My Top 5 Favorite Books I Read in 2024

• Setting big reading goals for the year [00:00:01] to [00:02:31]
• Why diverse books matter  [00:01:58] to [00:02:31] 
• How community helps keep the joy and accountability alive [00:02:31] to [00:03:42]
• Benefits of novels  [00:04:02] to [00:04:36]
• My new favorite category — Romance Fantasy (Romantasy)  [00:04:55] to [00:06:27]
• My top books of the year  [00:07:03] to [00:17:08]

QUOTES: 

“I totally have been crushing my book reading goals this year, which I’m going to share with you a little bit in this episode.”

“One of the things I love the most about reading is it just gets my brain into a totally different space… I just love a novel. I love going into a world that someone has created. It gets me off my phone. It gets me immersed in a story.”

“There is no book snobbery here. I love books of all types, from romance to literary. The only thing I draw the line at is horror because I just do not like horror.”

“I feel like I have all these besties who are essentially characters.”

NICOLE

Hello, ambitious women! Welcome back to the School of Self-Worth. I am your host, Nicole Tsong. Many of you know that I am an avid reader. Side note: I have been crushing my book reading goals this year, which I’ll share a bit about in this episode. I often get asked what my favorite books of the year are, so this episode is dedicated to exactly that—my top books from 2024. You’ll also hear a few true confessions that have helped propel me to read the most books I’ve ever read in a single year.

Before we get started, if you are an Asian American corporate leader who wants to permanently break through the invisible cultural barriers holding you back in your career, DM me at unstoppable @ Nicole Tsong on Instagram, and let’s chat.

Okay, friends, let’s dive into this rich, fun book conversation!

Welcome to the School of Self-Worth, a podcast for ambitious women who know they are worthy of an astoundingly great life. Join us weekly as we get on the right side of your intuition, redefine success, and reclaim your self-worth. I’m an award-winning journalist who left it all behind to become a bestselling author of three books and a work-life balance expert, helping ambitious women unlock their intuition and step into a life of fulfillment and radical joy. Every week, I bring you diverse and meaningful conversations with successful women from all walks of life who share insights about what it takes to be brave, joyful, and authentic every day. Each episode is thoughtfully designed to leave you feeling empowered with tangible tips and advice that will lead you to your next breakthrough.

Hi, everybody! This is one of my favorite episodes of the podcast, where I host a little book club for you. I have lots of book friends, and we love to see authors speak and talk nonstop about our favorite books. I want to preface this by saying there is no book snobbery here; I love books of all types, from romance to literature. The only genre I draw the line at is horror—I just do not like horror or thrillers. You will find zero horror recommendations from me.

However, I will cover a wide range of book types that I love and share that openly with you. Half of my text conversations during the day are about books. I have business besties with whom I mostly discuss plot points. I also participate in Book Bingo, a program run annually by the Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts & Lectures, where you can read up to 25 books in about 14 weeks for a chance to win a prize. I love doing it just for the challenge, and I aim for a blackout, meaning I try to read 25 books in 14 weeks. Sometimes that sounds reasonable, and other times, I wonder what I’m doing! In the last week of this year’s challenge, I had to read three books in a short span, which was a jam-packed experience.

This year, my goal was to read 52 books, and as of this recording, I am currently at 63. I may even hit 65! This is definitely my biggest reading year ever. Last year, I read 52, and the year before that, I read 40, then 30. I’ve gradually built my way up to reading all the time. If you’re listening to this, you’re probably a reader, and if you want to become one, I encourage you to dive in.

One of the things I love most about reading is that it transports my brain to a totally different space. I used to read only nonfiction because I thought real life was wild enough—why would I need fiction? However, as an adult, I’ve discovered a love for novels. I enjoy immersing myself in a world created by someone else. Reading helps me disconnect from my phone and learn about history through historical fiction. I feel like I have all these best friends among the characters, and reading keeps me grounded. 

This year, I’ve also fallen in love with “romantasy,” which is a blend of romance and fantasy. I started with “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yaros, a book about dragons and romance, and I highly recommend it. After that, I delved into “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas, and I’ve read all her series, including “Throne of Glass” and “Crescent City.” I’m eagerly awaiting the third book in the “Fourth Wing” series, “Onyx Storm,” coming out in January. I also recently read the “Hidden Legacy” series by Ilona Andrews, which was fantastic.

Now, let’s move on to my top books of the year. I’ll start with one that I previously mentioned in an episode about AAPI authors. This book is “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang. I love this book so much that I’ve started reading other works by R.F. Kuang. “Yellowface” is about a writer who steals the work of an Asian American author who dies in a freak accident. She publishes the work as her own, allowing her name to be interpreted as Asian. The lengths she goes to hide her actions are extreme, and while it can be difficult to read at times, it is a brutally honest portrayal of the publishing industry and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women of color authors. It’s a mesmerizing read that has stayed with me for months.

Next on my list is “Light from Uncommon Stars” by Raya Aoki. This book surprised me in every possible way. It features a trans main character, Katrina Nguyen, an 18-year-old who runs away from home with only her violin. She meets a violin teacher, Shizuka Satomi, who has made a deal to escape damnation by convincing prodigies to trade their souls for success. Katrina is the last prodigy she needs to secure her deal. The story also includes a donut shop run by aliens posing as humans, which adds a delightful twist. The book is filled with unexpected turns, romance, and fascinating characters, making it a captivating read.

Another standout is “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel. This book has been recommended to me countless times, and it starts with a pandemic that eerily reflects our own experiences. The pandemic escalates quickly, dismantling modern society, and the story follows Kirsten, an actress with a traveling symphony. As she encounters various characters, the narrative weaves together themes of survival and human nature, ultimately illuminating our capacity to thrive amidst chaos. It’s a haunting read that I highly recommend.

Next is “Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff. This riveting historical fiction follows a servant girl who escapes Jamestown in the early 1600s. The narrative captures her struggles for survival in the wilderness, providing a powerful exploration of hope and resilience. I was captivated by the depth of her experience and the historical context.

Finally, I want to highlight “James” by Percival Everett, a retelling of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of the escaped slave James. This book provides a profound exploration of the brutality of slavery and the exercise of power. It’s a fast-paced read that sheds light on historical injustices while being deeply engaging.

So those are my top five books of the year! If you’ve read any of these, please DM me on Instagram at Nicole Tsong. I love talking about books and would love to hear your recommendations too! Let me know if there are any books I should add to my reading list.

Thank you so much for being here. If this resonated with you, share it with others. Let’s get more people reading! 

And remember, if you are an Asian American Pacific Islander woman looking to break through invisible cultural barriers in your career, DM me  ‘unstoppable’ @ Nicole Tsong on Instagram, and let’s chat.

Talk to you all soon!  Thank you for being here and for listening. We read every note that we get from you about how the podcast is making a difference in your life. Please know how much we appreciate each and every one of you. Until next time, I’m Nicole Tsong, and this is the School of Self-Worth.