Amazon Editors’ Best Books of 2024 yearbook
Readers, can we make a confession? This is one of our favorite articles to write every year. Not only do we get to share our Best Books of the Year list, but we get to relive the glory of being on the high school yearbook committee.
Remember superlatives? Well, this is your semi-annual reminder of them. Using our Best Books of the Year list, we made our own yearbook. And of course, if you can’t get enough of our kicky hilarity, please feel free to peruse our 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 yearbooks.
And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our full list of the Best Books of the Year. Our list includes the top 100 overall picks, as well as the best books in categories such as literature and fiction, history, romance, nonfiction, and mysteries and thrillers, and more. It's a great list, but to help you discover your next great read, and to celebrate these talented writers, we thought we'd help you out even more—and have fun along the way, yearbook style.
Best underdog story
This is a story about unlikely heroes—and you won’t be able to put it down, which is why we named it the #1 book of 2024. Full of all of the feels, Fuller chronicles a deaf football team and their quest to win the state championship. You will root for them as individuals, as a team, and for the deaf community at large. While it’s certainly an easy recommendation for fans of iconic sports books like Friday Night Lights, The Boys in the Boat, and Seabiscuit, it’s not just for sports fans. (We promise: one of us was kicked off the high school basketball team for reading in the bleachers, and only three of us can tell you what a line backer is). This is a book about comradery, immigrants and America, and about how a disability can be a super power. Like the football team on which the story is based, the book is a bit of an underdog, but when we read it, we all loved it, which is rare. It’s unabashedly uplifting. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
This is a story about unlikely heroes—and you won’t be able to put it down, which is why we named it the #1 book of 2024. Full of all of the feels, Fuller chronicles a deaf football team and their quest to win the state championship. You will root for them as individuals, as a team, and for the deaf community at large. While it’s certainly an easy recommendation for fans of iconic sports books like Friday Night Lights, The Boys in the Boat, and Seabiscuit, it’s not just for sports fans. (We promise: one of us was kicked off the high school basketball team for reading in the bleachers, and only three of us can tell you what a line backer is). This is a book about comradery, immigrants and America, and about how a disability can be a super power. Like the football team on which the story is based, the book is a bit of an underdog, but when we read it, we all loved it, which is rare. It’s unabashedly uplifting. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Books of the Year and the top 20 picks for the Best Nonfiction Books of the Year.
Most likely to sweep literary award season
Rip-roaringly American, riotously energetic and entertaining, James has both the adventure and the gravitas that make a slam-dunk for awards. We loved this book that is a re-imagining of Huck Finn, told from the perspective of Jim—who, in this story, is a whip-smart, philosopher-dreaming, highly-literate, family man who is on the run to escape being sold away from his wife and children. A knock-out read, which is why it was easy to pick it as one of the best books of the year, and what will likely be one of the best books of the decade. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Rip-roaringly American, riotously energetic and entertaining, James has both the adventure and the gravitas that make a slam-dunk for awards. We loved this book that is a re-imagining of Huck Finn, told from the perspective of Jim—who, in this story, is a whip-smart, philosopher-dreaming, highly-literate, family man who is on the run to escape being sold away from his wife and children. A knock-out read, which is why it was easy to pick it as one of the best books of the year, and what will likely be one of the best books of the decade. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Books of the Year and our top 20 picks for the Best Literature and Fiction of the Year.
Most likely to make you laugh, then purchase a copy of every book Osman has written
In the acknowledgements of We Solve Murders, Richard Osman admits that as he began to write the new book, he felt as though he were “somehow cheating on my other characters,” meaning Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron, aka The Thursday Murder Club. We know what he means; we felt the same way as we began reading. But then we met Amy Wheeler (“She hasn’t shot at anyone in a while, but you can’t have everything”), the woman she’s guarding, Rosie Antonio (the world’s best-selling novelist “if you don’t count Lee Child”), and Amy’s homebody ex-cop father-in-law Steve (“Always expect the worst, and you’ll always be prepared.”) And we were hooked. It’s different (features much more Van Halen, ChatGPT, international travel, and gullible influencers, for a start), but Osman’s Agatha-Christie-cross-pollinated-with-Guy-Ritchie sensibility remains, and we were all in on this witty, quirkily brilliant new series-starter. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
In the acknowledgements of We Solve Murders, Richard Osman admits that as he began to write the new book, he felt as though he were “somehow cheating on my other characters,” meaning Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron, aka The Thursday Murder Club. We know what he means; we felt the same way as we began reading. But then we met Amy Wheeler (“She hasn’t shot at anyone in a while, but you can’t have everything”), the woman she’s guarding, Rosie Antonio (the world’s best-selling novelist “if you don’t count Lee Child”), and Amy’s homebody ex-cop father-in-law Steve (“Always expect the worst, and you’ll always be prepared.”) And we were hooked. It’s different (features much more Van Halen, ChatGPT, international travel, and gullible influencers, for a start), but Osman’s Agatha-Christie-cross-pollinated-with-Guy-Ritchie sensibility remains, and we were all in on this witty, quirkily brilliant new series-starter. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Books of the Year and the top 20 picks for the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of the Year.
