Happy New Year, my sweet book friends!

If you’d prefer to listen to this book list, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below. 

As 2024 just ended, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the books that have shaped our reading journeys. The End-of-the-Year Book Tag is a fun, reflective way to revisit the stories we’ve loved, the characters who stuck with us, and the books still waiting on our TBR pile. From celebrating unexpected favorites to planning those last-minute reads before the calendar flips, this tag encourages book lovers to pause and savor their literary highlights.

2024 Reading Stats

• Total Titles: 235/225
• Novels: 173
• Audiobooks: 111
• Digital ebooks: 22
• Physical: 3
• NetGalley & ARCs: 48
• Short Stories & Novellas: 23
• Graphic Novels: 9
• Children’s Picture Books: 19

My Ratings for the Year:

• 5-star: 36
• 4-star: 85
• 3-star: 39
• 2-star: 13
• DNF’d Books: 11

Genres Read This Year:

• Mystery/Thriller/Horror: 32
• Cozy Mystery: 15
  Total: 47
• Modern Romance: 38
• Fantasy: 29
• Cozy Fantasy: 7 (part of the 29)
• Historical Fiction: 18
• Christian Fiction: 12 (part of historical & romance)
• Contemporary: 3
• Young Adult: 16
• Middle Grade: 20
• Classics: 1
• Nonfiction: 1

End-of-the-Year Book Tag Questions

These answers are based on the books that I read in 2024, not that they were necessarily published in 2024. Many of these answers have multiple books chosen. For further explanation, please listen to the podcast episode above.

Favorite Book Covers of the Year:

Favorite Author of the Year: Gabrielle Meyer, but I also discovered Abby Jimenez, Gracie Ruth Mitchell, Courtney Walsh, and Annabel Monaghan last year. They are all new favorites that I can’t wait to read from.

Favorite Genre of the Year: According to my stats, if I combine mystery/thriller/horror with cozy mysteries, it’s my largest genre. Next is contemporary romance. However, my favorite is fantasy, and my NEW favorites are gothic fantasy and cozy mysteries.

Best Adaptation of the Year: I didn’t watch any shows or movies based on books last year, but I do want to watch A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder on Netflix. I’ve read the first two books in that trilogy.

What are the highest and lowest rated books I’ve read this year on GoodReads, and do I agree? Lowest – Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory: 2.94. I gave it 1 star and agree.
Highest – The Women by Kristen Hannah: 4.62. I gave it 5 stars and agree.

What is a popular book that everyone loves that you haven’t read yet? The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden

Books to transition into the winter season: I’m a bit burned out on romance and fantasy. I’m definitely in the mood for dark, gritty, twisty winter thrillers right now.

2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge Goal: 175 titles

Have I started planning my 2025 reading goals? Yes. Listen to episode #89 to hear all my plans for this year.