When done on your terms and with the intention to gain knowledge, perspective or simply lighthearted relaxation, reading is a gift.

Even if you’re not the biggest reader or you find you don’t have enough hours in the day, cracking open a new best-seller, a page-turning thriller or a heartwarming contemporary romance read doesn’t have to be another “chore.” If you commit to reading 50 pages a day, you’ll be surprised at how reading will seamlessly enter your daily routine.

That’s what I did, and I read 128 books in 2024.

Of course, there were many days I read more than 50 pages of a book because I couldn’t put it down. I sourced recommendations from a variety of sources, including Reese’s Book Club, Rory Gilmore’s Reading List that’s chock-full of classics and renowned literature, Read with Jenna, Amazon’s Book Club (Sarah Selects), Book of the Month recommendations and more. Oh, and hunting down Goodreads and social media’s #BookTok.

After rounding up every book I completed monthly since January 2024, find the titles that earned a remarkable five-star rating. These are books that I’d recommend to practically anyone and that I’d certainly re-read a second time (or third, or fourth).

Oh, and you’ll want to sign up for Audible. If your schedule is packed or you’re frequently on the go, you can squeeze in more reading time come 2025 for your New Year’s resolution.

Goodreads rating: 3.30/5 stars

About the book: #FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar is a darkly satirical thriller that follows a fashion-obsessed influencer who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, betrayal and murder while navigating the cutthroat world of high fashion.

When I first read #FashionVictim, I instantly knew it was going to be unlike anything I’ve ever read — and it was. Set in the office of a glossy editorial magazine, it has the undercurrent of competition infused with a thrilling murder twist. You simply have to pick up this book to read more, and then you’ll be hooked on Akhtar’s other reads, like “Kismet” and “Almost Surely Dead.”

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Goodreads rating: 4.31/5 stars

About the book: “The Housemaid” by Frieda McFadden is a psychological thriller about a down-on-her-luck woman who takes a job as a housemaid for a wealthy family, only to become entangled in dark secrets, manipulation and a dangerous battle for power.

This book has been revered by thousands of people — and for a good reason. It’s one of the fastest thrillers you’ll read that infuses the unique perspective of a housemaid. There are other books in this series, including “The Housemaid’s Secret” and “The Housemaid is Watching,” making it one of the best to begin in the new year to jump into your reading goals.

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Goodreads rating: 3.98/5 stars

About the book: “Shark Heart” by Emily Habeck is a contemporary romance that follows a woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband undergoes a mysterious transformation into a shark, leading them to navigate love, identity and the boundaries of the human experience.

By far, “Shark Heart” is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read that’s equally as moving and introspective. When Wren’s husband Lewis receives a diagnosis that gradually transforms him into a great white shark, things take a one-of-a-kind turn. Most of all, the couple’s love story is infused on the pages and will remain with you after you finish the last page. Don’t underestimate this novel’s power to make you cry, too.

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Goodreads rating: 3.86/5 stars

About the book: “The Storm We Made” by Vanessa Chan is a speculative fiction novel that explores a future where climate change has wreaked havoc, and a group of young activists must confront their role in shaping a world teetering on the brink of collapse while grappling with personal and societal challenges.

One of the best historical fiction books I’ve read this year is “The Storm We Made” by Vanessa Chan. It centers on a housewife who also becomes a spy, with her dark secrets and way in which she approaches her family extremely well-written and engaging. If you don’t usually resort to historical fiction, I still recommend giving this character-driven plot a try.

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Goodreads rating: 3.54/5 stars

About the book: “Super Bloom” by Megan Tady is a contemporary novel about a young woman navigating her mental health struggles and personal growth while dealing with grief, family dynamics and the pressure to find herself in a world that feels increasingly overwhelming.

If there’s a book that homes in on a luxury Vermont spa, I’m all about it. The setting in and of itself is relaxing, but the plot is what makes it wholly inspiring. You’ll follow protagonist Joan Johnston’s journey on writing a romance novel, working at the spa (with behind-the-scenes secrets) falling in love and more. It’s witty and is a great cozy book to crack open next.

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Goodreads rating: 3.79/5 stars

About the book: “Say You’ll Be Mine” by Naina Kumar is a contemporary romance that follows two college rivals who, after a series of unexpected events, find themselves falling for each other despite their differences and the challenges that come with their complicated pasts.

I’m all about the romance books, and enemies-to-lovers has always been one of my favorite tropes. “Say You’ll Be Mine” is a fresh, new take at the arranged-marriage plot that expounds upon themes of culture, following life on your own terms and listening to your heart. Not too corny and delightful on every page, it surely deserved the five-star rating.

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Goodreads rating: 4.28/5 stars

About the book: “Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is a heartwarming romance about a successful doctor from a wealthy family who falls for a charming but rough-around-the-edges small-town carpenter, forcing them to navigate their differences and what it means to truly belong.”

Though “Part of Your World” wasn’t released this year, but “Yours Truly,” the second book in the Part of Your World series, released in 2023, and I was extremely behind. Rest assured, this heartwarming contemporary romance novel was worth the wait and features the two most adoring characters you’ll ever read about — and that’s saying something. Simply put, you must read it.

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Goodreads rating: 4.31/5 stars

About the book: “Yours Truly” by Abby Jimenez is a heartfelt romance about two doctors who develop a deep connection through a series of letters exchanged in the hospital where they work, navigating personal loss, healing and the possibility of new love.

