You mentioned in another video that YT is now more like a side hustle for you BUT DANG girl you are pumping out the videos. Thank you for staying on YT and doing what works for you this past year. It's been fun to watch. Happy New Year!
I've read 5 books since October (the hunger games series, the ballad of the song birds and snakes, and twilight) and I'm currently on my 6th book of the year (new moon.) I haven't read any books prior to these in around 8 plus years and even though these are rereads and easy books, I'm still super proud of myself for actually picking up books again.
I’ve been recommending Only Plane In the Sky to anyone that would listen for years! I’ve listening to it multiple times and it’s just as incredible and touching each time. It provides the most in depth and detailed perspective on 9/11 that you’ll ever get. Leaves me in tears every time.
Thank you for doing a complete ranking of all the books you read. I will definitely get back to this video when I stand in a bookstore wandering which book to pick up 👍
I absolutely love Talia Hibbert. I've read her entire collection (besides the one I'm currently in the middle of) she's a Black autistic woman with chronic illness based in the UK, and does a phenomenal job at writing about the topics (mental health, LGBTQIA+, chronic illness/disability, societal pressures, etc.). She also writes almost exclusively about Black plus size women and I honestly just adore her. Her spicy scenes are 10/10 honestly I've found it difficult to find an author who can do it better. The undertaking of hart and mercy is another good romantasy series! The third book will be out in June but I thoroughly enjoyed the first two! I absolutely loved this video and I can't wait for your updates!
Based off of your account of Pachinko, I highly recommend The Covenant of Water! It follows multiple generations of an family in India from 1900-1970's and their mysterious "condition." It follows multiple perspectives and an incredible cast of compelling characters. 5 star must read!!
I love that you're in your reading era! I also really enjoyed T3, 11/22/63 and Pachinko. I'm going to take your recommendation for Under the Dome! I recommend 'The Rachel Incident', 'Blue Sisters', 'The Briar Club', ''The Wedding People' and 'Bad Summer People'.
A kind of weird dip into thrillers for those who aren’t sure about them: The Leaving. Several kindergartners go missing and then come back like 10-12 years later with no idea who they are or what the last several years had been. Quite interesting to watch them unravel the story!
I re-read Project Hail Mary this year but it was my favorite book the year that I read it. And if I let it count this year, it would be my favorite again. You should read it!!!
Sierra you HAVE to read Hunger by Roxane Gay. As someone who’s struggled with body confidence & weight, this memoir was absolutely phenomenal. I know you’d love it
I’m so glad you loved Pachinko! I read it back in the beginning of 2020 (pre-covid 🤯) and as someone who is also a fan of kpop and loves and appreciates Korean culture, I appreciated learning about the history of the country this way. It is such a heart-wrenching book that deserves to be talked about more!
I would HIGHLY recommend The God of the Woods. It was an absolutely amazing thriller (not horror)! If you are into 70s vibes, camp counselor goes missing, multiple perspectives and family secrets then you’ll absolutely love it. I really disliked First Lie Wins. It was so boring and the I didn’t care about the characters whatsoever. I finished it because I needed a book title that starts with F for my book challenge, but it was painful.
If you haven't read Listen for the Lie yet, I think it would be a good thriller rec for you! I would also rec the audiobook because it has a podcast element that lends itself well to being listened to.
I loved this video! My favorite books of 2024 were “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig and “Under the Whispering Door” by TJ Klune. Highly recommend both!
i know you don’t like Colleen Hoover but please give Verity a try also, The perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose and Never Lie by Freida McFadden ( anything by freida tbh) are soo good!!
I really enjoy your book videos! When you first recommended The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I immediately purchased it and LOVED it! Also purchased Pachinko because the library wait list was forever and getting ready to start it tomorrow.
The Nightingale has been my all time favorite read, still have yet to find a book to top that one for me. So devastatingly beautiful and powerful.😭 Let about 5 other people borrow that book and they all adored it. I’m so glad to see it as your #1 this year. Bought a couple of other books on your list, love love love this video. 🥹🥰 Happy New Years!!
If you would like to try crime novels, I really enjoyed reading Lisa Gardners books! The first one i read was "Love you more" and it was a book that made me love reading again a few years ago! just a warning, her books can be a bit heavy, but very much suck you in because you just want to find out what and why everything is happening. As I understand, there is kinda of an order in which to read the books, but I read some of them just picking by the vibes and I haven't felt like I was missing some details out.
