12 Books, One Year - My 2024 Reading Recap🎯

Written By Beverly Ackah

2024 has been a year for the books…literally AND figuratively. What started as the worst year somehow turned into the best one yet. Funny how God works, huh?

This blog post isn’t about what went right or terribly wrong (trust me, we’d be here all day). Instead, it is about one of the goals I set and achieved: reading (and listening to) 12 books in 2024. Some were physical books and some others were audiobooks. If you consider listening to audiobooks the same as reading, then mission accomplished! If not.. Well, let’s just agree to disagree.

In June 2024, I visited my good sis Deb in Togo. During my visit, she gifted me The Urgent Life, a book by Bozoma Saint John. If you haven’t heard of her, you need to check her out. She has an amazing career and is a really cool girl (iconic, really). Fun fact, she’s from Ghana! 

Reading this book was empowering in many ways. Bozoma has faced countless hurdles, and understanding her journey was both fascinating and motivating. One of the key lessons she emphasizes throughout her book is the power of inner guidance and the necessity of showing up for yourself, especially during challenging times. 

Remember when I mentioned earlier that 2024 started as the absolute WORST year ever? Well, Reading Bozoma’s book completely shifted my perspective. 2024 handed me lemons and friend, I made the best damn lemonade with it. The kind that would say, 🎵 My lemonade brings all the boys to the yard 🎵.

Sometimes, all it takes is that one friend, or one powerful story to remind you that others have faced even tougher challenges. It’s the wake-up call you need to take action. For me, part of that action (or at least what I’ll share for now) was reading more books. And just like that, my reading marathon began. By the end of the year, I had reached my Goodreads 2024 Reading Challenge with 12 amazing books. If you’re on Goodreads, follow me here to check out the books I’m currently reading and share your favorite reads.

Goodreads screenshot of the 12 books a year completed challenge.

Here’s the full list of books I read in 2024:

Books that made an impact

The books listed below are a mix of my favorite and not so favorite reads. In no particular order of preference.

The Urgent Life by Bozoma Saint John.

My Rating: 5/5.

Format: Physical Book.

Quick Summary: Bozoma Saint John’s memoir will take you through her life journey, filled with personal challenges, professional wins and losses, and lessons on resilience.

Thoughts: I absolutely loved getting to know Bozoma on a deeper level. I’ve been following her on Instagram for a while and enjoy the adventures she shares through her content. However, social media can only capture a fraction of someone’s real-life story, so this book provided a more intimate look into her beginnings, personal life, and the losses she has endured. I shed so many tears throughout, and when I reached the final page, I did not want my time with my bestie (YUP - Bozoma and I could make good friends in real life) to end.

Recommendation: 1000%! This memoir motivated me to show up for myself, no matter the mountains I have to climb. Thank you for sharing your story, Bozoma!

Coeur Du Sahel by Djaili Amadou Amal.

My rating: 5/5.

Format: Audio book (I have the physical copy at home, but because I was traveling the globe for a year, I did not bring it with me).

Quick Summary: In this fiction, Djaili Amadou Amal does an incredible job immersing you into a whole different culture that is rich in traditions. Her gift for storytelling is reflected through the vivid descriptions that makes you feel like you are experiencing it all. I’d say it is a must-read for anyone looking to escape and discover the hidden treasures of the Sahel.

Thoughts: I feel like I should be writing this section in French since I read it in the original language. But to keep things cohesive, I’ll stick to English and hope you can find a translated copy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Djaili Amadou Amal. I was lucky to read another one of her books last year  (Les Impatientes), and this is as incredible as the other one. Djaili Amadou Amal does a remarkable job emerging you into a unique culture and beautifully describing different its many aspects and cultures. I truly enjoyed the different plot twists. You could hear me say things like ”Eeeeiiiii Fayde oooooooo” as I as listening to it. Great book - highly recommend, lol.

Recommendation:  YES! This felt like a free trip to the Sahel without having to move your feet. I’d also recommend learning more about Djaili Amadou Amal. She is a Cameroonian writer and feminist activist, often referred to in francophone countries as La voix des Sans Voix, which translates to “The Voice of the Voiceless.” Her work is powerful, and she has won many literary prizes for her contributions to literature.

If you’re curious to learn more, here’s an interview I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlmL_xpxEtc.


Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

My rating: 5/5.

Format: Audio book. 

Note: I didn’t feel the audiobook's narrator was the best fit for this story, so I’d recommend reading the book instead of listening to it.

Quick Summary: In this novel, Yaa Gyasi writes a story that starts in the Ashanti region (where my heritage is from) and that evolves over multiple different generations, which later ties back beautifully together.  “Shocking”, “educational”, “sad” are the main keywords that went through my head as I was reading it). A hard, but necessary read. A masterpiece!!!

Thoughts: I spent a month in Ghana the Summer of 2024 and visited the Elmina castle and Gold Coast castle. Reading Homegoing after exploring these historical sites made the story even more impactful and emotional (see pictures below).

Recommendation:  YES! This was a history lesson for me. It gave me a deeper understanding of the realities and traumas faced by African Americans. Can’t wait to read her other book, Transcendent Kingdom in 2025.

Visit at the Elmina Castle.

đź“Ť Elmina castle in Ghana.

Yaa Gyasi’s book talks about the beginning of slavery, and part of that history unfolded right here. I’ll talk more about this landmark in a different post, but I couldn’t discuss about Homegoing without including this picture.

đź“ŤCape Coast castle in Ghana.

