Welcome back to our new and improved Litty Committee, PEDESTRIAN.TV’s book club where we curate, recommend and review the best books of 2024 (so far).
We’re halfway through the year and we’ve already banked up a gorgeous list of book releases so, I hope your TBR piles are stacked with all the juicy releases provided so far.
Prepare your tote bags because I’ve updated my list of the best books of 2024. In my opinion, anyway. From poetry and sci-fi to contemporary fiction, non-fiction and beach reads, we’ve got you covered.
Best New Books July 2024
Anyone’s Ghost by August Thompson (Fiction)
In Anyone’s Ghost by August Thompson, the story spans over two decades where Theron David Alden recounts his tumultuous relationship with Jake, who survives two car crashes but not the third. From their teenage summer in New Hampshire to intense nights in New York City, their bond is a mix of joy, self-discovery, and heartache.
This poignant love story delves into the complexities of connection, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the bittersweet nature of longing and loss.
I’m so ready to sob with this one. Anyone’s Ghost will hit shelves from July 11.
The Afterlife Confessional by Bill Edgar (Non-Fiction, Memoir)
Oh, we’re about to get the tea from the grave. Literally. This guy gets paid to crash funerals. Bill Edgar, also known as The Coffin Confessor has delivered his second book The Afterlife Confessional. In this memoir, he reveals his extraordinary journey as a private investigator who delivers deceased clients’ last wishes at funerals.
Navigating through tales of swindlers, cheaters, and secret keepers, Edgar explores profound questions about love, justice, and the human soul. This memoir delves into the poignant and sometimes outrageous requests he fulfils, offering a deeply moving reflection on the complexity of life and death.
The Afterlife Confessional will hit shelves from July 2.
Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent (Fiction, Romance)
For my lovers of romance, drama and that one man you can’t get out of your head, I’m recommending you pick up Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent. Our protagonist, Olive Stone inherits her estranged father’s failing restaurant and his wish for her to complete his cookbook with his charming sous-chef, Leo Ricci.
Despite her plans to sell the restaurant, a four-week culinary journey through Italy tests their recipes and deepens their unexpected attraction. As they travel from Sicily to Tuscany, Olive reconsiders her plans and confronts her feelings for Leo, discovering more about herself along the way.
You can grab Just One Taste and eat it up from July 3.
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor (Fiction)
Did you love The Dry? Well, Australian author Hayley Scrivenor is back with Girl Falling. The novel follows childhood friends Finn and Daphne as they share a deep bond forged by tragedy. As their paths diverge – Daphne at university, Finn in the Blue Mountains – they face new tensions when Finn falls for Magdu, a captivating newcomer.
A rock-climbing trip turns deadly when Magdu falls. Was it an accident, suicide, or something darker? This gripping story delves into the complexities of friendship, love, and the stories we create about those we cherish.
Run, don’t walk: Girl Falling will be available from July 30.
Together We Fall Apart by Catherine Newman (Fiction)
When you think of your family portrait, how deep do you go? This month I’m recommending Together We Fall Apart. Sophie Matthiesson delivers a poignant debut novel about Clare, who has spent seven years in London working on child protection cases while her partner, Miriam, cares for their son, Rupert.
When Clare returns to Melbourne to visit her ailing father, she must confront her brother Max’s drug addiction, jeopardising her family back in London. This insightful tale explores themes of escape, responsibility, and the complexities of family ties.
Debut Australian author? Drama? Count me in. You’ll be able to get your copy of Together We Fall Apart from July 2.
Best New Books June 2024
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (Fiction)
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of a young woman navigating new motherhood and financial desperation.
We follow Margo Millet, the daughter of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, turns to OnlyFans for quick cash after being abandoned by her baby’s father. With the help of her flatmate and recovering addict father, Margo becomes an online sensation, exploring the unexpected highs and lows of internet fame. Go, diva go!
You can get your hands on Margo’s Got Money Troubles from June 11.
Finding Your People by Alexandra Hourigan and Sally McMullen (Non-Fiction, Personal Development)
Finding Your People by Alexandra Hourigan and Sally McMullen are here to deliver THE relatable guide to navigating friendships in a world of instant communication. The hosts of the popular podcast Two Broke Chicks share insights from their seven-year best friendship, offering advice on finding, keeping, and ending friendships. In their book, the two address common challenges like conflict, miscommunication, and life changes. This is an essential resource for anyone looking to strengthen their platonic relationships and make meaningful connections.
Finding Your People will hit shelves from June 4.
Parade by Rachel Cusk (Fiction, Faber)
If you’re not on the Rachel Cusk train yet, you should be. With her newest novel, Parade, Cusk continues to deliver the provocative exploration of art, family, and identity. An artist gains fame by painting his wife upside down and unattractive, while a Parisian woman faces a life-altering attack. The death of a mother forces her children to confront their past, and an artist adopts pseudonyms to escape familial expectations.
Cusk’s visionary narrative shatters storytelling conventions, revealing deep truths about human nature and relationships. So, read this and do your homework on the rest of the trilogy.
Parade will be available from June 4.
The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada (Non-Fiction, Memoir)
The Bookstore Woman by Nanako Hanada is a heartfelt memoir about a woman who transforms her life through books and unexpected encounters. After hitting rock bottom following her separation, Nanako starts offering personalised book recommendations to strangers via a dating website (ok this is iconic, no?!).
Her journey of self-discovery and the joy of reading showcases the power of books to connect and heal. This memoir is a love story dedicated to the transformative magic of literature.
The Bookshop Woman will hit shelves from June 11.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman (Fiction)
Aight, this one is for fans of Marian Keyes! Sandwich by Catherine Newman is a poignant and humorous novel set during a family holiday in Cape Cod. Rocky cherishes this annual escape, where she feels perfectly balanced between her young adult children and her healthy parents.
