Reading the most popular books of 2024✨ according to goodreads [first 5 star of the year and 1 star]

[@bookloverlaura]

18:18 Freida McFadden is the Colleen Hoover of thrillers… you can’t change my mind 😂😂😂

[@jemorjerrica]

This is accurate esp because Verity and Layla remind me of Freida’s writing too 😂

[@bri4940]

1000% 😂😂😂

[@mattthepageturner9128]

My exact thoughts on freida. People say they like her bc of her surprise ‘twists’ but her twists are only so surprising bc they make NO SENSE to the story so there’s no way to ever guess them 💀

[@gabbyreads]

Exactly 😅🫠

[@nagini77]

I guessed quite a couple of them. When you read like 2 of her books, you get the hang of how she thinks and it gets very predictable.

[@LutherWhite-f4i]

​@@gabbyreadshello angel girl i am from india and I am your new subscriber Your style is so good for speaking 🗣️🗣️

[@mdsagould]

I don’t like Freida’s books because her endings are so ridiculous.

[@suzy8109]

She is a self published author who churns out 10-12 books a year so you can't expect great quality.

[@ashleyslittlelibrary]

The Freida rant while holding the scrunchie 😂😂😂

[@gabbyreads]

😂😂😂

[@bri4940]

Lmao 😂😂 I literally cackled. Literally every girl I know also wears scrunchies

[@Yamirock]

Hi Gaby! English is not my first language and I gotta admit, I love freida's books😊 because as u mentioned, they're really easy to read, my first language is spanish, i learned english in school, and her books are those kinds of books that i can totally understand, because they're so simple haha I've read 4 of her books, and whenever i finish them i feel happy because i could understand them perfectly. 😅😅 That's my personal opinion, but I respect that not everybody likes her. Love your videos❤️

[@Tisaya]

haha same here! I’ve read almost every book of her because I can so easily fly trough them.😂

[@case4147]

Immediately added Welcome to Hyunam-Dong Bookshop to my TBR - that sounds so cozy and inspiring!

[@gabbyreads]

Ahh I hope you enjoy it too Casey!! 🥹🫶🏻

[@Yanerd.]

I love that book so much.

[@bevo98506]

Intermezzo was my second favorite book of 2024. I read it physically and really slowly, 3 to 5 pages at a time. I concentrated on the writing. The story came together at the end.

[@angiemarini3945]

Would you ever consider doing a video vlog of reading previously DNFed books? If you either pick up where you left off or chose to read it start to finish. 😊 I would love to see this. It’s something different.

[@lilmcchick4968]

“Put that machine away! We are lunching” 😂😂 I need to pick Ministry of time up now!!

[@17caria]

I loved the sound of rain on your car while you were talking.

[@crystalrainbow19]

You’re absolutely right about Freida. Her plot twists often feel like a cheat. In The Boyfriend, there’s an event that initially seems to be a significant clue, but it’s ultimately just a giant coincidence 🙄 But it gets worse. You can’t just change a character’s name and then expect readers to find it satisfying when, at the end, it’s revealed that two seemingly distinct characters are actually the same person. The two examples above violate a basic rule of writing: the reader must be given at least one fair clue, which Freida blatantly ignores. If the story never hints at the truth and gives readers a chance to figure it out, it feels cheap. As a result, Freida’s “twists” aren’t clever-they’re meaningless, empty, casual pieces of information. The problem is that readers who enjoy her books don’t seem to realize they were never given a fair chance to guess the twist. If they do happen to guess, it’s blind luck. It’s like playing a digital lottery where the computer ensures the winning numbers are ones no one picked. Apparently, fans of Freida’s books would be fine with that. I wouldn’t be.

[@Alecia-JayneChamberlain]

omg i love the wicked stickers!! they're so cute

[@novalycia]

loved hearing you talk while in your car with the rain on the roof omgggg such vibes!

