The New York Times’ 100 Notables Books of 2024
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- Опубліковано 24 січ 2025
- The New York Times released its 100 Notable Books of 2024! Let's go over the entire list to talk about what's here, what's not here, and guess what might be on the Book Review's 10 Best Books list. Expand for more information. 👇
Links 💻
The Full List: www.nytimes.co...
Further Viewing 🎥
Last Year’s 100 Notable: • The New York Times’ 10...
The Washington Post’s Best Books of 2024: • The Washington Post’s ...
Last Year’s NY Times Book Review Top 10: • The New York Times Boo...
My National Book Award Reaction: • National Book Award fo...
My Booker Prize Winner Reaction: • Booker Prize Winner Re...
The NY Times’ Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far): • The New York Times’ 10...
NY Times Reader Picks for the Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far): • New York Times Readers...
My Affiliate Page on Bookshop: bookshop.org/s...
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I was having withdrawal symptoms from not having a Supposedly Fun post on Tuesday. Thanks to today’s long post, I won’t need to detox.😁
I had been hoping to post this yesterday, but it took so long to film that I only got halfway through editing it before I admitted defeat and held off until today. 😂
I was hoping to see a video from you when I saw the NYT list was out!
I loved Good Material! It’s not my favourite book on this list but it’s low stress and, at moments, quite funny! I laughed out loud a few times while reading it and I never laugh out loud when I’m reading
I feel like I might need Good Material before the end of the year.
Great channel
Thank you!
thank you for your great posts. I feel your pain and send support
Thank you so much. 🥂
I cancelled my subscription to the NYT the first thing on November 6th so I totally understand where you are coming from. I’ll miss the book review though.
I’m currently listening to Our Evenings . It’s very cinematic. It’s playing like a movie in my head as I’m listening. I’ve read all his books.
I've heard some mixed things about Our Evenings, but I am curious to try it for myself.
Always fun to look through these book lists with you!
Oh thank you!
Thanks for the lovely recs.. am definitely adding all of these to my list. I just finished reading this phenomenal collection of fairy tales entitled 'Sillies, Fancies and Trifles' - highly recommend, it's perfect for the season. Keep up the beautiful vids!
I need to read more so I can give you my suggestions! Thanks for going through that list.
So many books, so little time!
Great video … thanks for updating me to the current books… I’m presently reading Harrow by Joy Williams … & Demons by Dostoevsky …I’m eager to read Rushdie’s Knife…
Happy reading!
This was fun! Have added far too many to my TBR list!
I hope you enjoy any of the books you pick up!
I've read 7- Praiseworthy, James, Martyr, The Safekeep, Wild Houses and Knife. All ones that I'd recommend. Creation Lake didn't work for me but it might for others.
There's about 12 on my TBR. We share about 6 of those. Happy Reading 🙂
Happy reading!
I read 11 of the books on this list. I highly recommend God of the Woods and Beautyland. They are both excellent books, and you won’t regret reading them.
I was waiting for this post!! I think you should read A Little Devil in America if you real Hanif Abdurraquib. I also dont think you should write-off Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. I have mixed views on her books, but I really loved this one. It is about complicated relationship dynamics. The parts about family particularly were interesting.
A Little Devil in America is the one I was thinking of, I just couldn't remember the title in the moment. Thanks for the endorsement! I'll consider Intermezzo--thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
I think you’d find Intermezzo very different from Sally Rooneys previous books. Because? It talks about two brothers, grief, anxiety , love and expressing emotions.
That does sound interesting!
@@SupposedlyFun yes!! I really liked Intermezzo, I'll be the first to admit that the last three books of Sally Rooney (while resonating with me on a generational level) felt a bit...similar
Intermezzo was a really amazing experience, not only because is a very good and enjoyable book, but also because I felt like I was reading a crucial moment on Ronney's career, how her writing started branching out on new directions (that some people may feel were a little weird, but I loved it) and, at least to me, this is the angular stone to the rest of her literary work on years to come
thanks as always for the video!!!
Oh, I have such guilt about how “meh” I feel about Sally Rooney. On good days, I think I just wasn’t in a place in my life where her stuff resonates. On a bad day, I think it’s melodramatic cringe. Gah, what am I missing!?
Still a headache to read though. She is not that great to decide not to use correct punctuation for dialog.
I added Smoke Kings to my TBR, it sounds intriguing to me…The Four Winds was a snoozer for me…loved the Great Alone and liked the Women but just read When we had Wings about nurses in POW camps in the Philippines… very interesting!
Smoke Kings sounds so interesting-and the author was so funny.
Hey been a fan of your vids for awhile, when you mentioned that you haven’t read Olga Tokarczuk yet wanted to chime in and say I think you would really like Drive Your Plow !
If you like Barbara Kingsolver, read The God of the Woods. The Poisonwood Bible is one of my favorite books of all-time. And while The God of the Woods is no Poisonwood Bible, it's a longer page-turner that had me gripped. Give it a shot!
That's good to know--thanks.
