Each product has been independently selected by our editorial team. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Finding that perfect book for a beach read or poolside perusal just got even easier.
Few know books better than Amazon's Book Editors, who have made it their job to find the best literary offerings on the market. These professionals are on a mission to deliver the top recommendations to every shopper — no matter their interests — by reading thousands of titles for the online retailer's list of Best Books of the Month and Best Books of the Year .
Last week, Amazon announced another list from the editors: The Best Books of 2024 So Far .
Shop the Books on Amazon
The list of the Best Books of 2024 (so far) according to Amazon Book Editors consists of 20 books from various genres, including thrillers, historical fiction, mystery and cookbooks . The number one spot on Amazon's list went to James , a Pulitzer Prize finalist written by Percival Everett. Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor explained the selection, "Rip-roaringly American, wry, and hard-hitting, Everett's retelling of the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a knockout, which is why it was unanimously voted as our #1 pick."
'James' by Percival Everett 
Amazon
'James' by Percival Everett James draws inspiration from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and tells the story of Jim, an enslaved man who overhears he will be sold to a new man and separated from his family.
$28 $15
While we definitely suggested adding James to your cart, the other choices on Amazon's list are equally stellar. We've rounded up these selections in order of the Amazon Editor's rankings. As a bonus, many of these best-selling books are on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day next month . Below, find your next summer read, recommended by the pros.
Amazon's Best Books of 2024 So Far
'The Women: A Novel' by Kristin Hannah 
Amazon
'The Women: A Novel' by Kristin Hannah Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale , has a new book that's made its way onto four of the top bestseller lists. The Women tells the story of Frances, a field nurse who enters the Vietnam War to return home only to find rising political tensions.
$30 $19
'All the Worst Humans' by Phil Elwood 
Amazon
'All the Worst Humans' by Phil Elwood "This wild, oh-my-God memoir will make your jaw drop," says Woodworth of this novel. "A public relations hit man dishes on all his dirty deeds, and it's not only impossible to put down, it's impossible not to talk about—in other words, perfect summer nonfiction reading."
$29 $15
'The Ministry of Time: A Novel' by Kaliane Bradley 
Amazon
'The Ministry of Time: A Novel' by Kaliane Bradley The Ministry of Time is spy thriller with a mix of time travel and romance. When a civil servant begins working a new time travel project, she must decide if falling in love is worth the consequences of changing history.
$29 $19
'Martyr!: A Novel' by Kaveh Akbar 
Amazon
'Martyr!: A Novel' by Kaveh Akbar Woodworth raves about this book, saying “Poet Kaveh Akbar makes his dazzling fiction debut with an unforgettable main character whose voice feels shot from a cannon, and reminded us of the charismatic and undeniably addictive hero ofDemon Copperhead.Martyr!is both laugh-out-loud funny and deadly serious—a coming-of-age story and a portrait of a young Iranian-American wrestling with what it means to have a life of value.”
$28 $15
'Nuclear War: A Scenario' by Annie Jacobsen 
Amazon
'Nuclear War: A Scenario' by Annie Jacobsen It's been the topic of multiple dystopian novels, but what would actually happen in the case of nuclear war? Nuclear War by Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen explores this scenario by interviewing military and civilian experts.
$15
"All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker Amazon
"All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker Amazon Editor Seira Wilson reviews this book, now available for preorder: "This extraordinary novel with a dark mystery running through it begins with a beekeeper and a pirate, and a kidnapping that changes their lives. Chris Whitaker’s vivid storytelling makes the pages fly by in a tale of family, survival, devotion, and love so powerful it hurts."
$14
'Lies and Weddings: A Novel' by Kevin Kwan 
Amazon
'Lies and Weddings: A Novel' by Kevin Kwan From Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan, Lies and Weddings tells the story of Rufus Leung Gresham, a future earl. Despite a lifestyle of luxury with yachts and manors, the Gresham family is in tremendous debt, but a scheming mother has a solution: Rufus will seduce a rich woman at his sister's wedding to marry.
$15
'Lost Man's Lane: A Novel' by Scott Carson 
Amazon
'Lost Man's Lane: A Novel' by Scott Carson Amazon editor Vannessa Cronin explains this pick: “ Lost Man's Lane is a horror-tinged coming-of-age tale: sublime and sharp, poignant, nostalgic, and unsettling, even funny when it needs to be. Carson’s portrait of a teenage boy is spookily spot-on, as is the way he takes the novel terrifyingly sideways."
