Ready, set, here we go!
You guys, it’s time for my BIGGEST AND BEST BOOK POST OF THE YEAR!
Today is my 2024 BOOKS IN REVIEW!!
After 12 months of reading books with you, this is the one HUGE post where I share my thoughts, my recaps, my best books (and my “not so best” books) PLUS name MY TOP THREE BOOKS OF THE YEAR!
In 2024, including the four books that I read in December (their reviews to follow), I read 58 books.
If I had to sum it up, I think I would say that this year was filled with hits and misses…and a lot of books on personal growth.
Here’s a quick little glimpse of my readings this year by the numbers…
The number of books I read focusing on health and wellness including my BELOVED Outlive by Peter Attia.
The number of books I read this year to encourage me to be a better wife and mama. While Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs made me a better wife, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt made me a more anxious mama. #sigh
AND The number of books I read this year that had the word French or Paris in the title. I am, after all, a big fan of Francophile books!
The number of memoirs I read this year. My favorite without a doubt was Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten.
The number of books I read this year with the word “summer” in the title.
The number of books I read this year about personal growth.
The number of books we read this year in Book Club! Here they all are one last time with all of my personal “star” ratings next to each one:
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey 4 STARS
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 5 STARS
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 3 STARS
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin 3 STARS
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth 4 STARS
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl 2 STARS
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand 3 STARS
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams 3 STARS
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 4 STARS
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker 4 STARS
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout 2 STARS
Okay but what did I read in December?
I was a busy, busy bee this month and read FOUR BOOKS!
Two holiday chick lit (I just couldn’t help myself!) and two books to encourage me to live a more calm and peaceful life (always goals for me).
Here are the reviews of those four books…
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone
Awwwww! I loved this one! This is classic chic lit meets the Christmas season PLUS it’s about a travel agency which made this one extra adorable to read.
This cute little novel is about a Brit living abroad who moves back when she inherits half of her recently deceased father’s travel agency. Who owns the other half? Well a handsome guy who doesn’t much care for her.
This story takes place over the course of a year, so honestly, even though it begins and ends in December, it’s not really that “Christmas-y” (so feel to read it outside of December too!).
I loved all of the travel references (the characters take you from Switzerland to England, Spain, Iceland…it’s a fun ride!), I loved the friendships and sense of community, I loved the main character’s relationship with her mom…it was all adorable.
Two big thumbs up for this one!
Next up…
Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton
This memoir of sorts is all about the author’s personal strategies and philosophies about having a “calm Christmas”. Now, I did have to gloss over a little bit at the beginning where she describes different reasons people celebrate Christmas (as you know, I hold firmly to the only reason to celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ…) but nevertheless, after I got past that little part, I really loved this book. She outlines very practical ways one can enjoy Christmas without letting the “extra stuff” overwhelm you.
I loved her simple strategies, I loved the pages where she actually outlines with charts and graphs her easy ideas and practical solutions. I also loved the chapter where she discusses grief around the holiday season and how this isn’t necessarily the “merriest” time for so many.
This book is simple, motivating and encouraging. I’m glad I bought the physical book because I made a few little notes and will pull it back out again next year.
The Christmas theme continued this month with…
The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay
If you like the movie The Holiday, you’ll love this one 🙂 . This cute little novel has has a very similar plot. Two best friends, one a recently jilted bride, head in two opposite directions for the Christmas holiday…one to Hawaii and the other to the mountains in upstate New York. There are, of course, cute men in both places.
I loved how easy this one was to read. Was it predictable? Yes. Was it enjoyable and happy? YES!
I loved how this book also focuses on friendship and not settling for less than you deserve in life. It was like The Holiday meets Hallmark with a little Rated R thrown in as well.
If you’re looking for an easy Christmas read (this one is VERY Christmas-y!), this is your novel.
And finally…
The Peaceful Life by Fiona Ferris
Yup, another one by Fiona Ferris.
Aren’t you sucked in by the title of this book too? I was! Who doesn’t want to strive for a “peaceful life”?!
Per the usual, this author delivers super simple ways to add a little more peace and calm into your everyday life. These ideas are almost always free, easy to implement, encouraging and downright motivating.
