Happy New Year!
I hope you discovered some new favorite books in 2024! While I don’t post here as often as I’d like, this is one post I can’t let myself forget! Today, I’m sharing my favorite reads from 2024.
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (2024)
This brand-new thriller follows a young queer couple who’ve recently bought an old house, with plans to flip it. When a family claiming to have once lived there shows up and asks to come inside, a series of strange and seemingly supernatural events begin to unfold.
It’s funny—the opening of this book actually took me back to a childhood memory when the family who had previously lived in our home knocked on our door. Luckily, that visit didn’t end badly, but looking back, I can’t help but laugh at how overly trusting we were…
From that eerily familiar setup, the story quickly had me hooked, and I was invested in trying to figure out what the heck was going on. It’s atmospheric, genuinely creepy, and a total mind-bender. This is a haunted house story done right, and I really hope there’s a sequel because that ending left me hanging. I have so many questions!
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (2024)
I’m a big fan of ‘odd’ books—whether it’s a strange premise, a sardonic tone, or unconventional characters. This book definitely fits the bill, mostly because of its unique premise.
It follows Margo, a college student who drops out after becoming pregnant by her very sleazy college professor (Can you tell I didn’t like him?). Struggling to make ends meet, she starts an OnlyFans account to support herself and her baby. Along the way, she reconnects with her father, a former pro wrestler who’s quite the character himself and has his own set of struggles.
The story is refreshingly original, and I really enjoyed it. Margo’s evolving relationship with her father and her journey as a new mother are captivating. It’s funny at times, serious at others, but ultimately a hopeful and endearing story!
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2024)
I picked this up on a whim at work, and I’m so glad I did! The story centers around a lifelike robot purchased by a man to essentially be his live-in girlfriend and servant. Annie cooks, cleans, and fulfills his sexual needs. However, she begins to desire something more for herself, while he sees her as nothing more than an object, creating a tense dynamic between them.
Now, I’m not usually a huge fan of science fiction, but Annie Bot was incredible! It was short and sweet and thoroughly entertaining. There’s just something about sci-fi stories set in “everyday” settings like this that feels more intriguing and accessible to me than something like, say, Star Trek or Dune, (nothing against either, by the way—please don’t come for me!). In fact, Annie Bot reminded me of a graphic novel series I really enjoyed called Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughan, where, a robot becomes sentient and yearns for more, just like Annie. I think part of the enjoyment for this kind of “slice of life” sci-fi stems from the fact that I like horror, and there’s something very creepy and uncanny valley about a robot with feelings and desires. Plus, with advancements in AI, these stories are feeling closer to our reality every day.
Aside from the uncanny valley vibes of Annie Bot, the story dives into the deeper meaning of what it means to be human. In a sense, the robot character has more humanity than the actual human. Unlike many AI-centered stories, Annie, the AI, isn’t the antagonist. In fact, you’ll find yourself rooting for her and feeling deep sympathy. With its timely themes and Annie’s fascinating character, Annie Bot is definitely worth a read.
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler (2023)
This debut novels tells the story of Adelaide, a tenderhearted hopeless romantic who loses herself to someone else. Adelaide is a young woman who lives in London and falls for Rory, who is charming but emotionally unavailable. As their relationship becomes more of a “situationship,” Adelaide’s emotional investment grows while Rory remains distant.
The novel explores the intensity of rejection and heartbreak, capturing the emotional whiplash of loving someone who doesn’t fully reciprocate. While frustrating at times, it offers hope as Adelaide learns and grows from her experience.
This is a poignant, relatable read for anyone who’s navigated love and heartbreak, and it’s a novel that doesn’t hold back in its vulnerability. Read my full review here.
The Last Word by Taylor Adams (2023)
Possible Unpopular Opinion: I actually preferred The Last Word to Taylor Adams’ more popular book, No Exit. I also read No Exit this year, by the way, and I liked it but didn’t love it. But The Last Word? I ate it right up!
The story follows a young woman named Emma, who lives in a secluded beach house with her dog, Laika. After reading a thriller book she despises, she posts a negative review online. Soon after, the author begins sending her threatening messages in response, urging her to take her negative review down. Emma leaves her review up, however, and weird things begin to happen to her in her secluded home.
I loved the isolated setting, the strong-willed protagonist, the constant twists and turns, and the overall premise. You occasionally hear stories of authors confronting or responding defensively to negative reviewers, but this novel really takes that idea and runs with it!
Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis (2024)
I’m a fan of graphic novels, and in 2024, I read several that I really enjoyed. I knew I had to include at least one on this list, and the one I’m going with is Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis! It’s a horror anthology featuring graphic short stories, similar to Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods.
As someone who loves horror movies, spooky vibes, and graphic novels, this collection hits all the right notes. It’s a visually striking series of scary tales, reminiscent of the classic ghost stories you’d tell around a campfire. This would be the perfect read for Halloween!
So there you have it—my fun little list of favorite reads from 2024! While I didn’t read a huge volume of books this year, I found myself truly enjoying reading more and feeling more focused and present while doing so. I’m excited to carry that momentum into 2025. I’d love to hear about your favorite reads from 2024, so feel free to share them in the comments!
Pawsitive Reads 