This was such an amazing watch. Saving so many of the books. Agree with you on tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow - I pumped my first when you mentioned it 😂 Would love to hear any books that you decided to not finish, if any
Hi Sierra I hope this reaches you in time! Every year there’s this book fair/festival always hosted at Santa Monica Highschool called yallwest and there’s so many free books, early releases, book signings. Raffles for free books and there’s even some children/toddler books in case grace wants to tag along!!! I’ve never gone outside of volunteering so I’m not sure the price to enter but it’s definitely worth it
I will speak for myself when I say I love hearing about your reading! Some thriller recommendations: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a classic for a reason. Or if you've never read any Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl and Sharp Objects are the two I've read), she is truly a master
AWESOME video, Sierra! You’ve got me convinced to read Under the Dome in 2025! My favorites this year were Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll and The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon! I strongly recommend those! Would love to hear more book updates and I’ll follow you on Goodreads!
If you liked Under the Dome, you'd probably like The Stand too! It was super intimidating to me (that genre is not usually my thing), but when I finally tried it, I realized why people call it Stephen King's best work. It has very similar vibes and structure to Under the Dome, too.
My top book of the year is "More than this" by Patrick Ness, it's a hidden gem about what it means to be human, and choosing to keep living, it is about friendship and is SO GOOD. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!!
Firstly! I want to say as a Jewish person that I truly appreciate your value, care, sensitivity, and appreciation for books about the holocaust. It is such a strong generational trauma in our lives and it really is important that we share these stories to stop future hate. Secondly, on a more fun note, you NEED to read The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore! It’s the second book in the dream harbor series but you don’t need to read the first book to read the second.
I think based on your reading you would LOVE one of my top books of the year, the warm hands of ghosts by katherine arden!! it’s a historical fiction primarily set in WWII and it flips between perspectives of a brother and sister. the sister is a decorated war nurse and her brother is a soldier missing and presumed dead. it follows her trying to uncover what happened to him and also his perspective in the years prior of what actually did happen. I will warn that I know in your past vlog you said you don’t prefer fantasy, and there are some fantasy elements to it that come in, but they don’t take away from the story at all in my opinion (I do love and read mostly fantasy though)! it is such a well written story and just so good, I read it and then couldn’t stop thinking about it for days, would highly recommend!
It's always so fun to see favorite books recaps, especially from readers with broad tastes. Glad to add some new ideas to my TBR. Here are my 4 star reads from 2024 in case you spy any titles that look interesting (and only one 5 star read this year! I'm stingy with my 5 stars though) Stardust by Neil Gaiman The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders Divergent by Veronica Roth Lights Out by Elise Hart Kipness Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study by Maria Snyder (parts 1-3 of a series) Three Wishes by Lianne Moriarty Bird Box by Josh Malerman Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (parts 1 and 2 of a series) Looking for Alaska by John Green The Irish Rose by Susanne O'Leary What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall Under the Dome by Stephen King The Accounting by William Lashner 5 star: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
You have to read the Four Winds if you haven’t yet! If you loved the Nightingale which is also probably my favorite book of all time…. You’ll also love the Four Winds! I am not a fast reader and I read it in a day
I read 80 books this year and I think The Seven Year Slip was the best one. Frieda McFadden and Riley Sager are good authors for mystery/suspense and their books are quick & easy reads! Also, you gotta read the other Housemaid books! 2 was just as good.. 3 was okay.
Two thrillers I’d recommend both with their fair share of suspense are “Before She Finds Me” by Heather Chavez and my absolute fave, “Things We Do in the Dark” by Jennifer Hillier!