[@citydweller99]

I read one Freida book and I guessed every twist before they were revealed.. yet others that read her books were amazed at her twists. My theory is that Freida is a good person to read if you're looking to get into mysteries, but once you've become a novice.. you then move on to other mystery writers. That's my theory anyway

[@freyathegolden]

Definitely. I read her books too but now they don't make sense anymore and they don't carry the same feelings I got when I first started reading them. So now I read works from other authors.

[@tehreemtahir3247]

I literally clicked this video because I saw you reading Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Book shop! I absolutely adored the book and it was easily my favourite book of 2024! I'm so glad you loved it!! Going to continue watching the rest of the vlog now! 😂

[@SorryBookedSolid]

Yesss the conversations on productivity were so spot-on in hyunam-dong!

[@queenkim8631]

You always seem to post when I need something to watch. I just sat down to eat😩 Perfect timing 😊 You've convinced me to read Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop😮

[@jenreadslottie3367]

You reading the quotes from the welcome to the hyunam song bookshop was very therapeutic already! Makes me excited to read it!

[@EmmaLou8424]

I always love your b roll ❤ and vlogs in general 😊

[@gabbyreads]

Thank you!!

[@HastingsBookCollection]

Already added Welcome to the Hyanum-Dong Bookshop to my TBR and you are only 33% finished. I love books about books, bookshops or libraries!

[@Tisaya]

„Why are you being dumb?“ AHAHAHA 😂😂😂 I enjoy Freida’s books but I get your criticism for her writing/ twists.

[@ssd1453]

Ok so now I really want to read Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop and I completely agree with you about Freida's writing! It's very mid. Also want to tell you that your channel has become my comfort channel- love your vlogs. The sound of the rain in the car oh I just loved it! xoxo

[@gabbyreads]

Thank you so much, I appreciate that ❤🥹

[@firewhiskeyreader8257]

I finished Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop today and it was so wonderful. I've pre-ordered the paperback so I can annotate it and I'm already so excited!

[@rebekahmackenzie]

You sold me on the bookshop book! That quote about books not judging you really hit me. Thank you for your videos. They brimg me so much joy.

[@gabbyreads]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@haleylquinton]

That's how I feel about Frieda. I just can't. I also try to be a Sally Rooney girly because I feel like I should like her but something doesn't connect, idk. But I've added Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop to my Libby holds! It sounds like something I really need to read... I relate so much to all the quotes you read.

[@JanAgaton]

i will say it took way too long for me to feel connected to characters in Intermezzo but part 3 really pushed it to 4 stars for me! ALSO you looked so cute in your little woodsy outfit with the vest and beanie hehe

[@gabbyreads]

Aw thanks Jan 🥹🥰

[@lucieledoux1124]

Intermezzo was one of my favorite books of 2024, i loved it ! Especially the character of Ivan ! I'm such a Sally Rooney fan since Normal people, but i can understand that some people dont really connect with her writing sometimes 🙂

[@janne-c]

One of my favorite books is “Red Code” by Keezano! 📚✨ This book dives into the dynamics between men and women, offering insights on charisma and leading a joyful life. It’s been a total game-changer for me, and I just know you’ll love it too! A must-read for sure! 💃💕

[@katb7201]

You convinced me to give Ministry of Time another shot. I gave it 2 stars when I read it last year but keep feeling like maybe it was just the wrong time for it and maybe I would like it better after a reread.

[@AliDoisRead]

I’m reading the ministry of time this month and welcome to the Hyunam dong bookshop next month and oh boy did this make me so pumped to read them 🤩

[@gabbyreads]

Ahhh I hope you enjoy them too Ali!! ❤

[@caroline010]

Tbh I only reach for Freida McFadden when I’m in a reading slump or just want something quick to read. Her books can be helpful in those circumstances

[@iamthatxx]

Arghhj first reading vlog of the year!! I am SO pumped to hear your opinions on those books

[@chigangrel]

My first book of the year was also Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop and I felt much the same, but also thought the whole thing felt like a lot... maybe because I binged the audiobook. I gave it 4 stars lol

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yes, I remember feeling Ministry of Time was rushed like the author grew weary of it; however after ruminating on it a few days all that was left was the sense of empathy with the main character - who really needed time to unpack and process what had just happened. I very much enjoyed the actual ending which was perhaps a beginning? I found myself wondering how it might impact the character who perhaps had grown beyond taking orders and suggestions and was then ready to make actual decisions.

