Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and I set the goal to read (and listen) to 45 books in 2024. I’ve currently finished 57 books and hope to finish a few more in the next 2 weeks, but I wanted to round up my top 10 books this year.
A few favorites are series that I lumped into one. I get through so many books because I’m typically listening to a book and reading a book at the same time. I listen to books really quickly…I’ll listen while driving around solo, doing laundry and cleaning around the house, and when on walks with Daisy. I also listen to books at 1.5-1.75x speed which helps me get through them even faster.
If you’re looking for books to add to your TBR list for 2025 here are my top picks.
The Women
This was one of the first books I read in 2024 and remained one of my favorites all year. It was a tough book to get through only because of how awful the war and treatment of vets was and I actually learned a lot about the Vietnam war. It was sad, tragic, and heartbreaking, but so well written and educational as all Kristen Hannah books are.
Cresent City Series
After finishing ACOTAR last year I was ready for another Sarah J Maas series and this one did not disappoint. There are 3 books in this series and I blew through the audible. If you are an ACOTAR fan then add this series to your TBR. I loved how the author weaved in ACOTAR characters into the third book as well, so definitely read that series first.
Spark of the Everflame Series
There are currently 3 out of 4 books released in this series. The 4th book release has been pushed back and still TBD when it will actually be released, but the first 3 books are AMAZING. The first book is a little slow as it’s introducing the characters and world building, but worth getting through it because books 2 and 3 are great. It’s a little more YA than ACOTAR, but I still really enjoyed it and everyone I know who read it agreed.
I read these on my Kindle, so can’t speak to how the audible is FYI.
Beneath the Scarlet Sky
This is such an incredible story! I really enjoyed the different POV in this WW2 book. I love historical fiction books and this is one of the best ones I’ve ever read about WW2. Such a beautifully written book.
The Paradise Problem
After I read heavy books like Beneath the Scarlet Sky and The Women, I usually need a palate cleanse and this book was so perfect. It was not super cheesy like some books like this can be. I loved the characters and the story. It was a good audible and would make a great beach/vacation read or just something fun to get you out the winter blues funk.
Pictures of You
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I really enjoyed Emma Grey’s first book The Last Love Note, so I was excited to read her new book, Pictures of You. While not a thriller, I still found this book to be a total page turner and I was eager to find out what happened.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
I don’t know why I hesitated reading this book for so long. I did not think a book about an octopus that talks could be any good and boy was I wrong. This book was so dang cute, but also told a heart warming story. I definitely had tears in my eyes in the end.
All the Colors of the Dark
Full disclosure I almost stopped listen to this book when I was about 1/4 of the way through. It got great reviews and I just did not understand the hype. I’m so glad I stuck with it. I had a 6 hours drive home from Spokane and was able to fully concentrate on it and I just fell in love with the writing of the author, the characters, and their story. It was such a different story, but such a beautiful story. I was laughing and crying and had all the feels by the end of the book.
Husbands and Lovers
Another historical fiction that I adored. This one was a page turner and I needed to know how to story would come together in the end. This was a good audible.
The Wedding People
The beginning of this book might throw you off and feel like it might be too heavy, but stick with it. It was an unexpected favorite read of mine this year. I loved the characters and the story was so well written.
I’m also about to finish The Briar Club and would add it to this list as well. It took me a minute to get into, but once all the stories started to come together I’m loving it!
What should be on my 2025 TBR list? Drop your recommendations below and you can follow me on Good Reads 😉
xx, A