I read a little bit of this book every morning with my quiet time and it always inspired me. Some days, it inspired me to do less and just simply enjoy and slow down while other times, it encouraged me to take five minutes to clear away an area so that my eyes didn’t have to focus on the clutter sitting on the counter.
I love these books. It’s hard to put one down and not feel a little inspired.
Alrighty, just to recap, here is what I read in 2024…
2024 Reads…
(Just click on the month to read my review.)
JANUARY
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable
Outlive by Peter Attia
Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess
The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart
FEBRUARY
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
The Women by Kristin Hannah
If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos
How To Be French by Janine Marsh
MARCH
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
The Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
APRIL
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman
Before I Do by Sophie Cousens
MAY
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
This Summer Will Different by Carley Fortune
The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
Funny Story by Emily Henry
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
JUNE
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
JULY
Swan Song by Elin Hilderband
The Summer Pact by Emily Griffin
You Never Know: A Memoir by Tom Selleck
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
The Hormone Fix by Dr. Anna Cabeca
AUGUST
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams
M Is For Mama by Abbie Halberstadt
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Peliz
SEPTEMBER
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
The Secret Life of an Uncool Mom by Serena Terry
A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes
OCTOBER
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Loving Your Epic Small Life by Fiona Ferris
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
NOVEMBER
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley
Kiss Me At Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
DECEMBER
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone
Calm Christmas by Beth Kempton
The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay
The Peaceful Life by Fiona Ferris
Fifty eight books in 2024!
Every year, I name MY TOP THREE BOOKS OF THE YEAR, and as silly as it sounds, I think about that every single time I pick up a book. I’m always wondering if it’s “the one”, and I get so excited when the bar raises and a new book comes up into my TOP THREE.
Below is a list of all of my TOP THREE books from years past.
I still stand by each and every one of these, and whichever ones you haven’t already read, please do so in 2025. These are all AMAZING books…
Here is a list of all of my other FAVORITE BOOKS of the year:
2014
#1: What Remains by Carol Radziwill
2015
#1: Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
#2: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
2016
#1: Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn Dingman
#2: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
#3: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
2017
#1: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#2: Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup
#3: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
2018
#1: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
#2: Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge
#3: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
2019
#1: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
#2: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
#3: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2020
#1: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
#2: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
#3: In Five Years by Rebecca Searle
2021
#1: Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
#2: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
#3: Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel
2022 (I had a TOP FIVE this year!)
#1:Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
#2: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
#3: Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
#4: Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
#5: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
2023
#1: The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
#2: Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
#3: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
You guys, above is an incredible batch of books! (And very diverse too!) You could simply spend all year reading through this list right here.
That being said…
So…big moment now, what are my TOP THREE BOOKS FOR 2024?!
Some years, it’s hard for me to pick (for instance in 2022, I ended up with a TOP FIVE because I loved so many!), and then other years, it’s easier because certain books just SCREAM PICK ME! This was that year.
This year, I knew my Top 3 as soon as I read them and never looked back.
In fact, even though I absolutely love all of the other #1 books from years past, I think this year’s #1 book is MY ALL TIME FAVORITE #1 BOOK 🙂 .
Here we go…
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
I loved every page that I read…but I especially loved the last page.
This book presents itself as “suspenseful” and as you know, I don’t typically love suspenseful, but I LOVED this one. This one isn’t scary or gory…it’s just really intriguing and you’re going to want to know what happens after reading just the first page. This book stands out to me for being original and oh so clever while also tugging on my heart. I could not put this one down and highly, highly recommend it. This was my first Liz Moore book to read, and I cannot wait to read more. As soon as I finished it, I knew this was my #3 for the year.
To read my full review of this novel, make sure you head HERE! I think you will LOVE it too!
By the time I read The God of the Woods, the bar had already been set REALLY high for the #2 spot…
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Without a doubt.
If I hadn’t of also read the #1 book, this would FOR SURE be my favorite book of the year.
I am so thankful for our Book Club because if it hadn’t have been our February book choice, I don’t think I ever would have read it, and I loved it!
I have thought about this novel over and over again. The characters were so interesting, I loved the mystery woven within, I loved how strong their marriage was, I loved learning about midwives from long ago…the whole thing was interesting and gripping and I would read it again today in a heartbeat. I said this in February, and I’ll say it again, this book has everything a good book needs which is why, in my opinion, it’s a GREAT book.
Read my full review of The Frozen River head HERE!
