Our Favorite Books of 2024
One of my favorite things to do every year is round up my favorite reads, share them, and discuss them with fellow bookworms. I was thrilled to include the P&A team in that practice this year!
I asked each person on the team to send me a few sentences about their favorite books of 2024 and sat back while I waited, wondering if they’d have the same problem I do—the struggle of picking just one.
Can’t Put Down Books 2024
Herewith, you’ll find the reads that gripped, impacted, taught, and kept us turning pages. They span genres and interests. Some are novels, some are about spirituality, some are about money, and some are about money and spirituality. Regardless of your interests, there’s something in here for you, too.
And if you’re like me, you may see a title here that you’ve heard of before, but haven’t yet grabbed, downloaded, or placed a hold on at the library. Take it as a sign. You are meant to read that book.
Clutching one of my 2024 favorites to my heart because I love it that much
Alysha’s Favorite Book of 2024
The Celestine Prophecy was gifted to me by a very strange and unusual but impactful friend. It sat in my TBR stack for years until I heard it mentioned on The Coast Podcast and thought, I'll give it a go. It was not what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by how this story changed my thoughts and, in turn, my life. James Redfield has given us an invaluable gift and living piece of literature that was both relevant and impactful at its publishing in '93 and reached into the future to our present day, where it is somehow more relevant and synchronistic in our current times. I read The Celestine Prophecy all year, and each time I picked it back up, the story was picking up on a theme or an insight that would mirror precisely what I was integrating or experiencing in my daily life and spiritual exploration. The Celestine Prophecy is alive and a must-read! -Alysha
Eric’s Favorite Books of 2024
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash — A beautifully-written story about family and the small twists of fate that can change the course of our lives forever. This was a completely different kind of WWII novel and I couldn't put it down. 10/10, no notes.
Family Family by Laurie Frankel — As a dad to adopted twins, this book tugged at my heartstrings (and then some). I love how Frankel is able to tell such an engaging story from multiple points of view—each seamlessly woven together.
Outofshapeworthlessloser by Gracie Gold — An intriguing look inside the world of figure skating and the life of someone who went from an Olympic high to rock bottom in two years. Gracie is honest, funny, and self-deprecating, and her story of resilience is one worth hearing. From battling depression and an eating disorder to excelling at the elite level again, we could all learn a thing or two about perseverance from Gracie Gold. —All three above from Eric
Jami’s Favorite Book of 2024
Favorite book of 2024: Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze. Why? This was such a quick and easy listen on Audible! It had practical, relatable tips that are so relevant to the season my family is in right now. -Jami
Kim’s Favorite Book of 2024
My Mom gifted me The Women by Kristin Hannah this fall. Given the crazy hype, I braced myself to be disappointed...I was humbly wrong. The Women, a work of Historical Fiction art, drops you into a totally-could-be-true, devastatingly beautiful page-turner that I devoured in days. -Kim
(Note from Whitney: I also devoured The Women after resisting it for months. My mom and grandma raved about it and I thought it would be cute if I joined their family book club. I’ve read a few Kristin Hannahs, and I wanted to love her because she lives near me—Bainbridge Island, if you’re curious—but had been turned off by her PNW novels that I found mostly cheesy. However, I’d loved Firefly Lane on Netflix and was intrigued by Kristin saying at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference that she was in her historical fiction era, so I read it the month after I saw her in person. WOW + feminism. And to Kim’s point—this book is long. For both of us to have devoured it in days says a lot.)
Helene’s Favorite Books of 2024
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover—This is the first book in a series—which I recommend completely—that dives into the story of an incredibly talented guitarist who happens to be deaf. The way something so seemingly impossible is explained and described leaves you in awe of this fictional character’s abilities while also educating you about the trials and tribulations of being deaf. The book explores how being deaf can unlock certain “superpowers,” how different people cope with the condition, and, love story aside, provides a valuable perspective on a disability that many of us only understand on a surface level.
You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose—A seemingly cliché but heartwarming love story that suddenly introduces a darker mystery, leaving you unsure whether to root for this seemingly wholesome guy or not. With an absolutely unbelievable twist at the end—one that offered zero clues, hints, or reasons to suspect it throughout the entire book—I was completely awestruck. I probably read the last 10 pages with my mouth hanging open. It’s easily one of the best-kept secrets I’ve come across in a book.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center—I’m always reading cliché love stories, but I love when a book offers a fresh twist. This one follows a woman who, after a minor brain surgery, develops apperceptive prosopagnosia (face blindness). She can see every feature of a person, but can't recognize their face as a whole—just a jumble of features. The twist? She's a portrait artist. How can she continue her work? While there’s a love story (of course), I really appreciated learning about a condition I’d never heard of. It provided a glimpse into a life affected by this rare disability, making me more aware and compassionate toward people who experience it daily, and how they cope. Like how the heck is this girl going to do her work? Can she figure out a way?
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle—I love out-of-the-box concepts in my love stories, and this one truly delivered. The main character has always found pieces of paper with a guy’s name and the duration of their relationship. These notes appear randomly—sometimes even in trash on the street—and are always accurate. After a first date, she gets her usual slip of paper, but this time, there’s no date. It leaves both her and the reader wondering: does this mean she’s found "the one"? I thought this was such a clever idea, making you pay closer attention to their relationship. Is he her perfect match? Or if he’s not, can she break it off? And if she does, is she doomed to be alone forever? WHAT DOES THE BLANK PAPER MEAN? -All four above from Helene
Whitney’s Favorite Books of 2024
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey was one of the last books I read in 2024 and it made a lasting impact. I’ve always found Matthew charming, but wasn’t president of his fan club by any means. The book called to me from a table at the Edmonds Bookshop. It was the last copy, so I picked it up, not knowing my mother-in-law had purchased it for my husband for Christmas! That felt like magic to me. The story of McConaughey’s career and family was super-entertaining, but what I loved the most about this book was how clearly Matthew’s voice shone through. It felt like we were sitting down over multiple drinks while he told it to me and that’s a rare skill to master.
Similarly, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin was one of the first books I read in 2024. I found it so immediately gripping that I grabbed a highlighter and treated it like a textbook I was studying. The short, impactful chapters taught me so much about believing in my creativity, betting on myself, and worrying less about how my work is received. I plan to revisit it over and over again.
The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma also had me nodding along and believing in my ability to impact my life and the lives of others through consistent action and positive impact. Another book full of short, easy lessons, it got me in the zone of excellence and inspired me to read Robin’s entire backlist. -All three above from Whitney
What Were Your Must-Read Books of 2024?
Don’t be a stranger! We are always adding to our stacks, so comment here or on Instagram telling us about your favorite 2024 reads. Sharing resources with our community is our favorite thing to do.
Besides, these picks probably tell you a lot about us. We’re always looking for like-minded clients and friends who want to bond about books.