Since, as you said, you read all the genres, I have three recommendations for you: „A million little pieces” by James Frey - a memoir about addiction, mental health and rehab. It still makes me cry my eyes out every time I read it. Second would be a horror (since you asked for it) - „Terror” by Dan Simmons - a thrilling story about two ships HMS Terror and HMS Erebus that were searching for Northwest Passage in the 1845. It is weirdly accurate about what happened to this expedition (minus some of the supernatural stuff). Chilling. And since you liked a lot of historical fiction it might be right up your alley. Of course all of the Stephen King, coz I love him 😅 And because you might want to try sci-fi: „Hyperion” also by Dan Simmons. It’s about 7 pilgrims that come from different parts of the galaxy to visit this mythical tomb to try to prevent the destruction of the whole human race. All have their own wishes and aspirations to ask as well and since the road is long (and mostly boring), they decide to tell each other their stories for entertainment. It really shows different ways people are shaped and the overall story just grips you from the beginning. I looooved it so much. Hope you have an excellent reading experience in 2025 ❤
Loved The Nightengale!! I just finished the Seven Year Slip, and it was such a sweet treat! Have you read The Time Traveler’s Wife, A Prayer for Owen Meany, or She’s Come Undone? All older books but so good!!!
You’d love Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu! It follows a family moving throughout China and then the states. And it’s told via different generations. So great!
My favorite thriller/ suspense book I read this year was "the last house on needless street" by Catriona Ward! It's about a girl that disappeared years ago and her sister who wants to prove that the main suspect in the case (Ted) killed her. So she moves in the house next to him on needless street where he lives with his daughter and his cat. I read it within two days and it stuck with me for a long time. It has a great twist you really can't see coming and is a bit dark and I highly recommend it!
Thank you for the great recommendations. I'll definitely be checking some of these out. If you enjoy thriller you should try Karen Robards. I love the Dr Charlotte Stone series (the first book is called the Last Victim). More recently, she's written a lot of historical fiction, which I'm sure you'd enjoy too.
I'm not much of a reader , I read slowly ( it takes forever to finish a book ) although some books I can get through quickly ....I love books , buy them all the time ,love buying sets ( series ) , and have many books waiting to be read....but out of all the books you read , there is one that I read ( I want to say maybe two or three years ago ) , it is " the silent patient " ......I really enjoyed it along with the crazy twist ....my daughter ( who is an avid reader ) also read that book , and at least a few more of the books you read that I know of.....makes me want to read more books
I have so many book recommendations! I do recommend reading the Good Reads summeries to get a more full idea of each book, but here's a few I think you should read. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong. A cozy found family book set in a fantasy world. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. If you liked the movie, the book is absolutely worth the read! Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. This book is fantasy in a world heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. It follows an Orc lady who has retired from being an Adventurer to open the world's first coffee shop and all the ups and downs along the way. The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish. I first read this when I was in seventh grade. I just wanted something I hadn't read before and my mom offered this to me from her bookshelf. The premise is that eight woman walk away from their lives, quite literally, spontaniously. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. If you've watched the movie, please know that the book and movie are drastically different. I LOVE this book. I read it almost monthly, but I do also love zombie books/movies. If you aren't a zombie fan you might not love love the book but I still think it's a good read. The Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir. A fantasy book series where the world building is insanely good. I just want to gush about it but everything I wanna talk about would be spoilers. Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes. This is scifi with a horror/thriller feel. I really felt the tension building with each new page. How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr. This is an autobiographical poetry book. I read through audiobook and I highly recommend that because it's read by the author. It's so moving. Okay I think that's all for now!
The Long Walk by Stephen King (or pseudonym Richard Bachman depending on which version you have) is my all time favorite King novel. It's relatively short but sooo compelling. I highlyyyy recommend it !!
Ok girly you NEED to read you shouldn’t have come here by Jeneva Rose. It is a thriller with come spice. I can’t stop thinking about the book I read it about 6 months ago. HIGHLY recommend.
For some mystery I highly recommend all the truly devious series (plus the two spin offs) it’s a YA so it is about high schoolers but I loved it cause I don’t do horror/thriller
Some of my favs... The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia Life After Life by Kate Atkinson Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus I hope you'll give my list a shot. I really loved them. Also, as light reading, I loved the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. True Blood was based on this series, but does it's own thing, so they really exist separately in my mind.
I highly recommend Educated but Tara Westover. Such an insightful read about her life and the right to education that we take for granted. I think you would like it! Very empowering!
Summer of ‘99 and then Delta County. Both are by J L Hyde. They stand separately but there’s a third book that ties them. Such good thrillers but also are quick reads
The Nightingale is my second favorite book of all time! The first being Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. If you haven’t read it, I think you would love it. It’s long, but oh SO worth it. Historical fiction and takes place near where I live in Northern California.