Okay, but which book did I love more than this one?
Well…
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Hands down.
Without any doubts.
This is maybe the best book I’ve ever read.
I have read a lot of Kristin Hannah books and always love them (in 2018, I named her book The Great Alone my third favorite book of the year!), but this one here was BRILLIANT.
This is the story of female nurses both during and after the Vietnam War…and it’s all the things. It’s emotional and educational and gripping and tragic and hopeful and terrible and beautiful and POWERFUL.
If you are triggered by war violence, please proceed with caution, but y’all…I loved it. I haven’t loved another book as much as I loved this one in recent memory. The bravery and fortitude and strength and honor of these women (and so many others in the book) needed to be told. I truly, truly loved it and hope you all read it.
Without a single doubt, this is my VERY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2024.
Please make sure you read my full review of it HERE!
Whew!
That wraps up our year in reading!
Don’t forget…
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.
We are bringing BOOK CLUB back in 2025!
I hope you join me every month on the 22nd to review a new book!
On January 22nd, we will be reviewing…
…The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry!
I hope you read along with us and discuss it on that post.
In the meantime, HAPPY BOOK DAY!!! I hope you all share your favorite books of 2024 in the comment section. I would love to know what you loved reading this year.
I am so thankful for all of you book lovers out there that read with me each month. I am just so very thankful!
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow for our final blog post of 2024! Until then, have the BEST day! xx
Kristen Thompson says
Ahh favorite post of the year!! Thank you so much for such a great year of book recommendations and for doing the book club. Already excited for next year!
Chelsey says
Yes to The Women! Truly, one of the best books I have ever read.
Julianna says
Without a doubt, The Women, is my fave from 2024 and maybe all time (replacing another Kristin Hannah favorite- The Nightingale). The Measure by Nikki Erlick is a close second. This was probably the most thought provoking book I’ve ever read. I begged friends to read it so I had someone to discuss it with. Would be a great book club pick!
Kaley says
Completely agree about The Measure! Our book club read it this year and it was SUCH a great discussion.
Debbie K says
I too, loved The Measure. It was very outside the box for me, but my principal suggested it, and when he suggests something…you listen. I have it and The Women tied for first place this year. I read them last spring and early summer, yet, I think of both often and encourage my friends to read them both.
Kelly W Brannan says
I’m reading The Measure right now and agree – it is so thought provoking! I can’t put it down and need my friends to read it so we can discuss.
Cheila Martins says
The Women might be my favorite book of the year too. Such a good story. Have you read The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah? I think you’d love it too.
Mix and Match Mama says
I did read that one too!!
Susan Jeffries says
Thanks for all of the great book reviews!! I love that you posted your older favs – it gives me some to go back and check off my list. I am excited to pick my top 3 this year too! But I know that The Women will be number 1 for me too. It was phenomenal! Happy reading in 2025!
Lizabeth Kaiser says
I could not agree more with your #1 book of the year! I read The Women during downtime at work (I’m an RN) and I was bawling at the nurses station!
Elspeth says
So many great books! I loved the 5 AM
club and all the colors of the dark!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Dawn Timmons says
Thank you for all the time you put into these posts! I definitely read more because of your blog suggestions and the comments of the rest of the readers in this community. I have read your Top 2 and the 3rd is on hold along with the January Book Club book.
Funny story about the Calm Christmas book…
I am listening to it. I have enjoyed it also. As a teacher, life is probably the antithesis of calm inside and outside of school at the moment! However, every time I get in my car, that book starts to play and it cracks me up every time. LOL! 😂 #Goals!
Thanks for keeping me reading and this month laughing…which is always helpful!
Merry Christmas!
Melissa says
We will be reading “The Women” coming up in our book club, but without a doubt my favorite book of the year was Fourth Wing followed by Iron Flame. I am obsessed with this series along with countless others. I cannot wait until book #3 is released next month. When this book was pitched at our BC I was like, no this is not for me, but boy was I wrong. I could not put it down and have since read both books twice.
Amy Rae D. says
I look forward to this post every year. I have 70 books so far this year (I’m hoping to squeeze 1 or 2 more books before December/the year is over).