Most likely to make you never cut corners on a budget—ever again
Higgenbotham ruthlessly shares the nitty gritty mechanics, political jockeying, and financial constraints that led to the United States’ first fatalities in space, when the 1986 space shuttle, Challenger, exploded just 73 seconds into flight. Your heart will pound at each hiccup, each budget reduction, each decision made before the crackle of the radio said “lift-off.” The research, the testimonials, and the narrative make this a stand-out read for any space buff and anyone who loves epic stories that put you in the cockpit of ground-breaking history. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Higgenbotham ruthlessly shares the nitty gritty mechanics, political jockeying, and financial constraints that led to the United States’ first fatalities in space, when the 1986 space shuttle, Challenger, exploded just 73 seconds into flight. Your heart will pound at each hiccup, each budget reduction, each decision made before the crackle of the radio said “lift-off.” The research, the testimonials, and the narrative make this a stand-out read for any space buff and anyone who loves epic stories that put you in the cockpit of ground-breaking history. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Best dinner companion
Nagi Maehashi, of RecipeTinEats, has written perhaps my favorite of this year’s dinner cookbooks with Delicious Tonight. I’ve made multiple recipes and they’ve all been winners—the Chicken Bites with Mushroom Gravy is a must-try, even my skeptical teen devoured it for dinner and then ate leftovers the next day (a rare occurrence)! The slightly larger than usual trim size of this cookbook is perfect and I love the printed tabs for each section’s recipes. Beautifully photographed, with super helpful notes and recommendations for serving, my copy is already showing the love I have for it. And that’s a good thing. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Nagi Maehashi, of RecipeTinEats, has written perhaps my favorite of this year’s dinner cookbooks with Delicious Tonight. I’ve made multiple recipes and they’ve all been winners—the Chicken Bites with Mushroom Gravy is a must-try, even my skeptical teen devoured it for dinner and then ate leftovers the next day (a rare occurrence)! The slightly larger than usual trim size of this cookbook is perfect and I love the printed tabs for each section’s recipes. Beautifully photographed, with super helpful notes and recommendations for serving, my copy is already showing the love I have for it. And that’s a good thing. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Most likely to make you hide your silver / The most unexpectedly steamy
You know the old adage, There’s a thin line between love and hate? If you blink you might miss when the shift happens in this sensual debut, a story that also mines the collateral damage history leaves in its wake. It’s 1961 and Isabel lives alone in the family home located in a rural Dutch province. That is, until her brother brings his girlfriend, Eva, to stay while he’s away on business, upending Isabel’s ordered existence. Soon, household items start disappearing—things a less fastidious hostess might miss. But Isabel does notice, and Eva is no ordinary thief, and once the reasons behind her actions come to light, neither will be the same. Van der Wouden has woven an intoxicating historical mystery with a cautionary tale about desire; the price of giving in to it, or not. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
You know the old adage, There’s a thin line between love and hate? If you blink you might miss when the shift happens in this sensual debut, a story that also mines the collateral damage history leaves in its wake. It’s 1961 and Isabel lives alone in the family home located in a rural Dutch province. That is, until her brother brings his girlfriend, Eva, to stay while he’s away on business, upending Isabel’s ordered existence. Soon, household items start disappearing—things a less fastidious hostess might miss. But Isabel does notice, and Eva is no ordinary thief, and once the reasons behind her actions come to light, neither will be the same. Van der Wouden has woven an intoxicating historical mystery with a cautionary tale about desire; the price of giving in to it, or not. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Literature and Fiction of the Year and our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Debuts of the Year.