However, secrets and unexpected events disrupt this harmony, challenging her desire to preserve the golden moments. As Rocky navigates these changes, the novel explores family dynamics and the inevitability of life’s flux.
You can grab Sandwich from June 11.
Best New Books May 2024
A Letter to the Luminous Deep By Sylvie Cathrall (Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: A Letter To The Luminous Deep is an epistolary academic romance set in an alternate world, where humans live in floating colonies on the ocean. E Cidnosin, an extremely anxious woman who lives underwater, and Henerey Clel, a sweet and enthusiastic scholar of marine biology who she has been writing to, mysteriously vanish. A year after their unexplained disappearance, Sophy, younger sister to E, and Vyerin, older brother to Henerey, piece together fragments of E and Henerey’s letters, as well as their own, to figure out what happened.
Review: There was so much I liked about this book: the characters are funny and sweet, the setting is intriguingly mysterious and there is a surprisingly earnest depiction of OCD and anxiety. However, what this book lacks is plot. The flirtations between E and Henerey, while sweet, become repetitive and tiresome, to the point where I found myself skimming pages to get to more important dialogue. Things finally pick up in the last few chapters of the novel, only to be abruptly cut off — because it turns out that, actually, this story continues in a second book. We have been deceived! So while I still recommend the book, there is disappointingly little pay off for the time you will invest in it.
A Letter to the Luminous Deep hits shelves on April 30.
Table For Two by Amor Towles (Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: From author of the globally recognised A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway, Amor Towles is back to treat his fans (including me) with Table For Two. Towles charms us through a collection of six stories set in New York City and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood. Delving into the consequences of fleeting encounters and the intricacies of modern marriages, the New York tales evoke the year 2000’s ambiance.
Towles is a New York Bestseller, surely that’s enough to persuade you to pick up a copy. This is something for my classics-lovers looking to get a taste of one of the greatest.
Table For Two will be available to add to your TBR piles from May 14.
Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran (Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: From the Miles Franklin award-winning author of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, Shankari Chandran, comes Safe Haven — a novel about Australia’s cruel treatment of asylum seekers.
Fina is a refugee welcomed into the rural town of Hastings, Australia, after fleeing persecution in Sri Lanka. After four years, Finna is settled into her new life and becomes a beloved member of her community — until one fateful night, when she is whisked away and detained in Port Camden detention centre. At the same time, mysterious death at the centre is investigated by Lucky — but what she finds may reveal secrets that could save or destroy Fina’s life.
Review: Wow. What a beautiful, poignant, perfect book about the power of community and what we can all achieve when we come together behind a common goal. It’s obvious upon reading that this novel is heavily inspired by the Biloela Community and their relentless (and highly publicised) fight to keep Nades, Priya and their two little girls in Australia after they were almost deported. Safe Haven is about a lot of things, but overwhelmingly, it is about the indomitable human spirit. It was one of my best reads of the year. Five stars.
The Librarians of Rue de Picardie by Janet Skeslien Charles (Fiction, Historical)
Lachy’s Pick: The history nerd in me is shaking! The author of global-success The Paris Library is back to deliver a novel based on true events of Jessie Carson who changed the literary landscape in France during the First World War.
In Janet Skeslien Charles’ The Librarians of Rue de Picardie, the echoes of two women’s lives reverberate through time. In 1918, Jessie Carson left the New York Public Library to aid war-torn France, establishing children’s libraries amidst the chaos. Decades later, Jessie’s legacy is uncovered by librarian Wendy Peterson, sparking an obsession that reveals their shared connection. Across continents and eras, their stories intertwine, weaving a tapestry of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of literature to shape lives across generations.
The Librarians of Rue de Picardie hits bookstores April 30.
Ghost Cities by Siang Lu (Historical Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: From Siang Lu, the writer of The Whitewash (one of my favourite satires), comes a unique novel that follows multiple stories that don’t appear initially to intersect, but somehow, do.
At the centre of it all is a young man named Xiang, who is fired from his job as a translator at Sydney’s Chinese Consulate for secretly using Google Translate. His relocation to a vacant ‘ghost city’ in China parallels an ancient Emperor’s odyssey, and asks questions about love, creation and art.
Ghost Cities releases on April 30.
Depth of Field by Kirsty Iltners (Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: In Kirsty Iltners’ award-winning novel Depth of Field, Tom finds himself tethered to memories of his past love, Adeline, amidst a run-down home and a faltering photography business. Stuck in a low-commitment relationship, he struggles to move forward. Meanwhile, Lottie navigates the challenges of single motherhood in a cramped flat above a fish and chip shop, yearning for connection amid financial strain. As their paths intersect, both Tom and Lottie search for meaning and belonging in a world where the only constant is each other.
Depth of Field will hit bookstores May 1.
Psykhe by Kate Forsyth (Fiction, Fantasy)
Soaliha’s pick: Greek mythology has been having its biggest moment since the Percy Jackson series thanks to feminist retellings of its most popular stories, and Psykhe is the latest novel of this genre.
Psykhe is beautiful and powerful, and women of these qualities always leave others threatened. After she unwittingly angers Venus, her life is torn apart, and she strives to pick up the pieces — and in doing so, meets and falls for Ambrose, who she is forbidden to see the face of. When be breaks this rule, she damns them both — and must risk travel to the Underworld to save him.
Psykhe will release on May 28th.
The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick (Fantasy, Romance)
Soaliha’s pick: Yes, yes, I know you what you truly want: another enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance. And I shall deliver.
Wren is an orphan, and the caretaker of her younger sister. They live in Edgewood, a land surrounded by a magical barrier that protects townsfolk from the Deadlands. One day, the barrier weakens — and the only thing that can save it is the blood of a mortal woman bound to The North Wind, a dangerous immortal. When he chooses Wren’s little sister, she decides she will do whatever it takes to save her — even if it means sacrificing herself.
This novel is giving Katniss Everdeen x Beauty and the Beast. I know the feral Booktok girlies are going to froth it.
