This January, librarians from across the country met to hash out the best books published in 2024 for adults. The Notable Books List highlights literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; the Listen List is all about outstanding audiobooks; and The Reading List, which I want to focus on today, highlights outstanding genre fiction in eight genres: Adrenaline (aka thrillers, adventure stories), Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Relationship Fiction, Romance, and Science Fiction.
While each genre has a winner, it also has a four-title shortlist. Taken together, the five books in each genre often represent a range of the types of stories a reader can find in that genre, with the idea that both longtime fans and folks new to the genre can find a title of interest. It’s a great place to find something new to read. Check out the 2025 winners (for books published in 2024) below, with annotations from the ALA Reading List Council; or find the full list in our catalog.
Adrenaline
What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan
When a college student vanishes on a trip with her boyfriend, his vague explanations spark a media frenzy with two sets of grieving parents at its center. In their small Vermont town, gossip, lies, and technology escalate the tension as everyone asks: What happened to Nina?
Short List:
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston ♦ Hunted by Abir Mukherjee ♦ The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean ♦ Smoke Kings by Jahmal Mayfield
Fantasy
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Luzia Cortado, a maid in Renaissance Madrid, uses Jewish folk magic to ease her tasks. When she discovers Luzia’s gift, Luzia’s mistress pulls her into the family’s aspirational schemes. Her subsequent lessons with the mysterious Santángel lead her reluctantly into the dangerous machinations of the Spanish court and the Inquisition.
Short List:
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown ♦ Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan ♦ A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher ♦ The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff
Historical Fiction
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
In 1950s Tehran, Ellie and Homa form a quick friendship despite their different social classes. As the two grow older, the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point and tests their bond, until an enormous betrayal leads to earth-shattering consequences.
Short List:
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore ♦ The Briar Club by Kate Quinn ♦ The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon ♦ Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
Horror
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
Screenwriter Mischa advocates for the fan-favorite queer characters on his hit television show. When the studio urges him to kill them off to boost the algorithm, Mischa’s past horror creations come to life and haunt him across Los Angeles.
Short List:
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne ♦ The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monica Kim ♦ The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir, translated by Mary Robinette Kowal ♦ We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Mystery
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
Frances Adams’s obsession with her own fortune-teller-predicted murder was dismissed for decades. When her body is discovered under mysterious circumstances at her rural English estate, the will reveals that Frances’s niece Annie will only earn her inheritance if she solves the crime.
Short List:
Death in the Spires by KJ Charles ♦ The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan ♦ A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke ♦ Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts
Relationship Fiction
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
Winston and Bernice, warring London neighbors with a shared garden, receive a mysterious bundle of pictures of the neglected plot from its glory days decades before. Inspired, they slowly learn to put aside their differences to restore the community garden together.
Short List:
Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner ♦ Family Family by Laurie Frankel ♦ How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley ♦ The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Romance
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
In 1960s New York City, hotheaded baseball shortstop Eddie is stuck in a career-worst slump and faces cold shoulders from his new team. When grieving journalist Mark is assigned to write about Eddie, their unexpected connection creates a spark that changes their lives.
Short List:
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi ♦ Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon ♦ How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang ♦ The Prospects by KT Hoffman
Science Fiction
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
Lapsed intergalactic art thief Maya reluctantly jumps back into action when her close friend Auncle asks for her help to retrieve an item that could save xyr species.
Short List:
Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa ♦ The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey ♦ The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley ♦ Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Happy Reading!
~ posted by Andrea G.
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