My top 3 favorites (as of right now) are:
1. This Summer Will Be Different –Carley Fortune
2. The Burning (Kate Burkholder #16) –Linda Castillo
3. First Lie Wins –Ashley Elston
Ashley D says
Yay for the End of the Year Book Review! I appreciate the time and effort you put into these posts. I am excited for a new year which will bring new books – and thanks to you, I have several I can add to my list. Here are my top 5 reads for the year!
•The Senator’s Wife (By Alice Constantine)
•The First Mistake (By Sandie Jones)
•What You Wish For (By Katherine Center)
•For the Love of Friends (By Sara Goodman Confino)
•No One Ever Asked (By Katie Ganshert)
Katie Compton says
Ummm… we may be book twins separated at birth, ha! I’ve read 1, 2, and 4 on your list and just added 3 and 5 to my “to read” list and both sound really good. Thank you for the recommendations!
Morgan says
My top two are the same. LOVED both of them. Need to read The God of the Woods next!
Janette says
I had your numbers 1 and 2 as my numbers 1 and 2. I haven’t read your number 3. As soon as I started The Women, I knew it would be my book of the year.
Melissa Terry says
The Women is my top book of 2024 as well!
Addy J Robinson says
100% agree with your top picks!!!
Stacy says
So far I’ve read 75 books this year and The women is the top of my list too!! The frozen River was the top of my list last year, I finished it right on December 31! So great picks for top books, I need to read the other one you pick Do you have good reads?
Mix and Match Mama says
I used to, but I stopped using it. Maybe I should bring that back in 2025?
Chrys says
Hi Shay! Yes, bring back your Goodreads! It is where I track everything I read and want to read. Sometimes when I go choose a book, I see that you marked it as having read it long ago and I get all giddy haha. I also then check out your Blog for your review on it. Have a great weekend!
Denise DElia says
Thanks for always sharing your love of reading with us! I enjoyed reading many of the same books this year. Your list of books is one I go to throughout the year for recommendations. I can’t wait for the 2025 books and will be joining the book club. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kari Anne Maddox says
I was at my book club at the library last evening, and I was speaking about my book of the YEAR would be The Women for sure. It’s very much my favorite that I read and I read 68!! Thank you Goodreads for keeping up with things for me!! LOL
I am excited for the Cher biography – part 1!!!!!!! So that means 2 and of course, why not, what a huge life she has had!
Amy Heinl says
I love your choice of The Women as best read for 2024. I agree 💯. I love everything by Kritin Hannah (The Nightengale is my most favorite of all) followed closely by this one. This was very much a story that needed to be told.
Can’t wait for January book club…looks like it will be a good one.
Kaley says
Completely agree with your Top 3! If I had to name my Top 5 it would include the same PLUS All the Colors of the Dark and The Covenant of Water. They are on the longer side, but our taste in books seems so similar that I think you will love.
The Women is probably now my all time favorite book ever as well!
Olga says
I’m reading All The Colors of The Dark right now and it might be my number one of the year! I read the Women and although it was beautifully written and a story that needed to be told; I found it to be very sad.
Mix and Match Mama says
That one would have been my #4 😉 .
Jessica says
I seem to remember you saying you don’t consider yourself a Historical Fiction person and yet another year with two of your top three being historical fiction! I do the same thing. Your top three are in my top five this year too. Thanks for a great year of recs!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t understand me. I always think I’m not into historical fiction…but clearly, I’m very much into it. Why do I struggle identifying as someone who likes it?! Hahaha!
Suzanne says
I am so excited because I have The God the Woods up next on my library hold list. I absolutely LOVED The Women too! I held off on it at first because it didn’t sound like something I wanted to read at first. Boy was I wrong!
Ginger says
Loved The Women! God of the Woods was very good as well. I just finished The Lion Women of Tehran, and it was VERY good. Ranks up there with The Women for me. As far as biographies, I really enjoyed Henry Winkler’s. I like listening to the biographies that are read by the authors. I started using Goodreads a few years ago, and really like it. I’ve read 194 books so far this year, so it is helpful in helping me keep track.
Carly says
194 is AMAZING!
I’m at 168 and wouldn’t remember one single thing about most books (or if I’d read them 🤪) without Goodreads!
Robin says
Agree with your Top 3 , Shay ! All great reads and each worthy of being the Best ! I’d have a hard time choosing between 1 and 2 !