The North Wind hits shelves on May 1.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: In Kaliane Bradley’s debut novel, The Ministry of Time, a disenchanted civil servant enters a world of temporal intrigue when offered a job at a mysterious government ministry. Tasked with assisting an expat from 1847, Commander Graham Gore, she becomes his bridge to the modern world. As they navigate the complexities of time travel, their relationship deepens amidst the clash of past and present. But when the true nature of their mission is revealed, they must confront the weight of history and the power of love in a tale where England’s fate hangs in the balance.
The Ministry of Time hits shelves May 14.
A Perfect Day To Be Alone by Nanae Aoyama (Fiction, Translated)
Lachy’s Pick: In the spirit of me loving translated novels, especially from Japanese authors, Nanae Aoyama’s – A Perfect Day To Be Alone is one I was very excited to get my hands on.
We follow twenty-year-old Chizu who finds herself sharing a Tokyo home with seventy one-year-old Ginko after her mother’s departure. Through tedious jobs and disappointing relationships, Chizu navigates the seasons, ultimately discovering independence and resilience in solitude.
Aoyama’s poignant narrative delves into the depths of loneliness and heartbreak, offering a moving exploration of youth’s struggle for autonomy.
You can grab A Perfect Day to Be Alone from May 14.
Best New Books April 2024
The Work by Bri Lee (Romance, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: The Work by Bri Lee unveils a magnetic tale of love, art, and ambition. Lally, an impassioned Manhattan gallery owner, collides with Pat, a scholarship-driven hopeful in Sydney’s antiquities scene. Their instant chemistry sets the stage for a complex, transcontinental relationship.
Lee crafts a dazzling exploration of life’s intersections — art and commerce, intimacy and distance, talent and entitlement. The Work is a funny, unforgettable journey into modern love, passion, politics, and power, marking Bri Lee as a brilliant voice in Australian fiction.
Review: From the very first chapter, I was simply hooked. It’s a beautiful concoction of art, intimacy and feminine power. Bri Lee provides an education on the realities of the art world I didn’t know I needed. Lally and Pat’s character development is so prominent from the beginning, making each chapter digestible even if we’re flicking from each of their perspectives. The intimacy is raw, real and sometimes left me a little flustered! Following both of their lives was exciting. I couldn’t put it down so I’m urging you to pick this one up.
The Work will hit bookstores April 3.
Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin (Fantasy, Romance)
Soaliha’s pick: Song of the Six Realms follows Xue, an indentured servant and talented qín player who finds her life turned upside down after her uncle — her only family — is killed by bandits. Soon after, the mysterious and earnest Duke Meng seeks out her services, but after they are attacked by a magical beast, it’s clear he is not what he seems. Before long, Xue becomes entangled in his world of mythical beings and gods, and she not only has to save her own life, but the world, too.
Review: Song of the Six Realms is beautifully written, almost lyrical, which is fitting given it’s really about the transformative power of music. It’s not often I find fantasy books that are so polished (the Sheinifcation of romantasy is certainly to blame for that), so it truly was a refreshing read.
However, for those who don’t love intense world building, be warned: at times I struggled to keep up with all the mythology required to understand the happenings of this book. In that way, it’s a bit of a heavy lift. In terms of its plot, I was hooked from the beginning, but admittedly, felt a little disappointed by its ending. I felt that the main thesis of the novel ended up being abandoned. Still, it was so wonderfully written, and the characters so intricate, that I forgive it. 4/5 stars.
Song of the Six Realms will hit shelves on April 23.
The Gentleman From Peru by André Aciman (Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Author of the cult classic Call Me By Your Name is back. André Aciman is delivering us his ninth novel, The Gentleman From Peru, and consider me sat!
Its premise follows a group of college friends who find themselves stranded at a luxurious hotel on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Whilst they spend their days in the sun, they’re intrigued by a mysterious white-bearded stranger who frequents the veranda, unaware of the profound impact he will have on one of them. As the stranger shares his enigmatic story, the novel explores themes of longing, destiny, and profound love. Atmospheric and evocative, The Gentleman From Peru immerses readers in a world of introspection and revelation, offering a captivating journey through the complexities of human connection and the search for meaning.
I’m hoping this lives up to the hype of CMBYN and gives me the time back I spent reading Find Me (lol).
Review: Update on the above ^ it didn’t. Aciman’s writing continues to be noteworthy in The Gentleman From Peru with his ability to place readers into each scene much like most of his novels. The first half of the novel felt like a slight ramble intertwining various story-lines. In the second half, we hit the main synopsis of the novel, expectedly. We follow a time travel-esque journey between two characters – something I’ve not read much of leaving the twist quite endearing.
I was slightly underwhelmed and gave it 3 stars on Goodreads where I also learned that it was released in 2020 as an audio book?? Given the success of Call Me By Your Name, Aciman kept this one short and sweet, however, I personally don’t think this lived up to its success. I was praying for another LGBTQIA+ storyline but was disappointed. In all honesty, I wasn’t too sure what to expect but it could be a contender for those looking for an easy read or lovers of Aciman’s works
The Gentleman From Peru will hit shelves on April 2.
You Are Here by David Nicholls (Romance, Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: If you were wilfully victimised by David Nicholls’ absolutely heart-wrenching novel One Day (which was recently adapted into a Netflix film that truly broke people’s souls), then I’m sure you’ll want to read his latest release, You Are Here.
The story follows Marnie, a woman who feels stuck, like life is passing her by, and Michael, a depressed man who is still reeling from his wife leaving him. After a series of events, and a persistent friend, brings the two together, Marnie and Michael go on a life-changing walk together.
You Are Here releases on April 30, but get in quick because I have a feeling this one will sell out.
Wrong Answers Only by Tobias Madden (LGBTQIA+, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Tobias Madden is back with his new novel Wrong Answers Only. The life of our protagonist Marco takes an unexpected turn when he’s sent to live on a Mediterranean cruise with his estranged uncle. Despite hoping for answers about himself and his family, Marco finds himself lost in a sea of questions.
