I remember as a kid feeling like there’s so much build-up to the winter holidays and then — whoomph, they’re done, leaving this kind of dolldrums vacuum in their wake. Thankfully, this is not the case for me now because once that new year hits, I’m immediately turning my attention to my favorite authors and looking to see what they may have coming out soon.

Getting to the end of another year of reading is always exciting for me — looking back at my list of books I’ve read is almost like flipping through a slideshow from a trip abroad. I have flashbacks of books both good and bad, and an irresistable urge to tell the world all about it. And this urge isn’t just limited to my own “best of” list. I enjoy scrolling through recaps from other readers just as much! In case you are just like me and can’t get enough reading recommendations from end-of-year book lists, I pulled together my top 24 books that I read in 2024.

When I looked at books that are coming out in 2024, I was thrilled to find the list packed full of the latest (and hopefully greatest) books from many of my favorite authors. If you’re looking to grow your TBR stack, this book list featuring many of the most anticipated books of 2024 will help you get on your library holds list before the line is long!

One of my absolute favorite subgenres of fiction is “uplit” — those often quirky but ultimately heartwarming stories that just absolutely hit the right spot and maybe even redeem your faith in humanity. I am an absolute sucker for any book centered around a lost soul finding their place in the world. I often see readers looking for more books with that flavor, so here are 15 of my favorite books in the uplit, found family genre.