Katie Tullis says
Yes! Your number 1 and 2 books were also MINE!! Thank you so much for all your book reviews, your book club, and for putting so much heart into your posts!
Alyssa J says
I always enjoy your end-of-year book recap! I’m excited to see The Secret Book of Flora Lea as your January pick because I already read and enjoyed it. It couldn’t top Becoming Mrs. Lewis or Once Upon a Wardrobe, which I think are Patti Callahan Henry’s best work, but it showed the power of story.
Lindsey says
I feel the exact same about The Women!! Best book I’ve ever read. Merry Christmas!! 💚❤️
Peg says
I look forward to your book recommendations every month. Thank you, Thank you.
My favorite book of the year was “The Women” too. So far I’ve read 99 books this year so will have to get in one more to make it an even 100.
Mix and Match Mama says
What a huge accomplishment!!! You MUST get one more in!
K.K. says
Oh how fun!! It is the very best post of the year!!
I might just buy The Women as a Christmas gift to myself. 🙂
Holly says
Absolutely agree with #1 and #2. Haven’t read #3 but it’s on my list. Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year!
Laura says
What a great recap. I enjoyed many of the same books and loved a lot of recommendations from your readers. Thanks for all the really great suggestions and I look forward to plenty more next year. Merry Christmas!
Faith says
Love love love your book reviews. I always add the ones to my “to read” list so I don’t forget. I also have a moment of panic of not having time to read them all 🤣.
The Women was absolutely one of my favorites I read this year. Sometimes I’ll forget what a book is about but this made such a profound impression, I don’t think I will ever forget. It just made me think what it must have been like to be one of those women. So emotional and sad to think about how much it affected them and how strong and courageous they were.
I trekked to read more this year and did so now I need to up my goal to fit them all in. I’m glad you are continuing the book club!
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!
Mary Anne Duke says
Just finished Winter Wish …. The more I read the more I liked it. It had more to it that just chick lit
And I do like chick lit.
The Women all the way! Wish more books that engrossing with a bit history!
Merry Christmas🎄
Laura JeanS. says
The one thing that stands out to me when I read this every year is how organized you are! As someone who struggles with where I put my phone, I’m always impressed by the organizers of the world 🙂 I’ve had a book club for over 20 years, and I couldn’t tell you what we have read HA! but you always remember the discussions… I’m putting The Women on our list, thank you and happy reading!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well it helps that I take notes as I read on my phone and then blog about it. If I didn’t do those things, I wouldn’t remember what I read last week 😉 .
Lauren says
My favorite post of the year!! Thanks for all the fabulous book reviews. And The Women – the best book I’ve ever read as well! I’m pretty sure my husband feels like he read this book too because I talked about it so much! haha. Have a Merry Christmas!
Deb says
Your top 3 are also mine! I recommend Frozen River to all my reader friends. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Tina says
What?!?!?! Oh my gosh I can’t believe your number one pick this year. I read 72 books this year and your #1 was my LEAST favorite. LOL! I thought the main character was super superficial and make so many silly/bad choices. I LOVED The Great Alone but after The Four Winds and The Women, Kristin Hannah continues to let me down. It’s so funny how people can read the same book and have such differing opinions. 🙂
Karah Stracener says
HANDS DOWN my favorite book I read this year was also THE WOMEN! It was fascinating. I love all Kristin Hannah books but I LOVED LOVED LOVED this one. I always said nothing could top The Nightingale but I think she hit it out of the park with this one. I am a nurse so I loved reading about the nurses in the war. I am adding your other two to my list. This is always one of my favorite posts of the year. Thank you for sharing your love of reading with us.
Michelle Nobbe says
I LOVE your number 1 and 2 picks! I agree about both of them! I wouldn’t have read The Frozen River either if I didn’t participate in your Book Club! The Women is a fantastic book! I am so excited to continue Book Club!
Kay says
Hi Shay! This post makes me so happy each year, And I have absolutely loved your book club. I read so many books I wouldn’t have, including my #1 pick of the year! So, thanks for all you do. I also loved “The Women” and it was so close to being top 3 but these other ones were so amazing, I couldn’t get over them. Here’s my list:
#1 All the Colors of the Dark
#2 The Frozen River
#3 Black Cake
I also love Fiona Ferris and am running out of her books to read in my quiet time! So, I highly recommend ‘Cozy Up’ by Jennifer Melville. It is SUPER cute! I have it on my kindle. She is Canadian and like Fiona, gives little tips about how to make the most of the winter season. It’s easy to read a chapter each morning and she has such cute, happy ideas!
