Every year, She Reads reaches out to readers to discover the books that they thought were the best of the year! This year we had over 8,000 of you cast your vote and the results are in. In our roundups of all the Best Books of 2024, we’ll include the number one book, chosen by you and some favorites from our professional book loving editors. We hope this reading year was as wonderful for you as it was for us!
Best Book Club Pick of 2024: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
This was one of the biggest books of 2024 and for good reason. Gillian Flynn called this quiet, heart-filled thriller “an absolutely must-read novel”. And clearly, readers agreed. Set in 1975 Missouri, this gripping tale of missing girls, a reluctant hero, and the thin line between triumph and tragedy, blend a mystery, a thriller, and a love story into a powerful exploration of obsession and hope.
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Looking for your next page-turner to dive into with your book club? This year’s top picks are bursting with gripping stories, thought-provoking themes, and unforgettable characters that will spark lively discussions. Whether you’re gathering with lifelong book besties or meeting new ones, these selections are perfect for connecting over shared laughs, tears, and those “Wait, what just happened?!” moments.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The Wedding People is a wise and compelling novel about an unexpected wedding guest, Phoebe Stone, who arrives at a grand Newport hotel determined to indulge in one last splurge after a life-altering loss. Mistaken for a wedding guest, Phoebe’s presence becomes a surprising catalyst for connection, particularly with the bride, as they both confide in each other amidst a weekend full of unpredictable events. Full of humor, heartbreak, and unexpected twists, this novel explores the paths we take to find renewal and the chance encounters that can change our lives.
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James by Percival Everett
Set to become a Steven Spielberg-produced film, this 2024 standout and praised as one of the best books of the year. When the enslaved Jim learns he’s about to be sold away from his family, he hides on Jackson Island to plan his next move. There, he crosses paths with Huck Finn, who is escaping his abusive father, and the two embark on a dangerous journey down the Mississippi River. This reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn offers a fresh perspective on Jim’s intelligence, compassion, and agency, breathing new life into a classic tale.
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Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
There are three Blue sisters, but there used to be four, and they couldn’t be more different. Dealing with grief and trauma in their own ways, some healthier than others, they find themselves back in New York a year after their sister’s death, hoping to stop the sale of the apartment they grew up in. Soon they discover that the secrets they’ve held from each other may not be as crucial as the secrets they’ve held from themselves. Laced with humor and heart, this story of sisterhood reveals how to live life fully after loss.
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Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid is a sharp, thought-provoking exploration of ambition, relationships, and compromise. When super-senior Millie Cousins takes an unusual opportunity from a visiting professor, her plans are derailed by unexpected challenges. Perfect for book clubs, this fresh and provocative novel sparks rich discussions about what we’re willing to trade to get what we want.
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Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, a New York Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club pick, explores friendship, love, and the search for meaning with stunning insight. Set in Crosby, Maine, the story follows lawyer Bob Burgess as he navigates a murder case while forming a deep connection with writer Lucy Barton. Lucy reconnects with iconic Olive Kitteridge, sharing stories that bring forgotten lives vividly to light. Rich with empathy and layered storytelling, this novel is a masterful reflection on the ways relationships shape and sustain us.
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Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris
Four siblings reunite in North Carolina to save their ancestral home, the Kingdom, from developers after their father’s death. As they fight for the land, they confront long-held secrets—hidden love, anger, embezzlement, and identity struggles—that threaten to divide them. Their shared mission forces them to face their pasts and redefine their relationships. Told through alternating perspectives, this poignant novel explores family, forgiveness, and the legacies we leave behind.
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Real Americans by Rachel Khong
A powerful novel that invites reflection on identity, class, race, and family. It follows Lily Chen, a scientist’s daughter navigating love in New York, and her son Nick, who searches for his father on a remote island. With moving prose and rich themes of trust and forgiveness, Khong crafts a story about the legacies we inherit and the lives we build. Perfect for book clubs, this novel opens hearts and sparks meaningful conversations.
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Bear by Julia Phillips
Sam and Elena, sisters bound by their shared dreams, struggle to make ends meet on a remote island off Washington’s coast. Sam yearns to escape their stifling existence, but when a mysterious bear appears near their home, Elena is captivated, challenging their plans. As the bear’s presence stirs conflicting desires, the sisters must confront their bond and the forces shaping their lives. Bear is a richly imagined tale of sisterhood, survival, and the wildness within us all.
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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Instantly a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, this witty, slow-burn rom-com is the perfect summer read. Justin and Emma both suffer from a strange dating curse—but when they team up with a plan to cancel them out, sparks fly in unexpected ways. With an enchanting lakeside setting, surprising family challenges, and a dash of fate, this summer fling might just turn into forever.
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Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
Following Raquel, an art history student at a privileged university, who uncovers the forgotten story of Anita de Monte, a once-promising artist. As Raquel navigates her relationships and social struggles, she questions who gets remembered in the art world. Told from both women’s perspectives, the novel examines power, legacy, and identity with urgency and wit.
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The Women by Kristin Hannah
In The Women, Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nursing student, joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War, where she faces the chaos of combat and forms deep bonds with fellow soldiers. After returning home to a divided America, she struggles to reintegrate into a society that overlooks the sacrifices of veterans. This novel is a powerful exploration of friendship, patriotism, and the emotional cost of war. This one may break everyone heart in book club, but promises to offer healing as well.
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