The Best Books to Read in 2024
Fiction
*
The Wayward Girls and the Broken Boys
by Celine SaintclareA debut novel that paints a vivid picture of the fast-paced modeling world and the young women who navigate its complexities.
*
Set on a College Campus
by Kiley ReidA thought-provoking examination of class, money, and privilege through the lens of university life and its diverse perspectives.
*
Good Wife
by Dolly AldertonA humorous and poignant novel that explores the complexities of male and female relationships from the perspective of a heartbroken man.
*
The Ex-Best Friend
by Carrie SunA raw and insightful memoir that delves into the demanding and emotionally taxing world of personal and professional assistance.
*
Cult Classic
by Sloane CrosleyA unique blend of memoir and fiction that confronts loss, memory, and the scars of the past with equal parts humor and vulnerability.
*
Unmarriageable
by Leslie JamisonA candid account of a marriage falling apart, revealing the complexities of self, desire, and the search for meaning.
*
Acts of Desperation
by Megan NolanA haunting and unflinching novel set in the recent past, exploring the consequences of bad decisions and the entanglements of fate and privilege.
*
The Prophets
by Katya ApekinaAn experimental and thought-provoking novel that weaves together stories of the past and present, questioning the legacy of trauma and its impact on generations.
*
The Education of Christine Blasey Ford
by Christine Blasey FordA powerful memoir that sheds light on the personal journey of a woman at the center of a highly politicized event.
*
The End of Eddy
by Édouard LouisA deeply personal and introspective memoir that charts the author’s transformation from a rural childhood to his emergence as an acclaimed author.
*
The Daughters
by Lisa KoA moving and evocative novel that follows three Asian American friends as they navigate their identities, relationships, and aspirations in a rapidly changing world.
*
Ellipsis
by Vanessa LawrenceA sharp and witty debut novel that explores the complexities of mentorship, power dynamics, and the elusive nature of success in the digital age.
*
Movement
by Adelle WaldmanA thought-provoking and character-driven novel that examines the lives of low-wage workers at a department store, their struggles, and their resilience.
*
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days
by Rachel KhongA sprawling and ambitious novel that spans generations and continents, exploring the interconnectedness of history, family, and destiny.
*
The Butterfly Effect
by Nell FreudenbergerA complex and intelligent novel that travels from the depths of the ocean to the heights of Manhattan, examining questions of desire, identity, and the consequences of our actions.
*
The Retreat
by Christopher TilghmanAn elegant and moving novel that captures the dynamics of a family gathering at an ancestral estate, revealing layers of buried conflict and unspoken truths.
*
This Thing Between Us
by Robert SullivanA unique and captivating work that explores the life and work of photographer Timothy O’Sullivan, intertwining history, nature, and personal reflections.
*
The Incendiaries
by R.O. KwonA provocative and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of female desire, creativity, and the consequences of transgression.
*
No One Is Talking About This
by Miranda JulyA quirky and introspective novel that follows a middle-aged woman on a journey of self-discovery and the search for deeper connections.
*
All I Want Is Everything
by Kathleen HannaA vibrant and inspiring memoir that chronicles the life and career of feminist icon Kathleen Hanna, from her early days in Bikini Kill to her enduring legacy.
*
The Light Will Come
by Alina GrabowskiA masterfully crafted novel that weaves together the stories of women in a small coastal town, revealing their secrets, struggles, and resilience.
*
The Elegance of Desire
by Teddy WayneA sexy and suspenseful novel that explores themes of power, money, and the pursuit of forbidden desires.
*
Kant’s Little Prussian Head and Other Reasons for Falling Out of Love
by Claire MessudA sweeping and intimate family saga that spans generations and continents, capturing the complexities of love, loss, and the burdens of history.
*
The Debutante’s Guide to Marital Success
by Plum SykesA witty and satirical novel that skewers the traditions and expectations of the upper class, as seen through the eyes of a group of young debutantes.
*
Godwin
by Joseph O’NeillAn absorbing and picaresque novel that examines themes of brotherhood, migration, and the complexities of the modern world through the lens of soccer and the search for a prodigious young talent.
*
The Mother
by Claire KilroyA raw and unflinching account of motherhood, exploring the joys, challenges, and profound transformations that come with raising a child.
*
The Wellness Syndrome
by Ram MuraliA satirical and entertaining novel that skewers the excesses of the wellness industry and the search for meaning in the modern age.
*
The Persian Gamble
by Porochista KhakpourA compulsive and humorous satire that follows four teen daughters of Iranian immigrants as they navigate the complexities of their culture, social media, and the pursuit of fame.
*
The Missing Green
by Rachel Dodes and Lauren MechlingA charming and relatable novel that explores the idea of second chances and the power of choice through a supernatural premise.
*
My Year Off
by Olivia GatwoodA witty and introspective debut novel that tackles themes of female friendship, desire, and the complexities of modern life against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s technological advancements.
*
Ruthless
by Taffy Brodeser-AknerA darkly funny and incisive novel that explores the consequences of generational wealth, family secrets, and the insatiable pursuit of power.
Non-Fiction
*
You Think It, I’ll Say It
by Danzy SennaA witty and provocative novel that delves into the complexities of racial identity, class, and the intersections of politics and art.
*
The Hard Crowd
by Rachel KushnerA gripping and atmospheric novel that combines elements of mystery, noir, and social commentary, exploring themes of control, power, and the limits of human connections.
