Chloe must uncover the connection between these disappearances and her father’s past crimes.
I could not get enough of A Flicker in the Dark. I stayed up late to finish it as quickly as possible. Willingham introduces multiple suspects, all with motive and opportunity, from the main character herself to her fiancé. However, I figured out the identity of the real murderer halfway through, which made the second half a bit frustrating—I kept mentally screaming the answer while waiting for the story to catch up.
2. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
I can appreciate a good romance novel. The Unhoneymooners came to me as a recommendation, and although I was hesitant to read it, I ended up enjoying it.
Olive considers herself unlucky, especially compared to her twin sister, Ami, who seems to have everything go her way. But when Ami and her new husband fall sick at their wedding, she insists that Olive take their non-refundable honeymoon trip—with Ethan, the best man. The only problem? Olive and Ethan can’t stand each other.
Enemies-to-lovers is my favorite romance trope, and while the story is definitely unrealistic, The Unhoneymooners is a light, entertaining read—perfect if you're in a reading slump. I finished it in three days and enjoyed watching Olive and Ethan’s relationship develop. They weren’t particularly likable, but the story itself was fun and engaging.
3. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She wrote The Diamond Eye, one of my all-time favorite books, and The Rose Code was just as compelling.
The Rose Code follows the stories of three young women working at Bletchley Park during World War II. After the war ends, they go their separate ways—until they reunite to break one final code and uncover a traitor.
This novel is a captivating blend of history, fiction, and mystery. I flew through it because it was so engrossing. The three main characters have distinct backgrounds and personalities, yet they work together seamlessly. Their alternating perspectives create a dynamic flow that keeps me on the edge of my seat.
4. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Home Before Dark is a thriller with horror elements. Normally, I don’t enjoy horror, but I couldn’t stop reading this one.
After her father’s death, Maggie Holt returns to her childhood home—the infamous house her father claimed was haunted. He wrote a bestselling book about their terrifying experiences there, but Maggie never believed his account. That is, until strange events begin mirroring the horrors described in his book. Now, she must uncover the secrets of the house—and her past.
Despite its horror elements, Home Before Dark was one of my favorite reads this year. The eerie atmosphere, unsettling twists, and creeping tension kept me turning pages late into the night. While some plot points felt predictable, the final reveals were still satisfying and chilling in the best way.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
If you enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, then The House in the Cerulean Sea offers a similar vibe.
Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He is assigned to investigate and report on Arthur Parnassus and his orphanage, home to six extraordinarily powerful—and supposedly dangerous—magical children.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heartwarming story. Though the children are labeled as “dangerous,” they are still just kids in need of love and acceptance. This novel beautifully explores themes of found family and unconditional care as Linus discovers a sense of belonging with Arthur and the children.
6. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Mad Honey follows the lives of beekeeper Olivia, her son Asher, and his girlfriend Lily. When Lily is found dead, the town immediately suspects Asher, forcing Olivia to revisit their past and confront unsettling truths about her son.
This novel explores themes of self-identity, the complexities of parent-child relationships, and the tangled emotions of teenage love. A blend of romance, mystery, and thriller, Mad Honey kept me questioning every character and turning pages until the very end.
7. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I have recommended Lessons in Chemistry to several people because of its powerful feminist message. Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist living in the 1960s, but her genius is constantly stifled by the men she works with. When a TV producer offers her the chance to host a cooking show, Elizabeth not only teaches women how to cook but also encourages them to challenge societal norms.
I enjoyed the plot of Lessons in Chemistry, but I found Elizabeth’s character unrelatable. Her struggles as a woman in a male-dominated world are real and compelling, but her personality felt too robotic—too literal, with no humor and very little warmth. While I did not particularly like her, I sympathized with her fight to succeed as a chemist despite the constant obstacles placed in her way by the men around her.
8. The Dry by Jane Harper
I love a good thriller with a small-town murder, and The Dry is no exception.
Aaron Falk, a federal police investigator, returns to his drought-stricken hometown in Victoria, Australia, to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke Hadler, and Luke’s family. But as Falk reluctantly stays to investigate, a long-buried secret he and Luke shared threatens to resurface.
The Dry is packed with plot twists and compelling characters, each hiding their own secrets. I found myself gasping as each revelation unfolded, leading to a gripping and satisfying conclusion as Falk pieces together the truth behind his friend’s death.
9. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
I never would have read Inkheart if someone hadn’t given it to me, but I ended up loving it.
Meggie and her father share a deep love for books. She has always dreamed of stepping into the worlds of her favorite stories, but she never expected it to happen. One night, a mysterious guest appears at their house, and suddenly, Meggie and her father are thrust into a world she thought only existed in books.
Inkheart is a book within a book—a fantasy world brought to life, where its characters threaten to upend reality. As Meggie journeys across Europe to stop the villains from destroying her world, she uncovers the true power of stories. While I would have loved to read the actual story of Inkheart, this book itself is just as magical.
10. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Animal Farm is a classic novel that many students read in school. The entire book serves as an allegory for the rise of the Soviet Union and corruption in general, told through the story of farm animals who rebel against their human owner. Their goal is to create a society where animals are free to work for themselves without human interference. However, as the pigs take control, they become increasingly corrupt, mirroring the very oppression they sought to escape.
While I did not particularly enjoy Animal Farm, I appreciated its political and societal allegory. The novel’s depiction of government corruption and blind loyalty felt unsettlingly realistic, making it a thought-provoking but ultimately depressing read.