$29 $15
'This Could Be Us' (Skyland Book 2) by Kennedy Ryan 
Amazon
'This Could Be Us' (Skyland Book 2) by Kennedy Ryan “Thisbookis so multi-dimensional, just as life is—Kennedy Ryan covers divorce, self-discovery, autism, raising kids, the power of friendships, and other huge life changes, but it is done in a way that is so real and relatable,” says Amazon Editor Kami Tei.
$18 $12
'I Cheerfully Refuse' by Leif Enger 
Amazon
'I Cheerfully Refuse' by Leif Enger I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger is Amazon Editor Erin Kodicek's personal favorite. "This harrowing, but beautifully told, tale is a sly paean to books, language, love and the transformative power of receiving and extending kindness. I cheerfully endorse it."
$28 $9
'Narcotopia' by Patrick Winn 
Amazon
'Narcotopia' by Patrick Winn Award-winning journalist Patrick Winn's latest work is Narcotopia , which looks into the truth behind the top drug-trafficking ring in Asia as detailed by DEA informant Wa.
$32 $19
'Margo's Got Money Troubles: A Novel' by Rufi Thorpe 
Amazon
'Margo's Got Money Troubles: A Novel' by Rufi Thorpe When Margo becomes pregnant with the professor at her junior college, she is left to fend for herself. When her father turns up at her doorstep, she uses his former pro-wrestling career advice to become an adult internet star in Margo's Got Money Troubles .
$15
'skin & bones: a novel' by Renée Watson 
Amazon
'skin & bones: a novel' by Renée Watson The poetic novel skin & bones byRenée Watson tells the story of Lena, whose world is rocked by a confession on her wedding day.
$30 $15
'The Familiar: A Novel' by Leigh Bardugo 
Amazon
'The Familiar: A Novel' by Leigh Bardugo This is Amazon Editor Ben Grange's personal pick. He calls it "Utterly compelling from page one," and goes on to say, "Bardugo masterfully weaves a classic tale for the modern reader. Magic, romance, and history pull you in and refuse to let you go until you've read the whole thing."
$30 $15
'Table for Two: Fictions' by Amor Towles 
Amazon
'Table for Two: Fictions' by Amor Towles Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow , shares six stories set in New York City and the golden age of Hollywood in his new work A Table for Two .
$14
'Fire Exit: A Novel' by Morgan Talty 
Amazon
'Fire Exit: A Novel' by Morgan Talty Charles' life is anything but simple, and as times get more challenging, he becomes unable to live with the secrets of his past — mainly his relationship to his neighbor Elizabeth, who is secretly his daughter.
$29 $15
'The Demon of Unrest' by Erik Larson 
Amazon
'The Demon of Unrest' by Erik Larson President Lincoln was only in office for five months before the Civil War began. See what unfolded in those days in Erik Larson's latest nonfiction historical thriller.
$35 $19
'First Lie Wins' by Ashley Elston 
Amazon
'First Lie Wins' by Ashley Elston AReese's Book Club Pick, First Lie Wins is a thriller that centers around Evie Porter, who is actually someone else and was given her identity by the mysterious Mr. Smith. Evie wants a new life, but one slip-up will change her future forever.
$28 $17
'Malas: A Novel' by Marcela Fuentes 
Amazon
'Malas: A Novel' by Marcela Fuentes In this book, Lulu looks forward to her upcomingquinceañera, but when a glamorous stranger crashes a family funeral, she develops an unexpected kinship and learns secrets about her family.
$29 $15
RELATED CONTENT:
The 20 Best Summer Beach Reads of 2024
20 Best Celebrity Cookbooks: Recipes From Gordon Ramsay and More
Dive Deeper Into the World of 'Dune' With These Best-Selling Books Rebel Wilson, RuPaul and More Must-Read Celebrity Memoirs of 2024
'House of the Dragon' Blood and Cheese Storyline: Everything to Know
Blake Lively Shares Message for Passionate 'It Ends With Us' Book Fans
24 Books by Women Authors to Read During Women's History Month
Most Popular
Comments / 0