Top 10 Books I Read in 2024!

2024 turned out to be one of my most important years. Publishing my first books, making breakthroughs in my mental health, and reading many works of fantastic literature, it was a treasure trove of experiences.

Hoping to make the best of '25, but before that, I'd like to make a list of all the books I read in 2024!

I've got a few rules before I start: first, only one book per series, or I'd end up repeating myself too often, and there wouldn't be enough room for variety.

Second, I can only include a book if it's part of my 2024 year in books: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_i...
If I didn't record it on Goodreads, then I can't include it!

And third, no re-reads. Sorry, Hunger Games, you know I love you, but I'm looking for the new kids on the block.

And as always, all of this is my opinion, so feel free to disagree! Now let's go!

#10: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: In the city of Verona, Italy, a fierce feud between two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, has been raging. When two young people, one from each family, fall madly in love with one another, tensions start to rise, but the two lovers are determined to be together no matter what the cost.
Shakespeare's classic tale still holds up, and thanks to the No Fear Shakespeare edition, even modern-day casual audiences can enjoy it!

#9: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney: When Greg's family goes on vacation with a group of relatives from his mom's side, they're hoping for a relaxing stay at a vacation house from his mother's and aunts' childhoods. But when family drama, trip hijinks, and more come into play, it's apparent that this trip might not be memorable for all the reasons they were hoping for.
After I finished No Brainer, I was worried about where the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series was headed, but the most recent entry in the series gave me hope! It's super fun and very re-readable!

#8: Call of the Crow by Jessica Khoury: In the Clandoms, everyone is born with wings, but not everyone is treated the same. This society faces many issues, such as racism, classism, and of course, the fearsome gargols that make the skies unsafe. The second book expands the world greatly and furthers the engaging story, raising questions concerning whether the inhabitants of this world are meant to live on the surface.
One of my most recent favorite series! While I intended the read the final book, Phoenix Flight, earlier this year, my plans ended up changing. But sometime soon, I hope to finish this trilogy!

#7: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: After the Frank family went into hiding for fear of persecution by the Nazis, thirteen-year-old Anne, the youngest member, started keeping a diary that she hoped would be read one day around the world.
In Anne's writings, we find a tale of growth and discover that she became wise beyond her years while in hiding. While she may not be around today, this extraordinary girl lives on her book, which remains essential World War 2 literature.

#6: A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry: When orca whale Vega is separated from her pod after two fierce natural disasters, she must brave the unrecognizable ocean to return home with her brother, Deneb.
One of the few authors who has brought me to tears, Parry's second novel in her series, A Voice for the Wilderness, tells us a stand-alone (Though perhaps loosely connected?) story containing themes of bonds, familial struggle, and protecting the world we live in. Melancholic and heart-touching.

#5: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of The Fire Nation by Joshua Pruett: With the war over, Uncle Iroh shares his memories with his nephew, Fire Lord Zuko, revealing secrets and providing insight of their nation's past and future.
A fantastic companion to the iconic tv series! This book contains a lot of fascinating and heartfelt commentary delivered by Uncle Iroh and the cast of the Avatar universe!

#4: Flamer by Mike Curato: Aiden Navarro is on his last camping trip before high school, and he's hoping to make the most of it. But before long, the changes he's facing start to take a toll on him, and before he knows it, he's on a path of self-discovery and identity that could define his future.
A title that's faced a disturbing amount of bans and challenges. While I won't be sharing any spoilers for the story, I will say that this book is one of the best ones I've read that deals with how hurtful bullying and discrimination can be. So please, leave this book on the shelves where teens can find it. I know I would have enjoyed it in my late teens.

#3: Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid: Hoping to no longer conceal his special abilities from those around him, Clark Kent heads to Metropolis to introduce his new identity to the world: Superman.
Perhaps the definitive gateway story to the Man of Steel, Birthright shows us why Superman, though a man without limits, is one we can relate to, as we see his struggles with his identity, his desire to be accepted, and like many adopted children, his curiosity about where he came from.

#2: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: In this memoir, Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, shares his experiences in the concentration camps as well as what he learned to survive spiritually, including, but not limited to, finding meaning in suffering.
A must-read survivor's tale, and a testament to how meaning can carry an individual through even the worst of times.

And before I get to the number one pick, here's a few honorable mentions!

Animal Farm by George Orwell: After driving out the corrupt farmer that had made their lives miserable, the animals of Animal farm hope to create a brighter future for themselves. But before long, the pigs take charge with some ideas of their own that could lead to the kind of change none of the animals ever expected...
Orwell's timeless tale about the decline of a society after a revolution, having become the exact thing it once sought to overthrow thanks to the manipulation of those in charge.

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei: When Takei was four years old, he found his father's country at war with his family's own, and in this graphic novel, he shares with us his family's struggles in American internment camps.
This is one of the first books I've read on this part of my country's history, and I hope to read more about it in the future.

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis: When Melody and her family arrive in Glacier National Park, she doesn't expect to have a good time on account of her memories there of her recently deceased mother. But when she encounters a grizzly bear, the trip takes a terrifying turn.
A quick but engaging bit of historical fiction. While many would at first assume the grizzlies to be vicious beasts, the story shows us that in truth, they are beautiful creatures whose homes are under threat from pollution, and that they ultimately cannot be held responsible for the events the book is based on.

#1: Gateway to the Stoics: Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, Epictetus's Enchiridion, and Selections from Seneca's Letters by Marcus Aurelius and others: A collection for newcomers to Stoicism, containing works from the three most famous stoics in history, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca.
Stoicism, the philosophy that has changed my life, has been around for thousands of years, but my personal introduction to it was this book. With these writings, I think a lot of people can find a path to peace in life no matter their circumstances, and I expect it's going to be a lot of help for me in the coming years.

Thank you guys so much for reading this, and I hope to see you again in the future! Got some plans for my first book's one-year anniversary!