Most Anticipated Books of 2024

by Kaveh Akbar

Imperfect, yes, but intense, original, and smart. Full review >

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by Emma R. Alban

A stunning Sapphic Victorian romance from an author to watch. Full review >

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by Tom Baragwanath

Just the kind of dark, disturbing, gritty, and unusual treat thriller lovers are looking for. Full review >

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by Marie-Helene Bertino

A heartbreaking book that staggers with both truth and beauty. Full review >

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by Venita Blackburn

An astonishing debut novel from a remarkably creative writer. Full review >

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by Jennine Capó Crucet

Unclassifiable and unforgettable. Full review >

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by Percival Everett

One of the noblest characters in American literature gets a novel worthy of him. Full review >

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by Xochitl Gonzalez

An uncompromising message, delivered via a gripping story with two engaging heroines. Full review >

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by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Mesmerizing and important. Full review >

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by Cormac James

An X-ray picture of the subcutaneous breaks and sprains in a rocky relationship. Full review >

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by Valerie Martin

Irresistible—a funny, sexy romp that’s also smart, even wise. Full review >

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by Jahmal Mayfield

A provocative, page-turning treatment of racism in America. Full review >

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by Derek B. Miller

A brilliantly imagined World War II saga. Full review >

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by Marie Mutsuki Mockett

An affecting story of personal transformation, as broody as it is erotic. Full review >

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by Tommy Orange

A searing study of the consequences of a genocide. Full review >

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by Andrés N. Ordorica

Told with authenticity and compassion, this unconventional love story redefines notions of fraternity. Full review >

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by Rebecca K. Reilly

Say hello to your new favorite fictional family. Full review >

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by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Black women as agents—literally—of their own liberation. Who wouldn’t be inspired? Full review >

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by Adelle Waldman

The workplace dramedy of the year. Full review >

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by Phillip B. Williams

A multilayered, enrapturing chronicle of freedom that interrogates the nature of freedom itself. Full review >

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by Hanif Abdurraqib

An innovative memoir encompassing sports, mortality, belonging, and home. Full review >

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by Jonathan Blitzer

A sobering, well-reported history in which no one emerges a winner. Full review >

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by Judith Butler

A master class in how gender has been weaponized in support of conservative values and authoritarian regimes. Full review >

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by Sloane Crosley

A marvelously tender memoir on suicide and loss. Full review >

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by Kristine S. Ervin

A devastating memoir about living with—and dying from—gender-based violence. Full review >

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by Jamie Figueroa

A searching and lyrical memoir packed with nuance and depth. Full review >

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by Leslie Jamison

Candid, intimate recollections on motherhood and commitment. Full review >

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by James Kaplan

A marvelous must-read for jazz fans and anyone interested in this dynamic period of American music. Full review >

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by Maggie Nelson

A revelatory gathering of beloved art and artists presented with distinctive prose. Full review >

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by Rod Nordland

This is a man who has seen it all, and he sure does know how to tell a story. Full review >

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by Ijeoma Oluo

An urgent plea for individual and collective action. Full review >

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by Morgan Parker

As Parker writes, “Words are ductile, delicate, and loaded like that.” Never more so than in her capable hands. Full review >

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by Lucy Sante

An absorbing analysis of a long-standing search for identity in writing and life. Full review >

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by Nicholas Shakespeare

Shakespeare leaves no stone unturned in this exhaustive, highly readable biography. Full review >

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by Meredith Adamo

A thoughtful and thought-provoking feminist tale woven into an expansive mystery. Full review >

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by Traci Chee

Both a mesmerizing fantasy adventure and a haunting meditation on shared trauma. Full review >

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by Joseph Coelho ; illustrated by Kate Milner

Thoughtful and well executed. Full review >

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by Olivia A. Cole

A revelatory, razor-sharp, and powerfully honest depiction of the reality of living with OCD. Full review >

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by Safia Elhillo

A stunning work that deeply explores poetry, the complexities of identity, and the longing for love. Full review >

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by Hafsah Faizal

Crowd-pleasing fun laced with political fire: a winner. Full review >

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by Chris Gooch ; illustrated by Chris Gooch

Coming-of-age meets cosmic horror; unforgettably striking, both visually and emotionally. Full review >

