The SL Team Share Their Favourite Books Of 2024 So Far
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Heather Steele
Managing Lifestyle Director
All Fours by Miranda July
“I first read Miranda July’s work when her collection of short stories No One Belongs Here More Than You was published in 2007. Earlier this year, her latest novel hit bookshelves, and it struck a chord with lots of readers. Full of her trademark witty prose and wry observations about womanhood and sexuality, All Fours begins with an introduction to the 45-year-old protagonist – a semi-famous artist – on the precipice of great change. Half an hour after leaving her husband and child at home, she finds herself exiting the freeway, booking into a motel and undergoing a temporary metamorphosis. Thrilling and relatable, this is an amazing exploration of personal transformation.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
“I loved Fleishman Is in Trouble, so was excited to get stuck into Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s second novel. I loved everything about Long Island Compromise. In a similar vein to Succession, it’s a darkly exhilarating tale of an American family and its inheritance. Beginning in 1980, a wealthy businessman named Carl Fletcher is kidnapped from his driveway in the nicest part of Long Island. After three days, he’s returned to his family and Carl, his wife and his three children are left to move on with their lives. But nearly 40 years later, when Carl’s mother dies, the trauma that has been bubbling beneath the Fletchers’ lives all this time surfaces at last. Told through the eyes of the three adult children – each affected by their father’s kidnapping in different ways – this is a gripping, modern whodunnit.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
My Roman Year by André Aciman
“I’ll read anything André Aciman writes. His latest book, My Roman Year, is a memoir set in 1960s Rome. As teenage André stands on the dock, his mother fusses over the 32 suitcases, trunks and tea chests that contain their world. The ship will refuel and return to Alexandria, the home where they have left their father, as the Aciman family begin a new adventure in Rome. André is now head of the family, with a little brother to keep in line and a mute mother to translate for. Transporting and beautiful, this coming-of-age memoir was just the thing to read while plotting our latest Rome city guide.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
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Sherri Andrew
Lifestyle Editor
The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis
“One of the best books I’ve read in the last year is The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis, best known for his seminal book, American Psycho. It’s a gripping thriller set in 1980s LA and is partially based on events from Ellis’s own childhood, growing up in Hollywood and mixing with the rich and famous. A 17-year-old Bret is a senior at the exclusive Buckley prep school when a new student arrives with a mysterious past. Robert Mallory is bright, handsome, charismatic and hiding a secret from Bret and his friends, even as he becomes a part of their tightly knit circle. Bret’s obsession with Mallory coincides with his unsettling preoccupation with ‘The Trawler’, a serial killer on the loose who seems to be drawing ever closer to Bret and his friends, taunting them with grotesque threats and horrific acts of violence. The book is a long read, but it becomes increasingly gripping as you edge closer to unravelling the mystery.
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands
“I recently finished Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands, a new author emerging in the Scottish literary scene. Fans of Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo will love this book, though it’s far less harrowing. Set in 90s Fife, it follows a young Cora Mowat, who’s stuck on a seaside council estate full. She has dreams to leave her hometown and head for the bright lights of Glasgow, but has no idea how to get there, especially as she’s only 14. When her mum brings a new boyfriend on the scene, Cora is less than impressed – Gunner is a dodgy shoplifter who with more than a few secrets stashed under the bed. As they attempt to play house, she becomes more and more unsatisfied with her small-town existence and plans to break away from her home. Against a backdrop of poverty, Cora still manages to entertain the reader with her hilarious quips and interesting observations about the world. I can’t wait to read Newlands’ next book, whenever it arrives.
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
“Another summer read I binge-read was Talking at Night by Claire Daverley. If you like Sally Rooney and David Nicholls, you’ll love this story about two teenagers whose lives become intertwined over the following decades. They meet at school in their sleepy Norfolk village. Rosie is introverted, an overthinker and would rather let her twin brother, Josh, steal the limelight. Will on the other hand is the typical ‘bad boy’ and doesn’t give a damn about the rules. But over secret walks home and late-night phone calls, they become closer – destined to be one another's great love story. That is, until tragedy arrives and their future falls apart. It’s so beautifully written and the way Daverley brings each character to life is so impressive. Everyone should read this book.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
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Harriet Russell
Chief Sub-Editor & Features Manager
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
“Imagine the Home Office has invented time travel but instead of announcing it to the world, they decide to undertake a rather risky pilot scheme that involves bringing people from past centuries into the present and just... seeing how they get on. That forms the premise of The Ministry of Time, a debut from British-Cambodian writer Kaliane Bradley. Full of historical references, romance and a fast-paced-bordering-on-action-movie-ending, I couldn't put it down.
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Cheri by Jo Ann Beard
“Cheri by Jo Ann Beard came out a year ago, but I can't believe more people aren't talking it – let alone its supremely talented author. It comes in at less than 100 pages, so I read it in a couple of hours one rainy Sunday afternoon earlier this year. I admit the synopsis hardly sounds uplifting – a cancer-stricken mother of two reflects on her life in her final days – but it truly is a life-affirming read. Fans of Claire Keegan's moral-message novellas will eat it up.
