How is another year finished already?! I don’t understand. Well, I guess I’ll make another top ten list, in that case. (I will note that this list contains books that were new to me, not necessarily published within this calendar year.)

There are my usual genres, because life is too short to not read books you enjoy. So you’ll find plenty of fantasy, with the occasional graphic novel or contemporary novel thrown in. There are, however, several new-to-me or debut authors on this list, which I love to see.

And for once, putting this in order was fairly easy. I switched a couple around, but the order I’ve ended up with feels so right. That said, I loved all of these books and will willingly rhapsodize about them at the drop of a hat if you let me.

Now, on to the ranking…

10. The Twisted Ones

T. Kingfisher; supernatural horror

Set in the hills of North Carolina, this unsettling novel weaves through stories and folklore, through trees and stone, through life and death. It builds to a brilliant climax, all the while populated with excellent characters and chilling moments of fear and magic. If the only horror author I ever read from now on is Kingfisher, that’s fine with me!

9. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath

Moniquil Blackgoose; historical fantasy

More people need to read this! Rich in detail, rife with complex themes and characters, and studded with incredible magic, this is an amazing story. The setting (an alternate 19th century America with dragons) is beautifully realized, and the exploration of colonialism and Native identity is marvelous. A powerful work!

8. Bea Wolf

Zach Weinersmith; middle grade fantasy graphic novel

Is it wrong to like this better than the source material it’s based on? Well, too bad, because I do. The art is charming and fantastical, the storyline is cute yet full of peril, the characters are expressive and full of life. It’s a clever take on Beowulf while also being its own thing, with its own themes about the magic and value of childhood. Adorable!

7. The Wishing Game

Meg Shaffer; contemporary fiction

This book surprised me, in the best way. It’s full of wonder and puzzles and delightful characters. A love letter to children’s literature, this is also a story of found family, love, and parenthood. There’s so much to enjoy here, from the characters to the setting to the warm feelings you get while reading. Such a charming book!

6. The Fragile Threads of Power

V. E. Schwab; fantasy

If I had to pick a favorite fantasy setting on this list, it’s Red London. I ADORED returning to this world, with its politics and magic and intrigue. The characters, old and new, are all fantastically rendered, with layered personalities and excellent development. The action is great, as is the magic, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next in this series!

5. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Deya Muniz; young adult graphic novel

Look, I’m a sucker for adorable, wholesome graphic novels, okay? This one—featuring queer romance, disguises, and figuring out who you are and where you belong—is simply delightful. I love the art style, the characters, and the sweet themes. I smiled so much reading this book, and really, what more could one ask for?

4. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Shannon Chakraborty; historical fantasy

No seriously, this book is SO GOOD. Swash-buckling action on the high seas, otherworldly creatures, a scowling but kind-hearted protagonist, a bit of mystery—what more could you want? This book is well worth a read, and serves as a brilliant opener to what will definitely be an amazing trilogy. I love this story so much!

3. The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman; fantasy

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “enchanting.” There’s something melancholy yet magical in this story, with its evocative setting and unforgettable characters. A celebration of childhood wonder, it’s a dark yet hopeful tale about monsters, friendship, and memory—one I already can’t wait to return to.

2. Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson; fantasy

Now THIS is how you do a standalone fantasy adventure. Tress has just about everything I adore: a loveable cast of characters, a fascinating magic system, plus pirates and magical animals and a sweet love story. Every time I think of this book, it makes me happy. It’s the best sort of fairy tale: one that sweeps you away.

1. The Sun and the Star

Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro; middle grade fantasy

The Percy Jackson universe has never been better, I swear. An exploration of mental health struggles couples perfectly with a rescue mission plot, and the characters are simply amazing. The emotions and action balance each other out so well, and to land on hope—especially for protagonist Nico—is so powerful. This book is like a hug, something to say “you aren’t alone.”

And that’s all she read!

Okay, not all: I actually read 130 books this year! Lots of novellas and graphic novels, but lots of longer novels too. Some honorable mentions include: A Door in the Dark, The Chalice of the Gods, Starling House, Three Tasks for a Dragon, and Heartstopper volume 5.

And truly, this was the year of the audiobook for me. I still do a lot in print, and some in digital, but I’ve never listened to so many books in a year before. I’m so glad that something about that format has finally, truly, clicked for me. I can read books while driving, cooking, or doing chores. Multitasking for the win!

As for any reading goals, I have had a horrible track record (despite my last year’s top ten post, I only read one new Sanderson and Schwab each). Maybe my goal this year will be to keep up with my ever-teetering pile of not-yet-published ARCs, because that’s a constant source of pressure for me. It would be nice to feel proactive about it for once.

But beyond that, I have tons of books I want to read in 2024 (surprise, surprise)! I can’t wait!