Finding that perfect book for a beach read or poolside perusal just got even easier.
Few know books better than Amazon's Book Editors, who have made it their job to find the best literary offerings on the market. These professionals are on a mission to deliver the top recommendations to every shopper — no matter their interests — by reading thousands of titles for the online retailer's list of Best Books of the Month and Best Books of the Year.
Last week, Amazon announced another list from the editors: The Best Books of 2024 So Far.
The list of the Best Books of 2024 (so far) according to Amazon Book Editors consists of 20 books from various genres, including thrillers, historical fiction, mystery and cookbooks. The number one spot on Amazon's list went to James, a Pulitzer Prize finalist written by Percival Everett. Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor explained the selection, "Rip-roaringly American, wry, and hard-hitting, Everett's retelling of the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a knockout, which is why it was unanimously voted as our #1 pick."
Amazon'James' by Percival Everett
James draws inspiration from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and tells the story of Jim, an enslaved man who overhears he will be sold to a new man and separated from his family.
$28 $15
Shop NowWhile we definitely suggested adding James to your cart, the other choices on Amazon's list are equally stellar. We've rounded up these selections in order of the Amazon Editor's rankings. As a bonus, many of these best-selling books are on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day next month. Below, find your next summer read, recommended by the pros.
Amazon's Best Books of 2024 So Far
Amazon'The Women: A Novel' by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale, has a new book that's made its way onto four of the top bestseller lists. The Women tells the story of Frances, a field nurse who enters the Vietnam War to return home only to find rising political tensions.
$30 $19
Shop NowAmazon'All the Worst Humans' by Phil Elwood
"This wild, oh-my-God memoir will make your jaw drop," says Woodworth of this novel. "A public relations hit man dishes on all his dirty deeds, and it's not only impossible to put down, it's impossible not to talk about—in other words, perfect summer nonfiction reading."
$29 $15
Shop NowAmazon'The Ministry of Time: A Novel' by Kaliane Bradley
The Ministry of Time is spy thriller with a mix of time travel and romance. When a civil servant begins working a new time travel project, she must decide if falling in love is worth the consequences of changing history.
$29 $19
Shop NowAmazon'Martyr!: A Novel' by Kaveh Akbar
Woodworth raves about this book, saying “Poet Kaveh Akbar makes his dazzling fiction debut with an unforgettable main character whose voice feels shot from a cannon, and reminded us of the charismatic and undeniably addictive hero of Demon Copperhead. Martyr! is both laugh-out-loud funny and deadly serious—a coming-of-age story and a portrait of a young Iranian-American wrestling with what it means to have a life of value.”
$28 $15
Shop NowAmazon'Nuclear War: A Scenario' by Annie Jacobsen
It's been the topic of multiple dystopian novels, but what would actually happen in the case of nuclear war? Nuclear War by Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen explores this scenario by interviewing military and civilian experts.
$15
Shop NowAmazon"All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker
Amazon Editor Seira Wilson reviews this book, now available for preorder: "This extraordinary novel with a dark mystery running through it begins with a beekeeper and a pirate, and a kidnapping that changes their lives. Chris Whitaker’s vivid storytelling makes the pages fly by in a tale of family, survival, devotion, and love so powerful it hurts."
$14
Shop NowAmazon'Lies and Weddings: A Novel' by Kevin Kwan
From Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan, Lies and Weddings tells the story of Rufus Leung Gresham, a future earl. Despite a lifestyle of luxury with yachts and manors, the Gresham family is in tremendous debt, but a scheming mother has a solution: Rufus will seduce a rich woman at his sister's wedding to marry.
$15
Shop NowAmazon'Lost Man's Lane: A Novel' by Scott Carson
Amazon editor Vannessa Cronin explains this pick: “Lost Man's Lane is a horror-tinged coming-of-age tale: sublime and sharp, poignant, nostalgic, and unsettling, even funny when it needs to be. Carson’s portrait of a teenage boy is spookily spot-on, as is the way he takes the novel terrifyingly sideways."
$29 $15
Shop NowAmazon'This Could Be Us' (Skyland Book 2) by Kennedy Ryan
“This book is so multi-dimensional, just as life is—Kennedy Ryan covers divorce, self-discovery, autism, raising kids, the power of friendships, and other huge life changes, but it is done in a way that is so real and relatable,” says Amazon Editor Kami Tei.
$18 $12
Shop NowAmazon'I Cheerfully Refuse' by Leif Enger
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger is Amazon Editor Erin Kodicek's personal favorite. "This harrowing, but beautifully told, tale is a sly paean to books, language, love and the transformative power of receiving and extending kindness. I cheerfully endorse it."
$28 $9
Shop NowAmazon'Narcotopia' by Patrick Winn
Award-winning journalist Patrick Winn's latest work is Narcotopia, which looks into the truth behind the top drug-trafficking ring in Asia as detailed by DEA informant Wa.
$32 $19
Shop NowAmazon'Margo's Got Money Troubles: A Novel' by Rufi Thorpe
When Margo becomes pregnant with the professor at her junior college, she is left to fend for herself. When her father turns up at her doorstep, she uses his former pro-wrestling career advice to become an adult internet star in Margo's Got Money Troubles.
$15
Shop NowAmazon'skin & bones: a novel' by Renée Watson
The poetic novel skin & bones by Renée Watson tells the story of Lena, whose world is rocked by a confession on her wedding day.
$30 $15
Shop NowAmazon'The Familiar: A Novel' by Leigh Bardugo
This is Amazon Editor Ben Grange's personal pick. He calls it "Utterly compelling from page one," and goes on to say, "Bardugo masterfully weaves a classic tale for the modern reader. Magic, romance, and history pull you in and refuse to let you go until you've read the whole thing."
$30 $15
Shop NowAmazon'Table for Two: Fictions' by Amor Towles
Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow, shares six stories set in New York City and the golden age of Hollywood in his new work A Table for Two.
$14
Shop NowAmazon'Fire Exit: A Novel' by Morgan Talty
Charles' life is anything but simple, and as times get more challenging, he becomes unable to live with the secrets of his past — mainly his relationship to his neighbor Elizabeth, who is secretly his daughter.
$29 $15
Shop NowAmazon'The Demon of Unrest' by Erik Larson
President Lincoln was only in office for five months before the Civil War began. See what unfolded in those days in Erik Larson's latest nonfiction historical thriller.
$35 $19
Shop NowAmazon'First Lie Wins' by Ashley Elston
A Reese's Book Club Pick, First Lie Wins is a thriller that centers around Evie Porter, who is actually someone else and was given her identity by the mysterious Mr. Smith. Evie wants a new life, but one slip-up will change her future forever.
$28 $17
Shop NowAmazon'Malas: A Novel' by Marcela Fuentes
In this book, Lulu looks forward to her upcoming quinceañera, but when a glamorous stranger crashes a family funeral, she develops an unexpected kinship and learns secrets about her family.
$29 $15
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