As the clock clicks down to a new year, we all get a little reflective, no? For me, this includes looking back at my literary journey from January to December. I keep a list of the books I read each year, and revisiting them brings me back to a specific moment in time. It’s like keeping a journal, without having to do the writing. 

When I look back on my list, there are a few must-read books that stand out. Books with writing that just captures life as a human being in the most beautiful, and authentic, ways. Books with engaging structure and unique takes on familiar stories. Books that had me laughing, crying, thinking - and feeling. These books have stayed with me all year and I invite you to make them part of your literary journey in 2024.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H.

Lamya H. is a pseudonym for the queer, Muslim author of this remarkable memoir of making sense of and reconciling one’s identity with one’s faith. What really stands out here is the structure; each section of the book has Lamya reflecting on her past and present through the lens of a story from the Quran. The result is a beautiful coming-of-age quilt, tightly knit together through beautiful, honest writing. 

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Acevedo is a decorated Young Adult author, and this is her debut novel for adults. It is the story of a Dominican American family told through the perspective of four sisters and two of their adult daughters. The story kicks off as one of the sisters, Flor, shares her wish to have a living wake - as in a big party to celebrate her life while she is still living - which has the family members reeling as they make sense of the past, the present, and why Flor is doing this.  Acevedo has a talent for giving voice to characters through her poetic prose; she had me laughing, crying, and nodding my head along in recognition.

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez and The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy by Corey Ann Haydu

Yes, these are middle-grade books - which means the publishing industry has identified 8-12-year-olds as the target audience. No, they are not just for children. In fact, I would argue they both have the best depiction of what it is to be human and in relationship with yourself and others of any books I’ve read this year. 

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is the story of Aniana, a 12-year-old Dominican American girl navigating life with a newly diagnosed chronic illness and a strained relationship with her mother, due to her mother’s trauma. This novel is written in verse, and Jasminne Mendez is a POET. All caps on purpose. Mendez plays with sound and structure and the writing is quite breathtaking, taking you on a journey through Aniana’s complicated inner life. 

The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy imagines a world where the mythological gods have descendants living on Earth, but when one of the descendants disrupts the order of things, the community is left reeling. The book is written from the perspective of Apple and Dorothy, another set of 12-year-old girls processing grief, change, and friendship. One of my book club friends called this book unbearable - and I think she’s so right in the sense that Haydu’s writing is so beautifully painful and real in capturing how the characters are processing emotions and living life.

Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu

I haven’t actually read this one because it publishes at the end of this year, but I’ve been anticipating it for so long that it feels like I’ve read it. Vivan Tu is a former Wall Street trader turned personal finance content creator. She had me at the title of her podcast, Networth and Chill. Brilliant. If you are looking for a different perspective on maximizing your income, saving, and investing, this is for you. It feels so motivating to have a non-white, non-male voice to learn from in this area and I’m kicking off my 2024 literary journey with this book.

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Denise is a reader, writer, partner, mother, and friend. She is U.S.-based, originally from New York, and now lives in Texas with her husband, three children, and dog, Blue. Denise has 16 years of experience working in K-12 Education and loves facilitating communities where people can connect and grow. She is a co-author of Imperfect Parenting: Honest Stories from Global Parents and is currently building a community for women who view reading as self-care over at The Connected Reader and @theconnectedreader on Instagram.