What We Read in 2024 | Our Top 10 Books (each)

[@carolnunez5842]

If you didn’t have to record this multiple times is it even a Braun Book Review? This has been car thoughts with Carol

[@mauranoonan8951]

😂

[@melanielongpre268]

😂😂😂

[@dianak.8209]

😂

[@kindnessinourclassroom7727]

Haha!!! Yes!

[@marnieecklund3520]

This video last year prompted me to start reading again. I read 20 books and listened to many audiobooks as well. Maybe doesn’t seem like a lot, but it has been so magical for me! Thank you!

[@lo8533]

20 is plenty! Congrats!

[@tylertravelstv]

That is so awesome, thank you!

[@timea-boglarkarakosi3130]

This is amazing and it is a lot!! ❤️ Great work! I am inspired to get back to reading as well!

[@jenk6475]

Good for you!! Last year’s got me going too. I did 66 books and can’t believe it!! ❤🎉

[@emilygillies2751]

“Elegant without being pretentious” is also basically you guys haha. Very impressive couple but always down to earth ❤️

[@annar8232]

Casually elegant is how I always describe them lol

[@emilygillies2751]

@ yes! That’s perfect haha

[@kw3rkygurl406]

My favorite book I listened to this year was "Project Hail Mary." I definitely recommend it as an audio book.

[@brittneyhaydock1759]

I love that we get just a solid hour of you two nerding out about books! It would be so fun to get some book updates throughout the year, like a “What we’re reading” series (or even a book club!)

[@heatherridgway8750]

Ooooh I would love a Braun book club!

[@angiegreen7225]

I’m an avid reader. My best 2024 book was The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 😮

[@oliviastanton191]

This was the book that got me into reading 3 years ago!

[@jenfarina1892]

That's a great one!

[@DukeLover1421]

I just got this for Christmas and will be reading it once I finish my current book.

[@berkleycongdon5326]

I wanted to love this so bad but I’ve started it three times and can’t get into it

[@SuperDuperBrit]

Oh sweet niblets. When Jess mentioned The Nightingale I promptly burst into tears. Absolutely incredible book.

[@jenfarina1892]

I've got it on hold and it should be coming to me soon. Ive heard it's incredible but heartbreaking

[@emilysolomon5977]

I love Kristin Hannah too- I read “The Women” this year and it was great!

[@kellybrick1618]

So good. Was the first book I gave 5 stars to in 2024!

[@bevwarnock]

I ugly cried through this book!

[@tiffanyzeh]

I just started it! Love Kristin Hannah

[@biancagorospe8706]

I love when y’all do these reading recaps! 📚

[@Bkoum]

The Covenant of Water is an incredible book! It was one of the best I read in 2024.

[@its.rebeccamarie]

I look forward to this every year and somehow it keeps getting better!!

[@kimberlyb844]

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren was my favorite book of 2024. The audiobook is awesome. Talking about it makes me want to read it again soon.

[@mauranoonan8951]

Wow! You must have a very tight schedule to work full time, raise a family and have time to read so many books! That’s awesome! ❤ Andrew Jackson was horrible to the Native Americans 😢

[@SarahLewis2005]

My number one book this past year was The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson. I read it back at the beginning of the year and still randomly think about it. It is a novelized (historical fiction) version of a midwife in Maine’s diary (the character and her diary are real). With a murder mystery as the through-story. It is set in the 18th century.

[@dawnsullivan192]

Sounds good - adding to my tbr.

[@amandaengastra1496]

Favorite book this year was Remarkably Bright Creatures!

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

I've had that book for a bit and really need to get to it - I love an animal POV! 🐙

[@kristinajuull6158]

I just finished this one and loved it!

[@lottie343]

I’ve been waiting for this one!! As someone staying home for NYE, I couldn’t be more pumped with this timing.

[@carissakarg8038]

I used to be an avid reader since childhood then stopped reading for a few years. Got a new kindle earlier in 2024 and picked up reading again. I read 45 books this year! But definitely Fourth Wing series was at the top along with Throne Of Glass series.

[@marissawinder9456]

I watched your video while getting ready this morning then proceeded to go to Barnes and Nobles to get The Great Alone and The Measure. Started The Great Alone while having coffee at the store and I’m already on page 80. I was stationed in Anchorage for a few years and have fond memories of visiting Homer. Such a wonderful recommendation and cannot wait to read more from her!

[@alexandrabush8077]

I read “When Breath Becomes Air” poolside and that is NOT A poolside read lol so deeply emotional and made me contemplate my own life’s purpose. Such a good read and I recommend it to everyone. I love non-fiction and it’s in my top 3 of all time, if not my top 1.