Some of my fav from this year that you might like: Lone Women by Victor LaValle (A woman homesteader brings a monster with her but the people are the real monsters) When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb (queer mystery about a demon and angel investing the disappearance of immigrant women) Nicked by MT Anderson (queer heist fantasy about stealing religious relics) The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (nonfiction about a prolific art thief in Europe) The Village Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner (Cozy fantasy mystery centering an elderly librarian) Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (A murder mystery at a family reunion) An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten (Cozy mystery about an elderly lady who is up to no good) The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (A dark fantasy about obsession) Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (A woman's recounting of a mass murder at her sorority) How Can I Help You by Laura Sims (Someone is murdering people at the library)
Uuuugh Pachinko is an AMAZING book! Definitely in my top three as well! And The Silent Patient had me hooked immediately! Am excited to look at all the thriller recommendations others post in the comments as it's typically my favourite genre!
I read 45 books this year but I would recommend finding Mr.Write by Kelly Armstrong, she is one of my favorite authors and this romance book was hard to put down. I bought it as a birthday gift to myself and loved it.
friends!!!! if you’re going to read any of sierras recommendations (especially the Stephen King stories) please please check the trigger warnings. Under the Dome is an INCREDIBLE story, but there are mentions of some dark subject matter. just wanted to put it out there. thanks for sharing sierra! will definitely be checking out some of your faves. i recommend “A Little Life” it’s a long one but worth it
Okay so a thriller recommendation: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn!! Such a fun, quick, and thrilling read. The sequel also comes out in March!!
Book recommendations based on what you liked this year: Midnight Library Behind her Eyes Verity I'm Glad my Mom Died The First Ladies Educated Watching You Better than the Movies Thank you for all your recommendations!
Book Recs: Keeper of Happy Endings (historical fiction romance w some magical realism), Cultish by Amanda Montell (nonfiction book about cult language and how it is used in everyday life), house on the cerulean sea by TJ Klune (cozy fantasy, lgbtq romance, one of my all time fave books and honestly anything by TJ Klune!!), When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (sooooo good!!!) I’m sure I have more but these are what come to mind
i've recommended these to you before, but i'm still suggesting them! lol - wish you were here by jodi picoult, pack up the moon by kristan higgins, the things we leave unfinished by rebecca yarros
I have a theory that whatever Emily Henry you read first will be your favorite. I read Beach Read first and really enjoyed it and every other one had just been fine to me. Except Book Lovers.... controversial.... but I hated that one. 😅
I would LOVE to see this as a monthly or quarterly thing going forward. Thank you for doing this!
Never stop doing book-girlie content! You helped me get back into reading and I’m pumped for 2025!
You mentioned in another video that YT is now more like a side hustle for you BUT DANG girl you are pumping out the videos. Thank you for staying on YT and doing what works for you this past year. It's been fun to watch. Happy New Year!
You know it’s a good reading year when there are so many books we need a part two!! Loved both of these videos!
I definitely loved BookTube Sierra, excited for more of this kind of content!
I've read 5 books since October (the hunger games series, the ballad of the song birds and snakes, and twilight) and I'm currently on my 6th book of the year (new moon.)
I haven't read any books prior to these in around 8 plus years and even though these are rereads and easy books, I'm still super proud of myself for actually picking up books again.
I’ve been recommending Only Plane In the Sky to anyone that would listen for years! I’ve listening to it multiple times and it’s just as incredible and touching each time. It provides the most in depth and detailed perspective on 9/11 that you’ll ever get. Leaves me in tears every time.
Thank you for doing a complete ranking of all the books you read. I will definitely get back to this video when I stand in a bookstore wandering which book to pick up 👍
I absolutely love Talia Hibbert. I've read her entire collection (besides the one I'm currently in the middle of) she's a Black autistic woman with chronic illness based in the UK, and does a phenomenal job at writing about the topics (mental health, LGBTQIA+, chronic illness/disability, societal pressures, etc.). She also writes almost exclusively about Black plus size women and I honestly just adore her. Her spicy scenes are 10/10 honestly I've found it difficult to find an author who can do it better.
The undertaking of hart and mercy is another good romantasy series! The third book will be out in June but I thoroughly enjoyed the first two!
I absolutely loved this video and I can't wait for your updates!
sierra PLEASE make a storygraph!!😭😭
☝️☝️☝️
Based off of your account of Pachinko, I highly recommend The Covenant of Water! It follows multiple generations of an family in India from 1900-1970's and their mysterious "condition." It follows multiple perspectives and an incredible cast of compelling characters. 5 star must read!!
