On The Bookshelf: Top 2024 Reads
When we’re not busy curating style boards and playing with our oversized shirts, we’re sticking our noses into dog-eared pages. Lapping up the words before bed (even a few minutes count!), commuting to work or between nap times, the book is a functional/educational/entertaining object that doubles as an accessory. Should we leave home without one? Never, according to the list ahead. We asked some of our muses for their top 2024 reading picks. Prepare to stock up and get lost in the world of literature.
Lauren wears the Carmen Coat.
Picking up fiction:
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin
The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden
Recommending non-fiction:
I love The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku and A Visible Man by Edward Enninful.
Re-reading:
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Ash wears Samantha Blazer.
Picking up fiction:
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang – I know I’m late to the party with this one, but I’ve heard incredible things!
Good Material by Dolly Alderton – I’ve loved Dolly’s previous books, so I’m dying to read this one too.
Promising Young Women by Caroline O’Donoghue – this one was released about seven years back but was recently recommended by a close friend who knows my taste well, so I know it will be a good one.
Recommending non-fiction:
The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape and Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki – another area where I’m extremely late to the party, but my partner and I are looking to buy a house this year, so we’ve decided to start prioritising some personal finance research.
Re-reading:
A close friend recently got me into the Sarah J Maas universe and I read the entire collection in a couple of months, so these are definitely up first for a re-read!
Lissy wears Velo Shorts in Black and Constantina Shirt in Cream.
Picking up fiction:
The New House by Tess Stimson
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
Like a House on Fire by Cate Kennedy
Recommending non-fiction:
Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire
Re-reading:
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Picking up fiction:
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors – it’s been hailed as the next generational family pick, exuding all aspects of grief and addiction, and it’s leaving everyone buzzing.
No Judgement – Essays by Lauren Oyler
The Will of Many (Book 1) by James Islington – this seems to be part of a soon-to-be trilogy and it’s already been hailed as an amazing five-star fantasy read.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis – a thriller that no one on Bookstagram can get enough of right now.
Recommending non-fiction:
Deborah Levy’s three-part memoir: Things I Don’t Want to Know, The Cost of Living, Real Estate – I love memoirs by writers, and this has been on the shelves for way too long! There have been rave reviews around this collection, so 2024 may be the time to crack these spines.
The Art of Cruelty: A Reckoning by Maggie Nelson – an exploration across the artistic landscape around representations of cruelty and violence; a comprehensive study into ethics versus the limits of personal taste and taboo.
Re-reading:
I don't usually re-read books as I love to not know what's coming around the corner, but if I had to choose one, I'd say A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. This novel explores the deepest of emotions and you'll find yourself going through all stages of grief only to emerge at the other side with a box of tissues in your arms and the need to have 'Jude' tattooed on your wrist. Ha.
Imagery: @laurennburns, @ashgrats, @lissygraham_, @thelitlist