What makes a 'good' book, anyway?

Plus, my top reads from 2024

Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

If the algorithm knows you’re a self-confessed book lover like me – and really, what doesn’t the algorithm know? – the past few weeks may have seen your feed flooded with ‘best’ books of 2024 lists or top picks for 2025.

Intimidating inspiration

Reading these lists always fills me with equal parts inspiration and intimidation. On the one hand, I’m jazzed to have some more titles to add to my TBR list and will often save these posts to come back to later.

On the other hand, I’ll question why I’ve never heard of some of these writers or books, wonder why I haven’t managed to read fifty-plus books in the past 12 months (my average is somewhere in the 30s) and lament the fact that no matter how many hours of my life I dedicate to reading, I’m never going to be able to read all the books I’d like to read. So many books, so little time, right?

Who am I to judge?

Putting my weird feelings aside, rating or ranking any art form is obviously a subjective undertaking and one that I’ve never felt all that comfortable doing. When I was completing my masters (in creative writing), critical analysis was always my least favourite subject.

To me, articulating why someone else’s work ‘works’ or doesn’t, feels somewhat unnecessarily harsh. As someone who’s been working on their own manuscript for an embarrassingly long time, I applaud any writer who puts a finished book out into the world. This is why you’ll never find me posting negative book reviews online, if I don’t like it, I just won’t post about it.

So no, I won’t be getting a job as a literary critic any time soon but I’m always happy to chat about books I enjoyed.

What even makes a ‘good’ book, anyway?

There are of course some general qualifiers for what makes a ‘good’ book, included but obviously not limited to the below:

• strong opening

• compelling plot

• developed characters

• striking descriptions

• unique style

• effective dialogue

• distinct voice and tone

• satisfying conclusion.

It’s personal

Be that as it may, I’m of the belief that for most people, a ‘good’ book largely just comes down to whether you connect with the story or not. And there are so many personal variables at play that determine this – e.g. mood when reading, external life events/pressures, related life experiences, expectations going in etc. – making it almost impossible to identify what will resonate with any given reader at any given time.

Likewise, preferences change over time. During my early twenties I went through a stage of almost exclusively reading literary classics. I spent years and years doing this and then stopped, practically overnight, suddenly craving something contemporary that more accurately reflected the world in which I lived.

While I’m still deep into contemporary fiction, I’m currently finding myself more drawn to comedy, or at least something with a strong thread of humour running through it, than anything else. As the world gets darker, I’m seeking more light relief in the entertainment I consume, be it books, movies or TV shows, but hey, that’s just me.

A sure-fire sign

To me, one of the best signs of a ‘good’ book is when it stays with you long after you’ve closed its pages. If a story has managed to weave its way into your mind and refuses to dislodge after several years, decades even, you know it’s achieved something pretty spectacular. This might not even necessarily mean you enjoyed the book, sometimes it’s the unsettling nature of the work that haunts you – a powerful testament to the writing, nonetheless.

Best of 2024

With all that in mind, I’ve categorised a few of my favourite reads from 2024 based on some broad preferences that people might be in the mood for or drawn to. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means and my main criteria was based on what I seek out in a ‘good’ book, namely:

• How long did I think about the book after I finished reading it?

• How often did the writing make me pause by way of its beauty, precision or originality?

• How much did it make me laugh or chuckle to myself?

Clearly, what you look for might be something else entirely.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that there’s a bit of crossover amongst the below as many books, especially the ‘good’ ones, often tick multiple boxes.

If you like it literary…

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Epic, harrowing, confronting and compassionate. As a modern-day take on David Copperfield, this book tells the sweeping tale of Demon’s ill-fated life in rural America. It explores the gut-wrenching impact of the opioid epidemic in the US, the predatory role of big pharma and the destruction of local communities. As such, this book goes to some pretty dark places, but it’s told with such care and skill, it’s as impressive as it is heartbreaking.

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran

Immersive, timely and perceptive, this is a story about family and identity, community, racial prejudice and the role storytelling plays in shaping it all. As the winner of the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award, I was expecting this to be a complex, compelling read, which it most certainly was. What I wasn't prepared for though, was the razor-sharp humour that ran through it to reveal some very astute observations about modern-day Australian society.

Or you’re craving complex characters…

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Immersive and imaginative, artful and sharp, the story follows friends, Sam and Sadie, from childhood into adulthood where they become collaborators on a video game. The novel explores friendship and rivalries, success and failure, morality and immortality and the endless possibilities afforded to both through gaming. It’s a lot, yes, but somehow doesn’t feel like it while reading.

The Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Gripping, raw, real and beautifully written. Sisters Avery, Bonnie and Lucky are each deep in their own grief following the loss of their beloved fourth sister, Nicky. Pain has torn them apart, but can their love for one another – complicated, tumultuous, vicious as it is – bring them back together? A story about the complexities of sibling bonds, reckoning with the past, grief, addiction, heartbreak and going on. Crafted with care and heart to create believable, multi-faceted characters.

If you’re seeking a family saga…

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Sharp, absorbing, gripping and darkly funny. Centred around the wealthy Fletcher family, the story opens with the kidnapping of the family’s patriarch. Though Carl is found alive, he is far from well. Just how unwell we come to learn as the story unfolds over several more decades and generations as it explores wealth, privilege, intergenerational trauma, family and American Jewish life.

Or happiest with something historical…

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Captivating, thought-provoking and endearing. As a mix of historical/sci-fi/thriller/romcom, this was by far the most original story I read all year. Though not my usual style, I enjoyed the time-travel plot line, moving between past, present and future. But it was the characters for me, so distinct and likeable, I didn’t want my time with them to end. And talk about absorbing, I was thinking about this one for weeks after.

If you’re looking for lols…

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Sharp, funny, relatable and raw, this is a story about the breakup of Andy and Jen who are both in their 30s. Exploring love and loss, growing up and moving on, it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious and punch-you-in-the-gut heartbreaking. However, it was the ending that really sealed the deal for me.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Heartwarming and raw with chemistry +++, I found Funny Story to be, well, a very funny story. I thoroughly enjoyed the forced-proximity, fake-relationship, opposites-attract rom-com tropes throughout. True to form, Henry delivers some first-class banter in this book. With endearing, relatable characters like Daphne and Miles, it’s hard not to get invested in their relationship.

Or have a penchant for the poetic…

A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle

Engrossing, poetic, heartbreaking and raw, this book follows two lives running in parallel, playing out vastly different in some ways and painfully similar in others. It’s about love, friendship and the families we make and also explores desire and suppression and the impacts of both on self-identity and acceptance. Other themes include discrimination, police corruption, grief and joy – all done with a tenderly, aching touch.

If you’ve only got time for crime…

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

Fresh, clever, compelling and wry, this is a whodunnit set on The Ghan, the renowned train running between Darwin and Adelaide. I really enjoyed the offbeat humour of this book, which you don’t typically find in this genre. Entertaining and amusing, it’ll keep you guessing and giggling all the way through.

Or you’re eager for some good old-fashioned escapism…

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Wholesome and wistful, gentle yet raw, an absorbing dual story line that unfolds as a mother recounts the story of a former flame (who just so happens to be a Hollywood A-lister) to her three adult daughters during the COVID lockdowns. There was something so subtly stunning about the way Patchett articulated the passing of time and the way it changes us all, for better or worse, that has long since stuck with me.

You tell me!

I’m interested to know, what do you think makes a ‘good’ book? And what have been some of your favourite reads lately? Or what are you looking forward to reading next? Let me know in the comments below!