I just finished the covenant of water today and I was going to make the same comment!
Cutting for stone by the same author also really good !
I love that you're in your reading era! I also really enjoyed T3, 11/22/63 and Pachinko. I'm going to take your recommendation for Under the Dome!
I recommend 'The Rachel Incident', 'Blue Sisters', 'The Briar Club', ''The Wedding People' and 'Bad Summer People'.
A kind of weird dip into thrillers for those who aren’t sure about them: The Leaving. Several kindergartners go missing and then come back like 10-12 years later with no idea who they are or what the last several years had been. Quite interesting to watch them unravel the story!
These were my fav videos you did of the whole year!!!! Please do more! The book girlies love it.
Omg the Sarah Dessen books were everything
I re-read Project Hail Mary this year but it was my favorite book the year that I read it. And if I let it count this year, it would be my favorite again. You should read it!!!
I dumb lucked out and happened to finish part one right when you dropped part two. LETS GO!!!
Sierra you HAVE to read Hunger by Roxane Gay. As someone who’s struggled with body confidence & weight, this memoir was absolutely phenomenal. I know you’d love it
Literally just watched part 1!! So excited to see your fav reads of the year!!
I’m so glad you loved Pachinko! I read it back in the beginning of 2020 (pre-covid 🤯) and as someone who is also a fan of kpop and loves and appreciates Korean culture, I appreciated learning about the history of the country this way. It is such a heart-wrenching book that deserves to be talked about more!
I would HIGHLY recommend The God of the Woods. It was an absolutely amazing thriller (not horror)! If you are into 70s vibes, camp counselor goes missing, multiple perspectives and family secrets then you’ll absolutely love it.
I really disliked First Lie Wins. It was so boring and the I didn’t care about the characters whatsoever. I finished it because I needed a book title that starts with F for my book challenge, but it was painful.
I agree! God of the Woods was an awesome read
If you haven't read Listen for the Lie yet, I think it would be a good thriller rec for you! I would also rec the audiobook because it has a podcast element that lends itself well to being listened to.
So good!
I loved this video! My favorite books of 2024 were “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig and “Under the Whispering Door” by TJ Klune. Highly recommend both!
Under the whispering door is phenomenal!
i know you don’t like Colleen Hoover but please give Verity a try
also, The perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose and Never Lie by Freida McFadden ( anything by freida tbh) are soo good!!
Omg girl you HAVE to read The Four Winds!! It’s my fav Kristin Hannah book.
This was brilliant and so helpful!
All Freida McFadden books are brilliant, one-sitting books!
I really enjoy your book videos! When you first recommended The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I immediately purchased it and LOVED it! Also purchased Pachinko because the library wait list was forever and getting ready to start it tomorrow.
My favorite author is Lisa Gardner. You should read "The Husband". I would say the book is 70% suspense and 30% romance. I couldn't put it down!
The Nightingale has been my all time favorite read, still have yet to find a book to top that one for me. So devastatingly beautiful and powerful.😭 Let about 5 other people borrow that book and they all adored it. I’m so glad to see it as your #1 this year. Bought a couple of other books on your list, love love love this video. 🥹🥰 Happy New Years!!
You'd love Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi!
If you would like to try crime novels, I really enjoyed reading Lisa Gardners books! The first one i read was "Love you more" and it was a book that made me love reading again a few years ago! just a warning, her books can be a bit heavy, but very much suck you in because you just want to find out what and why everything is happening. As I understand, there is kinda of an order in which to read the books, but I read some of them just picking by the vibes and I haven't felt like I was missing some details out.
This was such an amazing watch. Saving so many of the books. Agree with you on tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow - I pumped my first when you mentioned it 😂
Would love to hear any books that you decided to not finish, if any
Hi Sierra I hope this reaches you in time! Every year there’s this book fair/festival always hosted at Santa Monica Highschool called yallwest and there’s so many free books, early releases, book signings. Raffles for free books and there’s even some children/toddler books in case grace wants to tag along!!! I’ve never gone outside of volunteering so I’m not sure the price to enter but it’s definitely worth it
You should read the perfect marriage!
I hope we get more book content from you in 2025! Love the way you talk about books!
