During the year of 2024 I have read some wonderful books, many of which were either self published or indie. This post is dedicated to the books that stood out the most to me in 2024. Let us dive in…

Raw: A Memoir by Damien Linnane 

‘Raw’ is a unique memoir that isn’t afraid to shy away from real-life issues while also telling the uplifting life journey of writer and artist Damien Linnane. I first connected with Damien some years ago and learned part of his story which even involved time he spent in prison but there is a lot more within and it makes for a great reading experience. This is a memoir that I would highly recommend and you can read my full review here.

Three And A Half Minutes of Fame by Alex Boucher

Many of the wonderful indie books I discover come from authors who approach me directly for a review and Alex Boucher did exactly that with Three and a Half Minutes of Fame. His memoir is a wonderful time capsule and homage to life as a musician in the 90s. Alex experienced indie rock band success as a young man during a great era for indie music and he succeeds in relaying a great life story with this book which pulls back the curtains of what it was like to live through it all. You can read my full review here.

The Soulburn Talisman by David McIlroy

For the sheer amount of indie fantasy available, I’ll admit that I probably don’t read enough of it but every now and then I’ll dip into some and The Soulburn Talisman by David McIlroy ticks all of the right boxes for the genre. Its an easy to read, accessible for most ages and a fun tale of three classmates who find themselves lost on a school trip and then they enter another world. For anyone who likes an original world with plenty of magic then this is the one for you! My can read my full review here.

Murder at the Pirate Festival by Abigail Yardimci

Cosy Murder Mystery, Pirates and British Seaside towns are an awesome combination and Murder at the Pirtate Festival by Abigial Yardimci really stuck out to me this year. There are so many awesome vibes to this tale that follows young adult ‘Paulie Trinket’ who might have indirectly witnessed a murder. What follows is an immersive journey with backstory and eventual revelations. You can read my full review here.

Death Cult by Janelle Schiecke

Back in the day, one my fondest memories was going to Blockbuster and choosing a movie, most of the time a horror movie – Death Cult by Janelle Schiecke very much fits into the bracket of classic style horror story that carries those vibes. While there is homage within, there is also wider story partnered with some great description that delivers a great reading experience. There’s mystery and bloodshed and even some humour. You can read my full review here.

Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black By Myka Silber

Some of you will know that I enjoy a good western and Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black was on my TBR list for a while. I’m glad I took the plunge into reading it this year as this haunting tale combines the concept of gunslingers with magic alongside some horror elements. The result is a great story that contains an early twist which then defines the rest of the journey. You can read my full review here.

Sly Fox Hollow: A Novel by Brett Allen

Comedy and satire are very much alive in 2024 with thanks to authors like Brett Allen who presents an incredibly fun fusing of genres. From cryptozoology to politics of a small town dominated by a corporation with an election on the horizon – Sly Fox Hollow has it all and is very much worth reading for laughs and a great story. You can read my full review here.

Dark Presence: A Paranormal Thriller by John Turiano 

John Turiano has put together a book that combines genre in a unique and clever way with Dark Presence. For what begins as a murder mystery turns into a chilling tale with quantum science vibes that dives into the potential of the human mind. This one has everything and is well worth a read. You can find my full review here.

Brutal Moon: A Time & Fate Adventure Gamebook by Andrew Morris & Laura Dodd

Space sci-fi is one of my favourite genres and when that is combined with the unique concept where readers choose the fete of a story you have Brutal Moon. I enjoyed this concept which was popular a little before my time so this was my first game book experience and one that stood out as a great reading experience. You can read my full review here.

And so that wraps up the best books I have read in 2024 which has been a great year for my personal reading goals. Shout out to all of the amazing authors who gave me something to read this year. Did you know that I also do video reviews also? You can find my YouTube Channel here.