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by Yi Shun Lai

Polar exploration transforms a young woman in unexpected and interesting ways in this original, evocative tale. Full review >

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by Gretchen McNeil

Readers will root for the multidimensional hero of this twisty whodunit with heart that’s sure to surprise and scare. Full review >

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by Walela Nehanda

Shatters mirrors and windows to reveal the jagged shards of self-determination: “gently volatile” and absolutely crucial. Full review >

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by Soyoung Park ; translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort

Transporting and unputdownable; an appealing combination of deep and page-turning. Full review >

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by Gretchen Schreiber

Honest and illuminating. Full review >

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by Kate Weston

A raucously entertaining examination of feminist principles. Full review >

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by Gene Luen Yang ; illustrated by LeUyen Pham

A sparkling romance anchored by a poignant coming-of-age story. Full review >

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by Jenn Bailey ; illustrated by Mika Song

A simple but engaging slice-of-life story. Full review >

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by Ruth Behar

Powerful and resonant. Full review >

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by Lesa Cline-Ransome

A deeply moving story that centers a distinctive part of the African American story. Full review >

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by Kate DiCamillo

Tenderly resonant and memorable. Full review >

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by Candace Fleming

A gripping narrative celebrating teen girls’ underrecognized contributions to Allied war efforts. Full review >

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by Veera Hiranandani ; illustrated by Prashant Miranda

A quietly brilliant, deeply insightful story of living in uncertain times. Full review >

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by Jay Hosler ; illustrated by Jay Hosler

A must-read for lovers of ants, ecosystems…and unlikely friendships. Full review >

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by Zora Neale Hurston ; adapted by Ibram X. Kendi ; illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson

A powerful enslavement narrative from a literary icon, deftly retold for a younger audience. Full review >

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by Hena Khan

A nuanced and quietly powerful story. Full review >

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by Katherine Marsh

A fast-paced adventure offering a fresh, feminist take on popular themes. Full review >

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by G. Neri ; illustrated by Corban Wilkin

Warm memories of really cold places and the people who brave them for science. Full review >

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by George O'Connor ; illustrated by George O'Connor

A rainbow bridge to a fresh set of mythological places and faces. Full review >

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by Dave Roman ; illustrated by Dave Roman

At once a silly, sweet escapade and a dramatic tale of self-discovery in one’s own powers. Full review >

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by A.J. Sass

Moving and memorable. Full review >

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by Aaron Becker ; illustrated by Aaron Becker

Epic storytelling erupts on the page without the use of a single word. Superb. Full review >

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by Cece Bell ; illustrated by Cece Bell

Hilarious, high-stepping tributes to a musical niche that never was. Full review >

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by Lesa Cline-Ransome ; illustrated by James E. Ransome

An excellent depiction of a life lived with purpose. Full review >

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by Deborah Freedman ; illustrated by Deborah Freedman

Cirrus-ly great. Full review >

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by Gary Golio ; illustrated by E.B. Lewis

This memorable offering is one readers will return to for moments of inspiration. Full review >

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by Ryan T. Higgins ; illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

A first-pet tale bursting with personality. Full review >

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by Joanna Ho with Liz Kleinrock ; illustrated by Dung Ho

A striking adoption tale that opens space for larger questions and feelings. Full review >

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by Rashin Kheiriyeh ; illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

A beautifully rendered biography that will spur readers to contemplate themes of love and connection. Full review >

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by Kyle Lukoff ; illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

Subversion in the salad! Destabilization with dressing! Social constructs fall by the wayside in this clever review. Full review >

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by Isabel Quintero ; illustrated by Iliana Galvez

A sweet, body-positive celebration of motherhood and its physical expression. Full review >

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by NoNieqa Ramos ; illustrated by Nicole Medina

Stories of important Puerto Rican women, told vividly. Full review >

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by Lisa Robinson ; illustrated by Hadley Hooper

A veritable feast for the eyes and the mind. Full review >

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by David Sedaris ; illustrated by Ian Falconer

Consider this little monstrosity a much-needed corrective to smarmy platitudes. Full review >

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by Maurice Sendak ; illustrated by Maurice Sendak

As a counting book, fun. As a new Sendak book, by its mere existence, notable. Full review >

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by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

Vast charm in a (relatively) small package yields big laughs. Full review >

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