Hi Reader! I hope you’re well and you had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate.

Well, just like that *snap* 2024 is coming to a close. I’ve had a fantastic year this year, not just reading wise, but it’s been a year of doing for me, of travelling, of seeing my favourite bands, of new experiences, and doing things that ordinarily are well outside my comfort zone.

I’ve hiked mountains, chased waterfalls, taken myself on little solo adventures, holidayed in Corfu, Paris and Spain, started a new journey of health and nutrition and even went to my first book party! 📚🥳

I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to do so much this year, and so I’m looking forward to 2025 and what adventures that will bring. I’ve got my digitally created moodboard at the ready and I’m raring to go 😁.

I asked my followers on Instagram a short while ago about what type of bookish blog post they would appreciate at the end of 2024, and the overwhelming response was my top 10 books of this year, so here we are!

Let me tell you that this was a task and a half to whittle down to just 10, but I’ve got what I think is probably my best mix ever of genres for you, so I hope that you are drawn to at least one book from my list!

Genre is listed below each image if you’d rather stick to what you know, but I urge you to pick a new genre from this list and try something new this new year!

PAPYRUS AND PEPPERMINT’S TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2024

1. IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS, BY TJ KLUNE

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Starting off strong with this book. It was my first ever TJ Klune novel (surprisingly, as a fantasy girlie), and it came to me from a book subscription.

‘In the Lives of Puppets’ is a queer retelling of Pinocchio, written in the most beautiful, heartwarming way. Our main characters are a father-inventor android named Gio, sociopathic machine Nurse Ratchet (yes, like that one), an adorable, eager, and naive cleaning robot called Rambo, and Victor, the human protagonist in our story, son to Gio. They live in a forest, secretly, as in this distant future, robots rule the world, and humans are not safe. All is serene until one day, Victor discovers HAP, an android robot with a dark past, and then the found family’s world is turned upside down.

I absolutely adored this book. Its gorgeous, safe, happy forest setting, juxtaposed with the dangerous robot world a short distance away, works so well to understand the world-building. The characters were absolutely incredible; just thinking about them now makes me smile. The characters and the writing are sharp, witty, and heartwarming. I loved the emotion that the author makes you feel, the conflicts of right and wrong the characters contend with, and the adventure this found family goes on is awesome.

If you love themes of found family or adventure, read this.

2. GOOD MATERIAL BY DOLLY ALDERTON

Genre: Contemporary/Romance

Again, this was a book by an author that I’d never read before, although of course I had heard great things about her from Instagram. The story is character-driven and is told to us for the most part by a single point of view, that of Andy. Andy is 35, a comedian (or trying to be…) and he is grieving the loss of his relationship with Jen, who seemingly ended it out of nowhere.

I found this novel fascinating, firstly because I don’t think I’ve ever read a breakup novel from a male perspective, and also because it explores so many important and interesting themes. It explores concepts and themes such as the emotional support network that men have vs. women, loneliness, friendships, self-love, self-worth, what ‘having it all’ and ‘being an adult’ means, but what I took most away from this book is how two people’s perceptions of the same scenario and in this case, relationship, may be at complete opposites to one another. Andy spends so much time stuck in his own head, ruminating, thinking, and over-analysing, that we are led to believe a certain story about Jen, but the reality may be very different indeed.

I loved the way the author made us feel for Andy, made us root for him, understanding his pain and heartbreak, his view about Jen and how she hurt him so harshly, and yet – we’re never led to dislike her.

If you like contemporary fiction about starting over and finding oneself, read this.

3. THE SILENCE OF SCHEHERAZADE BY DEFNE SUMAN

Genre: Historical Fiction

I received this novel as part of a book club subscription years ago, and didn’t pick it up until this year. At the start of the year I had a TBR Jar I was using to pick out my next reads (I probably need to re-start that!) and honestly that is the only reason I ended up reading this book, so thank goodness that I made that jar.

The blurb on this book doesn’t give too much away, which I think may have been why I put off reading it in all fairness as I couldn’t gauge what it was about, but oh my goodness, it’s such a breathtaking, heartbreaking and beautiful story.

The story begins in September 1905, in Smyrna, The Ottoman Empire. A woman, Scheherazade, is born to a drug addict mother and at the same time an Indian spy working for the British Empire, sails into port. The story follows 4 families of different heritage and generations who live and work alongside each other peacefully in the city, until the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and of occupation in the 1920s, rips them, and the city of Smyrna, apart forever.

