10 Best Books I Read in 2024
I’m finally catching up on some stats and information on my reading life in 2024, and that process reminded me that I haven’t shared my top 10 best books I read in 2024 yet!
Since I review mainly young adult and middle grade books here on The Story Sanctuary, the list will center on books for those age groups. In the past, I’ve made a separate list for each age group, but this year, I’m just making one list and including both. As a bonus, I ranked them.
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10 Best Books I Read in 2024
10. The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford
My thoughts: Platonic love, music, disability, nuanced identities, and an incredible cast of characters fill this sweet story. The Loudest Silence explores Deaf-Hard of Hearing experiences and family expectations. This one is unforgettable.
Published July 30, 2024 | My Review
9. The Judgment of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum
My thoughts: I love that this book examines hypocrisy and harm within a highly controlled religious community without disregarding the positive experiences or beauty that faith brings to practitioners’ lives. This book is messy and raw, but it’s also bold and full of love.
Published October 15, 2024 | My Review
8. Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston
My thoughts: An older sister desperately tries to keep her family together but wonders if that’s the best thing for her and her siblings. This one has memorable characters and incredible depth of feeling. It hit me deep.
Published January 16, 2024 | My Review
7. The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall
My thoughts: Finding the right book at the right time is just as important as finding the right people to play tabletop games with. The No-Girlfriend Rule celebrates the friendships, jokes, and how a game can take on a life of its own. If you like DnD, you want this on your reading list.
Published March 5, 2024 | My Review
6. Puzzleheart by Jenn Reese
My thoughts: It’s not easy to craft a text-based story filled with puzzles that are engaging and easy to visualize and balance that with compelling characters in a story that makes you want to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa. This one does it. I had such a great time reading it.
Published May 14, 2024 | My Review
4. Wolfpack: How Young People Will Find Their Voice, Unite Their Pack, and Change the World by Abby Wambach
My thoughts: This 100-page book by famed soccer star Abby Wambach encourages leaders who lift one another up and work together rather than seeing others as rivals. It’s filled with simple but profound counsel from a woman who learned many of these lessons through blood, sweat, and tears. I am not usually into motivational books, but this one blew me away.
Published October 6, 2020 | My Review
3. Don’t Let the Forest In by C. G. Drews
My thoughts: If you like dark, creepy forests, dangerous monsters, and boys who might only find the courage to love one another when it’s too late– stop reading this and go buy Don’t Let the Forest In right now. It’s so good.
Published October 29, 2024 | My Review
2. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko
My thoughts: This book has so much heart. I can’t stop talking about it. The sweet relationship between siblings. The trauma and struggle of a family in crisis. It’s heartbreaking and healing at once.
Published June 11, 2024 | My Review
1. A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayat
My thoughts: I cannot stop raving about this book. I love the magic system. (Adya can magic machines.) It’s a story about sisters. There’s a helpful (hilarious) sentient motorcycle that I can’t get enough of. The plot was a wild ride from start to finish. I love it so much.
Published July 9, 2024 | My Review
What were the best books you read in 2024?
What books topped your list of favorites from 2024? Please leave a comment and let me know what your number one favorite is. Let me know if you read and enjoyed any of the titles on my list, too!