by Victoria Bromley
There are so many books being published next year that we can’t wait for! From lit fic to non fic, here are the books we have our eyes on.
This year was a powerhouse for the publishing world, with instant successes such as Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and The Fraud by the ever-brilliant Zadie Smith. We’ve had plenty of debut authors show off their fresh talents, and returning favourites as well.
2023 has been a great year for books, but we’re already so excited to see what 2024 has to bring, with the first half of the year already promising titles that we’re already foaming at the mouth to read!
Piglet by Lottie Hazell (Doubleday, Jan)
Just around the corner, January promises one of the most anticipated debuts of the year, Piglet! This book is a delicious, witty and dark novel which follows Kit and Piglet (a childhood nickname) who are about to be married, but Kit has doubts thirteen days before the wedding… This contemporary novel seems just the thing to satisfy any reader’s appetite.
The Lodgers by Holly Pesters (Granta, Feb)
From poet Holly Pester comes her debut novel The Lodgers which is a lyrical story of shame, belonging and human connection. The protagonist moves into a new build flat which overlooks her mother’s house, and while this new space she inhabits feels far from home she delves into her childhood memories of living with her mother. A commentary on the housing crisis through the political lens of renting in this economic world, I am excited to read a book which feels completely different to anything else I have on my bookshelf.
Learning to Think by Tracy King (Doubleday, March)
This is the most anticipated memoir of the year! King grew up in poverty yet was surrounded by so much creativity and curiosity about the world. After the unsuspecting death of her father, King finds faith and has to learn to think for herself.
I was fortunate enough to meet Tracy King at the Doubleday showcase. It was wonderful to hear her talk about her book and the struggles and rewards of putting pen to paper. This is definitely a book I will read early in 2024.
Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes (Harper Collins, April)
This is a violent and witty novel which explores a woman’s anger and revenge when confronted with her memory of what happened at a house party as she awakes with bruises over her body. After women suffered at the hands of men at the party, she is determined with blind rage to have justice. Unhinged woman and feminine fury – I can’t wait!
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (4th Estate, May)
Cleopatra and Frankenstein took the publishing world by storm in 2022, and Mellors’ second novel is an ode to sisterhood and family. Three sisters reunite after the passing of their fourth sister, having built independent lives in Paris, London and LA. Navigating grief and love, this book sounds wonderful in every way – definitely will be reading this as soon as it hits the shelves.
Private Rights by Julia Armfield (4th Estate, June)
From the author of Our Wives under the Sea, Armfield’s upcoming novel is also a novel following sisters who grieve the loss of an estranged father. In a world which has been flooded and everything has been moved up to higher storeys away from the rising water, hope seems to be lost. The concept seems so intriguing and we can expect hauntingly stunning writing following her debut novel.
So many fantastic books we can’t wait to read. What is your most anticipated 2024 release?
swim press 