[@Itsmandymoo1]

I didn’t love the boyfriend either! But I do love her other books. Pleease read “the perfect son” ❤

[@Nance1964]

I agree with all you said about Freida McFadden’s books, but people keep buying and reading them, including myself lol!!

[@mickeyhank]

Thanks Gabby for another very fun mix in this video. Glad to see you loved Ministry of Time. -- I tend to wait until I hear people I trust, -- you are one of those people -- before I take the plunge and obtain then read a pretty big book like that. I think you gave Intermezzo a good, fair shot. It was entertaining to hear you bash Freida's book, 😁. I do own the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop so that's another that just moved up my TBR, thanks. Also, I agree that your sister's beef roast sandwiches looked really good. I loved also how you knew you needed to get out of the house even if it just meant going for a drive and sitting in your car and reading as it rained continuously outside. Excellent effort!😊

[@lilmcchick4968]

Excited to watch this! I just knew there was gonna be a Freida rant in here 😂 After reading Housemaid, I’ll never read Freida again!!

[@meganvr1228]

Loved Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, as well; I read it and The Storied Life of A.J Fikry in December and adored them both so much~ 😊 Can’t wait to get to The Ministry of Time! You’ve got me so hype for it!!

[@leahthomsen4429]

I hope you eventually give intermezzo another chance - I was also feeling very iffy about the book halfway through, but the last part of the book pulled everything together for me and it became one of my favorite books of the year.

[@kaesinfinitelibrary]

You just made me so excited again for Ministry of Time!!!

[@HwnMonkeyTamers]

I feel exactly like you about Sally Rooney. I tried so hard to like Normal People! Broke my heart to DNF but, honestly, there are just too many great books out there. She has a huge fan base so I’m sure she’ll be fine. Just know you are not alone in your struggle with her.

[@dobetterwithchristian4472]

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum was one of my favorites last year! So stinking good. I think last year I started my inspiration to change journey and this book was a big part of it. All about love by bell hooks and All the Black Girls Are Activists by EbonyJanice were big too. Im excited to keep it going.

[@jordanpearson9883]

See I'm brand new to thriller, so I love the Freida books I've read! They are good intros to the genre I feel like. But I'm excited to read more thrillers this year!

[@inmintealucagula]

In Romania now is 8 in the morning. I like taking my breakfast with your videos ❤❤

[@andreabarrat3208]

So funny the difference in perception. For The Ministry of Time I thought the beginning was so slow and then picked up in the second half.

[@kates4455]

I think Freida McFadden is very hit and miss but they are easy reads can get through them quickly. The Storied Life of AJ Fikry is my favourite book so I’ll definitely be picking up Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong bookshop ❤🎉

[@Showtunediva]

I am 2-1 with Sally Rooney. I am anxiously waiting for Intermezzo to get off the hold list at the library. Ministry Of Time was 3 stars for me. The Boyfriend was also 3 stars.❤

[@booknerd369]

I started 2025 with a four star book and am about 2/3 done with one I think is gonna be 5⭐️

[@justine.c]

Ahhh I love you verbalized my thoughts of The Boyfriend. I keep trying McFadden so I'm in the know. Compared to her other books it was better but I gave it 2.5 stars since she finally made something. Her books definitely have a formula and all sound the same. I laughed at the scrunchie part too and same about the wtf ending. It really didn't have one and not really a series setup, but I think the epilogue was an attempt at that. Barf.