I will speak for myself when I say I love hearing about your reading! Some thriller recommendations: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a classic for a reason. Or if you've never read any Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl and Sharp Objects are the two I've read), she is truly a master
My Nr. 1 this year was „The Sword of Kaigen“! Heartbreaking fantasy book with incredible characters and beautiful writing. Thank you for your list! 🥰
AWESOME video, Sierra! You’ve got me convinced to read Under the Dome in 2025! My favorites this year were Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll and The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon! I strongly recommend those! Would love to hear more book updates and I’ll follow you on Goodreads!
If you liked Under the Dome, you'd probably like The Stand too! It was super intimidating to me (that genre is not usually my thing), but when I finally tried it, I realized why people call it Stephen King's best work. It has very similar vibes and structure to Under the Dome, too.
My top book of the year is "More than this" by Patrick Ness, it's a hidden gem about what it means to be human, and choosing to keep living, it is about friendship and is SO GOOD. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!!
I finished the nightingale two days ago and it was by far my favorite book of the year! so beautiful 😭 I can’t stop thinking about it
Firstly! I want to say as a Jewish person that I truly appreciate your value, care, sensitivity, and appreciation for books about the holocaust. It is such a strong generational trauma in our lives and it really is important that we share these stories to stop future hate.
Secondly, on a more fun note, you NEED to read The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore! It’s the second book in the dream harbor series but you don’t need to read the first book to read the second.
Opening Goodreads to add more books to my ever growing to be read list.
I think based on your reading you would LOVE one of my top books of the year, the warm hands of ghosts by katherine arden!! it’s a historical fiction primarily set in WWII and it flips between perspectives of a brother and sister. the sister is a decorated war nurse and her brother is a soldier missing and presumed dead. it follows her trying to uncover what happened to him and also his perspective in the years prior of what actually did happen. I will warn that I know in your past vlog you said you don’t prefer fantasy, and there are some fantasy elements to it that come in, but they don’t take away from the story at all in my opinion (I do love and read mostly fantasy though)! it is such a well written story and just so good, I read it and then couldn’t stop thinking about it for days, would highly recommend!
It's always so fun to see favorite books recaps, especially from readers with broad tastes. Glad to add some new ideas to my TBR. Here are my 4 star reads from 2024 in case you spy any titles that look interesting (and only one 5 star read this year! I'm stingy with my 5 stars though)
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lights Out by Elise Hart Kipness
Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study by Maria Snyder (parts 1-3 of a series)
Three Wishes by Lianne Moriarty
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (parts 1 and 2 of a series)
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Irish Rose by Susanne O'Leary
What Never Happened by Rachel Howzell Hall
Under the Dome by Stephen King
The Accounting by William Lashner
5 star:
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
i read the nightingale this year!! the end had me ugly sobbing and heaving alone on my couch. it was definitely my #1 book of the year as well
Definitely think you would like I Must Betray You. It’s historical fiction and what made me love that as a genre!
Mark of the Lion Series - Francine Rivers & also Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
You have to read the Four Winds if you haven’t yet! If you loved the Nightingale which is also probably my favorite book of all time…. You’ll also love the Four Winds! I am not a fast reader and I read it in a day
Also, Piranesi!!!! Just read it and LOVED it!
Loved hearing your favourite books of 2024!
My top reads were Going under by Sonia Henry and Emotional female by Yumiko Kadota SUCH GOOD BOOKS 5/5
I read 80 books this year and I think The Seven Year Slip was the best one.
Frieda McFadden and Riley Sager are good authors for mystery/suspense and their books are quick & easy reads! Also, you gotta read the other Housemaid books! 2 was just as good.. 3 was okay.
Two thrillers I’d recommend both with their fair share of suspense are “Before She Finds Me” by Heather Chavez and my absolute fave, “Things We Do in the Dark” by Jennifer Hillier!
Since, as you said, you read all the genres, I have three recommendations for you: „A million little pieces” by James Frey - a memoir about addiction, mental health and rehab. It still makes me cry my eyes out every time I read it.
Second would be a horror (since you asked for it) - „Terror” by Dan Simmons - a thrilling story about two ships HMS Terror and HMS Erebus that were searching for Northwest Passage in the 1845. It is weirdly accurate about what happened to this expedition (minus some of the supernatural stuff). Chilling. And since you liked a lot of historical fiction it might be right up your alley.