Excited for book club to pick back up!
Mix and Match Mama says
Just bought it! Thank YOU!!
Jen C says
The Women was an amazing book! I am not usually a “history” book fan, but I love all of Kristin Hannah’s books.
D Jackson says
Love any and all of your book review days!! Your #1 and #2 are mine too for this year!! I haven’t read God of the Woods but it’s on my list!! I hope next year has great books like this years 1 and 2!! Happy reading!
Nicole M says
Shay- you absolutely must read If I Don’t Laugh I’ll Cry by Molly Stillman. It’s a memoir written by the daughter of the nurse that Kristin Hannah’s book is based off of. She talks about growing up with a mom suffering from her time in Vietnam and also how Molly comes to find Jesus as she grows up.. Kristin Hannah wrote the foreword for the book after Molly reached out to her on Instagram to tell her that she was the daughter of the nurse. I could not put this one down. The author is very humorous. I loved this book as much as The Women!!!!
Leslie S says
Favorite post of the year every year! I loved your #1 and 2 too!! Another book that I loved this year was The Small and The Mighty. Not one I’d normally choose but so glad I read it! Just bought Be Ready When the Luck Happens to read over the school break. Can’t wait for January and the book club to resume – Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Jennifer says
The Small and The Mighty was so good! One of the few 5 star reads I had this year!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Your #1 and #2 are both my favorites, too!!! The Women was an amazing book and I really enjoyed reading it so much that I had to Google all of the things! I also talked about The Frozen River so much that a few of my friends even picked it up to read it. I loved the setting and the fact that I’ve never read a book where the main character was a midwife. So So interesting!!
Rachael says
I just picked up God of the Woods yesterday, I have high hopes for it! I don’t think you read Lies and Weddings or The Wedding People, those were in my top 5 this year.
I hope your family has a wonderful Christmas 🎄
Shelagh says
The Women was my favourite, with honorable mentions to The Lincoln Highway, The Many Lives of Mama Love, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Looking forward to reading The God of the Woods and the new book club pick in the new year.
Erin Smith says
It’s the most wonderful post of the year! Thanks for sharing all your reads- this is where I go to get most of my book recs! My fav read of the year was A Woman in No Man. Just incredible.
Riley J says
Loved The Great Alone – maybe my favorite bill of all time – but The Women fell short for me. The second half was just too much.
Have you read Demon Copperhead? Amazing.
Mix and Match Mama says
I read Demon Copperhead this year!
Gracie says
100% agree with you about The Women!! I finished it and immediately put the audiobook on hold so I could listen to it as well. I can’t remember the last time I reread a book so quick after the first time. So so good!!!
Kimberly M. says
My favorite post of the year and also my three favorite books of the year as well!!!!!
Amy says
The Frozen River is definitely in my top 3 and I wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t your book club pick so thank you! I loved The Women until about halfway through and then it just got to be too much. I feel like Kristin Hanna just puts every character through way too much to be realistic. But I know I’m in the majority of this one. I think The Measure was my #1 this year.
Diana says
The Women was my top favorite book this year too!
Brandy says
Have you read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah?
I think it is a very close second to The Women!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have!! I love that one too!!
Erika Slaughter says
TOO funnnnyyyy!!! You’re right! This NEVER happens!! This might be the year our book worlds collided? Think we can have a repeat in 2025?
Patty says
I read 78 books so far this year and will get a couple more in before the end of the month. The Women was outstanding, I agree! One book that stood out for me this year was Christmas in Bethel by Richard Paul Evans. Sweet story for sure.
Kristin says
I love these posts!! I liked The Women a lot but def not in my top. God of the Woods is though!! Soooo good! I read 79 books and my top 3 are:
1. Demon Copperhead
2. God of the Woods
3. All the Colors of the Dark
Honorable mention – The Wedding People 😊
Shannon says
The Women was my top book of the year too. Honestly, I knew it would be after I finished it. Just phenomenal. I read some great books this year too! I was close to 50 which is higher than any other year. I’m proud of myself. 🩷
I would say my other favs this year were: Part of your World by Abby Jimenez, The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros, This Summer will be different by Carly Fortune and Happy Place by Emily Henry. It’s funny because I always think I love thrillers. But my fav books never end up being them.
