Whether you are a rapid reader with a steady pile of books at the ready or a leisurely reader who picks up a good summer read to rip through on holiday, it’s safe to say you *always* need a good book at your disposal.
Sure, everyone has their favourite authors and go-to genres when it comes to picking books, but now is the perfect time to switch it up and go for something new.
From pulse-pounding adventures to light-hearted romances that will make your heart skip a beat, there’s something for every book lover to enjoy. So grab your paperback or Kindle and let’s dive into the hottest reads of the season!
The best new books of 2024
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Publish Date: 23rd July
In this reimagining of Lady Macbeth, the infamous Shakespearean villainess is given her own voice and story, revealing the dark magic and cunning that shape her destiny. As she navigates a treacherous marriage and a court filled with danger, the Lady discovers powers within herself that could upend the very fabric of the world.
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
Publish Date: 23rd July
In Slow Dance, Shiloh and Cary were inseparable as kids, dreaming of futures far beyond their small town. But after fourteen years apart, Shiloh returns home, and both must confront the love they never fully understood and the lives that have taken them in unexpected directions.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Publish Date: 11th June
In Katherine Center’s latest rom-com, Emma Wheeler finally gets her big break as a screenwriter when she’s hired to rewrite a script for her idol, Charlie Yates. But as she fights to save the rom-com from disaster, Emma discovers that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that rewrite themselves in real life.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Publish Date: 21st May
In Five Beautiful Couples, Lyla Santiago reluctantly joins her boyfriend on a reality TV show set on a remote island, where the goal is to outlast the other couples. But when a tropical storm strikes, the game turns deadly, and Lyla discovers that someone is willing to kill to be the last one standing.
Only the Brave by Danielle Steel
Publish Date: 30th April
Set in 1930s Berlin amidst the ominous rise of Hitler’s Third Reich, Only the Brave follows nineteen-year-old Sophia Alexander, the compassionate daughter of a renowned doctor. Driven by a deep-seated desire to care for others, Sophia joins a group of dissidents aiding persecuted Jewish families. As war engulfs Europe, she heeds a religious calling, seeking refuge in a convent while steadfastly opposing the Nazi regime. However, Sophia’s world shatters when she’s arrested and imprisoned in Ravensbrück concentration camp. Amidst this bleakness, an unexpected encounter with a downed US airman adds a layer of complexity to her journey. As she tends to him, their bond deepens, yet Sophia remains torn between her growing affection and her unwavering commitment to her faith.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Publish Date: 24th April
Daphne finds herself rewriting her life’s narrative after Peter’s heart leads him back to his childhood best friend, Petra. Stranded in a quaint town, Daphne unexpectedly becomes roommates with Miles, Petra’s ex, in a makeshift arrangement until she secures a new job elsewhere. Despite their contrasting personalities, a drunken night catalyzes a unique bond between them. As Miles showcases the town’s charms, Daphne grapples with her feelings: is Miles merely a fleeting chapter in her ongoing love story with Peter, or has she stumbled upon a new narrative altogether?
Reboot by Justin Taylor
Publish Date: 23rd April
David Crader, a washed-up former child actor from the once-popular teen drama Rev Beach, finds himself at a crossroads in his career. Summoned to Los Angeles by Grace, his ex-wife and former co-star, David glimpses a chance to reboot not just his career but his entire existence. However, Hollywood’s unpredictable currents, internet chaos, and a divided nation push David to a sobering realization: the revival of his old show could inadvertently ignite a nation already teetering on the brink of far-right extremism, environmental crisis, and societal unrest.
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss
Publish Date: 16th April
Welcome Home, Caroline Kline follows Caroline, a newly single New Yorker grappling with the sudden upheaval of her life following an unexpected breakup. Stripped of her job and apartment, Caroline reluctantly returns to her Jersey Shore hometown at her father Leo’s request, not as a caretaker for his recent injury, but as his replacement in a local men’s softball league. With dreams of a World Series win for Glen Brook, New Jersey, Leo sees this season as pivotal. Caroline, suspecting her father’s health issues might be more severe than he admits, steps up to the plate, becoming the league’s first female player amidst a sea of traditionalist men. Complications arise when an encounter rekindles feelings for her hometown crush and first love, prompting Caroline to reconsider her aspirations.
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
Publish Date: 16th April
Nora Mackenzie’s fledgling career as a sports agent hinges on winning over her first client, NFL star Derek Pender—her irresistibly attractive college ex-boyfriend with a lingering grudge. Unwilling to let bygones be bygones, Derek plots to make Nora’s life as his agent a living hell. However, Nora, ever resilient, devises her own strategy. A spontaneous night in Vegas throws a curveball into their game of one-upmanship, resulting in a morning-after surprise: a marriage certificate. With their professional and personal lives irrevocably intertwined, Nora and Derek must navigate this unexpected twist. Could their newfound relationship be the key to salvaging both their careers and their hearts?
How to Solve Your Own Murder, by Kristen Perrin
Publish Date: 26th March
In this gripping tale set in 1965 and present-day England, How to Solve Your Own Murder follows the intertwined fates of Frances Adams and her great-niece, Annie. After a chilling prophecy at a country fair foretells Frances’s murder, she becomes consumed with preventing her impending doom. As decades pass, Frances’s obsessive quest for the truth alienates those around her, leaving a web of secrets and potential motives in her wake.
