2024 Most Anticipated Book Releases (So Far)

Part 1: January through June

One of my favorite things to do is to keep a list of what books are coming out. (Actually, it’s not just a list. It’s an entire spreadsheet.) And there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of books coming out this year that have piqued my interest.

Ten 2024 releases I can’t wait to read.

But as much as I wish there was a enough time to read them all, I forced myself to pick just 10 that I knew I didn’t want to miss. These books have been on my radar for a while, and almost all are from authors I’ve read and loved before. (And they all have stunning covers, right?!) Don’t worry, in June I’ll send out a part two for the second half.

Note: Release dates are always subject to change – the dates listed are what I found via the publisher as of this writing.

January

Family Family by Laurie Frankel – Two of her previous books, This is How it Always Is and One Two Three, were five-star reads, so I have high hopes for this one. From Kirkus: “Without giving away too much of her dizzying plot, which is supercharged with cliffhanger chapter endings and parallel reveals, the novel is dedicated to the premise that not every adoption story is one of trauma—along the way we will enjoy many fine young characters and classic Frankelisms... Full of warmth, humor, and sound advice.” Out January 23.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton – Ghosts, her debut novel, was funny, sweet, and poignant, and her newests sounds like it will be the same. From Elle (UK): “The male perspective is rarely the focus in romantic comedy, but Dolly Alderton’s new novel corrects the imbalance… Relatable, funny and refreshing.” Out January 30.

February

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra – This is the only one on this list I’ve read, and it is absolutely worth the read (I even suggest you preorder it so you can start reading the day it releases). For fans of The Quiet Tenant, this feminist thriller follows a woman as she hides with her two young children from an intruder. What follows is a sharp, terrifying, visceral, and beautifully written story that you definitely don’t want to read when home alone at night. I’m not going to say anything more because it’s best going in knowing as little as possible. Out February 6.

A Fire So Wild by Sarah Ruiz-Grossman – From the publisher: “A riveting debut novel in which a wildfire creeps toward Berkeley, California, igniting tensions as characters from all walks of life confront the injustices lying beneath the city’s surface.” Charlotte McConaghy, author of Migrations, says it “tackles not only a terrifying natural disaster, but the scorching inequality of the aftermath, and demands that we don't look away.” Out February 20.

March

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez – I read her debut, Olga Dies Dreaming, in 2021 and while I didn’t love it as much as many, it was a complex and deeply layered novel that also entertained. From the publisher: “A mesmerizing novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death.” Out March 5.

April

One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole – Cole’s previous thriller, When No One Was Watching was another five-star read (I also adore her romance novels) that was thoroughly disturbing while also expertly crafting a history lesson. Her latest sounds to be similar in its creepiness and unique premise. From the publisher: “A riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer—and the ghosts of her past.” Out April 16.

Real Americans by Rachel Khong – From the publisher: “How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family and asks: What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures?” A family story spanning multiple generations is my catnip. Yes, please! Out April 30.

While it might seem like I forgot May, it just so happens that none of my top 10 are being published then, as of now. But don’t worry! There are lots of exciting books coming out in May (like new ones from Christina Lauren and Lucy Foley, as well as a debut literary mystery), and I’ll share more about those in future newsletters.

June

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe – From the publisher: “A bold, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartwarming story about one young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, new motherhood, and her meager bank account in our increasingly online world.” Out June 11.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore – I adored Moore’s 2020 release, Long Bright River, and have been eagerly awaiting a new book from her. This one sounds like it’s also a family saga wrapped up in a literary thriller. Miranda Cowley Heller, author of the The Paper Palance, says it’s “a brilliant, riveting fox-trap of a novel — an epic mystery, a family saga and a survival guide. Liz Moore shows us how easy it is for any of us to get lost in the woods, and what to do if you want to be found.” Out June 11.

Same As it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo – The Most Fun We Ever Had, Lombardo’s debut novel, took off when it was published in 2019, and many of us fans have been hoping she’d write another. Well, our wish came true and I cannot WAIT to get my hands on a copy. From the publisher: “Lombardo returns with another brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present.” Out June 18.

What book releases are you looking forward to this year?

One of the ways I find out about new books being released is via LibroFM’s “Coming Soon” bestseller playlist. (Like just now, I saw that Kate Quinn has a new book coming out in July and it sounds absolutely fantastic.)

If you aren’t familiar with LibroFM, it’s an audiobook service that you can either subscribe to (good for one credit per month for $14.99) or purchase individual audiobook credits from. They also always have great audiobooks on major sale, and you don’t need to subscribe to take advantage. The best part is LibroFM supports independent bookstores – rather than, ahem, Jeff Bezos – and you can choose which indie to support.

Use promo code CHOOSEINDIE for a audiobook with a new membership.

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And that’s it! I’ll be back in your inbox at the end of the month with a reading roundup and some links of my favorite things.