I kept thinking of the ‘best of 2024’ book lists that come out between November and December (even before the last books are released in 2024) and how they don’t always sit right with me. There are always great books that are left out. And what does ‘best’ even mean? The best book for one reader might not be the best for another.
So I’ve put together a list of some books I read in 2024 (some of which were published this year, some of which are older) that I would highly recommend, in no particular order. Here we go!
Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson with illustrations by Ekua Holmes. A gorgeous and powerful collection of poetry and images. I kept wanting to highlight specific lines and share them with the person next to me.
For Girls Who Walk Through Fire by Kim DeRose. If Promising Young Woman met The Craft, DeRose weaves a story of magic and pain and power and community.
Rez Ball by Byron Graves. A grounded, funny, and moving portrayal of a teen boy striving to take his reservation high school basketball team to state after the untimely death of his beloved older brother.
White Rose by Kip Wilson. A novel-in-verse from the perspective of college student Sophie Scholl, who spoke out against the Nazi regime as part of the White Rose resistance group. All too timely and gorgeously powerful.
The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin. A true survivor story, centered around a teen girl who finds a pack of wild girls living in the woods and discovers the deep connections they have as they navigate the often cruel ‘real world.’
All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr. A novel-in-verse about a teen girl standing up against the powerful pastor who abused her. I finished this in one sitting it was so good!
Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire by Paula Yoo. A phenomenally researched and written look at the assault of Rodney King and the LA civil unrest that followed, digging into the history and relationships of Black and Korean communities in that area.
Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu. The perfect blend of contemporary middle grade and fantasy horror in this moving adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper. I wish I could give this to my sixth-grade self!
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo. A novel-in-verse about a teen poet who navigates between her traditional Sudanese upbringing and her contemporary American friends as she falls under the sway of a charming older poet.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. Fantastic and fresh world-building as a Native American teen enters a magic school to learn how to work with the young dragon who bonded to her at birth.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Both personal and expansive, one woman’s story of her young acting life, particularly her relationship with a now-famous star, as told to her young adult children during COVID. Sharply written and thoughtful.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. Sweet and charming and surprisingly touching, this fantasy tale of an orc who establishes the first coffee shop in a small town is exactly as good as the hype suggests.
What were some of your favorite books from 2024? Share them in the comments!