[@amandahunt8641]

I really hope you guys get to meet Ina Garden one day. That’s all. I’m manifesting it now. 😆😁

[@womanofacertainage5892]

🤣Not Jess, book-sniffing. . .(I love the smell of books, too!). My mom used to drop me off at the library when I was maybe in 3rd of 4th grade and I'd stay in there ALL day, reading. (The world was different then!)

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

I always smell a book when I get it.. I need to know! 😂

[@sarahbrashear3795]

I love watching Jessica’s face when Tyler explains a book. She’s like how did you read that lol

[@trishamccubbin2349]

The 3rd book to the Emperian series (Fourth Wing) comes out January 21st and I can't wait. Love this series!

[@elocinwad]

This is one of my favorite “favorites” videos about books that I’ve seen! I appreciate the range of books that you guys read this year! I plan to add all of these to my TBR. I love the idea of reading a memoir on every president. Might have to steal that!

[@tlalonde]

I am an avid reader. The Frozen River was my favorite this year. The Reformatory was a close second. I read so many great books this year, but I am going to mention 2023‘s favorite book, The Heart’s Invisible Furies. I listened to it on audio and as soon as I finish immediately went out and bought the physical copy and reread it. I think it’s wildly underrated. It’s in my top five of all time and just to give you an idea, read on average 100 books/year. Love this video every year.

[@SarahLewis2005]

The Frozen River was incredible!

[@hollyjameslawson]

I loved Carrie Soto is back, the Women, the Push, Swan Song, Darling Girls, Wish you were here, First Lie Wins, the Whispers, None of this is true, Wrong Place Wrong Time, Demon Copperhead, just to name a few, I listened to 104 audio books in 2024, my favorite way to digest wonderful books 📚 ❤

[@kaelahembry9553]

Good reads is open and I am ready for new recommendations. I love this video every year!

[@calincagliuso4100]

My favorite video of the year! I had to DNF The Alchemist this year so your review was so satisfying to me 😂

[@jessicacollins9033]

I just finished Cher The Memoir, Part One. It’s not a book I’d typically read, but I was hearing a lot about the book. It was great. What a life! Highly recommend.❤

[@karenhecht2342]

Being a boomer, I would like to read the book on the 60’s. Also, love Kristen Hannah. I’ve read most all of her books.

[@samantha312314]

I really appreciate her books. I read she does an extreme researching to make her historical fictions as accurate as they can be.

[@taylorkrening5682]

@@samantha312314yes my grandpa is a Vietnam vet and he read her book the women and said it’s the most accurate book he’s read about the war

[@karenhecht2342]

@ So so I. I’ve read the same. And it shows in how historically accurate they are.

[@taylorguenthner8002]

The Women by Kristin Hannah ❤

[@venessacandelaria9385]

My most anticipated video of the Year!! 🤗

[@kaypash1454]

My favorite video of the year!! Thank you for keeping up this tradition and giving me some good book recommendations! ❤

[@user-lovinlife]

Tyler is so patient with Jessica. She is pretty dominant in conversations. Good video!

[@simplyshanleeh]

I love your "What We Read" videos every year :) I read and/or listened to just over 100 books this year - of all of those, the following 7 are ones that I continue to think about often, in no particular order: As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow (Z. Katouh), Lonesome Dove (L. McMurty) (I'm not a Western reader but THIS book, yes, 100%), The Prince of Tides (P. Conroy), Mad Honey (J. Picoult & J. Finney Boylan)(best to go into this book blind, you'll get the most out of it that way), The Four Winds (K. Hannah), Replay (K. Grimwood), & The Only Good Indians (S. Graham Jones). All were thought-provoking and 2 were particularly emotional reads for me (looking at you Jodi Picoult & Kristin Hannah!).

[@pinkbutterflies1679]

I was just at the mall today and we went to our out door mall. I was so happy to see how many people were in line at Barnes and Noble buying books.📚 😊 Warm’s my heart.❤️

[@shelbycrowe8036]

I look forward to this video every year! Can’t wait to read the measure after hearing Jess praise it 🙌🏼. Also let us never forget the book review video a few years ago that had us all laughing to tears after the multiple trials of filming 😂

[@dodgerkat]

My fave video of the year!! Jess, I agree on The Measure! Fascinating and thought-provoking. My fave book this year was 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I promise you, it’s not a scary or horror book. The love story was my favorite part! You won’t be disappointed. My runner up was The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Happy reading! 😊

[@angiehh516]

11/22/63 is my favorite! Read it back in 2015 or 16….and I couldn’t even sleep because I kept reading just one more page. 😂

[@Breana4889]

I watched this mini series when it came out and I still think about it all the time! Literally popped into my head today!