Most likely to make you plié or piroutte
Graceful ballerinas hold a powerful place in our culture—looming large in little kids’ imaginations, and often held up as the feminine ideal of beauty. Too often, though, only white dancer and choreographers’ stories are told. No longer. Five incredible Black ballerinas finally get their due in this little-known (until now) history of their boundary-breaking rise to prominence, throwing open the door decades later for stars like Misty Copeland. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Graceful ballerinas hold a powerful place in our culture—looming large in little kids’ imaginations, and often held up as the feminine ideal of beauty. Too often, though, only white dancer and choreographers’ stories are told. No longer. Five incredible Black ballerinas finally get their due in this little-known (until now) history of their boundary-breaking rise to prominence, throwing open the door decades later for stars like Misty Copeland. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Most likely to blow your mind and make you fall in love with a 19th century explorer
This awe-inducing debut is a time travel-spy thriller-government conspiracy-love story, and so much more. In a near-future London, a time travel device is discovered by a top-secret agency. They bring back “expats” from different times in history and pair them with “bridges” to help them acclimate to current times. This genre-bending novel explores humanity in all its frailty and potential, and how love can alter the course of history. It’s a fantastical novel that’s funny, riveting, heartbreaking, and unputdownable. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This awe-inducing debut is a time travel-spy thriller-government conspiracy-love story, and so much more. In a near-future London, a time travel device is discovered by a top-secret agency. They bring back “expats” from different times in history and pair them with “bridges” to help them acclimate to current times. This genre-bending novel explores humanity in all its frailty and potential, and how love can alter the course of history. It’s a fantastical novel that’s funny, riveting, heartbreaking, and unputdownable. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Books of the Year and our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year.
Most likely to make you throw your phone (and your kids') out the window
Jonathan Haidt’s impeccably researched best seller is a must-read for parents—and anyone who’s interested in the intersection of technology and culture. Haidt details how childhood has fundamentally changed with the onslaught of smartphones and screens, with concrete advice on how to mitigate the damage. As the parent to two sons who devote countless hours to Fortnite, Roblox, iPads, and smartphones, I read this with eyes wide open and my highlighter uncapped. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Jonathan Haidt’s impeccably researched best seller is a must-read for parents—and anyone who’s interested in the intersection of technology and culture. Haidt details how childhood has fundamentally changed with the onslaught of smartphones and screens, with concrete advice on how to mitigate the damage. As the parent to two sons who devote countless hours to Fortnite, Roblox, iPads, and smartphones, I read this with eyes wide open and my highlighter uncapped. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Most likely to deliver a one-two punch
Rita Bullwinkle is a force to be reckoned with, and so too are the young women she profiles in this taught, pacey, and all-together knock-out read of a boxing tournament. Longlisted for the Booker Prize, a finalist for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Award, and named one of Barack Obama’s favorite summer reads, Bullwinkle’s debut has been turning heads all year, which is why we’re thrilled to include it on our list and—hopefully—follow the long arc of her career. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Rita Bullwinkle is a force to be reckoned with, and so too are the young women she profiles in this taught, pacey, and all-together knock-out read of a boxing tournament. Longlisted for the Booker Prize, a finalist for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Award, and named one of Barack Obama’s favorite summer reads, Bullwinkle’s debut has been turning heads all year, which is why we’re thrilled to include it on our list and—hopefully—follow the long arc of her career. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Debuts of the Year.
Most likely to remind you to rub your partner’s back and to pack a ‘go’ bag with cash and a compass
Yet again, things are not all quiet on the Midwestern front in Leif Enger’s latest, set on and around Lake Superior in the near future. The country is now ruled by baleful billionaires who preside over work camps, and an absconder from one such camp inadvertently upends the lives of the couple who take him in, forcing our hero, Rainy, to embark on a treacherous journey–both to escape those who hunt him, and to reunite with the love of his life. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
Yet again, things are not all quiet on the Midwestern front in Leif Enger’s latest, set on and around Lake Superior in the near future. The country is now ruled by baleful billionaires who preside over work camps, and an absconder from one such camp inadvertently upends the lives of the couple who take him in, forcing our hero, Rainy, to embark on a treacherous journey–both to escape those who hunt him, and to reunite with the love of his life. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Literature and Fiction of the Year.
