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I’ve been keeping track of the books I read in GoodReads for a few years now, and I always enjoy looking back on what I read when the year is coming to a close.
In 2024, I read 40 books — I literally finished no. 40 this morning because I REFUSED to not reach my goal of reading 40!
I always post here on the blog about my 4- and 5- star books, but I wanted to quickly highlight the BEST of the best of 2024, and re-share those 5-star books.
Please know that I save the 5-star ratings for books that change my LIFE! These are books that really stood out and still have me thinking.
So, here are the TOP books (rated 5 stars) I read in 2024:
‘Reality Check: Making the Best of the Situation – How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison’ by Mike Sorrentino | Celebrity Memoir
For the most part, I always enjoy celebrity memoirs. But Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is the best one I’ve ever read. Seriously, it’s fantastic from all angles.
“Reality Check” was a book I’ve been wanting to read since Sorrentino announced its publishing date, but I was waiting for the right time to read it. Addiction stories can be difficult to read, and his type of story — a mix of fame and addiction — typically doesn’t end well.
But this is a story I’ll be thinking about for years!
I truly loved this one, and you can read my full book review here.
‘The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma’ by Bessel van der Kolk | medical analysis
A female CEO I follow on Instagram posted about “The Body Keeps the Score” and recommended it to anyone suffering from trauma. A few days later, I saw it on the shelf in an airport bookstore and immediately bought it.
But it took me years to get the courage to actually read it. It’s difficult to face what you’ve hidden for so long, and this book helped me understand so much of my behavior and bodily feelings. Truly a life-changer if you’re a trauma survivor of any kind.
Read my full book review here.
‘Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story’ by Max Marshall | True Crime
“Among the Bros” was the first book I read in 2024, so I really had some high (pun intended, heh heh) hopes for my reading life.
This book blew me away! It combined my love-hate relationship with college Greek life, along with my interest in drug-related crimes and addiction. And wow, the reporting from Marshall is top-notch!
Read my full book review here.
…And, those are the best books I read in 2024! I read lots of four-star books, but wanted to keep this to my tippy-top faves. I’m looking forward to seeing what books I’ll read in 2025 🙂
For more book recommendations, be sure to subscribe to the blog (look to the right) and follow me on Goodreads @thebitterlemon – where I share more of my book picks.
The Bitter Lemon 