The most recommended new fiction books

Who picked these books? Meet our 1,371 experts.

1,371 authors created a book list connected to new fiction, and here are their favorite new fiction books.
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Book cover of Windfall

Michael Laimo Author Of Missed Connection

From Michael's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Michael's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Michael Laimo Why did Michael love this book?

Interesting concept well executed!

By Wendy Corsi Staub,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Windfall as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this newest suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub, three friends’ lives terrifyingly unravel when they win a billion-dollar lottery jackpot—and one goes missing. Perfect for fans of novels like Taylor Adams’ No Exit and The Club by Ellery Lloyd.

 It was the girls’ weekend they’d never forget.

J.J., Molly, and Leila had once been inseparable, but it’s been a long time since college, and life—not to mention distance—have disrupted the former roommates’ friendship. When the three reunite for a birthday weekend in Las Vegas, the lottery ticket they buy on a whim has the…


Book cover of How to Love Your Daughter

Galina Vromen Author Of How to Love Your Daughter

From Galina's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Galina's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Galina Vromen Why did Galina love this book?

I thought it had great insight into the mother-daughter relationship

By Hila Blum,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked How to Love Your Daughter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE SAPIR PRIZE 2022 'A mesmerising, disquieting tale of family estrangement ... Unforgettable' OBSERVER 'A striking and memorable novel' MEG WOLITZER 'A stone-cold masterwork of psychological tension. Its final pages had me holding my breath' NEW YORK TIMES 'Hila Blum is my new favourite writer' LOUISE KENNEDY ------------------------------------------- What damage do we do in the blindness of love? Thousands of miles from her home, a woman stands on a dark street, peeking through well-lit windows at two little girls. They are the daughters of her only daughter, the grandchildren she's never met. At the centre of this mesmerising…


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Book cover of Hatching Love

Hatching Love By Heidi Matonis,

This is a story of how the human-animal bond can heal, connect and redeem us all – even possibly a very jaded ghost!

The story opens with Tom’s wife, Beth, receiving a shipment of duck eggs. She has watched a YouTube video and was charmed by the idea of hatching…

Book cover of The Shutouts

Ilana Masad Author Of All My Mother's Lovers

From Ilana's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Ilana's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Ilana Masad Why did Ilana love this book?

By Gabrielle Korn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Shutouts as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A brilliant queer dystopian novel from the author of Yours for the Taking, following a cast of characters on the margins of a strange and exclusive new society.

The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.

Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava,…


Book cover of The Wind Knows My Name

Joel Bakan Author Of The New Corporation: How "Good" Corporations Are Bad for Democracy

From my list on revealing the inhumanity of authoritarianism and fascism.

Why am I passionate about this?

A decade ago, we could not have imagined a world where democracy would be in existential crisis. Perhaps it’s overly dramatic to think that way – I hope so – but it does seem realistic at this moment. That is why I am so passionate about wanting to defend democracy and the kind of society it makes possible and why I am so drawn to works that express that passion through artful writing and story-telling. With authoritarian and totalitarian regimes dangerously on the rise, books that demonstrate the profound inhumanity and injustice of such regimes and how they extinguish democracy and human rights are needed now more than ever.

Joel's book list on revealing the inhumanity of authoritarianism and fascism

Joel Bakan Why did Joel love this book?

Isabelle Allende is truly one of the great writers of our time, a strong recommendation in itself. What I found particularly thrilling about this book, however, was the way she shed light on how authoritarianism and fascism are disproportionately devasting for the most vulnerable among us – children.

By weaving together narratives about the displacement of and harm to children during the Nazi holocaust and under the brutal immigration policies of President Trump, Allende provokes outrage and inspires compassion.

