A bookworm has revealed her top five reads of the year – and some of them may surprise you.
Danielle Wroe has loved reading ever since she was a child and this passion has continued into her adult life. You’ll often find her with her head inside a book – and in 2024, she managed a whopping 239 of them!
So if you’re looking for a recommendation of what to read next, it’s safe to say Danielle could be the answer to your problem. Here are the books she loved reading the most last year…
1. You Like It Darker by Stephen King
What’s it about?
Stephen King needs no introduction – but his collection of 12 short stories promises to “delve into the darker part of life”. They explore themes including fate, mortality and luck, which are bound to keep you turning the page.
Danielle’s verdict
Anybody who knows me will know that Stephen King books almost always get an instant five-star rating from me, and this was no different – despite the fact that short stories often are not my favourite.
Of course, there were some that were better than others, in my opinion, but everyone will have different thoughts. I was thrilled to get a really enjoyable sequel to Cujo, a book I read a couple of years ago, and ‘The Answer Man’ is a short story that will literally stay with me forever.
Many won’t be surprised to see Stephen King’s name on this list!
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
2. Clickbait by L.C North
What’s it about?
Clickbait by L.C. North is a novel that delves into themes of online identity, social media, and the darker consequences of sharing one’s life with the public. The book is described as a psychological thriller, blending real-world issues surrounding internet culture with the suspense of unraveling closely held secrets.
Danielle’s verdict
This is a twisty thriller mystery written in mixed media (a massive thumbs up from me!) that truly kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. It’s not often I pick up a thriller, but when I do, I need them to grip me in the way this one did. This book contains emails, interviews, podcast-style narratives, and fan comments, and it will keep you up at night until you’ve finished it.
3. Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
What’s it about?
Prima Facie is a powerful and critically acclaimed one-woman play written by Australian playwright Suzie Miller. The play explores themes of power, gender dynamics, law, and justice, focusing on a young, ambitious barrister named Tessa, who excels in defending clients accused of sexual assault. Tessa is confident in the legal system’s fairness and her ability to manipulate its nuances—until she becomes the victim of sexual assault herself.
Danielle’s verdict
I’ve never seen the play, nor have I been to the cinema to watch the recording of the play (much to my dismay), so I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I picked this book up. But I was floored by this one. It’s clever, quick, and heavy, and the themes running throughout will be poignant to many.
Truthfully, it left me in tears at the end out of frustration and shock at the injustice that can be done daily – and we don’t even question it.
Want to read more in 2025? Try heading to your local library
(Image: Getty Images)
4. The Path to Self-Love by Ruby Dhal
What’s it about?
The Path to Self-Love is a poetry and prose book written by Ruby Dhal, a well-known British poet, author, and motivational speaker. In this work, Dhal focuses on themes of self-love, healing, and personal growth. Designed to offer positive encouragement and emotional support, the book emphasizes the importance of forgiving oneself, overcoming emotional pain, and building a more caring and nurturing relationship with oneself.
Danielle’s verdict
As far as self-love and self-help books go, this is possibly the best I’ve ever read. I can’t lie; I’m a big fan of any book that claims to help me love myself more. I thankfully don’t struggle much with self-confidence, but we can all do with a little boost from time to time to make us strut around a little more sassily.
This book perfectly toed the line between the author’s personal experiences and how this can relate to your individual journey.
5. The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
What’s it about?
The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore is a contemporary romance novel. It is part of the growing cozy romance subgenre, which combines lighthearted romance with a warm, feel-good setting. The story revolves around a delightful cinnamon bun-themed bookstore and a charming romance that unfolds within its walls. The book gained attention for its cozy, comforting vibes and its relatable characters.
Danielle’s verdict
This book has received seriously mixed reviews, but as long as you go into it and do not expect it to change your life, I feel like you’ll really enjoy it. I absolutely adore the fact that these cosy, easy-to-read books have gained massive popularity thanks to the likes of TikTok. I mean, just one look at the cover told me that I needed to read this sequel to The Pumpkin Spiced Cafe – which I also loved.
It probably won’t be winning any awards for its literary prowess, but sometimes, you just need something easy, fluffy, and fun, and this ticked all the boxes for me. And I’m constantly talking about it, so it’s obviously a must-read!