The writing is so descriptive and personal to each character, and as there are multiple points of view and so many characters and time lines it can be difficult to follow, but its fascinating to see the same occurrence from different view points, different societies, generations and wealth.

The finale is unlike any scene I’ve ever read in a book before. It was like I was there.

If you love historical fiction, multi generational points of view and emotional storytelling, read this.

4. YOU ARE HERE BY DAVID NICHOLLS

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Did I mention I like hiking? 😅 When I saw the synopsis for this book from the author of ‘One Day’, I knew immediately that this was one I needed to read.

This is a character-based novel set on 190 miles of hills in the English countryside (idyllic), with Michael and Marnie as our two protagonists, and the romance trope here is forced proximity.

The two former strangers have been invited to hike as a group by mutual friends, who of course, in true romance novel fashion, end up leaving them both with just one another for company. Like a ramble through the fells, this is a slow, steady romance, building from the foundations of friendship to something more. Both characters are in stark contrast to one another in terms of personality; Michael is a geography teacher, divorced and a rather introverted, quiet loner, and Marnie is well, she’s Marnie. She’s the light in the room, the social butterfly. The two shouldn’t work, but their chemistry just flies off the page.

Engaging, gentle, emotive, it’s such a beautiful, deep book.

If you enjoyed ‘The Humans’ by Matt Haig, then I think you’ll enjoy this one too.

5. THE BOOKSHOP WOMAN BY NANAKO HANADA

Genre: Japanese Contemporary Literature

A short, heartwarming novel about a Tokyo-based bookseller named Nanako, who is recently divorced and is no longer enjoying many aspects of her life. She’s living in hostels, feeling lost, and has no social circle to count on. She then hears about an app called Perfect Strangers, an anti-dating app, where you can advertise meets on specific topics to help widen your circle and meet new people.

Nanako decides to sign up in order to recommend books to people, as it’s something she loves doing (me too, Nanako!).

She takes her recommendations very seriously, devising processes and tactics, but the main way she chooses to recommend books is to get to know the person first. What are their existing reading habits? What do they enjoy? Why is she recommending this book or that? Is it because she enjoyed it or because they will? Why are so many reviews in magazines etc. so factual and lifeless? She finds joy and a new belief in her abilities.

As a book blogger, I thoroughly understood Nanako’s passion for reviewing and recommending books and could connect to the character easily.

If you enjoy translated fiction, or you’re a fellow book blogger, then I’d recommend this one to you!

6. THE LOVE OF MY AFTERLIFE BY KIRSTY GREENWOOD

Genre: Romance/Magical Realism

Delphie Bookham ends up dead, and when she gets to the afterlife and starts the ‘this is your life’ video sequence, it’s quite clear that she hasn’t really had one. She hasn’t ‘lived’.

She is given the chance to return to her life in London, a kind of second chance, if you will. Realising she can’t leave her life behind before she’s really tried, she takes it. But there’s a catch… she has to find her soulmate in ten days and make him fall for her.

I absolutely adored this story of self-discovery, of love, and of coming to life. It was rather meta in the fact it’s talking about romance novels and tropes while absolutely throwing them all at you 😂, but it’s written in such a joyful, uplifting, and refreshing way. I definitely enjoyed it more than I expected to, it’s so fun and heartwarming.

If you enjoyed reading Eleanor in ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’, then I think you’ll warm to Delphie.

7. A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES BY SARAH J MAAS

Genre: Fantasy

I think it’s likely I was putting off reading the final book in the ACOTAR series because I genuinely didn’t want to leave the characters, but I finally picked up this hefty 750 page paperback in the summer, and I fell for it, hard. If you’re new to the ACOTAR series, then this is a series with fae, different courts and court lords, magical creatures, mythical objects, and lots of spice. It’s another fantasy book with themes of found family, which I do find I personally enjoy reading.

In this book, we take the point of view of Nesta, the character we’ve observed from the main protagonist’s point of view until this book. Previously she’s been perceived to be moody, unkind, difficult, angry and bitter. This book is an absolute journey of healing, of grief, of self discovery.

I would say it’s probably the weakest in the series in terms of plot which I do think is a bit muddy and feels unresolved, but it’s my favourite in the entire series as it’s the one that made me feel the most.