Speaking of characters, “Yours Truly” is another contemporary romance novel that, unpopular opinion, I enjoyed a bit more than “Part of Your World.” Its plot will tug at your heartstrings as will the overarching warmth of Briana and Jacob’s interactions. Plus, it features one of the most inclusive and open-minded details, so bonus points to Jimenez.

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Goodreads rating: 3.76/5 stars

About the book: “Bye, Baby” by Carola Lovering is a gripping psychological thriller that follows a woman entangled in a toxic relationship with a man who has a dark past, forcing her to confront the secrets, manipulation and danger that come with their obsessive love.

The plot of “Bye, Baby” is still one that I think about constantly. I label it a “modern-day thriller” because of the urban and societal references sprinkled throughout. It’s one of the most engaging, and certainly one of my most-recommended picks for anyone starting a book club.

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Goodreads rating: 3.60/5 stars

About the book: “Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll” by M.G. Lord is an in-depth exploration of Barbie’s cultural impact, tracing the doll’s creation, evolution and significance in shaping gender roles, identity and consumerism over decades.

While the razzle-dazzle era of Barbie had its peak with the advent of the namesake film in 2023, it’s clear as day that the enterprise isn’t going anywhere — and this enigmatic unauthorized biography is proof in the pudding. It’s brilliant, rich in history and is a lighthearted read for anyone obsessed (or even subtly amused) by Barbie.

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Goodreads rating: 3.97/5 stars

About the book: “The Perfect Marriage” by Jeneva Rose is a psychological thriller about a successful lawyer whose seemingly perfect marriage unravels when her husband is accused of murdering his mistress, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about love, betrayal and truth.

Gripping until the very last page, “The Perfect Marriage” is the epitome of the phrase, “I didn’t see it coming.” With a dead mistress and a wife who’s thrown in the thick of it, this web of romance and suspense is one you have to tap into next — without giving too much away.

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Goodreads rating: 4.11/5 stars

About the book: “The Paradise Problem” by Christina Lauren is a romantic comedy that follows a woman who, after a disastrous breakup, unexpectedly finds herself navigating an all-inclusive vacation with her ex’s best friend, leading to unexpected sparks and personal growth.

I read this while vacationing on the Jersey Shore, and there couldn’t have been a better plot to sink into. It was also different than any other beach read I’ve picked up in the past, as they have to be “pretend lovers.” With an enjoyable, easy-read premise, you’ll love this 2024 release that’s written by one of the most adored author duos (yes, there are two authors!) in the genre.

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Goodreads rating: 3.64/5 stars

About the book: “The Villain Edit” by Laurie Devore is a darkly comedic young adult novel about a teenage girl who must navigate the cutthroat world of high school film production, grappling with friendship, rivalry and her own role in the narrative as she tries to rewrite her story.

For lovers of “The Bachelor,” “The Villain Edit” is the next-in-line book to read. It’s fun, spicy and a book perfect for any time of year. It’s filled with a propulsive psychological thrill and enticing romantic tension that’s difficult to shy away from.

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Goodreads rating: 4.03/5 stars

About the book: “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellors is a coming-of-age novel that follows the intertwined lives of two women — one a privileged young woman seeking meaning in her life, the other a talented but troubled artist — as they navigate love, ambition and self-discovery in a world shaped by complex family dynamics and personal challenges.

One of the most recent releases in 2024 is “Blue Sisters,” and arguably one of the best the year has brought us. Three estranged siblings return to their family home in New York after their beloved sister’s death and, while this sounds depressing, the intwined messaging of grief, identity and the complexities of family is beautifully told and filled with much heart.

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Goodreads rating: 3.86/5 stars

About the book: “An Ambush of Widows” by Jeff Abbott is a suspenseful thriller about two women, both widows of men with dark secrets, who are drawn into a dangerous web of lies, deceit and conspiracy as they uncover the truth behind their husbands’ mysterious deaths.

One word: OMG. I don’t know why this book hasn’t received more hype. It’s not a new release by any means as it debuted in 2021, but it’s the best psychological suspense novel I’ve read. All I’ll say is this: Henry North, cybersecurity expert from New Orleans, and Adam Zhang, the cofounder of one of Austin’s most successful venture capitalist firms, don’t know each other — nor have they met — but they violently died together in a place neither had any business being.

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Goodreads rating: 3.85/5 stars

About the book: “Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon” by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez examines the rise and fall of Victoria’s Secret, exploring how the brand’s controversial marketing, changing cultural norms and internal challenges led to its decline as a cultural and retail powerhouse.

Perfect for fashion lovers and those who can’t resist the behind-the-scenes 411 from a retail brand (aka, me), “Selling Sexy” has an alluring title but an even more succulent story. If you ever wanted to know the ins and outs of one of the biggest women’s fashion brands, this one is sure to provide you with newfound information and a whole lot of glamour. It was extremely well-researched, too.

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Goodreads rating: 3.85/5 stars

About the book: “The Anatomy of Anxiety” by Ellen Vora, MD explores the physical, mental and emotional roots of anxiety, offering insights into how the body’s fear response works and practical strategies for healing through a holistic approach that addresses lifestyle, nutrition and emotional well-being.

When people call a book life-changing, it can be easy to roll your eyes at the comment. But, that’s exactly what “The Anatomy of Anxiety Is.” Dr. Ellen Vora focuses on holistic wellness at the crux of her research and easily digestible anthology of the topic, which delivers practical solutions for stabilizing your gut health, getting more rest, eating a more balanced diet and gathering with loved ones to help mitigate anxiety. It’s an exceptional read that applies to anyone; I nearly read it in one sitting!

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