When his best friend CeCe suggests breaking away from his pattern of always doing the right thing, Marco embarks on a journey of self-discovery, starting with a forbidden romance onboard the Ocean Melody. This is the drama I wanted from the nine-month cruise. This story explores the liberating power of embracing the unexpected and challenging societal norms.
Wrong Answers Only will hit the shelves from April 3. And if you’re not familiar with Madden’s previous works, I suggest you do your homework!
Deep Water by James Bradley (Science, Non Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: The ocean is a beautiful, mysterious, and — at least, for me — a downright terrifying place. And yet, in a time of intense climate change and the acceleration of global warming, it’s more important now, than ever, that we understand it.
James Bradley takes us on a deep-dive into the wonders of the ocean, how it not only sustains but shapes life on Earth, and how it connects all living beings.
The book, full of myth-busting, mysterious, and heartbreaking revelations, is an ode to the ocean, and a call to action for those of us still around to protect it.
Deep Water will release on April 3rd.
The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton (Mystery, Thriller)
Soaliha’s pick: From the author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle comes another genre-bending, high concept murder mystery for you to sink your teeth in on a foggy autumn night.
In The Last Murder at the End of the World, the world was destroyed by a killer fog — only one island remains, safe behind a security system, with 122 villagers and 3 scientists who live in blissful harmony. However, one morning the villagers wake up to find one of their beloved scientists is dead — murdered — and the act has triggered the removal of the security system. The people only have 107 hours to solve the murder and save their island before the fog rolls in — but someone has wiped their memories of the events last night. So, one of them is a murderer — and doesn’t even know it.
The Last Murder at the End of the World releases on April 3.
The Book of Roads and Kingdoms (History, Non Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: Conversations’ Richard Fidler was surprised to read the travelling accounts of Ibn Fadlan — a 10th century Arab diplomat — and find that he had a remarkably modern voice, “like that of a twenty-first century time-traveller dropped into a medieval wilderness”.
As a Muslim woman myself, I know this actually isn’t surprising at all. In the Islamic Golden Age, the pursuit of knowledge was paramount — as encouraged by the Prophet (peace be upon him) — so if you read some of the writings and poetry of Muslims at the time, you’ll find them strikingly scientific and thoughtful.
The Book of Roads and Kingdoms dives into such accounts, and follows the travels of diplomats from imperial Baghdad to all around the world. You’ll learn what made the empire beautiful and, ultimately, what led to its downfall.
The Book of Roads and Kingdoms hits shelves on April 3.
Funny Story by Emily Henry (Romance, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Strap in #booktok fiends, Emily Henry isn’t finished with us yet. Funny Story follows Daphne who finds herself stranded in a small town, after her fiancé confesses his love for his childhood best friend Petra. With a dream job but limited funds, Daphne reluctantly becomes roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles — a scruffy, heartbreak-prone contrast to her practical nature.
As they navigate their newfound friendship and concoct a plan involving misleading photos, Daphne questions if she’s ready to open her heart to unexpected love in this shimmering tale of opposites and second chances.
Funny Story will be in bookstores from April 23.
This Is Why You Dream by Rahul Jandial (Science, Non Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: One for my divas who love to analyse and understand their dreams! This Is Why You Dream by Rahul Jandial, MD, PhD. delves into the subconscious realm of dreaming, unveiling its ancient significance and modern applications. Exploring the multifaceted roles of dreams, from emotional regulation to memory processing, creativity, and health forecasting, Jandial reveals how understanding dreams can enhance our waking lives.
Drawing from cutting-edge research, he offers insights on harnessing lucid dreaming for skill development, transforming nightmares and deciphering desires. This insightful exploration illuminates the profound impact of dreams on our psychological wellbeing and cognitive potential.
One thing about me is I used to want to be a neurosurgeon and well… here I am writing about books but I gobble up anything about the brain where I can!
This Is Why You Dream will be available from April 23.
Best New books March 2024
Who’s Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler (Non Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: From the iconic author of Gender Trouble — which pretty much redefined how we approach (and potentially even express!) gender and sexuality — Who’s Afraid of Gender? tackles the right-wing hysteria around gender and the resulting devolving of rights of queer people in because of it.
Right wing, conservative circles have developed an intense and violent anxiety about the power of gender diversity, which they feel threatens their power and way of life. From TERFS to authoritarian, fascist leaders, it seems everyone is talking about gender for all the wrong reasons. How did we get here?
At a time where we are seeing rapidly escalating attack on trans people, drag queens, and really anyone that questions cisnormativity, this book could not come soon enough. It’s essential Pride reading, and possibly one of the most important books to come out in 2024.
Who’s Afraid of Gender? hits shelves on March 19, 2024.
We Are Together Because by Kerry Andrew (Science Fiction)
Lachy’s pick: We Are Together Because by Kerry Andrew is a gorgeous blend of sci-fi and a domestic drama. It’s The Last of Us meets Leave The World Behind, in a tumultuous wave of suspense and apocalyptic tension.
Our sibling protagonists navigate the complexities of their unconventional family while holidaying at their father’s French home. Amidst simmering tensions and suppressed desires, we follow them grapple with their identities and relationships. As strange phenomena unsettle the land and mysterious events begin to occur, the siblings must confront not only their inner turmoil but also a looming threat that could upend their world.
I’m a HUGE sci-fi nerd so this is definitely right up my alley. We Are Together Because is set to hit shelves on March 12, 2024.
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen (Fantasy Romance)
Soaliha’s pick: Calling all BookTok lovers: this is THE romantasy novel of 2024, and I don’t make that claim lightly.
A Fate Inked In Blood is a fantasy novel inspired by Norse mythology. It follows Freya, a 20-year-old woman who dreams of becoming a respectable warrior, but is instead married off to a cruel, abusive fisherman. When he betrays her deepest secret — that she is a child of the gods — to their power-hungry king, a battle over which kingdom can possess her throws her world into chaos. And the only person who sees her for who she is, is forbidden to her.
