Chapter 2024
2024 looks quite exciting when it comes to publishing, boasting a roster of new writers, critically acclaimed authors, gut-wrenching stories, and much more. Here is a short list of some of the most exciting books coming out this year.
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid unfolds in 2017 at the University of Arkansas, tracking the journey of Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant with dreams of graduation and a normal life. When Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer, offers an unusual opportunity, Millie eagerly accepts, setting the stage for a story of peculiar friendships, vengeance, and intrigue. The novel explores themes of desire, consumption, reckless abandon, money, indiscretion, and bad behavior. Reid's acclaimed storytelling brings forth a tension-filled narrative, providing a fresh and intimate perspective on the complexities surrounding relationships, ambition, personal choices, class, and power within the college setting.
The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir by RuPaul
RuPaul is gearing up to unveil his most intimate and revealing memoir to date. Titled The House of Hidden Meanings, the book delves deep into RuPaul's profound introspection of his upbringing as a Black, impoverished, and queer individual in a tumultuous household. It explores the challenges of dealing with an absent father and a temperamental mother, finding an identity within the punk and drag scenes of Atlanta and New York, and discovering love with his husband, Georges LeBar. Stripping away all artifice, RuPaul shares his life story with breathtaking clarity and tenderness, unveiling fresh truths and insights from his personal history. Serving as a manual for living, the memoir encapsulates RuPaul’s personal philosophy, highlighting the value of a chosen family, the significance of embracing one’s differences, and the transformative power that comes with fearless self-acceptance.
Sugar, Baby marks a bold debut, offering a vivid depiction of high-paid sex work in the digital era. Agnes, the 21-year-old mixed-race protagonist, leads a seemingly aimless life, working as a cleaner and seeking weekend distractions in clubs. Her routine takes a dramatic turn when she encounters Emily, a model and sugar baby immersed in a lavish London lifestyle fueled by relationships with wealthy older men. Intrigued by the allure of opulent life, Agnes joins fellow sugar babies after being forced out of her religious family home. As Agnes immerses herself in this world of affluence, her life takes a turn. From relationships with married men flaunting exotic companions to becoming a central figure in a Russian billionaire’s wife’s extravagant Miami sex party, Agnes sets off on an uncertain journey. The book is a compelling exploration of self-discovery with sharp commentary on race, beauty, and class, as Agnes seeks fulfillment in a realm promising extravagance yet burdened with its own set of challenges.
Kaveh Akbar’s novel, Martyr!, is a captivating exploration of life’s pursuit of meaning. Cyrus Shams, a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, grapples with an inheritance of violence and loss. His quest for understanding takes him on a journey guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, leading to a terminally ill painter in the Brooklyn Museum. As a drunk, addict, and poet, Cyrus delves into the mysteries of his past, uncovering family secrets and confronting the complexities of his identity. Satirical and autobiographical, this novel offers a unique blend of humor, originality, and profound insights. The narrative skillfully navigates themes of addiction, displacement, and the unrelenting search for self-discovery.
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange is a powerful novel that spans generations, exploring the lasting impact of historical atrocities on a Cheyenne family. Set against the backdrop of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the narrative connects past trauma to present struggles. From the harsh realities faced by survivors like Star, who endures forced assimilation, to the intergenerational trauma experienced by his son, Charles. The story moves to 2018, where Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield grapples with the aftermath of a contemporary shooting that leaves her nephew traumatized. Tommy Orange paints a vivid picture of sorrow, rage, and resilience, illustrating the profound and devastating effects of America’s historical violence against Indigenous peoples. Wandering Stars stands as a testament to the enduring strength of those who navigate the complexities of their heritage while bravely confronting the past.
Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosley
Grief Is for People is a distinctive and emotionally charged exploration of loss and friendship, defying the conventions of a typical grief memoir. The narrative unfolds around Crosley’s response to the suicide of her closest friend, Russell Perreault, coinciding with a burglary at her apartment. This memoir transcends the expected stages of grief as Crosley navigates the complexities of mourning through philosophy and art. Crosley and Russell’s intertwined lives, both in the literary and professional realms, take on added layers against the backdrop of a city struggling with a pandemic. The memoir’s unique blend of dark humor, empathy, and profound introspection challenges traditional grief narratives, offering a nuanced and relatable examination of loss in the complexities of contemporary life.
Who’s Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler
Judith Butler, an already well-known name in the field of gender studies, confronts the right-wing attacks on gender in her latest book, Who’s Afraid of Gender? Facing the global anti-gender ideology movements, Butler dissects the fantasy that labels gender as a dangerous threat, revealing its role in authoritarian regimes, fascist formations, and trans-exclusionary feminist narratives. The book also explores how the fear of gender fuels reactionary politics, nullifying reproductive justice, diminishing protections against violence, and stripping rights from trans and queer individuals. Butler exposes the subtle ways this fantasy of gender operates alongside xenophobic panics and deceptive narratives, demonizing equality struggles and leaving millions vulnerable to subjugation. Who’s Afraid of Gender? is a call to form broad coalitions against injustice, offering hope for freedom and solidarity amid the fraught issues of our time.
The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin
In The American Daughters, Ady, a curious girl, and her mother, Sanite, share an unbreakable bond while enslaved to the same man in the French Quarter of New Orleans. When separated from her mother, Ady finds solace at the Mockingbird Inn, where she befriends Lenore, a free Black woman. Lenore introduces Ady to The Daughters, a secret society of revolutionaries. With newfound courage, instilled by her mother, Ady joins these strong women on a journey of self-discovery and resistance. The American Daughters unfolds as a gripping historical novel, portraying Ady’s triumph over adversity. As the community bands together to fight for freedom, the novel becomes a beacon of hope, reminding us of the transformative power when individuals unite to defy the constraints of a challenging past and envision a liberated future.
Emily Henry, already a well-known name in the rom-com genre, once again celebrates modern love through her new book, Funny Story. Adding a refreshing twist to the classic opposites-attract trope and unforeseen connections, Henry introduces Daphne, who starts her new journey after leaving her fiancé, Peter, who discovered his love for childhood friend, Petra. Now stranded in Waning Bay, Michigan, scraping by with her dream job, Daphne's life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes roommates with Miles Nowak, Petra's ex. Despite their stark differences, an unexpected friendship blossoms between them… and maybe something more.
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
Remarkably, Vanessa Chan’s debut novel, The Storm We Made, stands out as one of the most eagerly anticipated books of the year, showcasing Chan’s talent even as a relatively new writer. Set in Malaya (now Malaysia) during World War II, the captivating story revolves around Cecily Alcantara, a former housewife turned spy, whose past decisions resurface to haunt her. As her family confronts the consequences of colonial power, including the disappearance of her son and the threat facing her youngest daughter, Cecily is resolute in shielding her loved ones from the shocking repercussions of her espionage past. Against the backdrop of war, the narrative explores themes of family bonds, the intricate relationships between the colonized and oppressors, and the moral complexities that emerge in the pursuit of survival.