Most likely to make you start diagnosing everyone you know
If you’ve ever wondered what goes through the mind of a sociopath, Patric Gagne’s chillingly addictive new memoir is for you. Readers are voyeurs into her confusion and compulsions as she comes of age—from stabbing a neighbor kid in the neck with a pencil, to locking classmates in the bathroom just to see what happens (and that’s just the beginning). As Gagne writes, we all unknowingly live among millions of sociopaths. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
If you’ve ever wondered what goes through the mind of a sociopath, Patric Gagne’s chillingly addictive new memoir is for you. Readers are voyeurs into her confusion and compulsions as she comes of age—from stabbing a neighbor kid in the neck with a pencil, to locking classmates in the bathroom just to see what happens (and that’s just the beginning). As Gagne writes, we all unknowingly live among millions of sociopaths. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Most likely to lift your spirits
Hope for Cynics—if that’s not a title that stirs, ahem, hope in our beleaguered times, I don’t know what is. Fans of Adam Grant (Think Again, Hidden Potential) will find much to love in Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki’s accessible, science-backed primer that feels very of-the-moment. Each chapter is narrative, replete with engaging anecdotes—with thoughtful takeaways for all readers. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Hope for Cynics—if that’s not a title that stirs, ahem, hope in our beleaguered times, I don’t know what is. Fans of Adam Grant (Think Again, Hidden Potential) will find much to love in Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki’s accessible, science-backed primer that feels very of-the-moment. Each chapter is narrative, replete with engaging anecdotes—with thoughtful takeaways for all readers. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Most quotable for dinner conversations
Brilliant and thought-provoking, this expansive look at how humans communicate (by the author of the best-selling Sapiens) is packed with fascinating stories. You’ll never think about the Bible, the US Constitution, or the Roman Empire, the same way again. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Brilliant and thought-provoking, this expansive look at how humans communicate (by the author of the best-selling Sapiens) is packed with fascinating stories. You’ll never think about the Bible, the US Constitution, or the Roman Empire, the same way again. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Most likely to make you hug your loved ones tightly
It’s one thing to have to keep a daughter secret, quite another for that secret to live so close you can catch glimpses of her life, glimpses that sometimes lead you to worry… This is a heart-wrenching reality that Charles Lamosway understands all too well, and while the decision whether or not to reveal Elizabeth’s parentage propels the plot, this gem of a novel truly is more about the journey than the destination. Fire Exit is a melancholy but quietly powerful story about trying to do what’s best for your loved ones, when what is best isn’t always clear. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
It’s one thing to have to keep a daughter secret, quite another for that secret to live so close you can catch glimpses of her life, glimpses that sometimes lead you to worry… This is a heart-wrenching reality that Charles Lamosway understands all too well, and while the decision whether or not to reveal Elizabeth’s parentage propels the plot, this gem of a novel truly is more about the journey than the destination. Fire Exit is a melancholy but quietly powerful story about trying to do what’s best for your loved ones, when what is best isn’t always clear. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Literature and Fiction of the Year and our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Debuts of the Year.
Most likely to make you see a cello in a whole new light
This. Book. Smolders. Cello prodigy Xander, and gifted violinist Gwen, are part of the Manhattan Pops. While Gwen takes the opportunity seriously, Xander can’t be bothered to care (or notice Gwen exists). But when Gwen lands a coveted role that Xander was angling for, he notices. As they’re forced to work together, they recognize that beyond their animosity, there is a musical and sensual chemistry that is undeniable…if Gwen is bold enough to explore it, risks be damned. From the author of Forget Me Not, this is absolutely one of my favorite romances of the year, and you’ll never look at a cello the same way. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
This. Book. Smolders. Cello prodigy Xander, and gifted violinist Gwen, are part of the Manhattan Pops. While Gwen takes the opportunity seriously, Xander can’t be bothered to care (or notice Gwen exists). But when Gwen lands a coveted role that Xander was angling for, he notices. As they’re forced to work together, they recognize that beyond their animosity, there is a musical and sensual chemistry that is undeniable…if Gwen is bold enough to explore it, risks be damned. From the author of Forget Me Not, this is absolutely one of my favorite romances of the year, and you’ll never look at a cello the same way. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
See all of our Editors’ top 20 picks for the Best Romance Books of the Year.
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