[@kimshaw1348]

The Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers. Took me about 75 pages to get into and then blew through that book and the next 2. Best books ever!

[@shannonhaley3831]

Loveeee Kristin Hannah! Definitely read Firefly Lane and The Four Winds too. I’m working on The Things We Do For Love and absolutely flying through it, and will read The Women next! 🫶🏻

[@efnaha9303]

Yay! My fave video of the year. All. the Colors of the Dark, The Women, and First Lie Wins were my faves this year. Currently listening to James and I would recommend all of these 😀

[@jamiedillinger6254]

All the Colors of the Dark made me cry in public, I loved it so much!

[@haleycrook7494]

Just listened to James, loved it!

[@efnaha9303]

@@haleycrook7494 definitely a book that is better on audible.

[@juliapedigo7900]

My favorites for the year: The Briar Club, Once Upon a Broken Heart series, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, The Great Alone, The Women, The Four Winds, Bride, Assistant to the Villain series, Demon Copperhead, All the Little Raindrops, The Bad Weather Friend.

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

Tomorrow x 3 was great! I didn't think it'd be for me but I gave into the hype last year and so glad I did. I tandem read Emily Dickinson's poetry with it since it was referenced quite a bit. Still need to read MacBeth 😅

[@HannahRae483]

When Breath Becomes Air is an excellent read will always be a top book for life. When I was in premed school we were given a selection of books to choose from and read and I don't regret choosing that book to date. Great book selection you two I've added some to my tbr to read this year!

[@caseyr4188]

Best books of the year 1. The Bible (alongside the Bible recap podcast with Tara Leigh Cobble) 2. Love Her Well (every mom of tween/teen girls should read. 3. The extraordinary deaths of Mrs Kip. Best fiction book I’ve ever read.

[@tristenneri3532]

The Nightengale….will never forget sobbing my head off during the last 50 pages sitting on the beach 🏖️ Best this year - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Kite Runner, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and honorable mention to the Secret Keeper

[@laliciaann]

I love these videos! I love nonfiction books, so I appreciate Tyler’s reviews. One of my favorite books from 2024 was The Second Chance Year. It’s a great read for the beginning of the year. Thanks for wonderful content!

[@kristin.o.cooper]

LOVED The Nightingale! I sobbed a lot as well, but it sat on my shelf for a long time in my collection and then I picked it up one day, and I loved it so so much. I recommend it to anyone who will listen. It got me back into reading as an adult!

[@chiknlittle]

I love that you have the library behind you in this one! Basement looks beautiful

[@caitcoska]

The Nightingale has stuck with me for years! I’ll never forget it. Kristin Harmel has some amazing books I think you’d love too! ❤ Amazing video!

[@FemmyRads]

My favorite books of all time was A Discovery of Witches trilogy. I read it years ago and it is one of those books I wish I could forget and read over and over again. The TV series I watched this past year and it was fantastic too. I’d highly recommend these books!

[@debbiebarr1220]

YES!!

[@heidiliao6275]

When Breath Becomes Air is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read it many times, and every single time, I'm sobbing by the end. Highly, highly recommend!

[@daylasimeone336]

I look forward to this video every year! Happy New Year Brauns!

[@LovingTheBrauns]

Happy New Year to the Braun & Murphy families❣️ Please extend my profound gratitude to your parents for raising two of THE COOLEST people on the planet! I am looking forward to 2025 with great anticipation for your continuing evolution. 🎇🎆🍾🥂❤

[@itsjessicabraun]

You are too sweet!!

[@jenn_0422]

Love everything from Kristin Hannah! Something different than that to read- Demon Copperhead

[@trixkk]

Hi! I was watching this video from the other corner of the world, and I enjoyed it so much! Thanks guys! 😊

[@georgiar2861]

A Thousand Splendid Suns - one of my all time favourite books and is one I always recommend everyone should read. It’s heartbreaking but so beautiful!

[@rebecca5379]

The way you described the nightingale is how I felt about her newest book The Women which is about Vietnam. It dramatically changed my brain in a way I can’t explain. So fascinating but devastatingly heartbreaking. I cried many times lol

[@kindnessinourclassroom7727]

I watch almost all of both of your videos and this is by far my favorite every year!!

[@womanofacertainage5892]

Jess, I'm in the middle of Kristin Hannah's "The Women" and loving it. I've never read anything by her and to be honest, books that are "hard' reads, in a style that isn't easy to digest, are books I'm unlikely to finish. I love this one. Love the writing style, love the story. And Re "The Alchemist" -- I, too, was underwhelmed!

