I used to read all the time, but for a while I sort of stopped enjoying it. Mostly because I had trouble concentrating on anything other than work. But this year, I made it a goal to read more, and I would say I did that! And, heading into 2024 I will continue that goal and hopefully read even more.
I will do this list from my least favorite book to my most favorite. Here we go!
9.Christmasland by Anne-Marie Meyer
This book was cute, but there wasn’t really much to it. It was about these two friends who won a trip to a town called Christmasland, which was pretty much a typical Hallmark type town. The book was cute, but there wasn’t much meat to it, it was all just too perfect, and also the couple got together way too quickly, there was no challenge to it. I like a slow burn, I guess.
8.Hide Yourself Away by Mary Jane Clark
This book took place in Nantucket, and this was a murder mystery novel. A group of journalists from New York headed to Nantucket to cover a very large story and then get caught up in a murder mystery, and it just gets more twisted as it goes on. I will say, I genuinely had no idea who did the crime until the very end.
7. By The Book by Jasmine Guillory
I love Jasmine Guillory so much. I have read every book by her. This one though was written in the third person and I don’t love books like that. This book was a modern day Beauty and the Beast type story, and ended really cute. I didn’t hate this book, but the third person point of view is just hard for me to love.
6. In A New York Minute by Kate Spencer
This book was about two people who have a horrible and embarrasing meet cute on the subway, and then just continue running into each other in embarrasing ways. The setting of New York City was perfect for this book, because only in a city like that could the meet cute happen. I wish they didn’t get together so late in the book though, they spent almost the whole book preparing us for them to get together and then they finally do, and then the book is over. I wanted more of them together.
5. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
I really enjoyed this book. It was about a personal and private security firm who are hired to protect a celebrity. There is a lot that happens and there is much more meat to this book than I expected and I really enjoyed it.
4. Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
Like I said earlier, I love Jasmine Guillory. This book did not disappoint. I loved it. It takes place in Napa California on a vineyard and I really love the two points of view so we can understand the boys and the girls point of view. Guillory better write another book soon, I can’t wait to read the next one.
3. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
I debated on putting this book for number 2. Let me say, the ending of this book made me cry, like actual tears, and that never happens. Two doctors who work in the ER together come up with an agreement and I won’t say anything else, you’ll just have to read it. This book was the epitome of slow burn, and combined with the dual points of view, there were mulitple times during this book when I wanted to scream to it ‘JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.’ They clearly loved each other, but wouldn’t tell the other person. But, then when I saw how the book ended I understood why it had to be that way. Anyways, this book was great.
2.Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
I LOVED this book. Laugh out loud funny, fast paced, and adorable. But, also it has so many real life problems that the characters go through. I mean seriously I could not put this book down.
And the best book I read this year is….
WEATHER GIRL by Rachel Lynn Solomon
I’m not going to lie, the biggest reason I chose to read this book was because it was told from the point of view of a Meteorologist at a station in Seattle. I am a morning news anchor and thought I would enjoy this book. But, I did not expect to love it as much as I did. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. A morning meteorologist who has depression ends up becoming friends with the evening sports caster who has a daughter. Through the book, they become more than friends and a lot more is revealed. I won’t spoil it for you, seriously, you just have to read it. I LOVED this book!
Thank you to the author’s, bookstores and libraries who ensure that people like me can get lost in stories and other worlds that are far more interesting than mine. Here’s to more books in 2024!
Elizabeth Joy Hadley 