It’s that time of year again—#TeamBookCrushin’s Favorite Reads of 2024 are here! These are the books that stood out to us the most from everything we read this year. Remember, favorite is a personal qualifier, and there’s no one-size-fits-all criteria—just books we absolutely loved during our reading journey in 2024. Some may be new releases, others may be older gems we discovered this year, but each one made an impact.
Just a reminder: the fact that a book made it or didn’t make it onto our list doesn’t take away from how special or meaningful it was to you when you read it. Everyone’s reading experience is unique, and we celebrate that diversity of taste!
You can also explore our full list and grab your next favorite book over on our Bookshop page. Happy reading, and we’d love to hear what made it onto your own personal favorites list this year!
Kelly’s Favorite Reads of 2024
- The Only Light Left Burning (All That’s Left in the World #2) by Erik J. Brown – extremely strong sequel about surviving the end of the world, and figuring out what is love and how to trust in a brutal landscape – also it’s queer.
- The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab – the start of the next series set in the Shades of Magic world, which is one of my favorite adult fantasy series, and this newest story was so good, we get to check in on all our favorite characters, and be introduced to some new and important folks, and I hate that I have to wait so long for book 2!
- Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian – award winning book for all the reasons – this multigenerational story about being Iranian is just so good and emotional!
- Blood Orange by Yaffa As – a beautiful and moving book of poetry unapologetically Palestinian and queer.
- A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee – an adult romance that is full of deep and emotional topics with a transgender MC/LI.
- Furious by Rebecca Podos & Jamie Pacton – a co-written dual-narrated fast-paced and high-stakes (yes, 4 compounds in a row ha) contemporary from an auto-buy author!
- Okay, Cupid by Mason Deaver – this was a more lighthearted read for this author, even though it was still an emotional read.
- The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver – I realized I hadn’t read this one and made sure to correct my wrongs before I read the newest release, and it was funny and sweet and emotional.
- Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer – I really loved this trilogy and cared about these folks so much!
Christy’s Favorite Reads of 2024
I read some amazing books that dive into identity, personal growth, and relationships, most being LGBTQ+ stories (gee – that’s been true for years…….lol). Books like Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian and Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus really hit home with their honest takes on self-acceptance and love, especially Natalie’s book about exploring sexuality within fundamentalism (we both grew up in the same cult. It hit hard). I also loved Flamboyants: A Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known by George M. Johnson and Charly Palmer, which brings queer history to life by celebrating influential figures from the Harlem Renaissance. George has such an engaging writing style, almost like we are having a conversation rather than a one way read.
But it’s not all just heart and self-discovery – it wouldn’t be me without plenty of thrills and dark twists (and Star Wars). Mister Magic by Kiersten White and Star Wars: Inquisitor: Rise of the Red by Delilah S. Dawson are totally immersive, with gripping plots and characters that keep you on the edge of your seat (and again, exploring religion and queerness – Thanks, Kiersten!). Whether it’s a twisty thriller like First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (have you read her YA books? They’ve all landed on my best of lists before!) or the haunting vibes of Lucy Undying by Kiersten White, these books mix suspense with deep, character-driven storytelling. Overall, this year’s reads have been a perfect blend of emotional depth, adventure, and stories that make you think about love, identity, and everything in between. Here they are in no particular order (but for real Mister Magic might just be my fav – also there are THREE Kiersten books on my read list this year lol).
- Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
- Inquisitor: Rise of the Red by Delilah S. Dawson
- First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
- Lost to Dune Road by Kara Thomas
- Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia
- Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer
- Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus
- All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
- Mister Magic by Kiersten White
- Furious by Rebecca Podos & Jamie Pacton
- The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs
- Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
- Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson
- A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
- Flamboyants: A Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known by George M. Johnson with Charly Palmer
- What Once was Mine by Liz Braswell
