Books You May Have Missed in 2024

About Tori Thurmond

Tori Thurmond combines her creative writing background with her marketing experience in her role as the Content Specialist at Brookdale. When she's not writing, she's probably spending time with her two cats or knitting.

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Improving relationships, getting better sleep, keeping your mind sharp and reducing stress are just a few of the benefits you might experience from reading more. If you’re looking to read more in 2025, consider picking up one of these popular books you may have missed last year. There’s a little something for everyone on this list, so choose one (or a few) that sounds interesting, grab a snack or cozy beverage and get to reading!

James by Percival Everett

If you’re a fan of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this National Book Award winner is for you. James is a reimagining of a classic American story told from Jim’s perspective. Jim and Huck meet again on Jackson Island where the two characters are attempting to escape their own lives in search for something better. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, “We may not be meeting Jim for the first time, but we’re introduced to him in a bold new way.”

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Sally Rooney does it again with this instant New York Times® bestseller. If you’ve read any of Rooney’s other works like Normal People or Beautiful World, Where Are You, you know she has a knack for creating complicated and relatable characters—and Intermezzo achieves just that. The story follows brothers Peter and Ivan Koubek who, although they are very different, are both dealing with their father’s death as well navigating complicated romantic relationships. If you love stories of romance, family and friendship, with a little bit of melancholy sprinkled throughout, consider picking up this popular read.

There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

Centering around his love of basketball Abdurraqib explores themes of success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and role models. Anyone who loves sports, memoirs or lyric prose should grab a copy of There’s Always This Year.

God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Stephen King writes about God of the Woods, “A long novel that at first is hard to put down. By page 200, impossible.” If you love to get lost in a mysterious thriller, God of the Woods might be your next favorite read. Earning a spot on The New York Times’ best thrillers of 2024 list, this novel explores the drama that unfolds when a teenage camper, Barbara Van Laar goes missing from a summer camp. This tragedy is amplified by the fact that Barbara isn’t the first Van Laar child to have gone missing—her older brother disappeared fourteen years before and was never found.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Lovers of romcoms are sure to be on the lookout for Emily Henry’s newest novel, and in 2024, it was Funny Story. The beloved trope of “opposites attract” is explored when Daphne is forced to become roommates with the ex-boyfriend of the woman her ex-fiancé left her to be with. Will this unexpected love story work out? Pick up a copy to find out.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

Have you been a long-time fan of Ina Garten’s cooking show Barefoot Contessa? You’re in luck! The Barefoot Contessa herself released her first memoir last year where she dives into her childhood, meeting her husband, working in DC, to eventually releasing a bestselling cookbook and iconic TV host.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

“The Women is the story of one woman gone to war but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten,” reads the novel’s book jacket. This historical fiction novel set during and after the Vietnam War dives into the story of Frances McGrath who joins the Army Nurse Corps. The novel follows McGrath as she navigates the hardships of war as well as the challenges of a divided nation when she returns home to the US.

The Bookshop by Evan Friss

If you’ve ever spent time browsing in a bookstore, you know what unique places they are. Evan Friss notes how unalike other retail spaces bookshops are and highlights their history in his book, The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. From Benjamin Franklin’s first bookstore in Philadelphia to Barnes & Noble®, Friss breaks down how books have been distributed for more than two centuries. If you’re a lover of books and bookstores alike, make sure to pick up a copy of The Bookshop next time you’re out browsing your neighborhood bookstore.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Winner of the Goodreads’® choice awards fiction category, The Wedding People is a heartwarming story of chance meetings. This mix of humor and emotional truths makes for a great read any time of year. Follow the main character, Phoebe Stone on her journey to the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island where she meets and begins to confide in a bride-to-be who’s getting married at the inn that weekend.

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In her latest book, indigenous author and scientist, Robin Wall Kimmerer asks the question, “Can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most?” as stated on the book jacket. While our economy is full of competition and hoarding resources, elements of the natural world, like the serviceberry, destitute their wealth to meet the needs of their natural community. TIME states that The Serviceberry is “[a] moving meditation on what a giving tree can teach us about building a fairer society…A compelling argument for a more ethical economy.”

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Dolly Alderton carries the humor of her well-known advice and non-fiction works into this relatable romantic comedy. The main character, Andy, works to figure out what went wrong in his most recent relationship with the hope of winning his ex back. If you’re in search of a relatable, funny and touching read, pick up a copy of Good Material.

Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley

As stated on the book jacket, “Grief Is for People is a story of the struggle to hold on to the past without being consumed by it.” In this memoir, Crosley explores how to live on after losing someone we love. Grief Is for People mixes humor, empathy and truth while challenging our society’s traditional outlook on mourning and grief.

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Fans of the hit show Gilmore Girls know that Emily Gilmore, played by Kelly Bishop, was just as much one of the Gilmore girls as Lorelai and Rory. But Bishop’s career started before her time in Stars Hollow. Her memoir, The Third Gilmore Girl, highlights lessons she’s learned throughout her life. As a bonus this book contains a special collection of personal and professional photographs to look through as you read.