[@jemorjerrica]

I put Frieda McFadden in the “fun trash” category - her books are not “good” but they’re fun and quick and easy. I actually really enjoyed The Teacher (I think I’d hate The Boyfriend though). I feel like Layla and Verity by Colleen Hoover are similar for me (I have no desire to read her other books and I hated the twist in Verity, but it was still fun to read. Jacqueline Susann and VC Andrews are like that for me too (have you read Flowers in the Attic??).

[@jemorjerrica]

Also wanted to let you know - I read Earthlings and I loved it too 🫣

[@gabbyreads]

I haven’t read Flowers in the Attic yet 👀

[@taraselby6040]

Perfect cozy, rainy weather for reading! I felt the same way about Intermezzo. I was invested at certain points but then would lose interest rather often. Just not exciting unfortunately :/

[@gingerbread2007]

Okay I’m literally ordering Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop right now because I neeeed this book in my life!!🥲 Thank you Gabby❤

[@gabbyreads]

❤❤❤

[@monicapressley6086]

I loved the first Freida Mcfadden book and thought the simplicity and lack of depth was more about the character but now I realize it's just how she writes.

[@Selinalinaly]

I enjoy your book reviews- no, I love enjoying your book reviews! Your energy, opinions and comments inspire reading! I think I will read Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop (It feels like a story I will enjoy 🤞) Looking forward to your next video. Happy reading from Tennessee 🫶🏽📚✨

[@gabbyreads]

Thanks so much!! ❤❤❤

[@kellyrsmith923]

YES I forgot about the scrunchie comment in The Boyfriend. That made me so irrationally angry when I read it 🤣 I’m living for the Freida rant. Just be glad you chose the boyfriend instead of the teacher bc that one is somehow even worse!

[@tewsimple]

Agreed on the freida thoughts! Obviously people can like whatever they like, but it seems like her big fans are new thriller readers. Almost like how colleen hoover appeals to new readers bc the books are easy to get through. Freida books are perfect for airplanes or somewhere you need a basic writing structure, but otherwise mehhhh

[@chrisbudwal2757]

Great video! I also am not crazy about Freda McFadden myself. I've read two and whilst amusing, they are kinda poorly written and the twists aren't as shocking as a lot of people make them out to be.

[@hfollman98]

My first two reads of 2025 were also a 1 and a 5 star-- Done and Dusted and My Husband

[@gabbyreads]

Which one was the one star? 🤯👀

[@hfollman98]

@@gabbyreads Definitely Done and Dusted lol (though admittedly I am continuing with the series because it's supposedly better...? Fingers crossed!)

[@sarahjenkins6433]

I wanted to love The Ministry of Time but I had to DNF, I found it so slow and not much was happening 😟 maybe I’ll go back to it at some point!

[@awpageofabook]

You and I had pretty much the same thoughts on Intermezzo

[@ChandiPizl]

Love the stickers!! Now you need a suction grip!!

[@elizabethandrus3848]

EAK! Gabby, I saw Squid Game in the background. That is such a good series. I haven't talked myself into Wedding People yet. It seems like a really sad book. I waited too long to pick up Ministry of Time. Can't believe God of the Woods won it's category. That ending... swim, swim, swim Your are alive? swim, swim, swim. Not kidding, just read the last few pages. So glad I didn't get Intermezzo! Thanks again for a great review video!

[@harshithabharadwaj5040]

I dnfed intermezzo too i couldn't get through the book. I had same issue like you had long paragraphs!!!! I dnfed it 3 times already 😮 than i gave up it is so sad because I liked all the other books by sally rooney 😢😢

[@Neonrhino2016]

I’m here for the Freida McFadden rant😂😂

[@amyhanna6279]

lol love your thoughts on Frieda 😂 I literally MAKE scrunchies and they sell out faster than anything else I make. Also, Squid Game 3 comes out in June. So don’t worry, you’ll get more soon. I can’t wait! Totally obsessed.

[@gabbyreads]

Can’t wait!!! 😍😍😍

[@welldonebooks]

it's funny because all of the reasons you liked The Ministry of Time were why i really disliked it, and the opposite for Intermezzo hahah. but i always love hearing opposite reviews to my own! i need to read the bookstore one!!

