15 best books to have on your reading list in 2024
On the hunt for the best new books of 2024? This curated collection is designed to be your ultimate new year book bucket list, guiding you through a diverse selection of titles that span genres, eras, and perspectives. From captivating, achingly contemporary fiction to insightful and life changing non-fiction, these books showcase the literary gems that should be on everyone’s bookshelves. All bookworms are constantly on the lookout for that next must-read book to add to their reading list, and we have picked a range that will cater for every taste. Whether you're seeking classics from acclaimed authors or want to discover the best emerging voices, this is the list to read through this year.
New books we know are going to be widely popular in the fiction corner include Piglet and Green Dot, two darkly funny novels that will cover your contemporary novel needs. If you haven’t read Ocean Vuong’s words you haven’t experienced the haunting quality of poetic prose like no other, and we would recommend immediately ordering his debut On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. Two classics, one more recent then the next, the achingly beautiful Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, a searing exploration of love and identity, and the thought-provoking examination of race and societal structures in Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, a book we think has the power to change the world.
Get ready to immerse yourself and get lost in the pages of these top books to read in 2024.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBT
- Review Score: 4.57/5 (Goodreads)
A book that we @thebibliofilles read in 2023 and predicted was going to be a word of mouth smash hit, In Memoriam was a favourite of both of ours as well as the winner of the Waterstones debut fiction prize. Alice Winn’s first novel is nothing short of astonishing. A beautiful and poignant WWI story, with Henry Gaunt and Sydney Ellwood at its helm, it opens with their life at an English public school. When war breaks out, Gaunt ends up enlisting despite being too young — and Ellwood soon follows. Both men, it turns out, are in love with one another, yet neither is able to express it. Stunning and moving, this one might just break your heart but let us tell you, you’ll be glad that it does.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Nonfiction, Climate Change, Sustainability
- Review Score: 4.63/5 (Goodreads)
We cannot think of a more important issue facing our generation than climate change and sustainability in the fast fashion, disposable market society we live in, which is why we had to include this January 2024 new release in the books to read this year. The future of our planet hangs in the balance, and you might like us watch videos and read articles that only increase that feeling of complete helplessness in the face of incomprehensible destruction. Not the End of the World addresses all of that anxiety and confusion, presenting in a clear and surprisingly gripping way how we can change the trajectory of climate change. We love this book for so many reasons, its written by a data scientist that considers both the small and big things we can do, providing the right balance of research, guidance, and information to make this an essential read, according to the legend that is Margerat Attwood.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Queer, Poetry
- Review Score: 4.5/5 (Goodreads)
From the critically acclaimed author of The Trees, comes a rapturous reimagining of Huckleberry Finn. It is 1861 when James, a slave, hears that he’s going to be sold to a new owner in New Orleans, which will mean separating from his wife and daughter forever. He needs a plan — so he hides on nearby Jackson Island to formulate one. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father who has recently returned, beginning a tumultuous journey by raft down the Mississippi River. Soon, James and Huck, an unlikely pair, find themselves navigating the dangerous waters, pursuing a future of hope and salvation in the face of a brewing war. Bold, funny and stunningly written, we can’t wait to hear what you think.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Fiction, Self Help, Personal Development
- Review Score: 4.19/5 (Goodreads)
Sometimes the slimmest books pack the mightiest of punches and The Noticer epitomises this to the max. Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer tells the story of Jones, a curious old man who imparts wisdom on the folks of Orange Beach, Alabama. That very wisdom will change the course of their lives entirely because he provides them with the ability — the gift — of changing perspective. Jones is a noticer, after all, and he sees the many, many things that others simply don’t. A beautiful story but so much more, The Noticer will change how you see the world around you and give you a truly fresh perspective on the challenges life brings.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Transgender, Romance
- Review Score: 4.16/5 (Goodreads)
You know that feeling when you read a book & you love the characters so much you just don’t want it to end? You feel bereft that you won’t get to see what happens next, from the small, mundane daily happenings to the big life changing events.
The truth is that this book is so much more than a story, giving insight into what it feels like to be transgender, with a sharp observational eye & an unflinching look at the challenges, this debut novel will expand the mind of any reader. Tom and Ming meet at a university drag night, two opposites drawn together by sheer magnetism. Everything changes when Ming announces her intention to transition. There are passages of sheer vulnerability that made my heart hurt for Ming. Being in the mind of both allows the reader to see all sides of the relationship, & the prose does not shy away from the difficult conversations, So many themes are explored from racism, prejudice, homophobia, friendship, loss, mental health, to a yearning for home, love & identity, but the focus of the book is the characters, who are layered, messy & authentic.
