Top 10 Fiction Books of 2024

Dec 19, 2024

Fiction’s turn! To see my nonfiction picks, click here. I really enjoy hearing about everyone’s favorite books from the year. Do chime in with yours.

These are my top 10 fiction reads from 2024. As with my nonfiction picks, none actually came out this year but this is the year I read them.

Best in Show

A LITTLE LIFE by Hanya Yanigahara. This is a gorgeous, sweeping and eviscerating novel. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Runner Up

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE by Claire Keegan. Beautiful prose, endearing characters and vivid setting.

Small Things Like These (Oprah's Book Club)

Runner Up

ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whittaker. Whittaker’s WE BEGIN AT THE END was a hands-down favorite a few years ago and this one didn’t disappoint. The arc is long and the ride is worth it.

All the Colors of the Dark: A Novel [Book]

Finalist

THE HUMANS by Matt Haig. I’m not usually one for sci-fi but this one was so good. Fun and smart and really more magical realism than sci-fi.

Finalist

THE GREAT BELIEVERS by Rebecca Makkai. This one is such a vivid, warm, saturated snapshot of a very specific time. I think this one should be read by high school students everywhere.

Finalist

YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang

Whoa. First, a fast, compulsive read. Second, it’s satire and so well done. Third, what a crazy peek into the writing industry and “cancel culture.”

Finalist

THE VASTER WILDS by Lauren Groff. This one has a similar vibe as Hamnet, if you’ve read that. It’s a lyrical story of a girl in the wild, trying to survive.

Finalist

THE BEE STING by Paul Murray. This is a long read and there were times I didn’t know if the ride would be worth it but the ending pulled it all together in such a powerful way.

Finalist

ELSEWHERE by Alexis Shaitkin. This was such an interesting concept and I still think about this book often. The ending didn’t satisfy quite as much as I hoped but the premise pulled me all the way through.