Of course all of the Stephen King, coz I love him 😅
And because you might want to try sci-fi: „Hyperion” also by Dan Simmons. It’s about 7 pilgrims that come from different parts of the galaxy to visit this mythical tomb to try to prevent the destruction of the whole human race. All have their own wishes and aspirations to ask as well and since the road is long (and mostly boring), they decide to tell each other their stories for entertainment. It really shows different ways people are shaped and the overall story just grips you from the beginning. I looooved it so much.
Hope you have an excellent reading experience in 2025 ❤
Loved The Nightengale!! I just finished the Seven Year Slip, and it was such a sweet treat! Have you read The Time Traveler’s Wife, A Prayer for Owen Meany, or She’s Come Undone? All older books but so good!!!
You’d love Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu! It follows a family moving throughout China and then the states. And it’s told via different generations. So great!
I’m right there with you about Funny Story and The Great Alone. Those were 2 of the best books that I read in 2024!
My favorite thriller/ suspense book I read this year was "the last house on needless street" by Catriona Ward! It's about a girl that disappeared years ago and her sister who wants to prove that the main suspect in the case (Ted) killed her. So she moves in the house next to him on needless street where he lives with his daughter and his cat. I read it within two days and it stuck with me for a long time. It has a great twist you really can't see coming and is a bit dark and I highly recommend it!
The nightingale was also my favorite book this year. Added some of your recommendations to my TBR for 2025 too! More book content plzzzzzzzz
Jennifer McMahon writes great thrillers/supernatural/mystery books! Highly recommend starting with “Promise Not to Tell”.
If you're enjoying thrillers, my favorite authors right now are Lucy Foley, Loreth Anne White, Freida McFadden, Debra Webb, and Jess Lourey.
Thank you for the great recommendations. I'll definitely be checking some of these out. If you enjoy thriller you should try Karen Robards. I love the Dr Charlotte Stone series (the first book is called the Last Victim). More recently, she's written a lot of historical fiction, which I'm sure you'd enjoy too.
I'm not much of a reader , I read slowly ( it takes forever to finish a book ) although some books I can get through quickly ....I love books , buy them all the time ,love buying sets ( series ) , and have many books waiting to be read....but out of all the books you read , there is one that I read ( I want to say maybe two or three years ago ) , it is " the silent patient " ......I really enjoyed it along with the crazy twist ....my daughter ( who is an avid reader ) also read that book , and at least a few more of the books you read that I know of.....makes me want to read more books
Lisa Jewell is a great thriller writer! The Night She Disappeared and None of This is True are two of my favourites.
Loving the book content! 😊❤❤
I read 11/22/63 because of you and I loved it!!
I have so many book recommendations! I do recommend reading the Good Reads summeries to get a more full idea of each book, but here's a few I think you should read.
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong. A cozy found family book set in a fantasy world.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. If you liked the movie, the book is absolutely worth the read!
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. This book is fantasy in a world heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. It follows an Orc lady who has retired from being an Adventurer to open the world's first coffee shop and all the ups and downs along the way.
The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish. I first read this when I was in seventh grade. I just wanted something I hadn't read before and my mom offered this to me from her bookshelf. The premise is that eight woman walk away from their lives, quite literally, spontaniously.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. If you've watched the movie, please know that the book and movie are drastically different. I LOVE this book. I read it almost monthly, but I do also love zombie books/movies. If you aren't a zombie fan you might not love love the book but I still think it's a good read.
The Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir. A fantasy book series where the world building is insanely good. I just want to gush about it but everything I wanna talk about would be spoilers.
Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes. This is scifi with a horror/thriller feel. I really felt the tension building with each new page.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr. This is an autobiographical poetry book. I read through audiobook and I highly recommend that because it's read by the author. It's so moving.
Okay I think that's all for now!
You've gotta read just for the summer by Abby Jimenez!
Absolutely LIVING for the book content!! Keep it coming!! 📚
The Long Walk by Stephen King (or pseudonym Richard Bachman depending on which version you have) is my all time favorite King novel. It's relatively short but sooo compelling. I highlyyyy recommend it !!
Ok girly you NEED to read you shouldn’t have come here by Jeneva Rose. It is a thriller with come spice. I can’t stop thinking about the book I read it about 6 months ago. HIGHLY recommend.