By Isabel Allende, Frances Riddle (translator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Wind Knows My Name as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE POWERFUL AND MOVING NEW NOVEL FROM LITERARY LEGEND ISABEL ALLENDE PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR 'A grand storyteller' - KHALED HOSSEINI 'A new novel by Isabel Allende is always a treat' - DAILY MAIL 'What a joy it must be to come upon Allende for the first time' - COLUM MCCANN No, we're not lost. The wind knows my name. And yours too. Vienna, 1938. Samuel Adler is five years old when his father disappears during Kristallnacht - the night their family loses everything. As her child's safety seems ever harder to guarantee, Samuel's mother secures a spot for him…


Book cover of Swimming in a Sea of Stars

Elizabeth Lowham Author Of Beauty Reborn

From Elizabeth's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Fantasy author Character enthusiast Artist Dreamer Bleeding heart

Elizabeth's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, Elizabeth's 2-year-old's favorite books.

Elizabeth Lowham Why did Elizabeth love this book?

This book hurt my heart in the best of ways. It tackles very difficult issues that teenagers face every day—depression, broken families, social pressures, and even suicide.

Despite that, it was not bleak; it was hopeful. It lifted my heart and made me grateful I spent the day with these fictional characters so that maybe, just maybe, I can help real people in my life.

After all, “a single kindness can save a life.”

By Julie Wright,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Swimming in a Sea of Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

A single kindness can save a life.

Journal entry: Heading to school. I know what everyone will say. There goes the girl who tried to kill herself.

Addison is no stranger to feeling stressed, insecure, and sad. Her therapist recommended she keep a journal to help her understand those feelings better, which she really needs today. It’s her first day back to school, several weeks after she survived her suicide attempt. She knows there are rumors about why she did it: A lousy home life? Bullying? Heartbreak? None of them are true, but it doesn’t matter because Addison still feels…


Book cover of The Sleeping Car Porter

Gail Nyoka Author Of Voices of the Ancestors: Stories & Lore From Ghana’s Volta Region

From Gail's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Assumption exploder Teller of tales Forest walker Kemeticist Circle dancer

Gail's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Gail Nyoka Why did Gail love this book?

I never met my great-uncle, a sleeping car porter, around the time of the setting of this book. His wife told me that the work had led to his early death.

I was interested to read this book about the life and work of a sleeping car porter. I was not disappointed. I was drawn to the character of Baxter, a man who dreamed of a life outside of the limitations he was presented with. In that, he had something in common with my great-uncle. 

By Suzette Mayr,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Sleeping Car Porter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE 2022 SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY TOP 20 LITERARY FICTION BOOKS OF 2022

OPRAH DAILY: BOOKS TO READ BY THE FIRE

THE GLOBE 100: THE BEST BOOKS OF 2022

CBC BOOKS: THE BEST CANADIAN FICTION OF 2022


When a mudslide strands a train, Baxter, a queer Black sleeping car porter, must contend with the perils of white passengers, ghosts, and his secret love affair

The Sleeping Car Porter brings to life an important part of Black history in North America, from the perspective of a queer man living in a culture that renders him invisible in two…


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Book cover of Quick Bright Things

Quick Bright Things By Michael Golding,

This delightful fable about the Golden Age of Broadway unfolds the warm story of Artie, a young rehearsal pianist, Joe, a visionary director, and Carrie, his crackerjack Girl Friday, as they shepherd a production of a musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream towards opening night. 

Drawn from the personal…

Book cover of The Days of Bluegrass Love

Michael Cart Author Of Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism

From my list on beautifully capturing gay teens’ lives and loves.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a full-time writer since 1994 and have so far published twenty-seven books, three of them with gay themes: My Father’s Scar, a gay coming-of-age novel and two about LGBTQ+ issues: Top 250 LGTBQ Books for Teens and The Heart Has Its Reasons, a history of queer literature. I’ve been interested in this literature since I was a gay teen myself, because there were no YA books with queer characters then. I missed seeing my face in the pages of a good book and so I promised myself that when I became an adult. I would make sure there was an ample assortment for today’s queer kids. And, guess what? I’ve kept my promise!

Michael's book list on beautifully capturing gay teens’ lives and loves

Michael Cart Why did Michael love this book?

