Dear Book Friends,
It’s here. The halfway point of 2024. I know it’s wild, and June especially has just flown by. But now that we’re here, let’s reflect on the year so far and look ahead to what is coming. In this newsletter, I’ll share some of my favorite books of 2024 so far and the ones I’m looking forward to in the second half of the year. Ready? Let’s go.
Book Deals and Reveals
Jennifer Lopez’s production company Nuyorican is teaming up with Netflix to adapt Emily Henry’s bestselling novel Happy Place into a series. In a post on Instagram, Lopez said that she “can’t wait” to work with Emily Henry on this adaptation.
Bridgerton author Julia Quinn has spoken out about the big change the Netflix adaptation is making to Francesca’s love story. Spoilers for season 3 if you haven’t watched yet!
Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, has sold North American rights to her “deeply personal” novella What Does It Feel Like? to the Dial Press.
Remy Lai has sold her debut adult cozy fantasy series, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating, to Amara Hoshijo at Saga Press.
I Saw the TV Glow director Jane Schoenbrun has a debut novel coming out with Hogarth. The publishing company called the book “an epic blend of literary fantasy, coming-of-age, sci-fi, and horror.”
Hillary Rodham Clinton has just announced a new memoir this September. The press release says Clinton’s new book, Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty, “Hillary like you haven’t seen her before, offering a glimpse into her closest friendships and enduring marriage as well as her unvarnished views on politics, democracy, the threats we face and the future within our reach.”
These are the best queer books of 2024 so far, according to all the lists. What LGBTQ books have been your favorite this year?
And here are the winners of the 2024 Locus Awards. The Locus Science Fiction Foundation announced the winners last weekend.
It’s the end of June, which means it’s time to check in on this year’s Read Harder Challenge! Take this survey, and let us know how it’s going so far.
Book Riot Recommends
Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!
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The Best Books of 2024 (So Far)
It’s been a good year for books. Here are some of my favorites of the year so far.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
A terrifyingly haunting book about a family vacation gone incredibly wrong. But the terrors don’t leave our main character behind after the vacation is over.
Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin
A funny and heartfelt story about overcoming anxiety, reconnecting with family, true crime podcasts, and space trivia.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
A unique and unforgettable horror novel about an indie horror movie that never was. This book gave me literal nightmares. And yes, I do mean that as a compliment.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
My first Emily Henry novel, and it did not disappoint! I love a love story that’s about more than just the romance. This is a story that’s just as much about self-discovery as it is about finding love.
One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin
This is a romance story about an author who has to walk down the aisle with a man who rated her novel one star on Goodreads. It made me laugh. It made me cry big ugly tears that stained my face. I rated this one (and all the other ones on this list) FIVE STARS on Goodreads.
What To Look Forward to in 2024 (Round 2)
The rest of the year is yet to come! Here are the books I’m most looking forward to in 2024, round 2:
I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones (S&S/Saga Press, July 16)
First up, another new one from Stephen Graham Jones. This man cannot be stopped. This novel is the “autobiography” of a teen boy cursed to kill for revenge.
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown (Bantam, August 13)
This debut suspense/thriller novel has all the things we just can’t get enough of: secret societies, dark academia, murder. Sign me up.
Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pederson (St. Martin’s Press, August 20)
This queer, supernatural horror debut explores ancient Chinese mythology and family trauma. The story also draws heavily from the author’s own experiences of being adopted from Nanning, China, and growing up in Nebraska on a farm.
A Sunny Place for Shady People by Mariana Enríquez (Hogarth, September 17)
Last year, Mariana Enríquez’s epic horror novel Our Share of Night had us all shook. Now the author is back with a new and equally stunning collection of short stories. You won’t want to miss this.
Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet by Samantha Allen (Zando, December 3)
You are in for a treat with this queer supernatural romance novel. What happens when an author is hired to ghostwrite a famous actor’s memoir…only to find out said actor is a ghost himself? A lot of things. But you’ll have to read to find out!
And Here’s A Cat Picture!
Another day, another cat in the window. Well, this time, it’s two cats in the window, actually. I love how there are two beds in the window, but Murray has decided he needs both of them and Remy gets zero. This says a lot about their dynamic.
Okay, well, that’s the end of this newsletter, friends. I hope you have an incredible weekend, and I’ll see you in July!