Review: I have read a lot of romantasy books in my time, especially with their popularisation on TikTok in recent years, and admittedly most of them are not very well-written, even though they’re a fun time. This is largely due to the publishing industry’s over-reliance on tropes as a marketing trend, and a lack of rigorous editing (sorry Fourth Wing, I’m looking at you).
However, I can confidently say that A Fate Inked In Blood is not one of those books. Sharply written, gripping from the get-go, and with genuinely high stakes (and toe-curling sexual tension to match!), this deserves to be at the top of your TBR pile. I devoured it in days and it’s become one of my favourite books of 2024 — and I suspect it’s about to get really big on BookTok. 5-stars!
A Fate Inked In Blood will be available for purchase on March 5, 2024.
Beautiful Chaos by Jessica Urlichs (Poetry)
Lachy’s pick: I’m in my poetry era this year and respectfully, you’re coming along for the journey. Jessica Urlichs’ Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, following the journey from pregnancy to children becoming school-aged. The collection is a reminder that becoming/being a mother is extraordinary — amongst the highs, lows and the brutal but beautiful ways children hold mirrors up to mums everywhere.
Review: Reading this collection reminded me of my sister and her unconditional bond with my nephew. As the fun uncle, I get to see the highs but I also learn about the lows. Her strength cannot be faulted over the last two years, it’s been incredible to witness. I’m constantly reminded that raising a little one can be tough but it’s a bond that can never be broken. To my sister, I love and respect you as a mother more than I can place into words.
Beautiful Chaos will be available from March 5, 2024. P.S would be a great one for Mother’s Day coming up in May.
Go Lightly by Brydie Lee-Kennedy
Soaliha’s pick: This one’s for the bisexual Gen Z girlies with a serious case of main character syndrome. If you’re looking to increase your repertoire of books about LGBTQIA+ characters, add this to your Pride reading list.
Ada is an agent of chaos whose answer to most questions is “yes”. Very much a believer in living for the story, she’s always down for a wild night or a reckless decision, because it’s worth the fun story it will be the next day — when when the decisions in question maybe aren’t one’s she would make for herself. So when she develops a crush on both Sadie and Stuart at the same time, she thinks it’ll be funny to pursue them both.
However, these decisions quickly catch up with her, and force her to consider: who is she really, behind this main character venneer?
Go Lightly hits shelves on March 12, 2024.
Thanks for Having Me by Emma Darragh (Fiction)
Lachy’s pick: At first glance, I thought the title was a polite goodbye after a dinner party. I was wrong. Emma Darragh’s debut novel Thanks For Having Me is a raw and funny exploration of family ties, showing us the messy, unfiltered reality of what we give and take from those closest to us.
We dive into the lives of three generations of women from the same family as they navigate the ups and downs of girlhood, motherhood, and self-discovery. When Mary Anne walks out on her family in Wollongong (wait, Wollongong in a novel?! Fun and fresh) it leaves her daughter Vivian grappling with her own search for meaning, while Vivian’s struggles as an adult in marriage and motherhood echo down to her daughter Evie.
I’m strapping in for this one! It’s next on my TBR pile. Thanks For Having Me will be available from Feb 27, 2024.
Butter by Asako Yuzuku (Fiction, Crime)
Soaliha’s pick: This thrilling Japanese bestseller written by multiple award-winning author Asako Yuzuku is finally getting an English-translation release after huge acclaim.
Gourmet cook Manako Kajii has been imprisoned after being convicted for the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she seduced with her home cooking. Despite the press’ desperation for an interview, Kajii refuses to speak to anyone — until she gets a letter from lonely journalist Rika Machida, who writes to her asking for her beef stew recipe. As the two become closer, something awakens in Rika — and she learns they relate more than she thought.
This book has been lauded as “shocking”, “unsettling” and deliciously “uncomfortable”. Its strikingly erotic descriptions of food almost remind me of the cooking scenes in Hannibal — but with a distinctive feminist overtone.
Butter‘s English-translation paperback will hit shelves on March 6, 2024.
The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul (Memoir, Non Fiction)
Lachy’s pick: This is it, this is the one the Drag Race fans have been waiting for. In his new memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, RuPaul delivers us the inside scoop on his life journey so far. Being a fan of his work, I didn’t know too much about where it all began. This was an education I was sat for.
Word-for-word, RuPaul gives us the mannerisms and language we’d expect from him in person as The House of Hidden Meanings shares RuPaul’s philosophical thoughts and ideas. It was like having a breakdown in the werkroom while he’s standing right there telling me to get out of my head. As expected, we get the raw and unfiltered version behind the glitz and glamour during his rise to stardom.
The House of Hidden Meanings will be available from March 6, 2024. This is a crucial Pride Month purchase! I don’t make the rules.
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill (Thriller)
Soaliha’s pick: Novels about murderous authors seem to be a growing genre, which pleases me because I absolutely froth stories about the vicious nature of the publishing industry.
In this literary thriller, Theo Benton abandons her career in law and instead decides to finally finish her novel. But when her mentor, a highly successful author, is murdered, her world turns upside down. Suddenly, her brother is a suspect and Theo must protect him — so she decides to solve her mentor’s murder and find the culprit. But the thread of deception keeping the killer safe is unravelling, and the truth will come out — unless Theo and everyone around her is taken out first.
Honestly, I love conspiracy theories and never tire of the line “it goes all the way to the top!”, so this is one I’m keen for.
The Mystery Writer releases on March 6.
Pelican Girls by Julia Malye (Historical Fiction)
Lachy’s pick: Described as “a historical feminist epic, for readers of Barbara Kingsolver, The Matrix by Lauren Groff and The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li“, Pelican Girls by Julia Mayle delivers a beautiful take on female friendship and survival.
