As we approach the final chapters of 2023, we cast our minds forward to its sequel. 2024 is on the way and there are some new titles on the horizon that we are very giddy about. We're always looking for new books to fall in love with and share, so of course we've already been compiling a collection of books we're waiting with baited breath to see on our shelves.
Whether 2023 was the year that you rediscovered (or discovered) reading for pleasure or you have your fingers on the pulse of new releases and you're eagerly awaiting the next big thing from your favourite author, we've got you covered. In this collection you'll find a selection of books that will entice any bookworm.
We commented in our 2023 preview last year that we expected Bookstagram and BookTok recommendations to keep going from strength to strength, and boy were we right. We think it's safe to say that 2023 was the year of romantasy and one author in particular. 2023 will go down in bookworm history as the year we fell in love with Rebecca Yarros, with Fourth Wing published in May and Iron Flame swiftly following in November. Readers are left chomping at the bit for the next instalment of the Empyrean series and whilst we're hopeful a new title will be coming towards the end of 2024, there's no date as yet. We'll have to make do with the paperback releases for now.
Thankfully there's plenty of books that we know for definite are coming to our bookshelves very soon. Sticking with the Bookstagram theme to start off, Sarah J. Maas' House of Flame and Shadow is due to set social media on fire on the 30th January.
Other big names and long-standing favourite authors with confirmed new releases include: Elly Griffiths, Percival Everett, Colm Toibin, Chris Hammer, Mark Billingham, Milly Johnson, Clare Mackintosh, Stuart Turton, Stephen King, Leigh Bardugo, Ali Hazelwood, Dorothy Koomson. Scroll below to see the full Collection to see whether your favourite author is on the list.
Many of us will have read a Kristin Hannah book, and most of us will have adored it. She has an uncanny ability to write such beautiful yet powerful books. And she does it again with The Women, a story of devastating loss and epic love. It is both an intimate portrait of a woman coming of age in a dangerous time and a story of a nation divided by war.
Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age was a book we couldn’t put down when we first read it so we’re super-excited to get our hands on her next book Come and Get It, due on 30th January. Love a razor-sharp, gripping page-turner, then Kiley’s your gal.
John Marrs fan? Set in the same universe as John Marrs' bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' - a virtual baby.
Enjoy a shorter read? Spanning three hundred years of art history, The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession is a vivid and inventive collection of stories. Stories of those with an insatiable hunger for creation - those who may sacrifice friendships, careers, romance, and even their own happiness in pursuit of a vision.
Our Expert Reviewers have already had a sneak peek at some of the January releases and the reviews are rave. Liz Robinson describes City of Stardust by debut author Georgia Summers as "a stunning clarion call of a debut novel that dwells in curses, magic, and gods as it explores the effects of love and betrayal". We're already sold!
Meanwhile Lily Lindon found Open Minded by Chloe Seagar to be "a warm-hearted romcom for all kinds of curious daters". Joanne Owen has been reading Adorah Nworah's House Woman, again a debut, that's "thought-provoking, unnerving and utterly gripping".
Stepping into non-fiction, How Ready Are You For Love? by The School of Life will be on its way to us in February, just in time for Valentine's Day. Boasting the entertainment value of a magazine-style quiz, this unpacks personal psychology to help readers enjoy more fulfilling relationships. A great pick for anyone looking to live their best relationship life in 2024.
Love a memoir? How about a funny read? Tick both of them off with friend of LoveReading Helen Lederer’s forthcoming book Not That I’m Bitter. It’s sweet, sour, laugh-out-loud, and addictive. After all, according to Dawn French, “Helen Lederer is the third funniest woman in the world”. And we concur, she’s an absolute hoot!
Talking about hoots, John O’Farrell can do no wrong in our eyes. Whatever he creates, he writes with humour and heart. In between his two comic memoirs, he’s published five novels, two funny history books (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain and its sequel) plus three collections of his satirical columns from The Guardian. With his customary warm-hearted wit and razor-sharp political satire, in Family Politics he delivers another hilarious and entertaining dissection of the zeitgeist and offers a funny and insightful antidote to our divided times.
2023 brought us plenty of big and small screen adaptations to get excited about, with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Leave the World Behind and who can forget the devastating second season of Good Omens. 2024 stands to be no different. On the 1st of January One Life will enter cinemas, inspired by the book of the same name by Barbara Winton. This major movie starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter tells the story of the incredible humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton. Read Barbara's exploration of her father's 106-year life before you go to see it on screen.
If you’ve been loving the recent Netflix adaptations, the new Harlan Coben called Think Twice is out in May. Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy in the middle of a NYC sports agency. Think Jerry Maguire with murder and mayhem.
The Cook of Castamar by Fernando J. Muñez has also had a screen transformation and is a major Netflix series. The hardback will be released on the 4th January, it's "bold, passionate, and dramatic, this historical romance set in early 18th century Spain is a novel into which you can completely immerse yourself".
If historical fiction is your thing, Alison Weir returns with the spellbinding story of Mary I. And Stacey Halls returns with a captivating, highly anticipated new novel, inspired by real historical figures and events. The Household is the new novel from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. Set against Charles Dicken's home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history, it is Stacey Halls' most ambitious and compelling novel yet.
If you haven’t yet found the world of HMRC in Juno Dawson’s incredible series, check it out now before the third book in the series Queen B hits the bookshelves in July. The next enchanting installment of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven fantasy series takes us back to the reign of Henry VIII and the origins of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven under the beautiful, the bewitching, Anne Boleyn.
And last but no means least we have to shout about Daisy Goodwin’s new book, actually sing it from the rooftops! It’s an absolute triumph. We could not put it down. It’s very special indeed. The incredible story of the incomparable Maria Callas. Wow, just wow. Pre-order Diva now.
Keep scrolling to see the tip of the iceberg of brilliant books on their way to us in 2024. You can also explore what's coming up next year for younger readers in our LoveReading4Kids Preview. Or take a look back at our Books of the Year and see if there are any 2023 highlights you may have missed.
We look forward to enjoying another cracking year of reading with you.
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