Hey friends! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. Inspired by Haley Pham’s recent YouTube video on 2024 book superlatives, Iβve decided to create my own list of awards for the books Iβve read this year. There are so many of these floating around, but honestly, I never get tired of hearing other peopleβs opinionsβso letβs dive into mine!
Most Beautiful Setting
Winner: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
This pick might be a bit controversial, as I know opinions on Book Lovers are split, but I absolutely adore it. One of the main reasons is the setting: Sunshine Falls. This fictional small town feels like a perfect blend of charm and nostalgia, and it reminds me so much of Asheville, North Carolina. For me, itβs extra special because I got engaged in Asheville, and my husband and I used to take annual fall trips there. Picturing the story unfolding in a place I love made this book an easy choice.
Best Cover
Winner: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Hands down, Iron Flame has the best cover of 2024. The intricate details, the black sprayed edgesβitβs a true work of art. Honestly, Yarrosβs entire series has been blessed with stunning designs. Special mention goes to the red cover of Fourth Wing, which is equally breathtaking. Looking ahead, I have no doubt Onyx Storm will claim the crown for 2025 with its black-and-white design and dragons on the sprayed edges. Needless to say, my pre-order is already in.
Funniest Book
Winner: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
This book had me laughing out loud from start to finish! The banter between Liz and Wes, the two main characters, is absolutely hilarious. Thereβs a particular scene where Liz gets hit in the face with a basketball in front of her crushβso relatable and so funny. An honorable mention goes to Blackbird and Butcher. While I didnβt expect to laugh as much at a book with such a dark premise, the quirky situations and character interactions had me cracking up.
Saddest Book
Winner: The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book broke my heart in the best way. The Seven-Year Slip follows Clementine West as she navigates grief after losing her grandmother. With elements of time travel, magical realism, and romance, this book is as poignant as it is beautifully written. Iβll admit, it had me sobbing. If you havenβt read Ashley Poston yet, please do yourself a favor and pick up one of her books.
Most Surprising Plot Twist
Winner: Never Lie by Freida McFadden
While Freida McFadden isnβt my go-to for literary masterpieces, her books are undeniably entertaining. Never Lie takes the cake for its shocking plot twist. I usually pride myself on guessing twists, but this one had me completely blindsided. If youβve read it, please let me know if you were just as surprised as I was!
Best Banter
Winner: The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
I had a tough time choosing between The Ex Hex and Better Than the Movies for this category, but ultimately, The Ex Hex won out. The chemistry and witty exchanges between Rhys and Vivian were perfection. The story is set in a charming small town that feels like Gilmore Girls meets magical mayhem. Erin Sterling nailed it with the dialogue and the overall cozy vibe of the book.
Thank you so much for reading my 2024 book superlatives! Have you read any of these books? Iβd love to know your thoughts. Whatβs the funniest book youβve read this year? The saddest? Or the one with the most jaw-dropping plot twist? Let me know in the comments or on bookstagram: @carlyreadsandwrites!
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