The Best Books of 2024

Compiling the best books of the year has been one of my favorite projects since 2018. I began at the end of August, when the Booker Prize released its longlist. During September and October, I added a few more awards lists, and in November, more outlets released their top picks of the year. Learning which books reviewers, critics, librarians, and booksellers love is always interesting.  Of course, “best” is subjective, which is evidenced by the number of titles that people from across the country (and across the pond in a few cases) selected as their favorites. People prefer different genres, and not everyone reads and reviews the same books.

I viewed 50 lists from magazines, websites, newspapers, book review journals, awards committees, libraries, bookstores, and podcasters. While I like to use the same sources year to year, it doesn’t always work out. Some places use the same format every year, while others change how they compile their lists or change the number of selections. Some lists are short, with only 10 titles, while others highlight books from various genres and can be as long as 200 titles. Some sources list only fiction or fiction and memoirs or tend to skew that way, which limits the number of nonfiction books you see.

For the first time since I have been tallying the lists, a book has appeared on more than 30 lists. James, by Percival Everett, is on 38 lists! Only one other book is on over 20 lists, but we do have 2 on 19 lists. Overall, I recorded 870 different titles, which is more than last year. Of those, 670 appear on only one list, and 46 of the lists include at least one title that is distinct to that list. Some of the books nominated for awards are not on other lists. More titles are recognized on the lists in 2024 than in 2023, but fewer titles appear on 10 or more lists.  The books below are the most critically acclaimed of the year, appearing on at least 10 lists.

Click on an image for more information.

Many great books were published in 2024. If you are looking for more options, click on the image below. It includes books that appear on at least 5 lists as well as staff picks. It also indicates which books are available in alternate formats such as Large Print, Audio, Overdrive/Libby, and Hoopla.

You can find some of these books on display on the first floor of the library. Please note that many are checked out due to their popularity. If you would like to reserve a book, you can place a request in the online catalog, fill out a request form, or call the reference desk at 978-674-4121.

Let us know if you read any of these books. If you love them, you can write a review or place them in the “Awesome Box” at the ground floor checkout desk.