After you mentioned it in your Washington Post Top 10 video, I started reading "I Heard Her Call My Name" and I'm almost at the end. She said in a UA-cam video that the technique of flipping back and forth (she says "weaving") the story of her transition at the age of 67 and the story of the earlier part of her life makes it "compulsive" like a mystery. It was good for my once I got used to it. It reminds me of Netflix's recent release "Will & Harper" but with more depth. I'll refrain from writing a full review here, but I think you'll like it.
I'm also listening to the audio book of "Soldiers and Kings" after first hearing it mentioned on your video (and, of course, the National Book Awards broadcast). It's really well researched and well written by an anthropologist and helps you understand why migrants are moving up through Mexico to the U.S. and how they do it and what conditions are like for them. I recommend it, but I have to warn you that it may make you even angrier about Trump's planned mass deportations.
Creation Lake was one of my standout books this year. For me, its exploration of ancient DNA and what it is doing to our creation story was fascinating.
After a long day it was nice to sit and relax with a Supposedly Fun video. Good Night!!!! Take care and see you again soon
Thank you for watching!
you're spot on with Long Island compromise...had the same feeling
Glad I’m not alone!
I think you might enjoy The Book of Love by Kelly Link. Although labeled as a fantasy epic, it has a very modern setting and perspective on mysticism and love in it's various forms. It's also a rather quick read for it's size due to the changing perspectives for each chapter. Kelly Link is more well known for short stories but she does a great job interconnecting all of these chapters into a cogent novel too.
Thanks for the feedback on it!
When you start reading Kristen Hannah, begin with The Great Alone or The Nightingale - She rocks! :-)
Thanks for the recommendations!
I’ve started The Bright Sword and one thing that may be a dealbreaker or a green flag depending on your preferences is given that it’s a King Arthur story, there’s a variety of little “side quests” I’d say for lack of a better word that explore different aspects and storylines within the expansive universe of King Arthur lore. So it’s wandering for sure (it’s over 600 pages, so…) so it’ll require a bit of patience and willingness to sit with the story at the pace it chooses to take you on. Additionally, given that it’s fantasy, there are also elements or story lines that are a bit more “fever-dream”-esque as the story goes through varying levels of the fantastical. Again, this will just be more of a personal preference more so than a fault of the book, in my opinion.
One thing I will say is this book in particular focuses mostly on the lesser/minor characters of King Arthur lore (not a spoiler as it’s in the summary on the back of the book, but King Arthur is dead by the time the main plot gets moving). I think this is fun and a little bit different, but if you’re looking for the typical Excalibur or Holy Grail type of story, this is probably not going to be what you’re looking for.
As I said, I’m not done with it yet, but I think Grossman has done a good job of creating compelling, authentic characters that feel fantastical and not of this world, but also like real people with real emotions at the same time. He does explore a little bit of an LGBTQ element with some of the characters (don’t want to spoil too much, so keeping it vague) and I can’t speak to the representation, but it wasn’t something I expected and has also provided additional layers to the story.
Edit: I also wanted to add there is sexual assault in this story, so trigger warning and please proceed with caution if this is something you do not want to read.
I am a huge King Arthur fan. My daughter said she was sending this book to me for Christmas because she loved it in Audible. Thanks for your insights!
@ happy reading! Hope you like it as much as I’m liking it right now
Undomestic goddess by Sophie kinsella is good Greg!😊
You should pick it up when you are stressed...(Cinnamon book)
Thanks for the recommendation!
Erdrich - Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse I’ve read twice and intend to read again. I’ve had mixed reactions to her other novels, but Last Report is a beloved one for me with themes about identity and belonging.
That’s one of her books that I need to get to reading.
How in the hell did SMALL RAIN by Garth Greenwell not make this list? That book is fantastic.
There was a lot of interesting LGBTQ+ literature that didn’t make it this year. So many casualties!
Challenger was the best book I read this year (it won the Kirkus). It was so great I also read Higginbotham's first book about the Chernobyl disaster. Phew, he writes an excellent disaster book! Investigative journalism at its best. 'Good Material' is in white-guy-can't-get-his-life-together territory, but the audio version is excellent, and makes the main character's nonsense feel very relatable and human.
You Should Be So Lucky is great! It's a companion novel to last year's We Could Be So Good, which I loved even more. They're both ultimately hopeful queer romances set in 1950s New York.
I have We Could Be So Good on my TBR, so that's good to know!
I've read two of the stories in Ghostroots by 'Pemi Aguda thus far - serious, intense, taut and weird; The Rebel's clinic is a biography of Frantz Fanon and the Algerian war in the 1960's - excellent; I recommend A Fortune for Your Disaster, poetry by Hanif Abdurraqib. Thanks for your love of books.
Thank you for all the suggestions!
Thank you so much Greg❤ I am listening to Lucy Sante audiobook and it is very interesting. He narrated it himself, which is always a plus for me, and very interesting and moving story. I think you would enjoy it.
