Best Books of 2024

The books I rated highest from my 2024 reading — my top-graded fiction and nonfiction of the year, ranked by how much I enjoyed them.

1

Ender's Game

by Orson Scott Card

A great book. The big reveal still lands even when you know it's coming.

A
2

The Blessing Way

by Tony Hillerman

Hillerman at his most foundational. The editor's instinct about Leaphorn was exactly right.

A
3

Cryptonomicon

by Neal Stephenson

Took 23 years to reread and it was still great. Stephenson foresaw cryptocurrency.

A-
4

The Doomsday Book

by Connie Willis

Slow in the middle, but the ending is worth it.

A-
5

Wyrd Sisters

by Terry Pratchett

Granny Weatherwax is one of the greatest characters of all time.

A-
6

A Thief of Time

by Tony Hillerman

One of my favorite Hillerman novels. Both Chee and Leaphorn at their best.

A-
7

The Tainted Cup

by Robert Jackson Bennett

Sherlock Holmes with a genuinely original magic system. Quite well done.

A-
8

The Book That Wouldn't Burn

by Mark Lawrence

The two storylines come together in unexpected ways.

A-
9

The Lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch

Not excellent, but very good. Great twists and narrative pull.

A-
10

The Ghostway

by Tony Hillerman

Jim Chee visits Los Angeles. Classic Hillerman.

A-