My Favorite Books of 2024
I recently read a quote that said a person’s favorite book(s) says a lot about who they are. I never thought about it that way, but it makes sense. Book characters are intricate, flawed, and human. And I think that if those characters (real or not) speak to us in a certain way, it reflects something about our character.
My top three books of 2024 actually reflect my year quite well. It’s true that last year, I began the search for my purpose in life (like Kalinithi), I did a lot of research at UCL on centering Black voices (like Everett), and I made significant steps in the direction of learning how to write it all down (as King advises). I urge you to consider your favorite books of 2024, and of all time, and ask yourself how they align with your own life. It’s pretty cool to think about.
Anyway, this was a hard list to narrow down since I managed to read 54 books this year, but if I had to pick my favorites, it would be these:
My Top 10 Books of 2024
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi
- James by Percival Everett
- On Writing by Stephen King
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- Recitatif by Toni Morrison
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
- The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
- Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
- Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux
Honorable mentions: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
You’ll notice that only two books on this list (#2 and #9) were published in 2024. I read over ten books published in 2024, but interestingly, most of my favorites were classics people had recommended. I hope to continue reading both old and new in 2025.
Here are some quick thoughts, and my favorite quotes, from each of my 10 picks:
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi
I've talked about it many times, so I hope you'll believe me when I say this book is life-changing. It was not only my favorite book of 2024, but quickly became one of my all-time favorite reads. You can read my in depth Literary Review. This was also the She Dwells January Book Club Pick!
Favorite Quote:
'I had come to see language as an almost supernatural force, existing between people, bringing our brains, shielded in centimeter-thick skulls, into communion ... There must be a way, I thought, that the language of life as experience- of passion, of hunger, of love- bore some relationship, however convoluted, to the language of neurons, digestive tracts, and heartbeats' (39)
James by Percival Everett
I’ll admit, I wasn’t drawn in by the book sleeve, but only because I didn’t think I would like an adventure tale. If you feel the same way, start with the first chapter. Yes, stand right there in that bookstore and read the first chapter. I was hooked after that.
This book takes historical fiction to a new level. With James’ character, Everett illuminates the inaccurate descriptions of enslaved people during the 19th century and pushes for more. He doesn’t use this story to prove that there were enslaved people who were literate and competent; he shows that there were enslaved people who were brilliant and deliberate.
FQ:
‘I am the angel of death, come to offer sweet justice in the night … I am a sign. I am your future. I am James’ (302)
On Writing by Stephen King
To be clear, this is not a story; it’s a guide. The first part of the book is King talking about his childhood and his first memories of books and writing. King’s personal story and all the little details are essential because they underscore the nonlinear path of authorship and show how his best-selling stories are intricately connected to his personal life.
The second part of the book, titled ‘On Writing,’ is where I took extensive notes on my computer. King presents a comprehensive guide on how to write. He gives us every detail of his writing method, including what time he writes, how often he writes, how long he spends on a draft, when to re-read a draft, and when to move on, etc. It’s straight to the point and incredibly effective. I now use his method of writing 2,000 words a day.
FQ:
‘Good story ideas seem to come quite literally from nowhere, sailing at you right out of the empty sky: two previously unrelated ideas come together and make something new under the sun. Your job isn’t to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up’ (37)
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Take the afternoon off and read this. This piece consists of two letters, one Baldwin wrote to his nephew and one he wrote to the general public about the budding civil rights movement. It is personal, blunt, insightful, and scarily applicable to the current state of the world.
‘There is no reason for you to try to become like white people and there is no basis whatever for their impertinent assumption that they must accept you. The really terrible thing, old buddy, is that you must accept them. And I mean that very seriously. You must accept them and accept them with love’ (8)
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
An essential read for any American. In under 50 pages, Morrison makes you question everything you know about race. I wrote a long essay on this for class last year, and I need more people to discuss it with. Again, take 60 minutes and read this short story; it’ll leave you staring at a blank wall.
‘Her own hair was so big and wild I could hardly see her face. But the eyes. I would know them anywhere’ (16)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Now, this is how you write fiction! I can’t personally relate to any aspect of this story, and yet I was engrossed by it. This piece takes you to the English countryside in the 1930s, where Mr. Stevens, the butler of Lord Darlington, repeatedly questions his morals on servitude, friendship, and love. And the ending is just heartbreaking. If you haven’t read any Ishiguro, start here.
‘But that doesn’t mean to say, of course, there aren’t occasions now and then -extremely desolate occasions- when you think to yourself: ‘What a terrible mistake I’ve made with my life.’ And you get to thinking about a different life, a better life you might have had. For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may have had with you, Mr. Stevens’
The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
A piece of history that should be cherished and redistributed. This little book depicts the lives of the West Indians who fled to London in the 1950s in search of economic prosperity. This was especially dear to me since my grandfather Vincent left Jamaica in 1948 to work in England, and also because I was living abroad in London while reading this. Through Selvon’s descriptions, I was able to better understand what my grandfather’s life looked like and how fortunate I am to have lived in a different London. This book is a touching ode to the Windrush Generation.
‘So Galahad talking to the colour Black, as if is a person, telling it that is not he who causing botheration in the place, but Black, who is a worthless thing for making trouble all about’ (77)
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
A sweet story that portrays the fragility of life. If you could go back in time and visit one person for less than five minutes, who would you visit and what would you say?
‘Can you forgive me that all I could do was bring you into this world?’
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
My first Mellors book and the prose is as stunning as the front cover. This is a story of three sisters navigating adulthood and the unexpected loss of their fourth sister. It is an excellent read for young women in big cities and a beautiful testament to the severity of Endometriosis.
‘Her palms thrust water aside, as though flinging open heavy curtains to let in the day. It grew warmer as she drew closer. She kept swimming. She was almost there. Light broke over her head like applause. She breached the surface, gasping for air’ (331)
Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux
In 48 pages, a woman confesses how her affair with a married man has irrevocably consumed her life. This diary-entry-like story exposes the thoughts and actions people in love are often afraid to admit. It is raw and electrifying.
‘When I was a child, luxury was fur coats, evening dresses, and villas by the sea. Later on, I thought it meant leading the life of an intellectual. Now I feel that it is also being able to live out a passion for a man or a woman’ (48)
I can’t wait to see what gems I read in 2025, though I’ve lowered my goal to 30 books this year. As always, I'd love to hear your favorites and any recommendations!
