Despite hundreds upon hundreds of books being published last year, I managed to only read one book that actually came out in 2024. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t read last year. As you can imagine, working at a library gives me access to more than enough books.

So, here are some of my favorites, starting with the one book I read published in 2024.

Rejection: Fiction by Tony Tulathimutte

A collection of short stories, Tulathimutte peers into the lives of people that are clearly in pain and do bad things because of it. From a women’s rights advocate-turned-incel to a girl that can’t get over a one-night stand, these people suck, but you just can’t look away. It might not be your cup of tea, so I’d recommend checking out the first story The Feminist before you grab the whole collection.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Two friends, Sam and Sadie, reunite years later in college to make video games and maybe even history. In the process, they learn the challenges of running a company and making creative decisions as a team, all while butting heads.

I wish I could do justice to how much I loved this book. Zevin does an amazing job juggling an assortment of characters while also making commentary on class differences, living with a disability, and the way these experiences affect each character’s motivations and decisions without painting one or the other as good or bad.

This book has so many highs and lows. And, when you’ve been brought to the lowest point, it shows how life must move on, even if you don’t want it to.

Beautiful and heartbreaking, this book sends you away with the reminder that there are often unlimited chances and opportunities to try something again and again.

Diary by Chuck Palahniuk

From the author of Fight Club comes a story featuring Misty, a hotel maid who once was an aspiring artist. Stuck on an island suffering from over-tourism, Misty receives complaints about her husband, a contractor, sealing off random rooms in people’s homes and filling them with all sorts of nasty graffiti on the walls. And while Misty could ask him why he did that, there’s one small problem: he’s in a coma.

This book starts off slow, but it’s worth the investment and ramps up quickly toward the end as Misty slowly comes back to being an artist. I don’t want to spoil too much for you so I’ll just leave it at that!

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Our story follows thirty-six-year-old Keiko Furukura, a Tokyo resident who spends her days working at the Hiiromachi branch of “Smile Mart”. She’s been here since the age of eighteen, and she loves every single day. To Furukura, the clearly laid out rules of how to act and socialize with customers serve as a breath of clarity in a world she otherwise finds confusing and illogical.

But despite her happiness, each year Furukura feels the pressure from her family and coworkers to “get a real job” and grow up. Will she choose to listen to these people, or will she keep carving her own path to happiness? This unique story will answer that all while making you question what really matters in life.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

When Satoru meets a stray cat, he can’t help but leave him food scraps by his silver van. After much patience — and even more scraps left behind — Satoru decides to take this stray into his own home, naming him Nana. Nana takes a bit to get used to Satoru, but he slowly comes to trust and love his new owner. One day, just as they get into a good rhythm, Satoru surprises Nana with some news: he needs to find a new caretaker for him. Little is given as to why, but as Satoru and Nana make a road trip from friend to friend to find a new home for Nana, we learn more about Satoru’s past and get hints as to why they’re on such a journey.

Beautifully told and well-paced, the author weaves a compelling story as they write from varying perspectives including Satoru and Nana. I will warn you though: the book will have you in tears at the end, so I would definitely have a box of tissues nearby as you reach the last couple of pages!