If you like fictional stories that tackle mindfulness practice, friendship, found family and healing, then you’ll likely enjoy this book. If you prefer stories with more action then the other books in the series may be further to your liking.

8. BLESSINGS BY CHUKWUEBUKA IBEH

Genre: Literary Fiction

A stunning, tender, and beautifully written debut novel exploring the joy and pain of a young gay teenager living in an intolerant community in Nigeria.

Our main character, Obiefuna, is banished by his father to a Christian boarding school after his father witnesses what he believes to be an intimate moment between his son and a male apprentice. He is completely alienated from his family, including his mother, and is thrust into a world of hierarchy, rules, intolerance, and violence from which he cannot escape.

It’s a story of love, self-discovery, politics, coming of age, and loneliness. I found the writing to be delicate, observant, and really moving. Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the book:

‘It’s one thing to love a child, but it’s an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved. A home is the last place a child should feel conditionally loved.’

If you enjoy really moving stories of personal acceptance, development, growth, and difficult family dynamics, then this may be one to put on your TBR.

9. SEVEN SUMMERS BY PAIGE TOON

Genre: Romance

This is the story of aspiring sculptor Livv and musician Finn, who meet in a bar in Cornwall, England. They go on to have a really gorgeous night of passion which is sadly interrupted by tragedy. The tragic event bonds them forever, even after they end up living continents apart. Because they feel connected, they make a pact – that Finn will return from LA every year, and if they’re both single then he’ll spend it with Liv. Outside of that though, they have no contact to make things easier for the pair of them to continue with their normal lives.

As readers we follow each summer when Finn returns, until we get to present day. This year, things are different. Livv meets Tom, a guy renting her holiday cottage. Everything seems great, until she finds out more about Tom and why he’s seemingly ‘ran away’ from his life. She then must make a difficult decision – Finn, Tom or no-one?

I’m not usually one for a love triangle romance trope, but boy was this an emotional rollercoaster that I was very happy to ride! This was my first read from this author and it wont be my last.

I found it to be full of heart, it’s the first book to make me cry in a very long time! Love, loss, friendship, romance, family, grief, healing. This one has it all.

I’d recommend it to lovers of romance novels that carry emotional weight, such as ‘A wish for us’ by Tilly Cole.

10. SALTBLOOD BY FRANCESCA DE TORES

Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure

‘Utterly obsessed’ doesn’t express how much I adored this debut novel. It’s fascinating, expertly written, moving, daring and packs an absolute punch. It’s easily my favourite read of 2024.

Set in Plymouth UK in 1685, a woman gives birth to Mary, half-sibling of Mark. However, Mark is sadly dying and that’ll stop any inheritance money Ma currently receives. Ma makes a money motivated decision, and forces Mary to live her life as Mark.

Honestly I wasn’t sure as I began this novel whether I’d really enjoy it or finish it as I’m not traditionally into historical fiction (although that’s 20% of my top ten now so maybe I am after all😆), but I found the blurb to be really interesting and different to what I’d read before so decided to take the plunge.

We follow Mary as she lives her life as Mark in the army and navy, as she encounters hiding her true self, then self acceptance, learning to trust, and navigating falling in love. She goes through multiple times of reinvention of identity and self, before eventually following her true calling and taking control of her life, back on the sea. Eventually, she becomes a pirate.

I have a full length review on this blog if you fancy reading it, (tap/click here to go there), but following Mary’s journey from birth to death is truly one of the most interesting and remarkable journeys of survival, adventure, identity and character development that I’ve ever read.

I can’t think of one book I’ve read that even closely resembles this tale, but if you enjoy strong female characters, and reimagined tales of real people from history, then Mary’s story is absolutely one you should read.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed my 2024 Top 10 round up just as much as I’ve enjoyed writing this post. It’s given me absolute joy to read and review my favourites from this year, and I hope that the diversity in genres has given you at least 1 book to add to your 2025 TBR.

If you have an e-reader, why not download a book from the above list now and bring in the new year, literary style?

I hope you have a wonderful, Happy New Year. May it be successful, rewarding, healing and full of exceptional fiction.

I’m looking forward to seeing you back here again in 2025, where I’ll be sharing more of my recent reads to enhance your reading journey and also giving you my latest scoop on what’s hotly anticipated in the publishing world. Make sure you Subscribe to be kept in the loop!

Until the Next Chapter,

Emma

X0

@papyrusandpeppermint