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- Best Books of 2024: A preview of the year’s most exciting reads
A new year is traditionally the time for fresh starts – and, for bookworms, a new TBR pile. From literary heavyweights to debut novelists and non-fiction titles with life-changing lessons, 2024 promises to keep your bookshelves full to bursting with exciting must-reads.
January
Fiction
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
A devastating secret cracks the façade of a couple’s domestic bliss. In the hours before their wedding, the bride-to-be needs to make a decision that could change the course of her life. Described as ‘brilliantly dark’, this debut writer is one to watch.
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini
A woman falls to her death from a London bank’s 25th-floor roof terrace. The main suspect, however, claims that they were trying to save her.
Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle
A wealthy family gather on a private island for their son’s wedding. But as the ceremony begins, a blood-curdling scream brings the proceedings to a devastating halt. This is the third unputdownable murder mystery from Tom Hindle, who has been hailed as a ‘new heir to Agatha Christie’.
Non-fiction
Empireworld by Sathnam Sanghera
Following on from his bestseller Empireland, journalist and award-winning author Sathnam Sanghera travels the globe to trace Britain’s lasting imperial legacy and impact on the modern world.
Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie
Data scientist Hannah Ritchie explores the real story of the future of our planet. Presenting the latest research, and busting myths in the process, Not the End of the World promises to transform our view of environmental problems and how we can solve them.
February
Fiction
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
A New York bookseller is given a special book that bestows extraordinary abilities on whoever possesses it. What follows is an epic adventure full of danger, secrets, and magic books – a must-read for fans of The Midnight Library and A Discovery of Witches.
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
Inspired in part by her father’s realisation that he worked alongside Peter Sutcliffe, the man eventually charged with the crimes of the Yorkshire Ripper, Jennie Godfrey’s debut novel follows a young girl’s mission to ensure her family stays put in their Yorkshire hometown.
The Hunter by Tana French
Chicago detective Cal Hooper moves to a small town on the west coast of Ireland in search of a peaceful life. But the arrival of two strange men looking for gold – and trouble – threatens to upend the lives of those closest to him.
Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
Siblings Greta and Valdin Vladisavljevic navigate queerness, racial identity, and the mystery of their failed love lives in this witty debut novel full of heart, family, and karaoke.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
An idyllic Greek island getaway turns into a nightmare for Lana and a select group of guests. Among them is a murderer furiously plotting their crime as past secrets begin to surface.
Jaded by Ela Lee
Jade is a successful lawyer, dutiful daughter, and beloved girlfriend until she wakes up the day after a work event, unable to remember how she got home, and her world starts to crumble. This debut novel is a hard-hitting exploration of race, identity, and the rippling effects of sexual assault.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
When Lauren finds a random man in her flat, she soon discovers that a generator in the attic has been producing an endless supply of men for her. But will any of them be the one?
A woman is home alone with her young children when she hears the tread of footsteps, unusually heavy and slow, coming up the stairs. In the moments that follow, she must choose between fight and flight. This is an unmissable debut thriller for fans of Sophie Hannah and Ruth Ware.
Non-fiction
Our Island Stories by Corinne Fowler
Colonialism and heritage professor Corinne Fowler takes us on 10 country walks exploring the links between Britain’s colonial activities abroad and the enclosure, land clearances, and dispossession of our rural ancestors – and how their effects are still felt today.
Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
Harvard professor Charles Duhigg offers a practical guide to having better conversations and forging deeper human connections, with insights and lessons that could turn even the worst communicators into the best.
March
Fiction
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Lucy Chase doesn’t remember murdering her best friend – but could a true-crime podcast help unlock what happened that fatal night and determine if there really is another killer on the loose?
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
For fans of Circe by Madeline Miller and Stephen Fry’s Mythos trilogy, this retelling of Medea’s bid for freedom, the dashing young hero Jason, and the famed Golden Fleece sees our titular heroine battle monsters, dethrone kings, and fall in love.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
From the bestselling author of the Winternight Trilogy comes a sweeping historical novel set in the trenches of World War I, where a Canadian nurse searches for her brother who is presumed dead – despite the chilling signs that suggest otherwise.
Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
At 77, Jenny Quinn is enjoying her new found fame after being a contestant on the hit TV show Britain Bakes. But being a household name comes with a price when old secrets come to light. A heartwarming debut and the perfect read for Bake Off fans.
Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The extraordinary lost novel from the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera is set to be one of the most exciting publishing events of 2024. If you’re new to the work of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, find out where to begin with this handy guide.
Non-fiction
Learning to Think by Tracy King
The story of an ordinary family trapped in a broken system, Tracy King’s memoir explores the everyday realities of living in poverty and the power of education in helping her escape.
Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen
From the New York Times bestselling author of Area 51 comes a detailed look at what would happen within a matter of minutes if a nuclear missile was launched. Based on dozens of interviews with military and civilian experts who have been involved in the planning of what a nuclear exchange would look like, this is a book that reads like a thriller as well as being a powerful argument to rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons forever.
Weathering by Ruth Allen
Outdoor psychotherapist and geologist Ruth Allen explores the rocks and mountains that have withstood aeons on our planet and considers how a deeper understanding of these ancient landscapes can better serve ourselves and the world we live in.
The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson
Described by Irvine Welsh as ‘The Wolf of Wall Street with a moral compass’, Gary Stevenson’s journey from the streets of East London to becoming the youngest trader in the city is an eye-opening exposé on a world of excess and dysfunction that changed his outlook on life forever.
Who’s Afraid of Gender by Judith Butler
A vital examination from one of the world’s foremost gender scholars confronts the attacks on gender identity that have become central to right-wing movements today.
