2024 in Books! (Plus my DIY Book Nook, omg)

Before we get too far into 2025, we have to take a proper look back at the books we (I) read in 2024 and have ourselves a little cry. I mean recap. Let’s have a recap.

But FIRST.

You have to see this adorable TBR book nook thingy that Aaron made me for Christmas. I found a old wooden wine crate in the basement, then thrifted the smaller crate on top for five bucks. I bought this blue and white floral peel away wallpaper on Amazon, sized it and pressed it in, and we were ready. He drilled it straight into the studs, then drilled the top box to the smaller box and all was set! I didn’t photograph the process because I didn’t have the forethought to even share this. Moron! But look at this. Isn’t this little space magical?

Look!

These are my to-be-read books, and there’s just something about looking at the collection while I’m in the middle of a book and trying to get a feel of what’s next. It’s thrilling! But I need friends.

The Taylor book is another gift from Aaron. It’s all about what literary eras her lyrics are from. Hi, right up my alley. He done good.

Little bit of plants to cozy it up. A linen spray to soften the atmosphere. I’ll stay here right here forever please.

Here’s an up close of the wallpaper. I might change it out over time, but I do love it.

Lil’ side view of the crate.

And here’s the mood at night! Glorious, isn’t it?

We’re getting to the book recap, I swear.

Let me know if you’ve read any of those books. I’m currently in One True Loves and already hooked.

Okay, books! This is out of order because Goodreads, but it doesn’t matter. Let’s get in.

I absolutely LOVED both of these books. I’ve done specific reviews on the blog, but Hello Beautiful is beautiful and tragic. An homage to Little Women. And The Plot is twisty and dark! Read both.

Loooooved all of these. Mastering the Art of French Murder is quirky, detective-y and fun.

Before We Were Innocent is tragic, twisty and set in Greece. Yeah.

House in the Pines – dark, a bit weird, but edge of your seat!

The Whispers – oh MAN. Very dark, also weird but like, captivating. Same author of The Push, so you know what brand of spook you’re getting into. Total page turner.

Watching You – okay I LOVE Lisa Jewell. She never does me wrong. Academia meets murder in England. How could you not.

Demon Copperhead – intensely long, TOUGH to get through, hard on the heart, beautifully written and a journey like no other. Buckle up. Here’s a review on that one.

Garden Spells – you know my adoration for this book. It has my heart forever! Sister magic in an old home and a cranky apple tree that chooses who it loves. It’s magical. Also, I just finished First Frost (the sequel to GS and it’s just as enchanting!)

First Lie Wins – whoa. Twisty, thrilling, a page turner like no other. It flips on itself over and over, which makes it such a fun book to inhale. Ya gotta.

Swan Song – I’ll adore anything Elin touches, and this final book in her career in nothing short of perfect.

Final Girls – another insane journey by Sager! He just knows how to hook you in a mystery. And also has you not trusting annyyyyone.

November 9 – sort of a Same Time Next Year vibe, but CoHo style. I loved it.

Summer People – an older Elin, but with just as much charm and warmth as anything. Give me Elin all day long.

The Summer Pact – not my favorite by Giffin, but still worth the read and in a beauuuutiful setting.

Sandwich – absolutely LOVED. Hysterical, witty, funny dark in places. Give me dysfunctional family dynamics all day.

The Midnight Feast – Lucy Foley delivers yet another mystical story that takes you right to the edge of weird. Of course I loved it.

Girls in the Stilt House – OMG. Heartbreaking, awful, beautiful, so sad. I loved it. Go read the synopsis and get ready for a gut wrenching time. It’s very very powerful. Here’s that review.

Hickory Lane – so cozy! I love anything that has to do with small town charm and fussy neighbors.

Same as It Ever Was – a must. Lengthy, but Lombardo sure knows how to hook you with familial despair. It’s emotional, it’s intelligent, it’ll get you.

One Perfect Couple – SO GOOD. Ruth Ware is magical when it comes to thriller. And this one is WILD. Set on a remote island after a storm takes out all power, things just unravel in a gruesome, fabulous way.

God of the Woods – amazing! Set in a summer camp in 1975, it’s rich with deception, allure, camp style and love gone extremely wrong. And a missing kid, so you’ll be on the edge of your seat.

Never Never – LOVED the concept. Enjoyed the creativity of it, but ending fell flat for me. Still a fun idea of a book.

Secret Life of Bees – what a charmer! I know everyone’s read this, but if you haven’t, add it. It oozes warmth, even in the midst of discomfort.

Lock Every Door – this was GREAT. A classic trust-no-one situation, all set in a luxurious Parisian apartment, with a secret history of its own. So good.

Message in a Bottle – okay you know how I told you we were getting back into Sparks, right? This was coastally delicious. And then I watched the movie right after. Loved every moment.

Last round!

Dog Songs – while not a novel, still a warming read right at the end of the year. I’m still on a Mary Oliver journey, and plan to collect more of her work this year. Really enjoyed this collection of poems about her beloved dogs.

A Season for Second Chances – soooooo good. Cozy and scrumptious. A broken marriage, a new love, an enchanting seaside cafe. What’s not to obsess over. And it was a Christmas read, so even better.

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop – another delicious holiday read. Set in an ANTIQUE BOOKSHOP. We’re here for it.

The Wish – our holiday Sparks pick! I absolutely loved it. A love story, but not at all what you would imagine. Told beautifully with all the heartstrings pulled loose and left ragged. It was gorgeous.

There we have it! My 30 books of the year. This was a lot to take in, but I’d love to know what you think is a MUST for me this year. I have quite the stack ahead of me, but what’s being a book lover without a giant TBR pile batting its eyelashes at you, am I right?

Tell me your faves (not favs) from the year!

xx.