[@gabbyreads]

That’s amazing hahaha I love how our taste is so different sometimes 🤭 also yes ahhh I think you might really enjoy that book!! 🥹🫶🏻

[@BookReviewsWithBecky]

Well you have convinced me to try,Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop! ☺

[@monikaliane]

It’s so funny how you had a 5,4,1 and DNF what a way to start the year

[@scrollsofdragons362]

Mcfadden being popular is honestly baffling. I feel like the only person who actually loved the squid game season 2 finale. Love the show so much and felt like i preferred this seasons character's, villians and games more

[@Ola..]

I do not think you are being dramatic whatsoever when you say Welcome to the Hyunam-dong bookshop is the type of book to change the way one looks at life. I listened to it while at work and I literally had to open a notes window on one of my monitors and type out the quotes because I so badly wanted to have the book in front of me and annotate but I couldn’t. It moved me in ways I can’t describe. One of the easiest 5 stars of 2024. P.S. Now I *really* think you should also read The Dallergut Dream Department Store. I enjoyed that one too

[@gabbyreads]

I’m so glad you loved it too! And ahhh yes I need to read that one soon! 😍🥰

[@AwkwardBookworm]

Ministry of time was on my most disappointing books of 2024 😬

[@juliasoliday1055]

I did start Intermezzo, and my thoughts mirror yours about it. The writing style wasn't working for me, and I don't understand what everybody likes about it. I may go back to it later, but the lack of quotation marks is annoying. In my opinion, that's just laziness on the part of the author and not really a writing style. lol

[@stephheartsbooks3777]

Please read Book of Doors. It's so good. It's in my top 5 of 24.

[@lindsaymorris1718]

I fully agree. It was in my top 5 as well.

[@jaimee-kate]

I am a Sally Rooney girl, and I get not loving Intermezzo. Have you tried Beautiful World? Those characters are a lot more relatable because they are about the same age as you and I think there's a lot more in there to connect with regarding society and the state of the world. I didn't love Intermezzo as much because tbh I just didn't care enough about the brother's problems, but I do love the way that Sally Rooney dissects difficult situations.

[@gabbyreads]

No, I haven’t read Beautiful World! Maybe I’ll try it someday!

[@imthemrs2006]

I wonder if her scrunchie referred to the saying in Sex with Carrie and Berger how in his book he referenced a scrunchie and Carrie stated who wears em 😂😂

[@imthemrs2006]

And to be honest, I don’t anyone who wears scrunchies..I know we all wear hair ties 😂

[@KlaraBreznik-jm9pj]

I agree w/ the rant about The boyfriend completely. I gave the book 3 stars anyway though, because it had a good pace and it was entertaining. But Frieda always writes the most bimbo characters possible.

[@Elizareads93]

I'm giving freida a try this year by listening to Never Lie. It's for the buzzword-a-thon. I'm about 75% and I got to a cringy part. It's been good so far. Hopefully this part doesn't ruin it. I dont expect much. I'm thinking 3 stars or less. 😅

[@priyadarshinimukherjee697]

I absolutely hated the boyfriend. The twist was so ridiculous and the whole story was really cringey in my opinion. I gave it 1 star!! Couldn't agree more to your thoughts!!!!

[@AliDoisRead]

“Soooo… pray for me” 😂

[@gabbyreads]

😂😂😂

[@caleahmarie365]

Freida is my guilty pleasure lol

[@peterconetta399]

Just a comment on philosophy of life. One saying that has meaning for me, and I'm a lot older than you, said by Oscar Wilde is "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." Thanks.

[@shineonsunfish]

This was likely not Oscar Wilde… it sounds very modern and best guess it’s a internet-ism version of a quote by Thomas Merton.