Weary of people asking him what his plans for the future are, eighteen-year-old Dutch teen Tycho decides to travel from his Holland home to America to work at a camp for international kids. Along the way, he meets Oliver, who’s from Norway, and is also going to work at the camp. The two quickly become fast friends and then something more. When their love relationship is discovered, they’re expelled from the camp, and the two fly back to Norway where Tycho will stay with Oliver while the boy’s mother is gone. No, there are no wild parties, just a lovely examination of an emerging relationship that is challenged by Oliver’s keeping a closely guarded secret. If this sounds dull, trust me, it isn’t! Find out why I’m so crazy about this book by reading it. Tell them Michael sent you...

By Edward van de Vendel,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Days of Bluegrass Love as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Tycho Zeling is drifting through his life. Everything in it - school, friends, girls, plans for the future - just kind of ... happens. Like a movie he presses play on, but doesn't direct.

So Tycho decides to break away from everything. He flies to America to spend his summer as a counselor at a summer camp, for international kids. It is there that Oliver walks in, another counselor, from Norway.

And it is there that Tycho feels his life stop, and begin again, finally, as his.
The Days of Bluegrass Love was originally published in the Netherlands in 1999.…


Book cover of The Air Raid Book Club

Patricia McBride Author Of The Picture House Girls

From my list on WW2 saga books.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have written one complete WW2 saga series, Lily Baker, and am currently writing a second series, The Library Girls. I am addicted to reading about the period and can lose hours and hours doing factual research as well. My mother was a Cockney, and I became immersed in her wartime stories, mostly about the fun she had but also about her many struggles. I love stories about strong women overcoming adversity, and during WW2, many showed the world how capable and resilient they were. I have a Master's Degree in Professional Writing and write occasional magazine articles.

Patricia's book list on WW2 saga books

Patricia McBride Why did Patricia love this book?

I loved the way when reading this book, I learned a lot about the Blitz and the problems faced by Londoners, their struggles, and their strengths.

The main character, Gertie, is relatable, and I was keen to find out how she overcomes the trials and tribulations she faces. It is a warm and touching story about Gertie’s love of people and books (she has a bookshop). I loved her positive attitude even when her husband died.

I found it one of those books I couldn’t put down but didn’t want it to end.

By Annie Lyons,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Air Raid Book Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A warm and tender tale about the power and healing of friendship and community and the magic of books' - Ruth Hogan

As the bombs began to fall, the book club kept their hopes alive...

The most emotional, uplifting and captivating story of wartime London and the extraordinary power of books to shine a light and draw people together in the darkest of days, inspired by true events.

London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her…


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Book cover of The December Issue

The December Issue By J. Shep,

"a fresh narrative whose scale, ambition, and pathos elevate" -Pacific Book Review

"The December Issue warms up the soul from its first chapter to the last." -Chanticleer Book Reviews, 5 Stars

The joys of retirement feel imminent to columnist Paul Scrivensby, a native of the Great Lakes' very own St.…

Book cover of Breakable Things

C. S. E. Cooney Author Of Saint Death's Daughter: Volume 1

From C.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

C.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024

C. S. E. Cooney Why did C. love this book?

This collection of short stories spans Khaw's early career. You can see them learning how to a write a short story. The early work is mostly "vibes," dark and romantic and melancholy and rageful. The later work is fully realized, ambitious, nuanced. It's all worth reading. All of it. Khaw's language is deeply interesting. It's visceral. It feels everything. It's also horror, so... CW for guts.

By Cassandra Khaw,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Breakable Things as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Cassandra Khaw's dynamic and vibrant debut collection, Breakable Things, explores the fragile and nebulous bonds that weave love and grief into our existence. This exquisite and cutting collection of stories showcases a bloody fusion of horrors from cosmic to psychological to body traumas.
“Khaw (Nothing but Blackened Teeth) packs a gruesome punch with the 23 bite-size horror stories ... the distinctive authorial voice and uncanny atmospherics will surely find some fans.” Publishers Weekly

“A delicious bowl of razor blades. With coiled prose and whetted instinct, Khaw’s stories put a finger on the dark pulse of being human.” Rich Larson, author…


Book cover of Windfall
Book cover of How to Love Your Daughter
Book cover of The Shutouts

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