Halfway around the world, in America, French settlers are in want of wives. At the La Salpetriere asylum, a list is drawn up and eighty-eight women of childbearing age are to be shipped to New Orleans. Among them are our three protagonists; Charlotte, Genevieve and Petronille – a brusque orphan, an accused abortionist and a rumoured madwoman.
We follow their journey across the ocean and the unknown that follows, the harsh or extraordinary. Love and betrayal will unfold in their new wild and beautiful land.
Pelican Girls will hit bookstores from March 5, 2024.
Best New Books February 2024
In Bad Faith by Dassi Erlich (Memoir, Non Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: In Bad Faith by Dassi Erlich is a poignant memoir detailing her life in a closed ultra-Orthodox sect. Enduring a harsh upbringing, Erlich becomes the target of a predatory teacher. This honest and harrowing journey sheds light on Erlich’s fight for justice against a secretive community.
Erlich’s story unveils her struggles with the oppressive environment and the fight for her own identity. In Bad Faith is one of the most-talked about memoirs of the year (so far) so it’s earned a spot on top of my TBR pile.
Content warning: This book discusses sexual abuse.
In Bad Faith will be in bookstores from January 31, 2024.
Under The Tamarind Tree by Nigar Alam (Drama, Mystery, Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: 1964. 2019. Under The Tamarind Tree is told in two timelines, both in the perspective of Rozeena. In the 1960s, Rozeena and her family have fled to Pakistan post-Partition and are coping with the grief and trauma of their journey. She and her friends, in their early 20s, are trying to start their new lives — when a friend dies at a party they all attended, and things change forever.
In 2019, Rozeena is looking after a friends’ granddaughter, and in turn developing a friendship with her. But the past is starting to unravel — and the truth coming to light could destroy everything she’s worked so hard to protect.
With themes of intergenerational trauma and fractured families, this novel is one I know will hurt. But, you know, in a good way.
Under The Tamarind Tree hits shelves on February 1, 2024.
Everything is Perfect by Maxine Fawcett (Romance, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: In Maxine Fawcett‘s Everything is Perfect, we delve into the meticulously curated life of our protagonist — Cassandra Prince. Perched on the edge of her forties, Cassie resides in a blissful beachside haven with her accomplished husband Jon and their two children. From the outside, her life appears flawless, but within, Cassie grapples with the ennui of midlife.
As she confronts the strains of ageing, a stagnant marriage, and the demands of motherhood, a chance encounter with Chris Lancaster, a charismatic widowed father-of-five, unravels a cascade of daydreams about a captivating and uncertain future.
Review: This one definitely surprised me. At first glance, I was expecting the classic ‘house-wife seeking a new adventure and hot sex’ and don’t get me wrong — it is that — but it’s also something more. Our protagonist is mother-dearest Cassie, who swans through life and constantly fights battles within her own mind. As the story develops, you see Cassie’s behaviour change drastically — to the extent where I was thinking “surely fkn not”. One of the key themes of this novel addresses the fact that suppressing our past, it will eventually catch up to us in the present/future. In some parts, the story did lack depth but that’s me being a harsh critic. It’s an easy to digest storyline which I devoured in a day.
Everything is Perfect is set to hit the shelves on February 6.
The Book of Love by Kelly Link (Fantasy, Fiction, Romance)
Soaliha’s pick: Praised by the likes of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo, The Book of Love has been described as “gorgeous”, “weird” and “heartbreaking”. A combination of traits that I know means when I read this book, it will destroy me.
The story follows teenagers Laura, Daniel and Mo who disappeared a year ago and were presumed dead — only to suddenly reappear in their high school with no knowledge of what happened to them. After striking a deal with their music teacher (who revived them?), the teens are allowed to stay in this existence while they complete magical side quests — and solve their murder. And then, only two will be allowed to stay.
From what I can tell, this is the type of story that builds you up and then rips your heart out. Given that I am a huge fan of Leigh Bardugo, this is next on my reading list.
Book of Love will be available on February 6, 2024.
Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead by Jenny Hollander (Thriller, Mystery)
Lachy’s Pick: Jenny Hollander‘s debut thriller Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead explores the complexities of escape, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a future that refuses to be shackled by a haunting past.
We are thrust into the world of Charlie Colbert, a woman haunted by the traumatic events of the “Scarlet Christmas” at her prestigious journalism school. Having spent the last decade meticulously rebuilding her life, Charlie is now a successful magazine editor engaged to a publishing industry powerhouse. However, when a film adaptation of the event comes to light, threatening to unravel her carefully crafted facade, Charlie faces her moment of reckoning.
Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead will hit the shelves on February 13, 2024.
The Briar Book of the Dead by A.G. Slatter (Fantasy, Thriller)
Soaliha’s pick: I am quite partial to a witchy thriller, and The Briar Book of the Dead is certainly that. The novel follows Ellie Briar, the only non-witch in her family of Briar Witches. When the family matriarch dies unexpectedly, she and her cousins must take up the mantle of the family’s “benevolent dictatorship” of the town of Silverton. At the same time, Ellie discovers a new power she didn’t know she had — she can talk to ghosts — and with it comes an unravelling of dark family secrets that could doom them all. Oh, and she also solves a bunch of murders. Fun!
Review: This book is, in many ways, a domestic thriller — which was pretty unexpected but I really enjoyed it. Despite the spooky happenings in the background (which honestly could have had a bit more limelight), we are largely focused on Ellie’s inner-musings, ghostly side quests and her turbulent relationship with her witchy family. While at times the earlier elements of the novel can feel a bit slow, they’re never boring, and things pick up around the halfway-mark to a frantic finale that more than pays off. The book is clever, dark and beautifully written, and Ellie is a wry and often hilarious protagonist. Everytime I picked it up, I struggled to put it down and actually get some work done. Highly recommend!
The Briar Book of the Dead will be available for purchase on February 13, 2024.