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
“Finally, if you like reading, it's unlikely you'll have missed the fanfare around Coco Mellors' sophomore release, Blue Sisters. Here's the rub: it's so much better than Cleopatra & Frankenstein. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed her debut novel about a toxic marriage between two New York narcissists, but this one – about four, well now three, sisters confronting their grief – feels so much more worthwhile. The characters are well fleshed out, the pace is brilliant and the prose is as addictive as ever. I loved it.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
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Rebecca Hull
Beauty Director
Double Life by Charlotte Philby
“I recently read A Double Life by Charlotte Philby. Featuring two female protagonists – an unflinching, investigative journalist and a Foreign Office rising star – this novel entwines two women who you both root for and dislike in equal measure – you’ll also find you think about them both a lot after reading this. Their paths cross when journalist Isobel witnesses an attack after a heavy night of partying. Unsure if she was hallucinating or seeing something that has far-reaching consequences, she sets about retracing her steps and in doing so, uncovers a whole host of secrets and lies. Gabriela – the rising star – is on the other side, leading a double life that leaves her on the brink of collapse in more ways than one. It’s a gripping thriller that explores the world of spies and the seedy underworld that comes with undercover operations – something that I became engrossed in, especially as author Charlotte Philby is the granddaughter of double agent Kim Philby. It is worth noting this is part of a trilogy – the first book The Most Difficult Thing is worth reading, though you can still enjoy this rollercoaster without having done so, it just may leave you with one or two questions…
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver
“One of my favourite books of the summer was Bad Tourists by Caro Carver. I initially thought it would be another tale of a holiday gone wrong, but it has so much more depth to it. The story revolves around three middle-aged friends – Darcy, Camilla, and Kate – who share a tragic connection: a mass murder that deeply affected their loved ones, with Kate unknowingly present at the scene. Years on, they go on a holiday of a lifetime to the Maldives to celebrate a divorce and living life to the full. Despite being in isolated paradise, the past has caught up with them – I did not see the jaw-drop twist coming until the last chapter. It’s shocking and seriously vengeful. The beautiful surroundings add to the enjoyment of this book, as does the witty writing that makes it such a pacey read.
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
“I’ve often spoken about my love for The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – which is going to be adapted for the screen – so his book The Fury had a lot to live up to. Agatha Christie in style, it invites you to join seven very different characters – who are somewhat friends – on the Greek island off the coast of Mykonos. Early on, a murder occurs, with everyone quick to point the finger at each other. Written like a play, you are led through by narrator and character Elliott Chase who gives an account of what happens past and present, constantly leaving you wondering what is and isn’t real. It’s a slow-burn and not as scary as The Silent Patient, but it leaves you wondering whether you have empathy or total disgust for the individuals involved.”
Available at AMAZON.CO.UK
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Georgina Blaskey
Senior Homes & Interiors Editor
The School Run by Ali Lowe
If you love Liane Moriaty (Big Little Lies), you'll love Ali Lowe. Her novels delve into the world of suburban noir and explore how secrets, lies and murder bind people together. Her first novel, The Trivia Night, was about a group of parents who decide to partner swap at the school's trivia night, resulting in reckless decisions and a shady aftermath. The School Run is her third novel and takes us into the competitive world of private schools in Australia, namely St Ignatius Boys’ School in the beautiful coastal town of Pacific Pines. To be accepted into the prestigious institution, the boys must battle it out in rigorous rounds of physical and mental tests – and their parents will stop at nothing to ensure their sons succeed. But after one boy is struck down in a hit and run, the scandals, secrets and lies that entangle three mothers threaten to unravel their seemingly perfect lives. This book is an addictive read with twists and turns in both plot and characters, showing Ali Lowe continues to deliver an intriguing cast of characters and unpredictable storytelling.
Available at AMAZON.COM
Same As it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Following on from her bestseller The Most Fun We Ever Had, Claire Lombardo has brought her emotional intelligence and insightful observations to another family drama. Exploring the rocky terrain of midlife, we follow Julia Ames as she attempts to navigate the latest changes in her family dynamic with grown-up children. A surprise announcement from her son and an impending separation from her daughter leads Julia back into dangerous patterns, plus she revisits past events following a chance encounter with an old friend. As the novel develops, more of Julia’s turbulent childhood and complex relationship with her mother is revealed. Claire Lombardo’s storytelling is all-consuming as she invites us into these characters’ lives to explore themes such as intergenerational friendships and maternal ambivalence. If you like Ann Patchett and Celest Ng, you’ll love this.
Available at AMAZON.COM
The Right Place by Sophia Money-Coutts
I read this over the summer and loved it. It’s set in the south of France and follows Maggie Lemon, a married chef who, on the outside, has the perfect life but in fact, she’s exhausted after five years of failed fertility treatment. When her estranged aunt dies, she leaves her hotel in Provence to Maggie, who returns there to wind up the estate. But when pre-booked guests continue to arrive and a Hollywood actor comes to hide out in the hotel, suddenly Le Figuier starts to feel more like home. Through hosting guests and patching up the property, Maggie begins to realise she feels more at home every day. Sophia Money-Coutts is a gentle storyteller, bringing us classic rom-com fiction but with a modern feel as we follow Maggie’s journey in trying to work out what she wants, and whether it’s ever too late to change the course of your life…
Available at AMAZON.COM
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