We are fast approaching the end of January of this new year already and I’m always astounded at how fast time moves. Since time is flying so fast, of course I’m only just now getting around to my 2024 reading wrap up. I realized with the craziness of discovering my husband and I were pregnant from morning sickness to fatigue, I never posted my September and October reading wrap ups! I also didn’t post November or December’s wrap ups but that’s also because I literally didn’t read anything in those last two months. So I’m going to quickly go through what I read in September and October and dive right into the End of Year Book Tag!
September reads
How to Chase Change: 30 Days to Master your Mindset by Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa
This book is exclusively an audio book and was gifted to me by Simon and Schuster Audio (shout out to them for sending it over!). It’s also narrated by the author which is one of my favorite things.
I enjoyed this nonfiction book! I like to delve away from my normal reads from time to time and this was definitely a nice little break away from that. The author gives us nice goals to set for ourselves and breaks everything down into manageable pieces. She does this by having the reader complete these goals within a month’s time frame. This makes it less overwhelming and totally doable. It’s uplifting, motivational, and I couldn’t stop listening!
Continuing with my nonfiction kick I was on at the time, I jumped into this book next. I’ve heard so many people talk about this book, especially big inspirational speakers at TED talks and such. Maybe it’s because of where my brain was at at the time but I just didn’t totally love this book. I thought with the way it was hyped up (even though it is an older book) that it would get me extremely motivated and wanting to make a change. But unfortunately I just didn’t feel that.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
This was a reread for me because the next book in the series was coming out. I loved it as much this time as I did the first time I read it. It’s such a fun, quirky read that actually covers some deep topics. When a book that’s so heartfelt and pulls on your emotions can actually spark a great conversation about problems within a society, that’s when I know it’s an amazing book.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
You guessed it! I jumped right into the second book as it just came out around this time. I was just so excited to read it and I was not disappointed! The overall concept of this series and the heartwarming characters just get me everytime. It just continued in this second book and I never wanted it to end!
Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge by Kjersti Herland Johnsen, translated by Olivia Lasky
What a cozy, little Christmas read! I was sent this ARC from HarperCollins last year and was able to read and review it over on my Instagram before it came out in October last year. This winter book is set in Norway leading up to Christmas at a family lodge. It brought back so many memories for me. My husband and I did our honeymoon in Norway in December 2023 so it just reminded me of being cozy and seeing beautiful sights!
Hunterland & Hunterlore by Dana Claire
These two books were also gifted to me by CamCat books and the author. While Hunterland had already been released, Hunterlore was an ARC they sent me. Since I hadn’t read the first book in the series I started with Hunterland and then jumped straight into Hunterlore.
Both of these books brought me back to my teenage years of staying up too late to finish the next Twilight book. There’s so much angst and drama and werewolves that I didn’t want to put it down. While I felt that a lot of the plot I probably won’t remember, I will always remember it taking me back in time to those fun reading days.
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
When I say you need to go pick this one up ASAP, you need to go pick it up ASAP. This is not a typical read for me as it’s classified as a YA Thriller Romance. Never have I read a thriller romance before and I also don’t read too much YA anymore. But when I tell you I flew through this book and it’s been on my mind ever since. This was definitely one to remember and I will absolutely be reading more of her work!
October Reads
The Gifted Society by Tatiana White
I have to give a huge shoutout to this author because she sent me this as an ARC along with a few stickers and a beautiful handwritten note. The note thanked me for being a part of her team of readers who got early copies to review and promote her book as she’s an indie author. I’ve never received anything like it and it just added the sweetest touch.
It also helps tremendously that I loved this book! It’s a YA fantasy and was just a lot of fun! I can’t wait to see what she puts out next because I gotta know what’s happened and where this story is going.
Powerless, Powerful, Reckless by Lauren Roberts
This YA fantasy series was just what I needed to conclude my October reading month. I FLEW through the first book, Powerless, straight into the novella Powerful, and finished strong with the second book in the series, Reckless. This series isn’t over yet though and I’m curious to see what’s going to happen next. This was definitely a fun, fast-paced read for me!
End of Year Book Tag
We’re gonna jump right into the End of Year Book Tag. I love seeing other BookTubers and Book Bloggers do this tag. It’s so fun seeing everyone’s final thoughts on their year of reading, all the good, bad, and disappointing. Let’s go!
Most disappointing book of the year
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas
Yea, I really, really wanted to love this one but it was such a let down. I think because we all were so ready for what comes next in this series that it just couldn’t live up to our expectations.
A book that surprised you
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
I have two books in this category because they both really took me by surprise. I never expected to love a YA Thriller Romance (Under the Surface) but boy am I glad I picked this one up! It had twists and turns and all the eerie factors I love in a thriller.
On a Sunbeam is a graphic novel that I just couldn’t put down. It grabbed a hold of my heart strings and just hasn’t let go. I haven’t had a graphic novel do this to me ever so this definitely came as a surprise.
Your favorite book couple(s) of the year
I had to include Paedyn and Kai on this list. I loved this couple and their progression through each book is just getting better and better. Even though I want to throw these books at the wall sometimes they just make the best couple.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
Of course I also had to add Linus and Arthur, we can’t forget about them! They just make the sweetest couple and their story is one I will follow any day.
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
Even though I felt this story leaned more towards thriller than anything, this was a cute couple. You can’t help but root for them the whole way through the novel.
Your favorite main characters of the year
Paedyn from Powerless by Lauren Roberts
I just love a strong, badass female main character and Paedyn was that. I voraciously read this series and couldn’t put it down. She easily became number one for me in 2024.
New favorite author you discovered this year
Lauren Roberts
Diana Urban
All of these authors just really stood out to me this year and I’m so glad I discovered them. I can’t wait to read more of what they’ve already written and future works they put out!
What is the happiest book you read this year
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
I mean come on, if you know me by now I’m probably always going to choose a TJ Klune novel for this. While he writes about some heavy topics, he does it in such a way that will pull on your heart strings and just make you feel all ooeey gooey inside.
What was the saddest book you read this year
Let’s just say I died after this book. Go to my review here if you want to know more.
The most frustrating book you read this year
Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout
While I finished this book in early 2025 I technically started it and got a good way through near the end of 2024. But this one had to make this category because no other book frustrated me as much as this one. It’s the last book in her prequel series and it just left me with too many unanswered questions and not enough of what I needed.
Your favorite covers of the year
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
For the Throne by Hannah Whitten
I mean just look at these gorgeous covers. This was a very easy choice for this one.
A book you haven’t stopped thinking about
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
I mean, what else did you expect me to put for this category?
Unpopular book you loved
Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver
This wasn’t an unpopular book per se. But I chose this one because most of what I’ve heard from the fandom is that they still loved Butcher and Blackbird more. While for me, it was the opposite. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE me some Sloane and Rowan. But Lachlan and Lark’s story just got me and I was sucked in.
Book you thought you’d love but didn’t
Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I said it above about this one. I thought I would love it and we’d finish the series out strong but it just fell so flat for me.
Book with the most unique concept you read this year
Under the Surface by Diana Urban
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
Both of these books just have the coolest concepts for me. Not only was it unique for each of them but they were both executed so well.
Whew! We made it through 2024. Did you hit your reading goals for last year? Did you do this tag as well? Let me know down in the comments and I would love to connect! I also posted a video on this tag on my YouTube if you want to go check it out over there.
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