2024 was a year of chaos, growth, and a few curveballs that hit harder than expected. Maybe that’s why I kept gravitating toward darker, haunting stories—they seemed to reflect the turbulence of the year perfectly. Through job loss, unexpected challenges, and moments of clarity, these books became my escape, my comfort, and, at times, a mirror to my own journey.

This list isn’t just a collection of great reads. These are the stories that stayed with me—books I couldn’t stop thinking about long after I turned the final page. From chilling horrors and psychological thrillers to breathtaking literary fiction, here are the ten books that made the biggest impact on me in 2024. If you’re looking for stories that unsettle, surprise, or simply make you feel something, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive in.