When I saw the NYT listing I LOOKED for your video, I think you do such a great job with these "best of lists " . I did read The Book Of Love by Kelly Link and I loved it BUT I think it was right book, right time for me. It was tax season at work, and I needed something convoluted, excessive and fantastical to give my brain a rest from the numbers, basically the book served as escapism that required concentration. I don't know if that sounds encouraging or discouraging 😊.
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you thought of me. That does sound like a perfect situation to read Book of Love, and it’s been getting great feedback in the comments so far.
I find videos like this very helpful for finding my next read. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t read all the books. Don’t listen to the trolls!
I’m a big Liz Moore fan. Her best book ( in my opinion ) is
Unseen World
So many books on that list that I’ve heard of. Obviously, it’s American publishing centric. Wonder how many will be published in U.K.?
I didn't know that Moore has a book with that title--I only know about the one by Rumaan Alam.
I counted 8 that I'd read and 14 of interest or already on my TBR. I already have a buddy read of Beautyland scheduled in January. Some of my favorites of 2024 are missing; but isn't that always the way?
It really is always the way!
I won’t try to change your mind as I don’t think it’s your kind of book, but I wholeheartedly recommend all of Janice Hallet’s books. She is so ridiculously clever. I loved The Alperton Angels, but I’ve loved them all. Note that these are not books to do on audio as they all involve something that you should probably see on the page.
Fiction, I’ve read 4 and would to read another 5. Does Whalefall sound a bit like The Colony by Audrey Magee to you? One of the booksellers at my local keeps recommending The Women to me. I’m skeptical.
Nonfiction, I’ve read 1 (Knife) and would like to read another 2. I’m shocked that Nuclear War isn’t among the nonfiction books. That is definitely one I want to read, albeit peeking through my fingers.
Wow. They’ve managed to make this an even less expected list (the nicest way I can put it) than their books of the 21st century list. Only 12 books total that I’ve either read or might like to read. Are they attempting to be dense? I’m really not impressed once again.
To end on a happier note, Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joel, and Teddy!!! 🦃💜
I couldn’t remember, are 10 getting pulled from this list of 100, or are they in addition to it? I only read 8 and want to about 27 also!
Being a romance reader I was disappointed that only Emily Henry was mentioned. Why wasn’t Lyla Sage, C.R. Jane, Mila Kane, Catherine Cowles, Liz TomForde mentioned on the list ????
The list definitely skewed toward science fiction when it comes to genre, but I was glad to see Emily Henry, Casey McQuiston, and Cat Sebastien. More would have been nice!
Only fifteen or so really grab me. A little surprised by that. All the better for my wallet.
Saving the wallet is always nice!
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Funny Story is my favorite Emily Henry book so far. I’ve found her books a little uneven, though, compared to Abby Jimenez, whom I adore. Liz Moore’s book was good, but not great, in my opinion. Intermezzo was my first Sally Rooney book and I also thought “meh”. Cue in privileged white guy who can’t get his life together…I also wish Fire Exit had made the list, and also There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. She writes the lushest stories, with gorgeous prose.
My entire (diverse) book club hated Creation Lake. This has never happened in the five years I've been in the club.
You Should Be So Lucky is lovely. A really feel good romance ❤
That's good to know!
The Silence of the Choir was one of my favorite books of the year. It treats African migrants to Sicily with humanity and compassion and as individuals. It also treats the locals as three dimensional. A beautiful (but sad) read.
That sounds great! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Maybe you will need to start posting a definition of “review” for people who don’t understand the difference between reviews and blurbs.
😂🤣
I read two Janice Hallett books, as you say "not for me". I find the books very gimmicky.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I read The Women by Kristin Hannah. I didn't like it, but my three sisters did. The same thing with The Four Winds, Kristin's dust bowl book. Nothing against Kristin or the books, but I think she is just not a writer I like.
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I feel like a lot of the books you have no interest in are influenced by the girls on Booktube and Booktok. Those are not for you. I will read "The God of the Woods" before "James" that is my reading taste. But I come here for recommendations of books like "James" and "Demon Cooperhead". The latter I plan on reading this month. I read one to two lit fiction a year, and I trust your opinion on that over fantasy. So please don't read something you don't want to.
Stop talking! Just do the books.
Not sure if you're aware, but you can skip to different parts of a video--or feel free to not watch at all if you aren't enjoying it.
love your channel
you are an oasis
read intermezzo not what you think
also god of the woods
smart and addictive
i recommend tana french the searcher and the hunter
long island compromise is totally for new yorkers
( i think being a former one)
martyr on my top five of the year
i too was surprised by this list
so many better ones not listed
all the colors of the dark and wellness and caledonian road were favorites
colm toubin long island was great
if you are an eliz' stout disappoint
elif shafuk rivers in the sky was amazing
have been reading all her
it doesn't disappoint
all the rivers in the sky by elif shafak was incredible
steamy romance
bride by ali hazelwood
liked there there better
did not love whale fall
read table for two amir towels top five
not sure you would like kristin hannah
enough for now !!!