[@lemonroe007]

I also bawled while reading The Nightingale, but I also felt like it was a good cleansing cry of happy and sad tears (the ending) for the characters and for all that people experienced during ww2, such an experience!

[@amayadavis7721]

Jessica you should read the Throne of Glass series. I loved it!! I think you would too

[@gjames3296]

Love these yearly roundups! My tippy top book favs that I read in 2024 were The Covenant of Water, The Dutch House and True Grit.

[@erikapz]

I think my favorite this year was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. My hubby needed a new book while on vacation and it was on a sale table at B&N so I grabbed it- so glad I did! It's a classic for a reason.

[@bridgetparedes]

This video is debatably the best KZbin I watch each year. My favorites from 2024 were Simplicity Parenting, The Audacity of Sara Grayson, Embracing Weakness by Shannon K. Evans, and Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth.

[@afrantz714]

#1 The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 #2 (fun/light) The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods (highly recommended the audio book) 💕

[@jenniferdubay3769]

I read Getting Things Done by David Allen every year to get myself back on track. And a fun Ursela Origin story called our Vengeful Souls by Kristi McManus was just so absolutely fun to read.

[@christineanyalai5008]

For Jen, I think you would really enjoy A Deal with the devil and Devil and the deep blue sea. Both by Elizabeth Oroark. Nothing to do with a devil, LOL both heartfelt love stories. Really great banter, very clever.🧡🧡🧡

[@auroregassion]

I gifted myself "The Measure" for Christmas! Can't wait to start it!!!

[@alessam3186]

I finished the Amelia Peabody series this year-- super funny and informative series about a lady egyptologist in the Victorian era. I also loved The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede-- the small town of Gander, Newfoundland took in stranded flights after 9/11 and showed extraordinary kindness. Gander is the inspiration for the musical Come From Away!

[@jessicabeerman7354]

I love Amelia Peabody! I've listened to the series more times than I can say. Great narrator on audio.

[@alessam3186]

@jessicabeerman7354 yes! Barbara Rosenblatt is an incredible narrator.

[@cassiewinkler7617]

Love when you all share the books you have read

[@julianalee8694]

These videos are always my favorite of the year! This also might be the first time I’ve ever added one of Tyler’s books to my tbr (mythos)! Happy New Year!

[@chloeford5833]

My favorite books of the year were "Bad Summer People" and "Finding Me." Like some other folks have noted, y'all's end-of-year book reviews (and check-ins during the year in vlogs) really encouraged me to start reading again about 2 years ago!

[@nancyfong3535]

Tyler warning us to bring our expectations down in the beginning was too funny!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I did read All the Light We Cannot See. It took me a while to get thru it, but it is definitely something the you would like. I have his other book, About Grace on my 2025 tbr list.

[@michellemalolepszy3844]

Love it!! “Blue Sisters,” beautiful book about sisterhood, family, and life/love.

[@dontforget2smile]

Top book is actually a series I read this year. The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. It's a short seven book series (mean these books are not long) and just such a fun book to dive into. I will be reading them again this year!

[@LstNWndrlnd4290]

Been a loyal subscriber of all things Jessica & Tyler since 2016. Thank you both for being so entertaining & inspiring - and the best part is how down to earth you are. I love spending a Saturday afternoon binge-watching that week’s videos - my definition of uplifting self-care ❤ PS Thank you for always doing these reading recaps each year too!

[@carlyalexis2670]

After having watched the yearly book reviews since the beginning, I was motivated last year to actually get back heavy into reading. I ended up reading more this year than I ever have before so thanks for the motivation! The Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers is my favorite! It’s Christian Fiction set in Ancient Rome actually. So good!

[@pamelafaye77]

The Electricity of Every Living Thing was my favorite this year. So healing and affirming!

[@idle.hours09]

Interesting you discuss the construction of Disney. My husband was born in Winter Garden, FL. His father was there as a dump truck driver to fill in the swamp that Disney is build on. I need to get that book. Thanks for the review !!

[@ShirleyCoddington]

Thank you for mentioned about Ina Garten’s book few months ago. That’s when I was inspired to read again. I’m usually not interested in reading, it makes me sleepy. 😅 But this book is really good!

[@dianak.8209]

As a Greek, thank you for the honorable mention 😂 I'm wondering if I'd find the book dry or not! I loved this whole video, always love how you share your opinions on what you've read. Makes me want to read them all! And I'm a novel girl too lol. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family! Can't wait to see what 2025 brings 🍾🥂❤️

[@tmartinez3343]

That was so great Jessica and Winston😂 Happy New Year to you!

