JORDY'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2024 (so far)...
My favorite books of the year, ranked in order and reviewed!!
Hard to believe, but we’re already halfway thru the year, and it’s time to start talking about our favorite books of 2024 (so far). Good timing, as many of you are headed off on summer vacation and I’m sure are in desperate need of a book recommendation.
I have many for you.
Seriously, it was incredibly difficult to narrow the list of everything I’ve read this year down to a TOP 20, let alone a TOP 10. So I’m sharing 15 of my favorite books of the year so far, and I guarantee there’s something here for everyone.
The list includes JBC Book Club picks THE GATHERING, LULA DEAN, and THE GUNCLE ABROAD, as well as books you must be sick of me talking about, like NUCLEAR WAR and ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK.
I’ve included books below (ranked in order!!), as well as my reviews, and links to order. If you get a second, stop by and tell me which of the featured titles has been your favorite this year.
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(15) THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley: Here’s what you need to know: if you like Lucy Foley books (THE GUEST LIST, THE HUNTING PARTY, THE PARIS APARTMENT), you will really like THE MIDNIGHT FEAST. Foley is known for her twisty locked room mysteries told from the POV of multiple characters, and TMF is no exception: this time set at a luxury resort (think SoHo Farmhouse in the UK) run by a Goop-esque founder hiding some very big secrets. GUEST LIST is still my all-time favorite Foley, but this is a close second; I liked the upstairs/downstairs dynamic between the wealthy guests and the townies working at the resort, and there’s a simmering subplot involving pagan ritualism that leads to a fun twisty reveal in the back half of the book. The diary flashbacks are a bit on the nose, but they lead to several satisfying character reveals that will keep readers on the edge of their seat from start to finish.
(14) THIS COULD BE US by Kennedy Ryan: the second book in Ryan’s Skyland series can absolutely be read as a standalone, though if you read BEFORE I LET GO first, you’ll have a better appreciation for some of the supporting cast (main characters from the first book who take a backseat here). This story is centered around Soledad, a mother of 3 who discovers her husband is hiding a HUGE secret from her that takes her on a journey of self-discovery. If you liked BEFORE I LET GO, you’re going to LOVE this book: all of the trademarks of a Kennedy Ryan book (heart, humor, heat, healing), and a little bit of a corporate conspiracy thriller as well. I could live in this world forever, and am eagerly anticipating book 3 in the series (following friend Hendrix).
(13) THE MINISTRY OF TIME by Kaliane Bradley: I rarely reread books these days, but I have now read THE MINISTRY OF TIME twice (partially because I was seeing so many mixed reviews), and let me tell you…I enjoyed it even more the second time! An epic, sweeping time travel romance the likes of which I haven’t seen since OUTLANDER and THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE, Ministry is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in years…probably up there with TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW for me as something that completely upended expectations, delivered something different and unique, and kept my attention from start to finish. Graham Gore is a swoon-worthy romantic lead, and I loved the blend of science fiction mystery and compelling character drama. The cultural specificity here really elevates this genre romance to the next level, and honestly, I don’t understand the hate.
(12) MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES by Rufi Thorpe: I mean, no surprise, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the latest book from Rufi Thorpe, she who brought us one of darkest, funniest books of the pandemic, 2020’s THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN. She’s back, this time with Margo and her money problems, a struggling single mom who ends up on OnlyFans trying to make ends meet. The book is raw and funny and emotional and heartbreaking and did I mention my stomach hurt from laughing? I loved these characters so much, in particular the relationship between Margo and her estranged father and washed-up former professional wrestler Jinx. If I had any issues with the book, I wish there was a scene that wrapped up Margo’s storyline with her mother Shyanne, but overall, this book is excellent.
(11) NIGHTWATCHING by Tracy Sierra: I went into NIGHTWATCHING without knowing anything about it, and immediately regretted it in all the best ways…I absolutely could NOT put down this home invasion story about a young mother who must do whatever it takes to protect her kids from a dangerous man who breaks into their house. It’s literal nightmare fuel, and author Tracy Sierra manages to take a very simple premise and turn it into an edge-of-your-seat, pulse-pounding thriller with a huge emotional hook. Similar to one of my other favorite books, Amy Tintera’s LISTEN FOR THE LIE, Sierra does a great job balancing thrills while exploring themes of motherhood, family, and misogyny in a really thoughtful, nuanced way. It’s easily one of the best things I’ve read this year, and a book that ripped me out of my spring reading slump.