April
Fiction
My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes
A middle-aged woman finds herself having to start again. This latest work by beloved writer Marian Keyes is a must-read standalone novel, but fans of her previous work will be pleased to know that it sees the return of one of the Walsh sisters.
Holmes, Margaret and Poe by James Patterson
Three New York detectives, each with apt monikers, solve a series of seemingly impossible crimes – art theft, kidnapping, and decades-old unsolved murders – that expose the dark underbelly of the city.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Bestselling author Emily Henry is back with tale of two dumped fiancés devising a plan to deliberately mislead their exes with a summer adventure together. It’s all fun and games – until someone falls in love.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
From the bestselling author of Ninth House comes a bewitching novel set in the Spanish Golden Age, brimming with peril, dark deeds, and magic.
Non-fiction
An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi
The award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and filmmaker guides us through the spectacular history of a continent – from the very origins of our species to the elation of post-colonial independence – told through interviews with countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and local storytellers.
Rural Hours by Harriet Baker
In this absorbing study, writer Harriet Baker examines the impact of country life on three of literature’s most beloved writers. Rural Hours covers Virginia Woolf’s convalescence on the Sussex Downs, Sylvia Townsend Warner's Dorset workman’s cottage where she found creative freedom, and Rosamond Lehmann’s Berkshire home, which became a refuge from war.
Knife by Salman Rushdie
Speaking out for the first time since the traumatic events of August 2022, Salman Rushdie delivers a deeply personal account of enduring and surviving an attempt on his life, some 30 years after he had a fatwa ordered against him.
Every Body Should Know This by Federica Amati
Medical scientist and ZOE Head Nutritionist Dr Federica Amati explains how we can make the most beneficial decisions for every stage of life with this simple, jargon-free guide to the food we eat and how it affects us.
May
Fiction
Table for Two by Amor Towles
From the bestselling author of The Lincoln Highway and A Gentleman in Moscow comes a collection of six short stories set in New York City and a novella set against the backdrop of Golden Age Hollywood – all told with his trademark wit and sophistication.
The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma
In 1960s Nigeria, Kunle is desperately searching for his missing brother. As he becomes conscripted into a breakaway army, fighting in a civil war he hardly understands, Kunle must find a way to survive and bring his brother home. This is a heartfelt novel by the booker-shortlisted author of The Fishermen and An Orchestra of Minorities.
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
Sarah Perry shot to literary fame with her historical novel The Essex Serpent and is now back with a new novel about astronomy, faith, friendship, and love.
Non-fiction
Embrace the Chaos by Jason Fox
Drawing on his experience in the Special Forces, Jason Fox sets out a revolutionary programme of personal challenges designed to help you reboot, disrupt your thinking, and grow your capabilities with 52 tactics to make every day count.
Sunday Times bestselling author Danny Wallace delves into the world of conspiracy theorists, fake news, and faceless trolls on the other side of our screens to discover how disinformation and well-told lies can ruin lives, tear families apart, and destroy communities. In this eye-opening book, Wallace explores the ways we can stop it.
Dr Benji Waterhouse is not only a front-line NHS doctor, but also an award-winning stand-up comedian who performs sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival. In You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here, he recounts anecdotes from life on the psychiatric ward, its patients, and employees – the perfect read for fans of This is Going to Hurt.
June
Fiction
The Suspect by Rob Rinder
ITV’s very own Judge Rinder delivers yet another fun and fiendish whodunnit. This time, the UK’s favourite breakfast TV presenter has died live on air, but her death was not an accident. Celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks is in the frame and it’s up to junior barrister Adam Green to uncover the truth.
Scripted by Fearne Cotton
Broadcaster and author Fearne Cotton’s fiction debut follows the story of Jade, who has lost control of her life until she discovers a script left on her doorstep that – upon reading – becomes her living reality.
Eruption by James Patterson and Michael Crichton
Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton had finished his research and began drafting a new novel before his death in 2008. After discovering the unfinished manuscript in her husband’s archive, Crichton's wife Sherri personally invited bestselling author James Patterson to complete the project. Eruption tells the story of a history-making volcanic eruption that is about to destroy Hawaii. But the military is harbouring a decades-long secret that is far more terrifying than any volcano — and it’s about to come to light.
Non-fiction
Love Triangle by Matt Parker
Join Matt Parker, maths expert, stand-up comedian, and author, as he uncovers the secrets of trigonometry and the history behind the humble triangle – a shape that has been used by humans for thousands of years to do everything from measure the Earth to take a selfie.
July
Check back soon
August
Fiction
Precipice by Robert Harris
Based on the true story of 26-year-old aristocrat Venetia Stanley's affair with then-Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, this novel by the bestselling author of An Officer and a Spy weaves fact and fiction to tell the thrilling story of an event that altered the course of British political history.
September
Fiction
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Moving between present-day New York City and Elizabethan England, the bestselling author of My Sister’s Keeper explores the lives of two young women: a playwright, living a lie to see her work performed, and Emilia Bassano, the first woman in England to establish herself as a professional poet and – according to some – the true author of several of William Shakespeare’s works.
Non-fiction
A Yard of Sky by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Richard Ratcliffe
This is the extraordinary full account of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's journey to freedom after being jailed in Iran for almost six years. Told by Nazanin and her husband Richard, their story of an ordinary family becoming the centre of an international diplomatic dispute is at once eye-opening and heartbreaking.
The Art of Danish Living by Meik Wiking
The bestselling author who helped make Hygge huge is back. This time, he’s bringing Danish wisdom to the world of work and unpacking what we can stand to benefit from this way of life.
Check back soon for more book highlights of 2024