With the new year beginning, I wanted to make sure I hit the highlights of last year and share my favorite books read (though not necessarily published) in 2024. The list doesn’t include rereads — if it did, it would be far too long to post here! So without further ado, here are my top 10 reads of 2024, in the order in which I read them:

1. T. Kingfisher, Swordheart – A hilarious, lighthearted fantasy novel about kind people being kind to each other, with a delightful romance at its center.

2. Laura Kinsale, My Sweet Folly – Despite the high levels of angst and melodrama in this historical romance, I loved it for the cheerful, pragmatic heroine.

3. Lynn Painter, Happily Never After – This is Painter’s best rom-com yet, with fabulous banter and characters who, in addition to having mutual attraction and chemistry, genuinely like one another.

4. Kate Clayborn, The Other Side of Disappearing – This intense contemporary romance deals with true crime and podcasting, neither of which I particularly care about. But I still loved the book for the compelling female protagonist and the development of the romance. Clayborn has yet to disappoint me!

5. Kaliane Bradley, The Ministry of Time – This combined romance/time travel thriller has excellent humor and beautiful writing. Commander Gore is a particular delight, as are the other time travelers from various historical periods.

6. Sheila Simonson, Lady Elizabeth’s Comet – This Regency romance actually feels authentic to the period, despite the heroine’s unusual interest in astronomy, and I loved both the romance itself and the book’s first-person narration from the heroine’s point of view.

7. Christianna Brand, Green for Danger – A vintage mystery with all the classic elements – an intricate plot, a closed circle of suspects, and so on – but elevated by the nuanced, realistic characters.

8. Ben Macintyre, Agent Sonya: The Spy Next Door – A stranger-than-fiction biography of a Soviet spy whose work took her all over the world. Macintyre weaves in plenty of history to give context to her actions and also paints a vivid picture of her personal life.

9. T. Kingfisher, A Sorceress Comes to Call – I had to put Kingfisher on the list twice; she’s just so good! This novel is her dark-fantasy take on a Regency romance, wherein an evil sorceress is defeated by her terrified 12-year-old daughter and the 50-something sister of the man she’s trying to ensnare.

10. Katherine Arden, The Warm Hands of Ghosts – A beautifully written and emotionally harrowing World War I tale that examines the nature of evil. It’s a tough read, but there’s just enough hope to carry you through the darkness.