The Teen Advisory Board's favourite books of 2024
It's nearing the end of 2024, so we asked the Readings Teen Advisory Board to share their favourite reads of the year!
Ellie Fisher loved:
I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough
I'm Not Really Here is an excellent book that follows the journey of Jonah, a young queer Aboriginal boy, as he moves to a country town. Harvey is a young rugby player who befriends Jonah at school and convinces him to play Rugby for the local team. Perfect for young adult readers wanting an Australian Heartstopper.
Shenelle Lokubalasuriya loved:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This is a psychological thriller about Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who suddenly stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband. The story follows a psychotherapist, Theo Faber, who becomes obsessed with uncovering Alicia’s motives and breaking her silence. The novel is praised for its gripping plot and shocking twist, keeping readers hooked from start to finish.
Alicia Vu loved:
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
A few months ago, the TAB had the privilege of receiving proof copies of Tigest Girma’s debut novel, Immortal Dark. This YA dark academia fantasy novel has an enchanting writing style that had me hooked from beginning to end and wanting even more! I found myself enraptured with every line, detail, plot twist and character as Girma weaved together an irresistible story of vampires, mythology, murder, and enemies to lovers. I cannot wait for book two!
Mouna El Haouli loved:
Growing Up Asian in Australia by Alice Pung
I really enjoyed reading Growing up Asian in Australia because I could feel a spark between me and the authors of each of the short stories. The stories not only detail their experiences in Australia, but also showcase their ability to adapt and grow into themselves, which is something I appreciate and cherish.
Saskia de Leeuw Kyle loved:
Happy Place by Emily Henry
My favourite book of the year was Happy Place by Emily Henry. I really loved how it brought in the found family trope and connected all of these characters from different walks of life, combining that with romance and both the friends-to-lovers and second chance romance tropes.
Maggie Cai loved:
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ana Liang
A Song to Drown Rivers was very beautiful and tragic, and it gave all the vibes of a Chinese costume drama, which I'm pretty sure is what the author intended.
Kat Radtke loved:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi has everything I love in stories – a wonderful main protagonist, an intriguing central mystery, and a beautifully described setting. It's a short but sweet story, with a genuine and heartfelt message on identity and knowledge that left me thinking about the book long after I finished it. Beyond that I'm always a fan of Sentient House stories ...
Ciara Allen loved:
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
That's a really hard question! One of my favourite books of the year would have to be either Alice Pung's Her Fathers daughter or One Hundred Days. Both books I found of my own accord and have loved everything this author has written, and the profoundly emotive depths of her writing in whole.
