Member-only story
Featured
The Core's "Best of 2024" Book Roundup
The Year of Big Reads (and Big Covers)
There was a little bit of everything in books in 2024. We're spoiled for choices with the New York Times "Notable 100" (plus their Top 10), Guardians' year-end favorites, and Goodreads Choice Awards. Plus, TikTok fuels viral hits, New Yorker staffers uncover under-the-radar gems, and more special editions (embossed covers, stenciled edges).
The following novels, memoirs, and essay collections appeared in countless best-of lists. There was something about each that critics couldn't get enough of, and fans rated them near-perfect. We noticed a new wave of fancy hardcover mania — with stenciled dragons, floral edges, and reversible dust jackets.
Below, you'll find my final Top 10 for the year. Think of it as a "master mix" of the 2024 reading universe. Here's what you need to update your nightstand (or wish list)!
The Master List: Our 10 Favorite Books of 2024
1. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride
Where It Appeared: Bloomberg Top Business Leaders Pick, Goodreads Choice nominations, Winner of the 2024 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.
Why It's a Standout: McBride's story spans race, religion, and…
