My Favorite Books in 2024

For many years, I used to write detailed recaps of all the books I read. But this year, life took a different turn. Between busier days and new priorities (which I’m endlessly grateful for), my reading time has been limited to those quiet moments before bed or the early mornings with a cup of hot water and lemon (a new habit I’m trying).

It’s also fair to admit that my reading journey hit a few roadblocks. I found myself picking up hyped books that didn’t resonate with me, which slowed my momentum. On the other hand, the books I ended up loving seemed to find me by pure chance. Interestingly, most of them revolved around Paris—a coincidence that felt like a gentle nudge from the universe. They swept me into a dreamlike state, sparking a deep sense of manifestation that eventually led me to visit the city itself.

So, instead of giving you a long list, I’m sharing the four books that left the deepest impression on me this year.

1- Waiting for Bojangles - Olivier Bourdeaut

This book moved me more than any other this year. When I picked it up at the French clothing store Sézane, I had an impression that it would make me emotional and it very much did.

The story follows a boy growing up in an eccentric but joyful home. As years pass, his mother starts unraveling, and though his entire world crumbles, the love of his parents never does. It is written in a way I couldn't put down, as it had alluring depictions of the places they inhabited, flamboyant characters, and the narrative was rhythmic and poetic with beautiful words and crazy, heartfelt moments that made me tear up more than once. The book is timed to perfection, making for a delightful reading experience.

Fun fact: The book's title references Nina Simone’s “Mr. Bojangles.” If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend playing it while reading—it adds an emotional layer to an already unforgettable story.

2- My Own Magic - Anna Kloots

I came across Anna Kloots thanks to my Instagram algorithm. She is an American living in Paris, and I was enthralled by reels of her Parisian apartment. I started digging into her and realized she had moved to France in 2020 to start over after a divorce and was often traveling the world. Upon stalking her one day, I realized she had written a NY Times Bestseller. I always mention that I don't really follow influencers, but her content really inspires me, as yes, she lives the kind of life I would love for myself, so I decided to understand how she landed where she is now.

I gave myself the chance to read the synopsys, and while being a story about starting over, it didn't seem cringey, and I was glad to confirm that never in the book I felt like her optimism and aha moments came off as cookie-cutter or questionable. I, in fact, related to her on several levels, and I could see a lot myself not only in her personality but in the relationship experiences she had.

The moral of the story for me is, as cliché as it might sound, that our heart is almost always right, and sometimes it takes so much time and so much pain to realize that, to fully accept when we have to close a chapter and move on to the next one. That's the thing about books - it feels incredibly validating when you find a kindred spirit that was able to put into words everything that you can't articulate. It's like your heart is being hugged and you are, somehow, connected to a person you have never even met.

3- The Paris Novel - Ruth Reichl

My friends know me very well, and when two of them gifted me "The Paris Novel" for my birthday, I knew I was in for a treat. I have the best memories of the summer, when I spent a lot of time on my own reading this book by the pool with an ice cold drink, ignoring my responsibilities just for the chance of reading one more chapter. The only moments when I willingly closed it being when a word or place piqued my interest so much that I needed to do research on them.

I must confess that I loved the build up of the story but not necessarily its ending, which, to me, left a lot of loose ends. The story was a bit too fantastical, and as a reader, I was a bit bothered by how easy everything came to the main character, who only through wishful thinking ended up uncovering decade long mysteries, finding treasures, and meeting every influential person she needed to succeed in her objectives.

Even so, I remember this book fondly because I was able to fully immerse in it and learn so much about French culture. For instance, I learned about les ortolans (a French delicacy, actual birds that you eat with your face covered, as putting them in your mouth feels so sinful); the tumbleweeds (writing apprentices that lived in Shakespeare & Company with George Whitman as their mentor); the city of Vezélay, famous for its Abbey and the restaurant Esperance, owned by one of the world's most favorite chefs, Marc Menau), and many more. The book also featured the most appealing depictions of food, so much so, that sometimes plates felt like actual characters. I would come to find out that Ruth Reichl, the author, is a well-known food writer, and many of her experiences shaped the book. So, all in all, you can say it had a bit of tartness, but the book in itself was quite a sweet experience.

4- Bamboozled by Jesus - Yvonne Orji

Insecure was one of the entertainment pieces that brought me most joy during 2023. One of the characters that spoke to me the most was Molly, played by Yvonne Orji, as I always do, I researched her a little bit and discovered she led a very unique road before landing her breakout role. I also found out she was a vocal Christian and believer in God, which is always refreshing to see in an industry like Hollywood.

Yvonne's book was one of the first I read this year, and it also helped me set the tone for 2024. She talked a lot about striving, hustling, giving your all (physically and mentally), especially when you don't feel like it, when life gives you a hard time. It brought me back to 2022 and 2023, the years in which my life crumbled, I received low blows and had to leave in uncertainty for months, feeling bad for working hard and not seeing the rewards. So, the book served as another reminder of God's perfect timing and how, as the famous Italian quote goes "per aspera, ad astra", only through hardship we will reach the stars. And only through surrendering to the Lord and letting go of our ego and mental barriers, are we able to remain sane while we knock on doors and hopefully, find better avenues leading up to our promised land.

That said, I hope you liked this summary! Let me know if any of these books seems interesting ;)