Visit at the Cape Coast castle in Ghana, landmark with a dark history mentioned in Homegoing. Reading Homegoing after visiting this site brought the story to life in an emotional way. It was surreal. Special thanks to our guide, Thomas, for recommending this powerful book to deepen my understanding.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

My rating: 5/5.

Format: Audio book. (This is a book you MUST to listen to. Thank me later).

Quick Summary & Thoughts: INCREDIBLE book—absolutely recommend, especially in audiobook format! Hearing Trevor Noah narrate his story was a mix of humor & sad realities. I learned so much about South Africa’s history along the way. Trevor’s journey, background, and intellect left me with immense respect for him (I followed him everywhere after reading his book: on IG, Youtube, everywhere!). If I had to choose one celebrity to sit down and chat with, it would be Trevor. Trevor, paired with wine, with some Maxwell playing in the background, sounds like the perfect recipe for amazing conversations.

Well done, Trevaa 🇿🇦!


Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

My rating: 3/5.

Format: Audio Book.

Thoughts:  I had high hopes for this book because of its title. “Hood feminism” felt super catchy (kudos on that), and for whatever reason, I thought I’d be part of the target audience. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite meet my expectations. While the topics mentioned are important, I felt the book lacked depth, solid research and relied too heavily on anecdotes and social media quotes, making it feel less credible and repetitive. That being said, I did enjoy the personal moments Mikki Kendall shared about her family and marriage, which added unique and valuable insights. A focus on her personal experiences, paired with more thorough research, would have made the book more impactful and relatable for Black women while educating non-Black readers more effectively (who I assume were the target audience?). I also wish Mikki Kendall turned each big topic into a standalone exploration. Breaking them down into a series could have provided the depth these subjects deserve. From my perspective, already being familiar with many of the statistics and issues, the book didn’t deliver the insights or empowerment I hoped for. Instead, it felt repetitive and unpolished. It would have been interesting for Mikki Kendall to share more about her personal experience to create a stronger connection with Black women (if that’s of any interest), while also integrating social research and explanations to better educate non-Black readers.

Overall, the book felt like a rough draft of big, meaningful topics/ideas that need deeper exploration. The title is a bit misleading, as it seems more suited for non-BIPOC readers seeking an introduction to these issues (but even then, there are no actionable steps for them to take through this book).

Recommendation: I’d recommend this book to non-BIPOC readers and DEI leaders looking to better understand the intersection of feminism and race.


Quick Mentions

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy.

My rating: 5/5

Thoughts: Not a must-read, but a good addition to your collection for when you have extra time and want to read a unique story. The title is eye-catching and perfectly fitting for the story.


The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.

My rating: 5/5! 

Thoughts: This was a fantastic book to read especially right after Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. The themes complemented each other beautifully. Highly recommend it!


Du Miel Sous Les Galettes by Ouedraogo, Roukiata (Burkina Faso).

My rating: 5/5.

Thoughts:  I loved the writing style and the unique perspective of a baby strapped to its mother’s back, highlighting a very close relationship. I appreciated how the author addressed certain realities of Africa, such as corruption and male ego, while emphasizing the spirit of community, family support, and solidarity among neighbors. It is an easy-to-read, authentic, and touching story that can be finished in just a few days. Everything is said and explained in a respectful and elegant manner. 


Une Si Longue Lettre by Mariama Bâ.

My ratings: 5/5

Thoughts: A short and easy to read book that explores an early form of feminist movement in Senegal, a topic I do not often read about. Truly enjoyed it!


Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.

My ratings: 5/5

Thoughts: It is a total coincidence that I read this book on the anniversary of my mother’s passing. So yes, I cried some real ugly tears through most of it. Michelle Zauner’s reflections on grief, especially losing her mother to cancer, were both unsettling and comforting. Despite our differences, I found myself relating to her emotions and experiences. I’d recommend this to anyone navigating grief, especially the loss of a parent. Shoutout to my good sis Deb for recommending another great read!

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.

My ratings: 5/5!!!!

Thoughts: My first thriller and OMGGGGGG! This book is easily in my top 3 reads of the year. I’ve already purchased the sequel (The Housemaid’s Watching) and can’t wait to pair it with a glass of wine for another wild ride. Drama, drama, drama. Read it if you like drama… and thank me later.


Une Femme Puissante by Marie Ndiaye.

My rating: 2/5

Thoughts: Reading this book was a challenge. There were so many run-on sentences which made it hard to follow, even though the story itself is worth exploring. I genuinely think it needs an updated version with (A LOT) more periods. Please see the sample page below for proof… you won’t find a single one! I’ll give this author another try by reading a different book.

My 2024 Favorite Books

I tried to pick a top 3 from the books I read in 2024, but it was just too hard! So instead, I’m sharing my top 5 favorites (in no particular order).

A special shoutout to my dear husband (high highs of 2024, I guess đź‘€) for introducing me to  the wonders of Audible. Listening to books has been a game-changer, especially as a digital nomad exploring the world with limited space in my suitcase. Thank you for that, love!

And with that, my 2024 reading journey comes to an end. I’m already working on my 2025 reading list, and I’d love for you to join me on Goodreads! Follow me there to sneak a peek at my upcoming reads, and I’ll get to see what’s on your list too—it’s always great to find inspiration from other readers.

Goodreads Bonjouritsbev profile


Thank you for reading this recap, friend. As we step into 2025, I want to take the time to wish you a BONNE ANNÉE (happy new year) filled with many things, but most importantly, BOOKS that inspire, motivate, and/or introduce you to new cultures and perspectives.

I’ll leave you with a favorite quote from Jhumpa Lahiri :

“That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet”

À très bientôt,
 Bev from Bonjour It’s Bev

Beverly Ackah