
Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
I would just like to start this post by giving a shoutout to the two gift fairies who sent me something from my list last week. I’m so thankful for the connections that I’ve built within the blogging community, and I sincerely hope to continue being an active part of this community.
This week’s post is best books I read in 2024, and I literally always detest making these lists because I read so many books that are amazing, and it’s basically impossible to limit my list to just ten. I’m reviewing all of my monthly wrap-up posts for this year to discover my favorite book of the month, and this is what I came up with:












- The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen — I loved this dark and twisted fantasy novel featuring travel to exotic locations and I couldn’t have put this book down even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t.
- I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander — How could I not fall in love with a story about a hot mess of a woman who creates a golem of the perfect man.
- Night Owls by A.R. Vishny — This focused on Jewish folklore, but merged it seamlessly into a fantastic fantasy novel.
- The Lies of Alma Blackwell by Amanda Glaze — Another really great book, this one features a magical pact and dark family history.
- The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper — The finale to the Wolf Den trilogy, this book is fantastic and easily my favorite of the Pompeii-based series.
- The Vicious King by Gina L. Maxwell — Another finale to a trilogy, I loved this spicy romantasy featuring paranormal creatures living in Sin City. Seems pretty apt.
- Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf by Deke Moulton — Moulton is on fire with their MG books that are wonderfully Jewish while making them accessible to everyone. This time, there are Jewish werewolves working to improve their community and free it from hate.
- Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerrin Mayne — This one reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine but set in Australia, and it was such a great, moving story.
- Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope — I read this as a buddy read with a friend, and we were both blown away by how incredible this story about a Black community trying to save their community from the government, who wants to create a dam. It’s inspired by true events.
- Lilith by Eric Rickstad — At first, I was intimidated by reading my first book about a school shooting, but that makes up only a short portion of the book, and the powerful shockwaves that a community experiences as a result of the shooting.
- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon — I’m a sucker for a good historical fiction, and this one featuring a female healer trying to solve a murder as she is opposed by the strong misogyny of the times.
- Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick — Another trilogy finale, this book was so incredible and wonderfully written. I loved the way that everything was tied up so beautifully.
Okay, so I couldn’t limit myself to ten, but I pared the list down from thirteen, so that’s progress, right?
What are some of your favorite reads of 2024? Have you read any of these?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
‘Lenny Marks’ looks really interesting! That’s one I’m going to have to read about because seeing it on your list has made me curious. 🙂
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Oh, I hope you check it out! I really loved the story and Lenny, it’s so heartwarming.
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I’ve added some of these to my TBR list of 2025.
my TTT
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I’m so glad to hear that! I love when my lists inspire others to read books I enjoyed.
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Great list! Twelve books make sense to me – one for each month.
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That’s actually what I did! I read back through each of my monthly wrap ups, since I highlight my favorite book of the month in the post.
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I would have been so sad if you hadn’t included Benji Zeb as you introduced me to the book. Happy 2025, Leah!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/my-twelve-favorite-reads-of-2024/
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Happy 2025, Pam! There was no way that I could leave Benji Zeb off my list of favorite books. Have you read Moulton’s other book, Don’t Want to Be Your Monster? It’s another amazing read.
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The Black Hunger seems excellent, and I’d heard very good things about Carrick’s work. Good to find so many great recs here! Wish you a very happy ’25 full of good books.
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Thanks, nice to see you around again! 2024 was full of such good reads, I couldn’t possibly limit it to 10. The Black Hunger was outstanding, and it’s really good as an audiobook as well. Happy New Year!
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Lilith caught my attention!
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Lydia – I’m not surprised at all that you gravitated towards that one. It was such a deep and powerful story, and I think you’d get a lot out of it.
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So many of these sound good!!! I had Benji Zeb at my house last fall to read and I ran out of time before I needed to return it. I am going to get it again so I can finish it lol. What I read was so good.
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I remember you saying that; I hope you’re able to check it out again soon – it’s such a great story and a powerful message. And based on your posts, it seems like it would be right up your alley. Here’s to some new favorite reads in 2025!
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THE FROZEN RIVER is the only book I’ve read from your list. I liked it, but I didn’t LOVE it like I thought I would. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much and all these others. Happy New Year!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Happy New Year, Susan! I always get a little happy when I see someone just adore a book that was a pretty good read for me but not a great one. Here’s to finding even better favorites in 2025!
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I loved The Frozen River, and I need to go back and finish The Wolf’s Den trilogy. I’m intrigued by Made It Out of Clay and Lenny Marks. Thanks for the recommendations!
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All of those are such amazing reads – I hope you love them as much as I did!
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Interesting selections! I still need to read, Labyrinth’s Heart; and, I’ve heard excellent things about, The Black Hunger!
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I think you’re going to like both of those books!
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I haven’t read any of these, but I’m glad you enjoyed them! I hope you read a lot of great books this year! Here is our <a href=”https://www.longandshortreviews.com/miscellaneous-musings/top-ten-tuesday-best-books-i-read-in-2024/“>Top Ten Tuesday.</a>
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Thank you! There were so many incredible reads in 2024, it was hard to limit myself to just 12.
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What a list! Labyrinth’s Heart and Daughter of the Merciful Deep are two brilliant reads, and I already have The Black Hunger on my TBR after your amazing review… will absolutely be checking a few more of these out though.
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I seriously read some amazing books in 2024. Here’s to an even better 2025, which you’ll be having if you read these books 🤣
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🤣🤣🤣
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Great list! All of these books look amazing. Especially The Lies of Alma Blackwell and The Frozen River 🙂
If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT: https://thebooklorefairy.blogspot.com/2024/12/top-ten-tuesday-the-best-books-i-read-in-2024.html
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Thank you! Both of those were excellent, and I hope you give them a read and love them as much as I did.
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I’m glad you read so many good books! Hopefully 2025 is a successful reading year for you.
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Me too! 2024 was a great reading year, and so far, 2025 is shaping up the same way. To finding new favorites and old comforts in 2025!
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Here is my list. I was out of town away from my computer so I am catching up now: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2024/12/favorite-novels-read-in-2024.html
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Welcome back! But I have to admit that it is nice to get away for a bit and step back from the computer.
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I just borrowed The Frozen River from the library and I love The Rook and Rose trilogy so much!! So happy to see you love it too!
Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
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They’re such awesome books! I did a buddy read of the entire Rook and Rose trilogy – we couldn’t do anything but binge read because it was so good!
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