12 Must-Read Books of 2024

Looking to read more in the new year? We've got you covered with 12 intriguing titles coming in 2024, most of them in the next few months. From literary fiction to thrillers, memoirs to self-empowerment, and true tales of extraordinary bravery, there's something for everyone. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, the best books have the power to transport us to another world, and there are plenty of options to kickstart your year of reading.

Hope you find something on this list that appeals to you.

FICTION

Wandering Stars, by Tommy Orange

Tommy Orange, the author of the Pulitzer finalist "There There," returns with a sequel that follows a group of Native Americans in modern-day Oakland, California. The story features some familiar characters and explores the impact of a mass shooting, drawing connections to the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado, where over 200 of their ancestors were killed. Orange skillfully weaves a narrative that reinforces the historical persecution of Native Americans.

Until August, by Gabriel García Márquez

Penguin Random House brings you the unpublished novel by the towering Colombian writer Garcia Marquez, known for 20th-century classics like "One Hundred Years of Solitude." This slender novel tells the story of a happily married woman with an unusual ritual: Every August she travels to a nearby island, where she takes a new lover for one night. Described by the publisher as "a profound meditation on freedom, regret, self-transformation, and the mysteries of love," this is a must-read for fans of Garcia Marquez's work.

James, by Percival Everett

Penguin Random House presents a clever and innovative idea that makes you question why it has not been done before: a reimagination of Mark Twains "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the viewpoint of Jim, Hucks companion who fled enslavement. The publisher guarantees that Everetts novel, much like the original, captures the adventures of Huck and Jim as they journey down the Mississippi on a raft, but it will showcase Jims "agency, intelligence, and compassion... in a completely new perspective."

Bear, by Julia Phillips

Penguin Random House presents Phillips' captivating follow-up to her award-winning novel "Disappearing Earth," which entranced readers with its portrayal of a community grappling with the disappearance of two girls in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. In her latest work, Phillips tells the tale of two sisters on a remote island near Seattle, whose lives are thrown into turmoil and teeter on the brink of separation as they come face to face with a massive, enigmatic bear in the wild.

The Wedding People, by Alison Espach

At a low point in her life, Phoebe Stone arrives at a luxurious seaside hotel, donning her finest attire and seeking a brief escape from her troubles. However, her plans take an unexpected turn as she becomes entangled in a lively wedding celebration, mistaken for a guest and forming a bond with the bride. Despite her initial intentions, Phoebe's journey unfolds in unforeseen ways, offering the potential for a brighter future. This novel showcases Espach's distinctive wit and talent for portraying flawed characters who, amidst their struggles, discover moments of hope.

The Fury, by Alex Michaelides

Michaelides' debut, "The Silent Patient," was a hit with fans of twisty thrillers, selling over 6 million copies. Now, his new novel "The Fury" puts a fresh spin on the classic premise of a group of people realizing one of them is a killer in a remote location. This time, the story follows a former movie star who invites her closest friends for a weekend getaway on her private Greek island. Within 48 hours, one of them is dead, and the survivors are watching their backs as readers are sure to race through the pages.

The Women, by Kristin Hannah

Hannah, the author of the popular bestseller "The Nightingale," returns with a new novel set in wartime. The story follows Frankie McGrath, a sheltered student who joins the Army Nurse Corps in 1965 and is deployed to Vietnam. There, she experiences the chaos of war and forges unexpected connections with her fellow nurses. Upon returning to a transforming America, Frankie, like many Vietnam veterans, grapples with challenges.

NONFICTION

The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir, by RuPaul

From HarperCollins Publishers

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, by Salman Rushdie

RuPaul has had a long career as a pop icon and is known as the world's most famous drag queen. However, few are aware of the personal story behind this versatile entertainer and savvy entrepreneur. This memoir chronicles his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in California, to his influential years in the club scenes of Atlanta and New York, to his current standing as an entertainment mogul who has been at the forefront of queer representation on TV.

From Penguin Random House

The Demon of Unrest, by Erik Larson

Salman Rushdie was subjected to a horrific attack in upstate New York in August 2022, where he was stabbed multiple times, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye. The notable author, who has been the target of numerous death threats due to perceived anti-Islam themes in his writing, documents the assault and its aftermath in his latest memoir. Rushdie stated that the book is his way of reclaiming power from the attack and responding to violence with art.

From Penguin Random House

Supercommunicators, by Charles Duhigg

Erik Larson is known for his ability to transform obscure moments in history into captivating stories, as demonstrated by his popular works "Dead Wake" and "The Devil in the White City." In his latest book, Larson delves into the crucial five-month period between Abraham Lincoln's presidential election and the 1861 Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, which shattered Lincoln's efforts to maintain unity and ignited the Civil War.

From Penguin Random House

American Girls: One Womans Journey into the Islamic State and Her Sisters Fight to Bring Her Home, by Jessica Roy

We have all at some point wished that we could be more convincing. Duhigg, author of the bestselling "The Power of Habit," explores why some individuals can easily express themselves and listen to others. The book assures to reveal "how we can all learn to recognize and utilize the underlying elements present in every conversation."

From Simon & Schuster

During a 2015 vacation to Turkey, Samantha Sally's Moroccan-born husband tricked her and their two children into crossing the border into Syria. There, he joined ISIS, became increasingly radicalized, and subjected Sally to abuse. Her younger sister in Indiana worked tirelessly to help her escape, making "American Girls" a compelling and dramatic true story.