As the reading year winds down, readers are looking to 2024 and the exciting new fiction releases it will bring. From long-awaited sequels by bestselling authors to promising debut novels, the coming year is shaping up to be a standout for contemporary fiction.
Holiday Country by İnci Atrek (1/9)
Every summer, Ada leaves her lackluster life in California behind to visit her seaside hometown in Turkey with her mother and grandmother. Though deeply connected to the country’s culture, she knows her ties are only temporary. When a mysterious man from her mother’s past named Levent arrives, Ada imagines him rekindling her mother’s happiness. But as Ada plays matchmaker, she finds herself increasingly attracted to Levent as well. In this lush, evocative novel, author İnci Atrek thoughtfully explores the concept of living between two worlds, the constraints and freedom of translation, and the complexities of a cross-generational love triangle.
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Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange (2/27)
This anticipated follow-up to There There connects two Native American families across generations scarred by institutional violence. In 1860s Colorado, a Sand Creek survivor is imprisoned and forced to assimilate by a cruel evangelical guard. A generation later, the survivor’s son suffers similar abuse at the Carlisle Indian School. In present-day Oakland, the shooting that injured Orvil Red Feather caused ongoing trauma for his family. Orvil becomes addicted to painkillers while his brother engages in bloody rituals to connect with his Cheyenne roots. Their aunt Opal searches for healing through ceremony. Spanning past and present, Tommy Orange powerfully condemns America’s history of atrocities against Natives through interconnected stories of generational anguish and endurance.
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Mayluna by Kelley McNeil (2/1)
In the 1990s, English musician Carter Wills finds fame with his band Mayluna. His introspective lyrics and secret love affair with a mystery woman become legendary. Years later, the woman is revealed to be Evie Waters, when her adult children discover a photo of their mother with Carter. The story flashes back to Evie’s youth as an aspiring columnist in the 1990s. After a serendipitous interview, she forges an intense bond with the rising musician Carter. Their once-in-a-lifetime love deeply impacted their lives and music history. Now middle-aged, Carter and Evie finally reveal the euphoric yet wistful story of their star-crossed romance and profound connection.
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Say Hello To My Little Friend by Jennine Capo Crucet (3/5)
Aspiring Miami rapper Ismael “Izzy” Reyes dreams of attaining the fame and fortune of a Tony Montana-like figure. But after receiving a cease-and-desist from Pitbull’s team and living with his aunt, Izzy embarks on an absurd quest to reinvent himself as a Scarface-esque icon. His journey leads him to Lolita, an orca at the Miami Seaquarium whose captivity mirrors the sinking city. As Izzy’s backstory of fleeing Cuba as a child surfaces, this surreal fever dream of a novel reckons with nature, love, and one’s inheritance told through Crucet’s daring, heartbreaking lens.
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The Extinction Of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft (3/5)
Eight translators convene in a remote Polish forest to work on the latest book by acclaimed author Irena Rey. But she mysteriously vanishes days after their arrival. While continuing their translation, the group searches the primeval woods and studies Irena’s belongings for clues to her disappearance. This reveals shocking secrets that force translators from different nations to confront their differences and rivalries. As paranoia grows in their isolated fever dream, the translators become entangled in a complex web that threatens their work and Irena’s fate. This thought-provoking story by award-winning author Jennifer Croft examines art, celebrity, nature, and the power of language through an unforgettable adventure with a diverse cast of characters.
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The Hunter by Tana French (3/5)
Retired cop Cal finds peace in rural Ireland with local woman Lena and her wayward teenage son Trey, until Trey’s absent father returns with a rich Englishman to hunt for gold. Their scheme threatens what Cal and Lena have built with Trey. Both are ready to protect the boy, but Trey desires revenge against his father instead. When these motivations collide, hard choices must be made. From acclaimed author Tana French, this nuanced tale explores the lengths we’ll go to for loved ones versus revenge, and the sacrifices made when those forces conflict. Set in an atmospheric Irish village, it’s a gripping story of complex relationships tested by the past.
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Victim by Andrew Boryga (3/12)
Javier Perez leverages his disadvantaged background as a hustler’s son to gain acceptance to an elite university under false pretenses. As Javi embellishes his life story to appeal to the admissions committee, he drifts apart from his imprisoned childhood friend Gio, who sees through Javi’s new privileged perspective. After graduating, Javi’s embellished essays land him a writing role at a top magazine. When released, Gio is conflicted on whether to expose Javi’s lies or get a cut of his success. This book explores ambition, identity, and the blurred lines between Javi’s fabricated narrative and reality.
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Funny Story by Emily Henry (4/23)
When Daphne’s fiancé Peter leaves her for his childhood friend Petra, her move to his Michigan hometown leaves her without family or friends. She proposes being roommates with Petra’s ex— Miles, the only one who understands her predicament. Opposites in nature, Daphne and Miles avoid each other until they bond over heartbreak one day. They form an unlikely friendship and post misleading photos pretending to be a couple, despite not actually having feelings for one another. But as Daphne starts her new chapter, she finds herself surprisingly falling for Miles, creating a messy love triangle. This lighthearted story explores love, friendship, and new beginnings in an unexpected romantic entanglement.
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Oye by Melissa Mogollon (5/14)
As the youngest in her boisterous Colombian-American family, Luciana finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of caretaker for her eccentric grandmother Abue, who refuses to evacuate before a hurricane. While hunkering down together, Abue receives a serious medical diagnosis, sparking a personal journey for her. Luciana must balance her grandmother’s unpredictable demands with her own desires and distractions as a teenager. Chronicled through a series of phone calls with her sister, this coming-of-age story follows Luciana as she rises to the challenges of her complex family relationships and uncertain future, offering an entertaining and insightful portrait of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood.
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