Best new books 2024
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Queer, Poetry
- Review Score: 4.5/5 (Goodreads)
This book is seared onto our brains and launched Ocean Vuong’s stratospheric career. A haunting and stunning exploration of identity, love, and the complex interplay between past and present, this is an epistolary novel written as a letter from a son to his illiterate mother. Weaving through the narrator's tumultuous coming-of-age, Vuong reflects on family secrets, the immigrant experience, and the challenges of self-discovery. His poetic prose is both lyrical and raw, offering a visceral experience that lingers months later. The narrative's beauty lies in its vulnerability, addressing themes of race, sexuality, and trauma with unflinching honesty. A poignant and evocative work, this 2019 novel is considered a modern classic by readers worldwide.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Queer,
- Review Score: 4.31/5 (Goodreads)
Enriquez is an award winning author based in Buenos Aires that is making major waves on the literary horror scene and the reviews for this 2019 title are brimming with praise and hype. You are transported between London in the swinging 1960s to the brutal years of Argentina’s military dictatorship and its turbulent aftermath in Our Share of Night. Blending horror, historical fiction, and occult fantasy this is a supernatural story of a family ruptured by grief and a ghost, exploring the complexities of love and longing. It’s a dark, brooding fever dream of a novel with lucid characters and a secret society. Utterly addictive.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Memoir, Biography, Feminism
- Review Score: 4.43/5 (Goodreads)
This is the book that surprised us the most last year and people are still talking about it all over the internet months after release. You might only know Fox as the momentary girlfriend of Ye and the mother of countless memes, but this is so much more than another celebrity memoir. The reviews from all angles of the literary world where rave and that’s before you get to the readers. Time magazine hailed this as perfecting the overshare and she doesn’t hold back. A product of a deeply dysfunctional & violent home, the first half leads up to her turning 18 & in that time she has stolen regularly, been assaulted repeatedly, lived in NY & Italy, become addicted to heroin & ran away. This is pure chaos and drama that is also so vulnerable and raw. She is the moment and she deserves all the hype.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
- Review Score: 3.9/5 (Goodreads)
This novel out at the start of February is one of this year’s most hotly anticipated — and with good reason. It centres on Hera, a twenty-something who hasn’t quite managed to carve out the life she wants just yet. That is, until she meets Arthur. An older colleague, he is also married and soon enough, Hera finds herself embroiled in a workplace romance that will consume her life. Intimate, witty, and edgy, Green Dot is deeply insightful and darkly hilarious. You’ll devour it in no time, we’re certain, and you’ll want to chat about it long after you’ve finished it.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming Of Age
- Review Score: 4.52/5 (Goodreads)
Winner of last year’s Women’s Prize and in our humble opinion, utterly deservedly so, Demon Copperhead is the inimitable Barbara Kingsolver’s stunning retelling of Dickens’ David Copperfield. Set in the Appalachian region of the Unite States, it charts Demon’s life from birth onwards and the huge challenges he faces. Born Damon Fields to a drug-using teenage mother, he is partly raised by his neighbours. He moves from place to place as he grows up, against a backdrop of poverty, abuse, highs, and lows. A sprawling masterpiece, it’s absolutely worth the hype — and then some.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Memoir, Art, Music
- Review Score: 4.21/5 (Goodreads)
Called the definitive memoir, this is a coming of age story that might just become your entire personality. Just Kids chronicles Smith’s enduring friendship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the vibrant New York City of the 1960s and '70s. Her honest and evocative prose beautifully captures the essence of their bohemian and hedonistic lives artistic ambitions, and the profound influence they had on each other. You travel through the realms of art, love, and self-discovery that provides insight into the genesis of two iconic careers. Its a nostalgic portrait of a bygone era that captures it so mesmerisingly, celebrating creativity, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams.
Best new books 2024
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
- Genre: Nonfiction, Race, Social Justice
- Review Score: 4.53/5 (Goodreads)
Honestly this might just be the most important book published in the last decade. It reset our brains and changed the way we understand issues of racism, colonialism, and class hierarchies. Drawing parallels between the caste systems of India, Nazi Germany, and the United States, Dr Wilkerson unveils the insidious nature of systemic hierarchy in a thought-provoking exploration of the hidden structures shaping societies. With meticulous research and powerful storytelling, she exposes how caste influences every aspect of life, from opportunities to perceptions. The book prompts readers to reflect on their own biases and societal structures, offering a compelling call for dismantling ingrained inequalities. This a crucial read, which confronts systemic oppression and presents solutions for a more equitable future.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Queer, Poetry
- Review Score: 4.5/5 (Goodreads)
Titled after our main protagonist’s childhood nickname, which she’s never been able to shake, Piglet is a novel you are absolutely going to want to read this year. Getting married to Kit is Piglet’s chance to truly reinvent herself — and actually, life is going pretty well. She’s got a great job as a cookbook editor at a London publishing house, loyal friends and of course — Kit. Two weeks before their wedding day, though, Kit confesses to a betrayal that changes everything, shaking Piglet to the core. With the life she’s created for herself well and truly shattering, Piglet finds herself torn between whether to follow the recipe — follow the rules — or the burning sense of ravenousness to do something about it. Original, stylish, and unforgettable, a must-read debut that you won’t stop talking about.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Classics, Romance, LGBT
- Review Score: 4.32/5 (Goodreads)
A classic that is still as relevant today as when it was published in 1956, Giovanni's Room is a haunting exploration of identity, desire, and societal expectations. Set in Paris, the novel delves into the internal turmoil of David, an American expatriate torn between societal norms and his forbidden love for Giovanni. Baldwin's prose is both lyrical and intense, delving into the complexities of sexual and racial identity with unflinching honesty. The narrative's emotional depth and psychological insight create a poignant commentary on the human condition that readers still find relatable and moving, a timeless exploration of the intricacies of love, self-discovery, and the profound impact of societal expectations.
Best new books 2024
- Genre: Thriller, Crime, Literary Fiction
- Review Score: 4.5/5 (Goodreads)
Set almost ten years after the gruesome murder of sixteen year old Joni Wilson in the small seaside town of Crow, it opens with the crane itself. She’s been killed by a group of girls from her school — three others. But the extent of their involvement and what could have possibly led to it, is about to be explored, in depth, for the very first time. Our narrator is a journalist (one involved in the infamous phone hacking scandal, by the way) and he’s researching the murder for his book. His actions and work, as well as those around him, provide a raw insight into the true crime industry that is so popular today. Clark’s unflinching exploration of the internet and her portrayal of teenage life is so accurate, you’ll find yourself absolutely certain that this story must be true. Shocking and harrowing at times, there simply isn’t another novel out there like this one.