When Annie arrives in Castle Knoll to find her great-aunt dead and she becomes embroiled in uncovering the dark mysteries that Frances left behind, risking her own safety in the process. As the past resurfaces, Annie grapples with the unsettling possibility that she may share more than just her aunt’s inheritance, but also her tragic fate.
Anita de Monte Laughs Last, by Xochitl Gonzalez
Publish Date: 5th March
In 1985, Anita de Monte’s tragic death captivated New York City, but by 1998, her name had faded into obscurity. Enter Raquel, a third-year art history student navigating the privileged world of College Hill where her status as a minority brings its own challenges.
When Raquel’s romance with a well-connected older art student propels her into higher social circles, she uncovers Anita’s forgotten story, paralleling her own struggles for recognition.
Notes from the Henhouse, by Elspeth Barker
Publish Date: 19th March
Notes from the Hen House offers readers an intimate and captivating glimpse into the life of Elspeth Barker, the celebrated author behind the modern classic O Caledonia. This collection of autobiographical essays chronicles Barker’s unique journey from her Scottish upbringing to her time immersed in the bohemian and countercultural circles of the 1950s and 1960s.
Through witty and poignant reflections, Barker shares her experiences living in a rustic farmhouse, navigating the complexities of raising a large family and various pets. Her heartfelt narratives, including poignant memories of her relationship with the poet George Barker and her enduring sense of loss, resonate with humour, warmth, and originality.
The Divorcées, by Rowan Beaird
Publish Date: 19th March
The Divorcees is a captivating debut novel that transports readers to the glamorous and tumultuous world of 1950s Reno divorce ranches. Lois Saunders, trapped in a loveless marriage, seeks refuge at the Golden Yarrow ranch, where she discovers a vibrant community of women also navigating the complexities of marital discontent.
Amidst the backdrop of gin-soaked casinos and wild cowboy romances, Lois’s life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Greer Lang, a captivating and unconventional woman who challenges Lois to question societal norms and embrace her own desires. As their friendship deepens, Lois embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, pushing the boundaries of her restricted existence.
The Resort, By Sara Ochs
Publish Date: 6th February
As Cass steps onto the shores of Koh Sang, she’s desperate to leave her past behind. Haunted by secrets and seeking refuge, the island seems like the perfect sanctuary. Teaming up with the enigmatic Permanents, a group of ex-pats with their own hidden agendas, Cass dives into a world where trust is a rare commodity.
But paradise shatters when a dive student is found dead, unravelling a web of deception and betrayal. With pasts catching up and danger lurking in every shadow, Cass realizes that someone knows who she truly is—and they’ll stop at nothing to ensure justice is served.
In a race against time, Cass must navigate the murky waters of Koh Sang’s secrets before she becomes the next victim. Gripping and suspenseful, The Resort is a chilling reminder that even in paradise, danger lurks beneath the surface.
Fourteen Days By Margaret Atwood
Publish Date: 6th February
Fourteen Days unfolds against the backdrop of a Lower East Side tenement during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns, offering a captivating glimpse into the lives of its diverse and eccentric residents. But there’s a twist: each character in this enthralling narrative is crafted by a different literary luminary, resulting in a kaleidoscope of voices from Margaret Atwood to John Grisham.
As the pandemic forces the tenants into isolation, they find solace and connection on the building’s rooftop, where stories become their currency. From strangers to neighbours, they gather each night, their makeshift seats forming a circle of shared experiences and unexpected camaraderie. Led by general editors Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston, this collaborative novel Includes writing from: Charlie Jane Anders, Margaret Atwood, Joseph Cassara, Jennine Capó Crucet, Angie Cruz, Pat Cummings, Sylvia Day, Emma Donoghue, Dave Eggers, Diana Gabaldon, Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham, Maria Hinojosa, Mira Jacob, Erica Jong, CJ Lyons, Celeste Ng, Tommy Orange, Mary Pope Osborne, Douglas Preston, Alice Randall, Ishmael Reed, Roxana Robinson, Nelly Rosario, James Shapiro, Hampton Sides, R.L. Stine, Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Monique Truong, Scott Turow, Luis Alberto Urrea, Rachel Vail, Weike Wang, Caroline Randall Williams, De’Shawn Charles Winslow, and Meg Wolitzer.
The Book of Love: A Novel by Kelly Link
Publish Date: 13th February
Prepare to be spellbound by Kelly Link’s highly anticipated debut novel, The Book of Love, where the lines between the ordinary and the extraordinary blur in a mesmerizing tale of love, loss, and the supernatural.
In the seaside town of Lovesend, Massachusetts, three teenagers—Laura, Daniel, and Mo—reappear one fateful night, a year after their mysterious disappearance. Presumed dead, they find themselves back in their hometown, under the watchful eye of their unassuming high school music teacher, who holds the key to their resurrection.
As they navigate a series of magical tasks in exchange for a chance to reclaim their lives, they must keep their return a secret, even as other supernatural forces converge, each with their own agenda. With danger looming and chaos descending upon Lovesend, the teens, along with Laura’s sister Susannah, must unravel the mystery of their deaths to prevent a catastrophe.
