The Choice Awards on Goodreads has been going for 15 years. The event is a way for readers to vote and appreciate their favorite books of the year. Through Goodreads, readers can vote to for a winner in a variety of categories. This year, voting started in November for the 2024 selection. Just recently, the official list of winners was released!
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Debut Novel: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
How To End A Love Story brings a new voice to the author scene (in more ways than one). Yulin Kuang debuted her first novel this year. The screenwriter has years of experience in the CW world of storytelling. She brought her love for writing and her experience as a writer into the story, with her main character: Helen, a writer. When Helen finds love in an unexpected, passed friend, her desire to move away from home is quickly flipped on its head.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Fiction: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
When Phoebe finds herself confused for one of the wedding people, she can’t just step away. The bride and her form an unexpected connection that neither can explain. The Wedding People captures moments of self-love with unexplained community.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction: The Women by Kristin Hannah
This historical fiction novel captures the ’60s in war. Where other tales of war-centered male voices, The Women creates a female-centric tale of youth and violence. In a harrowing telling, Hannah pens a beautifully tragic tale of Vietnam in 1965.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Mystery and Thriller: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
The God of the Woods brings readers back in time to the ’70s at a summer camp in New York. When a camper goes missing, everyone sets out to find the missing kid. However, the daughter of the owner, must stop the concerned campers from discovering too much in the woods.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Romance: Funny Story by Emily Henry
After recently calling off her engagement due to her ex-fiancé’s late gay awakening, Daphne is left in a slump. She finds friendship, however, in the most unexpected place: her ex-fiance’s boyfriend’s ex-boyfriend. The strange tie brings them together in more ways than one and it really is a funny story.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Romantasy: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
The famous fantasy writer, Sarah J. Maas, had a return to the Goodreads Choice Awards with her novel House of Flame and Shadow. The sequel to House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, brings back returning characters Bryce and Hunt. The pair reunite in a sexy stunning sequel that holds their fates in the balance.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Fantasy: Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
Out on a distant and peculiar island stands an orphanage. But this home is not like any other, this home houses magic. Run by a dedicated man and his partner, the orphanage must adapt to an especially magical child who has just fallen into their care.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction: The Ministry of Time by Kalaine Bradley
In a future world, a woman is given her dream salary with a difficult job. The Ministry of Time by Kalaine Bradley tells a deeply human and thrilling tale of science, humanity, community, and time.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Horror: You Like It Darker by Stephen King
The king (quite literally) of horror is back again. His novel You Like It Darker is a collection of short terrifying stories that are certain to crawl under your skin. The collection is forwarded by King himself who acknowledges his and his audience’s love for horror. He pays off the threat posed in the title with some tales that’ll keep you up at night.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Audiobook: Funny Story by Emily Henry
Henry’s book makes a return to the Goodreads Choice Awards with the audiobook version of her novel. Funny Story is narrated by Julia Whelan who narrated many of Emily Henry’s previous novels, including People We Meet on Vacation and Happy Place.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
The final book in the Divine Rivals series, Ruthless Vows ties up the stories of the tale’s characters. Iris returns back to her home, half of what she used to be. Roman is missing and the town of Oath is seeking to recover from all that has happened. Told from the two characters’ point of views, the story brings a beloved story to a thrilling end.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Young Adult Fiction: Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper has captivated readers for years. The graphic novel series tells the story of two young high schoolers as they come to terms with their sexuality and fall in love. The novels embrace change and address high school issues with a heartfelt story.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Nonfiction: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt takes a magnifying glass to the latest generations of kids. His book investigates the negative effects of the internet and children’s growing reliance on their phones. He covers topics of depression, mental health, and virtual life. Haidt’s book expertly navigates the same troubles that kids face and hope for a different future.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite Memoir: The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
Actress Kelly Bishop released her memoir earlier this year. In The Third Gilmore Girl, she touched on her life and career with a huge focus on her years at Gilmore Girls. The actress starred as Emily Gilmore in the hit series and shared her undying love for her experience there, relationship with her costars, and her passion for her position.
Winner of Readers’ Favorite History and Biography: The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss
To wrap up the Goodreads’ Choice Awards is this wonderfully heartfelt telling of a topic so close to readers’ hearts: bookstores. The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore delves into the little-known history of bookshops in America with the most passionate writing a reader can enjoy.
The Goodreads Choice Awards are a great way to bring the reader’s voice to the book community. The selection for this year’s winners boasts of incredible writers and titles. I know that I already can’t wait to see what next year’s awards have in store.
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