The 9 Best Books of 2024 from WLS
As a book reviewer of (almost) 14 years, I finished 118 books in 2024—and these were my top picks.
I’ve been running my blog, Words Like Silver, since the 7th grade. In the last year or two, I’ve deeply considered what I love so much about it and how to lean into it more. Web-wise, that meant investing in a custom site (designed by the incredible Chris Oka), which launched in fall 2024.
The New Words Like Silver
The changes deepen and expand my reviews (and other curiosities) in more accurate, connected ways. WLS is now more visual and explorable, which more effectively conveys the “why” behind my project.
Words Like Silver isn’t just about the books. It’s also the conversations they spark, the songs they remind me of, the rabbit holes they send me down. A lens and an ecosystem!
I’ve recently appreciated how the right book can—beyond being stellar entertainment—also:
Make you feel connected to others, even when solitary. You recognize the universal à la Pale Blue Dot without losing your specificity — “alone together” in the best way.
Is one of the few methods you can subtly change your mind without provoking your defenses (which is why books threaten status quo, and why bans matter.) You can also pick it up and put it book down as needed. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about reading as a form of listening. Because reading helps you:
Indirectly process your own challenges and philosophies. The buffer allows you to churn through conflict and contradiction on a deeper, unconscious level (which is why you can feel so calibrated, comfortable, and re-settled after finishing a book.)
Rereading-wise: it can mark how you’ve layered and changed.
A January read (Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett) pointed out how science has been “catching up” to instinctive truths we carry, and I’ve learned a lot about the neuroscience of grit/awe/aesthetics/senses/etc,. that explains the potency of my values underlying WLS. (I’ll get into this when I talk about Awe by Dachner Keltner. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr also emphasizes the role of stories.) I love ‘em.
My priority now is to direct more time, attention, and funds to WLS. I love what it’s done so far and feel that it matters, and reaching more people would allow me to build more.
So Here’s to Growth! And Gratitude!
Succinctish will get me to write short, analyze my content, and package it into more coherent themes. Writing relies on thought organization, and it’s also a muscle to build. Hopefully, this format will also improve my craft and versatility.
Every Thursday, I’ll release a newsletter curating the “point” of WLS from that week—plus some exclusives—in under 1500 words (ideally less), while linking to the deep dives on the blog (which will get as wordy as I’d like.) I’m excited.
A huge thank y’all for supporting WLS. Almost 14 years in, this never stops feeling like a privilege. The newsletter’s weekly from now on, but I appreciate your patience in the delay of this list. So without further ado, in no particular order—
The WLS Best Books of 2024
[I use The StoryGraph vs. Goodreads, because I look for opportunities not to support Amazon wherever possible. The StoryGraph is a phenomenal reading tracker for lists and tracking moods.]
Best Fiction
Why I Read: I love an atmospheric Southern Gothic, and this psychic mystery set in rural Louisiana is my favorite “dark & stormy” vibe.
What I Loved: The setting was absolutely intoxicating. So vivid and rich. I craved thunder, devoured the thrill, and the book gradually, satisfyingly darkened.
For Fans of: thrillers; House of Hollow; The Bad Ones; Beautiful Creatures; Bittersweet in the Hollow; etc,.
Why I Read: I’m always down for a fab beach read. The twist premise sounded fabulous.
What I Loved: Lyered, constant tension makes this the best Bachelor retelling—hold me to that. Nuanced characterization sparked delicious questions about how we connect. And the sizzling chemistry, glamour, etc,. Would highly recommend for a book club!
For Fans of: reality TV; Made for You; One to Watch; Bachelor Nation; Magnolia Parks; In a Not So Perfect World; Book Lovers.
Why I Read: A guy I was seeing in the fall listed this as a favorite, and I cared to read his recs.
What I Loved: Ouch. No character trusts another without consequence. Munro’s personal history is…tough (so the relationships depicted made me think—a lot.) The collection has gorgeous lines and stories that made me ache.
For Fans of: Raymond Carver; The Unfinished World; On Love; The Path of Most Resistance; Norwegian Wood.
Why I Read: The Magnolia Parks “universe” is very popular and also polarizing.
What I Loved: The voice is hit-or-miss overwhelming (I put it down once as a miss then returned as a hit.) It’s indulgent—billionaire London—with powerful circularity/angst. It could be shorter, but certain, striking lines held such depth for me.
For Fans of: billionaire narratives???? mafia ??? maybe-toxic relationships????
Why I Read: It’s always been a rainy day read that I suspected I’d love.
What I Loved: I’d recommend watching the show first to process the unique documentary-style. Observations re: the gaps between art and reality were stunning. I relished the relational dynamics and sun-drenched 70’s L.A. love letter.
For Fans of: TJR; Silver Springs; The Perks of Being a Wallflower (hear me out); Famous in Love; The Idea of You; The Villain Edit; Everything Leads to You.
Best Nonfiction
Why I Read: My nonfiction taste is that of a little alien studying human behavior to fit in on Earth. Drinking is common in my age and circle, hence: analysis.
What I Loved: A holistic view of history/evolutionary theories on why we drink, how it affects our brains, benefits, etc,. It doesn’t focus enough on drawbacks, so I’d avoid if you have alcohol issues. Some fascinating, detailed trivia.
For Fans of: Buzzed; The Molecule of More; The Urge; Girly Drinks; etc,.
Why I Read: My biggest existential angst is that of commitment.
What I Loved: A little dated, but it’s so illuminating re: opportunity cost, decision avoidance, loss aversion, perfectionism, etc,. LOTS of insights to apply to our modern overwhelm.
For Fans of: Grit; Status Anxiety; The Age of Magical Overthinking; The Molecule of More; The Chemistry Between Us; etc,.
Why I Read: I went down a Stoic rabbit hole in the fall because I wasn’t sure how attached vs. detached I wanted to be.
What I Loved: Marcus Aurelius articulated so much of my life philosophy. Maybe I am a Stoic? It was the perfect read to end the year on in calibration. The translation was also easy to read without losing the authenticity.
For Fans of: Stoicism; How to Disappear; Oliver Sacks; Mary Oliver; I Wrote This for You; etc,.
Why I Read: Dopamine is so wired into living (what we want vs. what makes us happiest), and I am a yearner.
What I Loved: This is my favorite nonfiction book of 2024, if not the favorite book. Probably one of the most informative and vivid psych/neuro books I've ever read, grounded in clarity. I feel changed.
For Fans of: The Paradox of Choice; Meditations; The Nature Fix; Awe; Drunk; Becoming Wise; Wanting; Grit; etc,.
You can find each of these in a handy Bookshop list if you’d like to buy any, and I’ve also written full reviews for each.
ON THE BLOG
If WLS impacts you, I’d appreciate if you’d consider:
Sharing the newsletter with friends, loved ones, book clubs, etc,.
Becoming a paid patron, if that appeals. (A huge thank you to those who have donated so far; seeing those first few subscriptions filter through actually brought me to tears, because I’d love to do this more! The blog is the same fund—and all will go towards paying off my website redesign.)
Buying my book recs through affiliate links if you feel able. Transparency moment: I have not had a reader buy a book through my links since 2022, which is a little demoralizing (hahaha.) But really—just don’t use Amazon! Indie, B&N, local sources, borrowing, and library are all fabulous!
If you read any of these, I really do relish you telling me so. It makes a difference.
👏👏 excited for this!!