[@moumitareads3738]

Hey gabby love your videos and i agree with intermezzo dnf’d with only after few pages and then tried again then dnf’d again. Just don’t connect to the way she writes. Btw do you like Backman’s books? I recently found his work very endearing ❤

[@gabbyreads]

I’ve only read a few from Backman, but I do enjoy his writing style!! ☺️🥰

[@moumitareads3738]

@ I just finished anxious People enjoyed it very much and read the answer is no last December and loved it. Which ones have you read?

[@Sunshineonmymind6]

Gabby is my favorite! However, I thought about Noelle today and I’m wondering if anyone knows why she doesn’t post videos anymore? It’s been a year or more :(

[@Silverraine1]

she got married maybe that's why she stopped posting

[@ririschannelx]

I would love a roast video. Your rants are so funny 😂

[@BlueflameBeck]

I have read four Freida McFadden books and I felt the same way. I also felt they were all somewhat similar. Decided she’s not for me.

[@_dayliqht]

my jaw dropped when you said you're gonna be turning 30 this month omg i've been watching your videos for months and i thought you were 25 at most??

[@laurac8935]

Those crispy ass page turns of Intermezzo 😂

[@iheartcats4life_]

Ive only read Normal People by Sally Rooney and I enjoyed that. I dont know yet if I am a fan of her other works or not but I think the thing to "get" about her work is that she writes about marxist themes. Im sure someone knows more about it than me. But once I understood that about her it completely changed how I was reading Normal People and thinking about what she was trying to communicate to us from that worldview.

[@melissar.7802]

Hope you hit 100k by the end of 2025 🙏🏽🎊

[@gabbyreads]

Thanks 🥹🥰🫶🏻

[@myocoree]

sally rooney isn't for me either, i thought normal people was ok but i got bored. I also cannot STAND her writing format, the no question marks frustrate me so much that i had to make my own when i read my copy of normal people

[@gabbyreads]

Hahaha same the lack of quotation marks and punctuation also drives me crazy 😅

[@TheWorldAccordingToLouise]

The boyfriend 4/5⭐️ love her books. I have opinions and they make perfect sense to me. Guess it’s a marmite thang. I feel like people find it trendy to hate on her though which is dislike a lot. I can’t wait for her next book and love how she manages to get her readers to know what is happening before the characters she’s writing. That’s the point.

[@gabbyreads]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We’re all entitled to our own opinions and I would never hate on something just because it’s “trendy” to hate on it, I’ll always give my real opinions 😊

[@vickihakansson1375]

I like Frieda McFadden the books I have read I enjoyed. I haven't read the boyfriend don't fancy it that's why I havent.

[@blahhbee13]

I do like Freida because she's an easy quick read or listen. My understanding is she started writing books and her style is easy for the patients she was to understand. I think the basic writing is on purpose. How you feel about her and this book, is how I feel about happy place by Emily Henry. I disliked that book so much.

[@corneliastreet96]

Predictions: God of the woods dnf The boyfriend 1 star 5 star Intermezzo

[@corneliastreet96]

10 minutes in and I am already wrong =))

[@gabbyreads]

@@corneliastreet96😂😂😂

[@tanialeee]

Yessss. Long chapters are sooooooooooo annoying.

[@SharniandBooks]

Ahhh Gabby! I’m currently reading Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Bookshop, and I’m also planning to read The Ministry of Time this month too! 🥰 I’m so excited now!

[@gabbyreads]

Ahhh I hope you enjoy them too Sharni!! ❤

[@typeonereader]

I knew you were DNFing Intermezzo as soon as you said it lol. I like Sally Rooney but that was my least favourite of her books.

[@czai_]

ngl the only people I've seen genuinely like Freida McFadden books are very, VERY general readers. i get it tho, they're very quick read but her writing and character work is just terrible. it's like one of those books you read just to be mad at it 😂

[@autumnritchie1473]

🥰🥰🥰

[@angelaholmes8888]

I read my first frida McFadden book recently unfortunately i was disappointed with it the teacher i don't recommend this book ⭐⭐