Anything Lisa Jewel are great thrillers! Lots of twists, easy reads
For some mystery I highly recommend all the truly devious series (plus the two spin offs) it’s a YA so it is about high schoolers but I loved it cause I don’t do horror/thriller
Some of my favs...
The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I hope you'll give my list a shot. I really loved them.
Also, as light reading, I loved the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. True Blood was based on this series, but does it's own thing, so they really exist separately in my mind.
I highly recommend Educated but Tara Westover. Such an insightful read about her life and the right to education that we take for granted. I think you would like it! Very empowering!
Summer of ‘99 and then Delta County. Both are by J L Hyde. They stand separately but there’s a third book that ties them. Such good thrillers but also are quick reads
Is there a link where we can see these?
The Nightingale is my second favorite book of all time! The first being Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. If you haven’t read it, I think you would love it. It’s long, but oh SO worth it. Historical fiction and takes place near where I live in Northern California.
Some of my fav from this year that you might like:
Lone Women by Victor LaValle (A woman homesteader brings a monster with her but the people are the real monsters)
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb (queer mystery about a demon and angel investing the disappearance of immigrant women)
Nicked by MT Anderson (queer heist fantasy about stealing religious relics)
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (nonfiction about a prolific art thief in Europe)
The Village Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner (Cozy fantasy mystery centering an elderly librarian)
Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (A murder mystery at a family reunion)
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten (Cozy mystery about an elderly lady who is up to no good)
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (A dark fantasy about obsession)
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (A woman's recounting of a mass murder at her sorority)
How Can I Help You by Laura Sims (Someone is murdering people at the library)
you should read things we leave unfinished!!! historical fiction and a beautiful love story with a twist at the end!!
I LOVE these Videos the most!
Uuuugh Pachinko is an AMAZING book! Definitely in my top three as well! And The Silent Patient had me hooked immediately! Am excited to look at all the thriller recommendations others post in the comments as it's typically my favourite genre!
I read 45 books this year but I would recommend finding Mr.Write by Kelly Armstrong, she is one of my favorite authors and this romance book was hard to put down. I bought it as a birthday gift to myself and loved it.
friends!!!! if you’re going to read any of sierras recommendations (especially the Stephen King stories) please please check the trigger warnings. Under the Dome is an INCREDIBLE story, but there are mentions of some dark subject matter. just wanted to put it out there.
thanks for sharing sierra! will definitely be checking out some of your faves. i recommend “A Little Life” it’s a long one but worth it
Okay so a thriller recommendation: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn!! Such a fun, quick, and thrilling read. The sequel also comes out in March!!
My libby hold list has grown so much!
Not much of a reader, but this makes me want to try reading a book or two.
I don’t see the good reads link to see what you are reading
Book recommendations based on what you liked this year:
Midnight Library
Behind her Eyes
Verity
I'm Glad my Mom Died
The First Ladies
Educated
Watching You
Better than the Movies
Thank you for all your recommendations!
Book Recs: Keeper of Happy Endings (historical fiction romance w some magical realism), Cultish by Amanda Montell (nonfiction book about cult language and how it is used in everyday life), house on the cerulean sea by TJ Klune (cozy fantasy, lgbtq romance, one of my all time fave books and honestly anything by TJ Klune!!), When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (sooooo good!!!) I’m sure I have more but these are what come to mind
It might not be up your alley, but I love Piranesi
I love Freida McFadden!!
Please review the logilates target collab against regular logilates! It just dropped today but is selling out fast❤️
My favorite suspenseful book that I read this year was The One by John Maars. Highly recommend.
i've recommended these to you before, but i'm still suggesting them! lol - wish you were here by jodi picoult, pack up the moon by kristan higgins, the things we leave unfinished by rebecca yarros
Daisy Jones and the six is slightly based on Fleetwood Mac! 🙂
Thank you so much for doing this video… it gave me lots of books to add to my list for 2025.
I don’t know if you read it but I absolutely loved Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. It’s historical fiction.
I have a theory that whatever Emily Henry you read first will be your favorite. I read Beach Read first and really enjoyed it and every other one had just been fine to me. Except Book Lovers.... controversial.... but I hated that one. 😅
My brilliant friend by Elena ferrante and that whole series is phenomenal. Couldn’t put any of the series down would highly recommend.