My Favorite Books of 2024
In my English classes, we’re rarely assigned books to read. While part of me wishes for more structured exposure to literature, the lack of it has encouraged me to explore stories on my own. This year, I read books that left me speechless, taught me lessons, and even made me cry. Each one brought something unique into my life, and I’d love to share them with you.
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson was one of the hardest books I’ve ever read—not because of the writing, but because of the truths it uncovered. It explores how caste systems have shaped societies, including our own, in ways that aren’t always obvious but are deeply ingrained. The comparisons between historical hierarchies and modern structures were eye-opening, leaving me questioning things I’d always taken for granted. It’s not the kind of book you breeze through, but it’s the kind you think about long after you’ve turned the final page.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold broke my heart. The story of Susie, a teenage girl who is brutally murdered and watches her family cope with her death from the afterlife, is unlike anything I’ve read before. Sebold’s writing captured every emotion so vividly—grief, anger, love, and even moments of strange beauty. Seeing how her family unraveled and rebuilt themselves, all while Susie tried to make sense of her new reality, was devastating. I couldn’t stop myself from crying at several points, but it was the kind of cathartic heartbreak that stays with you for good reason.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara was equally challenging but in a completely different way. On the surface, it’s about four friends navigating adulthood in New York City, but beneath that, it’s a raw exploration of trauma, friendship, and love in its many forms. The characters felt so real that at times I had to remind myself they weren’t. The way their lives intertwined—especially Jude’s story—was both fascinating and deeply painful to follow. It’s not an easy read, but it’s one I’ll never forget.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck was short, but it carried an emotional weight far beyond its length. The friendship between George and Lennie felt so pure, so human, and the sacrifices George made for Lennie broke me. It’s a story about protecting innocence, both in others and in ourselves, and how that innocence can be both beautiful and fragile. Steinbeck’s simple yet powerful storytelling reminded me why classics remain timeless.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne offered a hauntingly unique perspective on the Holocaust. Seeing such a devastating period in history through the eyes of an innocent young boy made it feel raw and immediate. The relationship between Bruno and Shmuel—the son of a Nazi commandant and a boy in a concentration camp—was a heartbreaking reminder of how humanity can still exist even in the darkest of times. The ending left me gutted, but it also made the reality of history feel startlingly close.
And of course, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins deserves a spot on this list. It’s a series I keep returning to, and this year, it became my escape during the chaos of college applications. I’m a sucker for dystopian settings and complex characters, and Katniss Everdeen remains one of my all-time favorites. Her strength, resilience, and vulnerability feel so real to me, and I find comfort in her story every time I revisit it. The themes of rebellion, sacrifice, and hope hit differently every time I read them, reminding me why this series has stayed so close to my heart.
Each of these books left its mark on me. Some made me cry, others made me think, and all of them reminded me of the power of a good story.
What books made an impact on you this year?
