24 Books for my 24th Birthday
It's my 24th birthday today! 🎈🎉
To celebrate, I've pulled together a list of 24 books and series that I love. So, in no particular order, here's my 24 for 24.
To celebrate, I've pulled together a list of 24 books and series that I love. So, in no particular order, here's my 24 for 24.
I couldn't pick just one book from this series (or collection of series) as they're all amazing! I first read these books as a teenager and I keep falling in love with every new book. I adore the world Cassandra Clare has built and the diversity of the characters.
2. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I love the play on words in this book. It's set in a magical London hidden within the real London, where there are Shepherds at Shepherd's Bush and there's an Angel called Islington. I'm forever in awe of the genius of this book!
3. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
This is my go to book recommendation. The book starts off slow but then you're hooked. What I love about Daphne Du Marier's books is that you're always left in a grey area when it comes to morality. I'd also recommend the 1940 film of Rebecca (although it is of it's time!).
4. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
I read this book during lockdown and it's helped me so much. The book is part memoir, part tearing down stigma, and part reminding you of the good things in life. Matt Haig is amazing with writing about mental health and I can recommend his Instagram!
5. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This is a perfect murder mystery book. You have 10 people in a house on an island and they're being killed off one by one. I love Agatha Christie's books but this one had me stumped. In fact, it's only until the last page that it's revealed whodunnit!6. On The Front Line with the Women Who Fight Back by Stacey Dooley
I credit this book with my feminist awakening. This book opened my eyes as to what women around the world were suffering. What made the book have a big impact were the women featured in each chapter, finding out about their lives and the injustices they face. A good intro to feminism.
7. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
This may not be a literary masterpiece and I know these books have their flaws. But I can't help loving the Twilight Saga! These were the books that got me into reading and I'll always have a soft spot for them. The cringy bits/red flags are just banter between us fans and Stephenie Meyer....
8. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
It's been a while since I read this book, but I remember it being a fun, swash-buckling adventure. There's a section in the middle where they go to war, which was a tad slow. But the rest of the story is exciting!
This book is a big celebration of women, specifically women of colour. The blurb sounds heavy, but that's contained to the first 30 pages. I loved how each female character was different and yet they helped each other grow. Gorgeous!
10. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Normally, sequels aren't as good as the first book. However, Sarah J Maas proved that wrong with this book. I love the world of this series. What made this book stand out is how it explores how the characters have been impacted by the events of the first book and you follow them as the deal with the trauma. Raw, emotional but still fast paced and exciting.
11. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
This book was hard to get into as it's written as a stream of consciousness. The key for me was to read it aloud. Reading this book is like people watching, letting your mind wander with the characters as certain sights, sounds and scents trigger memories. Gorgeous.
12. The Girl with a Louding Voice by Abi Dare
This book made me realise my white privilege. It's about Adunni, a young girl living in rural Nigeria, pursuing an education. I hadn't fully appreciated the privilege I experienced as a girl in the UK, where parents are fined for taking children out of school. I also realised my naivety when I realised the story is set in modern day. A powerful read.
A recent read for me. I was expecting this book to spook me and give me nightmares. However, I came away loving it and wanting to reread it. There are so many subtleties in the writing. For example, the characters aren't described, only the house is. I love the ambiguity in the story as well.
14. Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
I've read a couple of Fredrik Backman's books and loved them. This book is about middle aged Britt Marie who walks out on her cheating husband and moves to a small town. But she's very set in her ways, which contrast with the town's community. It's heart-warming, funny and had me cheering Britt Marie on.
15. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer makes another appearance on my list. The Host is a comfort read for me. The main character is an alien in control of a human but the human host is fighting back. The book asks what makes a human, highlighting the good and bad sides of humanity.
16. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Every autumn, I get the urge to reread A Discovery of Witches. It's about Diana (a witch) navigating the rising inter-species tensions and falling in love with Matthew (a vampire). I read the book after watching the TV series, which is also amazing and I would recommend!
I didn't understand the hype around Jane Austen until I read this book. The character of Emma is surprisingly relatable for someone 'alive' two or three centuries ago! Emma thinks she is wise and knows about love, but in reality, she's clueless. Really fun and warm.
18. Beloved by Toni Morrison
I confess, I spent most of this book confused. However, everything clicked in the last 50 pages and I came away going "wow!". The story is about escaped slave Sethe who's haunted by her dead child. It's heavy and harrowing. But powerful.
19. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This book gave me real Rebecca and Woman in Black vibes. It's set in a haunted house in 1960s Mexico. I loved the contrast between the independent socialite, Noemi, and the house and family. Exciting and captures the essence of gothic fiction.
20. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This book is the cross between Agatha Christie and Groundhog Day. The story is set at a 1920/30s party. The main character relives the same day until he works out who the murderer is. But everyday he wakes up as a different guest. It's good fun and a pretty cool concept.
What blew me away with this book was the writing. It was just gorgeous. The story follows Shakespeare's wife as she deals with the loss of their son. It isn't particularly plot driven, but the language and descriptions were to die for! Beautiful.
22. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
If you want twists and turns, Caraval is the perfect book. It's about an elaborate treasure hunt set in a magical fair. But you're not quite sure what's real and what isn't. Plus, you don't quite know who can be trusted. Think Alice in Wonderland, it's that sort of vibe.
23. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I loved the character of Jane. She's strong-willed and knows her worth. You can't help but get swept along with the romance between Jane and Mr Rochester. But then there's a twist, taking the book in a slightly more gothic direction. Overall, you can't help but root for Jane. I'd also recommend the 2011 film adaptation of this book.
24. The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
This book is madness and fun. It has a similar sense of humour as Britt Marie Was Here, in that something absurd will be stated as a matter of fact. Throughout the book, he ends up in such random situations that somehow all follow on from each other seamlessly. It's really good fun!
Have you read any of these? What are your thought? Let me know in the comments below! 😊
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