The New York Times Best Books of 2024

Here are the New York Times' top 10 books of 2024 including fiction and nonfiction. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

--------------------

Books discussed & purchase links:

All Fours by Miranda July

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

James by Percival Everett

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue (translated by Natasha Wimmer)

Cold Crematorium by Jozsef Debreczeni (translated by Paul Olchvary)

Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer

I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sante

Reagan by Max Boot

The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides

My full reviews of some of these books:

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:15 All Fours
3:08 Good Material
4:12 James
6:05 Martyr
7:25 You Dreamed of Empires
8:35 Cold Crematorium
9:51 Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
10:28 I Heard Her Call My Name
11:00 Reagan
12:06 The Wide Wide Sea
13:00 Conclusion

--------------------

Get in touch

[thomaswoodfill]

Hi Eric
I read James and Martyr! Enjoyed both of them and they are 2 of my favorite books this year.
My TBR pile keeps growing because of your synopsis and enthusiasm for the books you recommend.
Thanks for all the hard work you put in to your videos.

[ChrisSenM]

Really enjoyed your commentary on these books. I've added a few to my list.

[wilfamos]

I love these best books reviews, so very useful and informative. Thanks so much for another fantastic video. 🙂

[johnthomas]

What a terrific run down and enthusiastic overview. I have read and LOVED James by Percival Everett. Based upon what you said about Cold Crematorium, I read what the NYTimes wrote about it and then ordered it from my local fay owned bookstore in The Castro, SF. Thanks!

[cherylynlarking]

Thanks for your eummary of the books. You have reminded me that I need to read more non fiction in the new year.

[adrianprice]

Well done Eric. Always useful to get your run down and analysis.

[iLoveKibumAndHeechul]

Thanks for this video! I was trying to get the list from nyt but its behind a paywall. Then i came across this video with a review and synopsis of each one: even better!!! Adding several of these to my list!

[hayleystenger]

I am reading Everyon Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer right now. It is really interesting. It discusses migration from Central America to the United States beginning in the Carter administration. It gives a great perspective from both the migrants and the political complexities within the U.S and other countries in Central America. It describes how the U.S. is in a lot of ways responsible for the situation the migrants are in. Once I saw it on the 100 Notable List, I knew it would make it here. Thank you for the video!!

[GemofBooks]

I’ve only read James from this list, but certainly interested in most of them! Thanks for the run down Eric 😄

[SelinaAllinson]

I'm loving all of these best of '24 videos Eric 🩷 Thank you for sharing with us. I've read Good Material, James and Martyr! I loved all of them. I plan on listening to All Fours as soon as I've finished listening to Wifedom, great to hear you are getting on well with it.

[barbaramcfadden]

Thanks. Great list. I finished Good Material this week. (Somewhat surprised by that choice. But, it was enjoyable.)

[HelenSchneider-tlyh]

You Dreamed of Empires was very enjoyable, so glad to see it on this list.

[RSelcov]

I liked how you described Martyr!, that he lost both of his parents. That is the perfect way to put it. I won't say more.

[PageTurnersWithKatja]

I've only read James but have You Dreamed of Empires on my TBR. Thanks for the overview 💛

[eheider]

I would love it if you would review my sister’s book, May the Wolf Die. It was listed on NY Times best crime fiction 2024, as well as Washington Post and Publisher’s Weekly best mystery for the year.

[HarveeLau]

I recommend Nexus as timely- how politicians snd others wield and spread info to their benefit. Also fiction, Yellowface by Kusng about publishing and authors

[TiggerTellsTales]

I’ve read 4 (Everyone who is Gone is Here, Martyr!, All Fours, James) on this list and part of Reagan. I definitely agree that Martyr!, EWIGIH, And James are a few of the year’s best. I would place The Safekeep on this list over All Fours. Reagan is good but I can’t deny it’s biased as all political books tend to be. I agree with your comments, it’s definitely a big piece of the current political puzzle. Everyone Who is Gone is Here is a must read for those interested in the current migrant crisis. The audiobook is digestible and very interesting.

[Alpine]

I'm eager to read The Wide Wide Sea. It has been recommended to me a few times.

[clarepotter]

I want to read 'You Dreamed of Empires' by Alvaro Enrigue

[jamesduggan]

We say "never forget" silently accepting that, yes, of course we will.