Always Will Be by Mykaela Saunders (Speculative Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: At a time post-referendum and during the destruction of Gaza, conversations around what self-determination and decolonisation actually mean for Indigenous people are more important than ever. Koori/Goori and Lebanese writer Mykaela Saunders seeks to open up that conversation, in this collection of speculative fiction short stories on what a sovereign future could look like for First Nations people.
Review: Equal parts cynical and optimistic, this novel has completely changed the way I think about the future and made me re-evaluate what exactly we mean when we talk about the world “ending”. During a time of climate chaos and fraught politics, it distills a sense of hope in the ability we as humans have to turn this ship around — and I think it’s one of those book that everyone should read, regardless of background. Definitely add it to your “must read” list of 2024 — I suspect this might end up being one of my best reads of the year.
Always Will Be releases on February 27, 2024.
Good With Money by Emma Edwards (Personal Finance, Non Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Ever woken up after a night out and cringed at your banking app? Placed an order for that random Amazon item at 3am? Felt helpless and overwhelmed when trying to stick to a new budget? (I’ve officially been seen). Emma Edwards is here with Good With Money, the guide that delves into the psychology behind spending habits, providing practical insights on managing finances while still enjoying life’s pleasures
Edwards is a financial behaviour expert and guides us through the process of reclaiming decision-making power, examining beliefs, identity, and habits to emerge with a newfound sense of being Good With Money.
Given the current economic climate, I will be adding this to my TBR pile. Stay tuned for any success on my end!
Good With Money will be available to purchase February 27.
Joy Moody Is Out Of Time by Kerryn Mayne (Fiction, Mystery)
Soaliha’s pick: Joy Moody is the mother of twin girls. Since as far as they can remember, Joy has been telling her daughters that they are from the future, and that when they turn 21, they will travel back to where they came from — the year 2050. The story is meant to explain how they came into her care — but it turns out, it’s actually a long and dark deception. And then, on their 21st birthday, Joy is found dead.
This novel has been described as a “quirky” and “unpredictable” (read: completely bonkers) whodunnit murder mystery, which is one of my favourite genres of all time. However, it’s also an exploration of suburban motherhood — and how far you’ll go to keep your kids “safe”.
Joy Moody Is Out Of Time will release on February 27.
Chloé by Katrina Kell (Contemporary Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Chloé by Katrina Kell unveils the gripping tale of a courageous young woman who served as the muse for one of Australia’s most renowned paintings. Set against the backdrop of Victoria’s shipwreck coast, revolutionary Parisian art studios, and the harrowing battlefields of Flanders, this novel reimagines the tumultuous history of the mysterious woman immortalised in Jules Lefebvre‘s iconic 1875 painting, Chloé.
Locked in Melbourne’s Young & Jackson Hotel since 1909, the novel passionately unravels the enigma behind the canvas, exploring the life of Marie, a luminous spirit who defied societal norms and left an enduring impact across time and space.
Chloé will be available to pick up from February 27.
Best New Books January 2024
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake (Fantasy)
Soaliha’s pick: I have never read anything quite like The Atlas Six — its conversations of philosophy, handling of metaphysics and razor sharp wit left me wondering if I’d just read the cleverest fantasy book, well, ever. Olivie Blake is a force to be reckoned with, and her cast are some of the most complicated, nuanced and well-written people I’ve read. If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know I’m an absolute sucker for intricate, thorny characters, so it’s no surprise that I’ve started collecting all of Blake’s other books for holiday reading.
The Atlas Complex — the final installment of the Atlas trilogy — sees the characters who were recruited to the Alexandrian society reckon with the debt they owe the library, the ethical conundrums that come with their own ever-increasing powers, and who they’ll have to betray to keep those powers.
I’m currently devouring a review copy of this novel and can confirm, it’s going to be one of the best books of 2024. It has has everything #BookTok loved about the first two books: wit, drama, tension, power. And, for those who are already fans, the first chapter opens with Atlas’ backstory. I know we’re all dying to know who this man really is, and how he became the mastermind behind the end of the world.
The Altas Complex will arrive on shelves January 9, 2024.
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray (Romance, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: Emily Henry lovers, brace yourself for here is your next Summer read. Natalie Murray‘s Love, Just In follows Sydney journalist Josie Larsen, almost 30 and trying to figure it all out. An assignment sends Josie to Newcastle (we love a bit of Newy) where she reunites with an old friend. It’s giving 13 Going on 30 but make it Aussie!
Review: I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. I’d gotten four chapters in and placed it face-down for a few days until I decided it deserved a second chance. I’m usually not a fan of the back and forth storyline/character development but Murray does it in a way that’s both endearing and playful in a sense for the reader. It’s a crucial element of Love, Just In as we join Josie and Zac on their journey having grown up together. THEN it gets really horny, quite quickly to which we love. However, the premise of the novel lies deeper with discussions around grieving loss and health anxiety. It’s a homegrown romance and one I’ll be recommending throughout the remainder of the Summer for my girls and gays to endure by the beach or in the park.
Love, Just In will arrive on shelves January 3, 2024.
Rabbit Hole by Kate Brody (Mystery, Thriller)
Soaliha’s pick: Mystery is my second favourite genre of books (the first is fantasy, obvs), but I have a complicated relationship with it because I don’t like the way true crime can become such a spectacle. It’s no surprise then that Rabbit Hole, a thriller novel about a disturbing Reddit true crime community, is on my list of 2024 books to read in January.
The story follows Teddy, whose sister Angie vanished 10 years ago, her disappearance still unsolved. In the aftermath of the suicide of their father, Teddy — now an English teacher — discovers a Reddit community obsessed with Angie’s disappearance. Unable to tear herself away, she becomes bewitched by the community, and one user in particular. Will this community help her find the answers that she seeks? Or will it destroy her?
