My Top Reads and Watches of 2024
Sentient doors and magical snowmen, oh my!
What a year it’s been! On top of becoming a published author, I attended several bookish events, traveled to some stunning places, and made so many new writing friends.
I also read and watched a ton of amazing stories—banger after banger after banger (often literally lol). It was difficult to narrow it down to my top tens, but that’s what we’re here for!
So, without further ado, here are my favorite reads and watches of 2024. Let me know if you agree with these selections, and what else would you add to your list.
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(Note: All links, where available, lead to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, you’ll support local, independent bookstores, and I’ll earn a small commission as an affiliate. It’s a win-win!)
Top 10 Fiction
For the first time in my life, I read 100 books in a year. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you’re passionate about what you do.
I tend to read shorter books (250 pages or fewer, on average), and half of these I listened to on audio, but regardless, narrowing it down to the top ten was a struggle.
That’s why I’ve created two lists for fiction and nonfiction. Their publication dates aren’t limited to this year, but these are the best books I read in 2024. Comment below with what I should add to my TBR next year!
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (2024). Danica Nava’s debut was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and it’s an absolute delight. Lying by omission is a tricky trope to execute, and she nails it. I was rooting for Ember and laughing out loud the entire way.
When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare (2015). I need to write a whole essay on the state of historical romance today, but until then, I will be screaming about this book from the rooftops. The banter! The tension! The pet lobsters?! Ugh, I’m kicking myself for taking so long to read Tessa Dare, so to make up for lost time, I already have A Week to Be Wicked waiting in my queue.
Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake (2024). Sometimes, you’re on the same wavelength as an author without even knowing. Jaclyn and I are alums of the NorCal Writers’ Retreat, and our debuts both include women in San Francisco struggling with Silicon Valley sabotage, backstabbing friends, and barnyard animal antics. I laughed, I cried, I found a literary kindred spirit.
Steel My Heart by Nellie Wilson (2024). Speaking of kindred spirits, Nellie wrote the *real* small-town romance of my heart. It depicts everything from rural Appalachian life to ADHD representation with kindness, which reflects how much Nellie cares about her communities. Her Romance for Appalachia auction raised over $32,000 for Hurricane Helene relief, and I’m honored I could contribute!
Unhinged by Vera Valentine (2023). This sentient object romance between a woman and her actual front door gives a whole new meaning to “open door” spice. Vera Valentine’s viral hit captures attention for its wild premise, but it captivates readers for its surprisingly wholesome characters. Unhinged proves you can make anything a love story if you get creative.
Demon Lover by Heather Guerre (2020). Heather Guerre can do no wrong in my eyes. While waiting for the fourth installment of her Tooth & Claw series, I adored reading Demon Lover, about an incubus who falls in love with a woman whose dreams he inhabits. Much like Unhinged, this book is both sexy and heartwarmingly sweet.
Brutal Conquest by Lilith Vincent (2022). If you’re like me and were disappointed by season 2 of House of the Dragon, you need to read Brutal Conquest, which reimagines Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship in a mafia romance. Fans of age gaps, possessive male leads, and rooting for the bad boy will love this hot, hot, hot retelling.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Mass (2016). To be honest, I likely would not have started reading A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) if one of my best friends hadn’t gifted it to me, but the series has been a pleasant surprise. I’m a sucker for a sexy shadow daddy, and holy moly does this sequel deliver.
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura (2023). Like every other romance fan, I’ve been chasing the high of watching The Mummy since it premiered in 1999. Jo Segura’s debut comes pretty damn close. If you can’t get enough outdoor and adventures romances, this one will be your jam.
Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke (2021). Getting trapped in a corporate Slack channel sounds like the worst circle of hell, but this satirical comedy makes it fun. Its absurd, surreal humor will propel you to finish this book in a single sitting.
Top 10 Nonfiction
Obviously, romance is my favorite genre, but when it comes to nonfiction, I’m a sucker for a juicy memoir, feminist studies, and antiwork reminders to chill the F out. 2024 delivered these in spades.
The Success Myth: Letting Go of Having It All by Emma Gannon (2023). Perfectionists and overachievers, this is the book for you. Emma Gannon distills the lessons she’s learned from interviewing celebrities and creatives on her podcast Ctrl Alt Delete, breaking down myths around external markers of success and reframing them into a more fulfilling mindset.
Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall (2020). Let’s be frank: most feminist studies are written from the white lens, lacking intersectionality and the perspectives of marginalized women. Mikki Kendall fills those gaps in this powerful essay collection, with dedicated chapters on education, housing, gun violence, and more.
Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski, PhD (2024). As celebrated as Nagoski is for her sex research in Come As You Are, I would recommend this follow-up guide even more. From its shift away from desire to pleasure to its investigation of why we have sex, everyone who wants to improve intimacy with their partner should add this book to their collection.
Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher (2024). Swisher has been an icon in Silicon Valley journalism for decades, so there was no way I wasn’t going to inhale her memoir. It walks down memory lane of the tech industry and reveals just how freaking weird all these billionaire CEOs are. Swisher is smart and clever as always, and her stories are thoroughly entertaining.
Abortion: Our Bodies, Their Lies, and the Truths We Use to Win by Jessica Valenti (2024). It is horrifying and infuriating that America is rolling back reproductive rights before our very eyes, when the vast majority of people in this country support bodily autonomy. With her Substack, Abortion, Every Day, Valenti has been on the front lines, and if it were up to me, her book would be required reading.
Let’s Get Digital: How to Self-Publish and Why You Should by David Gaughran (2011). Unsurprisingly, I read a ton of books about self-publishing this year, and Let’s Get Digital was my favorite. It’s the perfect introduction to becoming an indie author, with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense tone.
How to Get on Podcasts: Cultivate Your Following, Strengthen Your Message, and Grow as a Thought Leader through Podcast Guesting by Michelle L. Glogovac (2024). I love podcasts, and fellow Bay Area author Michelle knows her stuff. This guide walks you through how to build your brand with easy-to-replicate steps—I would know because I was a guest on six podcasts this year. Her advice gives me confidence to book more interviews moving forward!
A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape From Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings (2024). I can’t resist a book about cults, and the Quiverfull movement is one of the worst offenders. This memoir is a harrowing read, and it will make your blood boil, but I hope it convinces other victims to seize their independence.
More: A Memoir of Open Marriage by Molly Roden Winter (2024). I write romance, so I’m as sex-positive as they come. Ethical nonmonogamy has always fascinated me, and I appreciate how honest this memoir is about open marriage—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts by Oliver Burkeman (2024). Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks is one of my favorite nonfiction books, and this follow-up companion is a worthy read. Its only fault is that it’s too good to savor it over the recommended month.
Top 10 TV Shows & Movies
With all the reading I do, I don’t spend as much time on other forms of entertainment (if you don’t count me chipping away at four seasons of The Vampire Diaries). But of the 2024 movies and TV shows I did watch, these are my top ten.
Nobody Wants This on Netflix. The second this show was over, I wanted to go back to the beginning and watch it again. It’s heart-achingly adorable and has the hottest kiss I’ve seen in a longggggg time. Ten out of ten, no notes.
My Lady Jane on Amazon Prime Video. I will never forgive Amazon for canceling this show after only one season, but thankfully, it’s a complete storyline, so I still recommend it. The knife-to-throat scene will live rent-free in my head for years to come.
The Fall Guy by Univeral Pictures. I love this movie so much—I must have watched it four times by now. An adventure rom-com that’s equally romantic as it is comedic? Finally!
Challengers by Amazon MGM Studios. There’s nothing better when media is unapologetically made for the female gaze, and Challengers is sexy and thrilling in equal measure. Not to mention, it now ranks with Crazy Rich Asians as the perfect airplane movie.
Deadpool & Wolverine by Disney’s Marvel Studios. It’s safe to say that everyone with superhero fatigue made an exception for this movie. The laughs just keep coming, and the finale with the choir cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” is peak entertainment.
Hot Frosty on Netflix. I had zero expectations going into this holiday rom-com, so I was delighted to discover how cute it was! It’s silly and sweet, with a surprisingly well-developed character arc that tackles love after loss. I might just make rewatching this movie a new Christmas tradition.
The Traitors, season 2, on Peacock. I would be remiss if I didn’t include reality TV on this list, and The Traitors is the best show in this category by far. Host Alan Cumming delivers total camp, full of backstabbing and intrigue and an over-the-top Scottish wardrobe.
A Real Pain by Searchlight Pictures. Only Kieran Culkin could convince me to break out of my happily-ever-after bubble and watch a film about the Holocaust, but this one is Oscar bait for a reason. The performances are raw and messy, and you’ll ruminate on them long after the end.
Fallout on Amazon Prime Video. I knew nothing about this video game adaptation, but fans and newbs alike rated this show highly. Be forewarned that it’s gratituously violent, but I’ll admit that's part of the fun.
Interior Chinatown on Hulu. This TV adaptation of one of my favorite books in recent years manages to nail its surreal, satirical, genre-bending qualities. If you’re looking to watch something completely different to what’s available in Hollywood, this storytelling is unique.
See You in 2025
This is my last newsletter for the year, so I’m wishing you all the happiest of holidays. Comment below with your favorite reads and watches—I’d love to know what made your list!
And if you think I have good taste, please share Grumpy + Sunshine with a bookish friend who needs more romance rants, raves, and recommendations.
XOXO
Alyssa
Oooh. Excited to dive into the Success Myth!! Thanks for the rec!
Oooh, Dare's "A Week to be Wicked" is one of my all time faves—enjoy!!