[@niki33coco]

I think you need to read The Women by Kristin Hannah. I've read 4 of hers now and it's a close tie for the best book with Nightingale

[@lizzyb6800]

You’ve truly rekindled my love for reading, and I’m forever grateful for that. 🙏🏼 I highly recommend Claire Keegan’s books: Foster, Small Things Like These, and So Late in the Day. She’s a master of short fiction-her writing is incredibly powerful and concise. 10/10!

[@Shelby_Dean]

Top book this year and one of my top books of all time is The Wedding People! A must read.

[@gintareurbone9728]

Jess - you probably get a lot of it but if you haven't already read Where the Crowdads Sing, try it out - it's soooo good, I think you would like it too 👍🥰

[@sarajohnson1741]

Jessica, PLEASE READ The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. SOOOO GOOD !

[@joanikirbyhomes]

I only read about 16 books last year but that’s more than I’ve read in years past. I read the first of the Inheritance Games series and liked it so much, I bought the other two books. There are more books now but I’m sticking with the original trilogy. It’s YA, but I thought it was pretty good. I also enjoyed The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and loved it. The Second Mrs Astor and Treehouse on Dog River Road were also good ones. I look forward to this video every year! Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year!🎉

[@christinaharbaugh2469]

I love your book chats together and look forward to it so much at the end of the year! I reached my goal of 36 books read this year. I have a VERY similar taste to Jessica (not surprisingly) so all her picks are ones I have or want to read. Sorry Tyler, I would fall asleep reading those history ones but I still watched you talk about them without skipping through! One of my favorites of the year that I think everyone should read is Bear Town by Fredrik Backman. I think both of you would enjoy that one. It has some hard subject matter but is superbly written. The Nightingale is one I read this year and also loved. You would love Winter Garden as well, Jessica!! Have a happy New Year!!

[@christinaharbaugh2469]

I will definitely read The Measure this year. You sold me on it!

[@lucygribbet9277]

My favourite reads of 2024 were Fourth Wing and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I also finished the Shatter Me series, loved that too. My all time favourite and I recommend it to everyone is The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. Happy New Year 🎉

[@kathysanders4358]

Michener’s book is the best ever written about Alaska. I read it before going and it was great seeing all he talked about!

[@maryjojaggar9254]

Same with his book on Hawaii - such fascinating history

[@hayleyemma7953]

Perfect timing! Its the 1st of jan, time to take down my christmas decorations. I just finished setting up my 2025 reading goals. Ready to play this to keep me company!

[@chiknlittle]

OMG! I recommend The Measure to EVERYONE! I don’t think it’s the most well-written novel, but the message behind it is so freakin incredible, I think everyone needs to read it. I’ve had SO many conversations about that book, talking through what it would be like, etc. That book is life-changing.

[@itouchten]

I kept stopping the video so I could check out your recommendations on Libby. Thank you. I loved reading "Remarkably Bright Creatures" , "Talking To Strangers " Malcolm Gladwell (best if listened to) and "Shakespeare Saved My Life, Laura Bates. It's an Indiana story. Happy reading.

[@savannahbrasells3582]

I love that y’all want to visit the hermitage! I grew up 10 minutes from there and visited several times growing up. (I still live in the Nashville area) My parents actually got married at the Hermitage in 1995 on the front steps. ☺️ would love to see the vlogs if you do decide to visit Nashville!❤

[@krissnow5217]

You mentioned, "All the Light We Cannot See". Run, don't walk, and get that book! I loved that book so much. I don't want to get your hopes up too high though bc that happens to me when people gush about books. But the storyline was so emotional and you will keep thinking about it when you're finished. I hope you like it. Thanks for your great recommendations!

[@helaineshpritz4984]

Love the book reviews! Last year I read Burnout based on your review and loved it!

[@nicolette8909]

Eee YAY 🎉 I wait all year for this video, every year. You guys got me back into reading in 2022. This year I made the fillable ornaments with mini versions of the books I read each year, and now I have a cute garland going of everything I’ve read ❤

[@BattyBeth]

I look forward to your yearly reading round up! Thank you for doing it.❤ I read a little book called Sipswell this year that was wonderful - definitely a stand out in the 100+ I read/listened to this year.

[@bonniepankina1850]

Love these videos for reading inspiration in the coming year! Highly recommend Pillars of the Earth, but the Kingsbridge series in general. Also The Wolf Den trilogy set in Pompeii is excellent…even better after visiting and could picture the places in my head.Happy New Year!🎉