Review: The marketing of this book is misleading, it’s not really about about the toxic and predatory nature of true crime sleuths/conspiracy theories. In reality, it’s a beautifully-written exploration of a woman’s all-consuming grief. It’s slow, and there’s not a lot of plot, but I still spent every minute away from this book thinking about how much I needed to get back to it. Until the last few pages, anyway. I wish this novel concluded a few chapters earlier, in a beautiful and poignant scene between Teddy and her mother. Instead it dragged out and the ending left me feeling icky — it felt like none of our problematic main characters grew or learned, which left me wondering what the point of this journey was. Still, if you like novels about dissociative and antagonistic women, then definitely give this book a try. 3.5/5 ⭐️
Rabbit Hole releases on January 16, 2024.
The Festishist by Katherine Min (Literary Fiction)
About the book:
Lachy’s Pick: In Katherine Min‘s The Fetishist, a grieving daughter seeks revenge against the man responsible for her mother’s death, triggering a chain of unforeseen reckonings. Tea.
We follow Kyoko, a Japanese American punk-rock singer consumed by rage and grief; Daniel, a philandering violinist confronting his past; and Alma, a Korean American cello prodigy with a lot of questions as she nears the end of her life. The story exuberantly explores themes of race, complicity, visibility and femininity.
Despite Min’s untimely death in 2019, her novel remains a source of wisdom and power, solidifying her legacy as a writer with a distinctive voice of our times. This is one I’m super keen to pick up.
The Fetishist will hit shelves on January 9, 2024.
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland (Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller)
Soaliha’s pick: The Invocations is at the top of my 2024 reading list because of its themes, which a gal like me simply cannot resist. Witches? A serial killer/murder mystery? The dark underbelly of London? Queer female rage? What more could I ask for in an urban fantasy?
This twisty novel follows three women: Zara, who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring back her dead sister (even if that means partaking in the occult); Jude, whose soul has become necrotic after a disastrous deal with a demon; and Emer, who has the solutions to Zara and Jude’s problems, but a dark past of her own — and the bodies are piling up.
Review: I devoured The Invocations quicker than its demons devour untethered human souls. This bloody, gruesome murder mystery romp is such a great time, but what really makes it special is that it also has so much to say. Despite being filled with creepy possessions, necrotic flesh and gory bloodlust, the most terrifying parts do not involve demons at all — for it is men that are the true threat in this novel. Feminist, bold, and yet tender and compassionate, this is one of my favourite reads of the year.
The Invocations releases on January 30, 2024.
Just Friends by Gyan Yankovich, (Non-Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: When was the last time you thought hard about just how much you love your friends? Gyan Yankovich‘s Just Friends is here to remind you why we should be doing so. Described as an ‘ode to the people who shape us’ and ‘a book to press into the hands of the friends you love the most’. Say no more.
Friendships take form in many ways – the workplace (love you Soaliha!), motherhood our neighbourhoods and more. Are we appreciating these people enough? They’ve probably seen us at our worst. I’m ready to learn a thing or two with this one. I confess, I should tell my gorls I love them more.
Just Friends will arrive on shelves January 31, 2024.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross (Fantasy Romance)
Soaliha’s pick: Ruthless Vows is the sequel to Divine Rivals (AKA one of the most celebrated fantasy romance novels on #BookTok) and the final installment of the Letters of Enchantment duology.
It follows Iris and Roman, who we first met in Divine Rivals as rival journalists who fell in love through anonymous letters to one another amidst a war between gods. The first book was described as “rich”, “romantic” and “tender”. In Ruthless Vows, the war is far from over, and Iris and Roman have become separated. Roman is missing, with no memory of his past — or Iris. And when he begins writing again, it’s for the enemy.
Ruthless Vows releases on January 3, 2024.
Couple Goals by Nicole Haddow (Personal Finance, Non-Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: How do you talk about money without killing the romance? Should you discuss what happens if it doesn’t work out? Very valid questions and Nicole Haddow is here to help answer the with Couple Goals (financial goals for couples, not aesthetic IG couples).
This book is a practical and inspiring look at what can be achieve if you’re a united team. I’m (redacted)-years-old and excited to learn more about not only just Nicole’s story but the secrets of success from expert and others. We truly love learning here with Litty Committee.
Couple Goals will arrive on shelves January 10, 2024.
It’s Probably You by Jayne Denker (Romance, Fiction)
Soaliha’s pick: If you’re looking for something easy, sweet and heartwarming to pick up while you’re splayed on a beach towel, then It’s Probably You will be perfect for you.
This summer romcom follows Gillian, who is happily single and done with dating apps following too much body-shaming and general nastiness from men. Instead, she focuses on nurturing her home’s garden. That is, until a handsome, grumpy, brooding (!!!!) man moves in next door. This is, surprisingly, a rivals to lovers story — and with a plus-sized heroine to boot, something we definitely need to see more of in the romance genre.
It’s Probably You releases on January 3, 2024.
The Other Bridget by Rachel Johns (Romance, Fiction)
Lachy’s Pick: The Other Bridget is a charming tale of a librarian, Bridget Jones, named after a famous fictional character (love her), as she navigates her romantic aspirations in Fremantle, Western Australia. Raised on a remote cattle station with her mother’s romance novels as companions, Bridget becomes a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic and the transformative power of books. This is a bit of me. I’m also a book nerd, romantic raised in the sticks. A story for another time, though.
One minute she’s in a book, the next she’s meeting hot barista Fabio, who obviously joins her bookclub — adding that steamy (barista pun) romantic twist. Determined to find the right books to capture their hearts, Bridget enlists the help of friends and library regulars, discovering that while not ALL romances begin with a meet-cute, they can still lead to their happily ever after.
As a hopeless romantic and a huge fan of the genre, I can’t wait to dive into this one!
The Other Bridget will hit shelves January 30, 2024.
Well there ya have it, folks. The best books of 2024 (so far). Watch this space as more books release and we add our reviews!
2024 Book Recommendations Release Schedule
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