Valerie Stults says
I love your book reviews!! I look forward to them every month!! I totally agree with your number 1 & 2 picks for the year!! The Woman was my absolute favorite this year!! I really enjoyed Frozen River!!! I have added your third pick to my reading list!! Thanks for sharing!! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Tiffany says
I loved God of the Woods! Other favorites from this year are The Rent Collector, The Mountains Sing, Go as a River and The Collected Regrets of Clover.
Aparna says
Hello shay! I loved your first 2 choices too, 3rd one is on my TBR…I read 49 books so far…hopefully will round it off to 50 before month end. For me top 5 were
1) the frozen river
2) look on the bright side (kristan Higgins)
3) mind games (Nora roberts)
4) just for the summer (Abby Jimenez)
5) the lovely return ( para romance…carian Cole)
Heather Forcey says
I 100% agree with your top 2 choices! (I didn’t read the third 🤪). I love Book Review Day!
Alison says
I absolutely loved all 3 of those!! I don’t think I could pick a favorite out of the 3!
Christine says
This is one of my favorite posts of the year! I love hearing your recommendations (and the comments, too!)
A favorite of mine was “Hey, Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns” by Ellen Skrmetti. It’s SO SO hilarious and sweet about a Southern Christian lady. It felt like a fun chat with a best friend! I highly recommend it.
Merry Christmas, and happy reading to all!
Eunice says
The Women was also my favorite book of the year! I’m quite certain The Frozen River would have ranked higher for me had I not read it just after finishing The Women!
Carman says
I read both The Women and The Frozen River and I completely agreed with you about The Women. By far one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It was the only 5 star book I read this year. Thanks for sharing new book ideas for us all!
Shannon says
Thanks for all the great suggestions! I also loved Tell Me Everything and Don’t Forget to Write- both would be in my top 5 for this year!
Kara says
The Women was best book of the year for me too, great choice! I have never met a Kristin Hannah book I did not like. I recommend the book Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, you go in thinking there is no way I am going to relate or like this topic and then end up loving the story.
~B~ says
So excited about this post and looking forward to reading many from your list this year! My top 3 (edited – this quickly morphed into a top 5): 1. The Nightingale 2. The Women 3. The Frozen River 4. Just for the Summer (because see #1-3, boy did I need something lighthearted after so many heavy books) and 5. The Things We Leave Unfinished. Really should have a tie with #4 or #5 to also add in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. So many other great books this year, this list was a serious struggle! I was on a huge reading streak with the Abby Jimenez books this summer and may start another group of hers soon, to bring some lightheartedness post-Christmas season. Happy reading in 2025 to you, Shay!
Rachel Sands says
Love this and how you recap all the previous years! Quick question…. My young daughter 13 is wanting to read and I thought Kensington had a review or lists. Is there a list from her that is age appropriate and clean. ? Thanks so much
Holly says
Dinner for Vampires was by far my favorite book this year but I listened to it on audible. I highly suggest it.
Lauren says
LOVE THIS POST. I’m curious whether you’ve read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. When I’ve mentioned that The Women is my favorite book of the year, I’ve been asked that question and I have not read it yet. Thanks for always sharing your books with us!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have and I loved it! I sobbed like a baby 🙂 .
Jenn says
My most favorite post of the year!! I’ve followed you for years, and so many of my reads have been from your recommendations. Thank you for all the time you out into your blog posts, and for sharing your world, your love for Jesus and your family with us! Merry Christmas and happy reading!!
Tiffany says
10000% agree! The Women is by far the best book I have ever read! Thank you for this post. I look forward to your suggestions every month.
Amy in PA says
I highly recommend the book “Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting” for you! It’s a smart and fun story set in London that you will thoroughly enjoy. Part quirky, part chic lit, part British seems like a great recommendation for you!
M- says
Please give Endurance about Earnest Shackleton a read. You will not believe the grit, determination, yet cheerfulness of this crew. You think whew, they made it… and another serious challenge arises. HOW? HOW did they do it? I’ve probably listened to it four or five times over the years. It is why I MUST see Antarctica and the related area. If you don’t like it, I’ll reimburse you for the cost of the book. Blessings-