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Woman's World
10 Must-Read Backlist Books From Authors With New Releases in 2024
By Courtney Shapiro,
4 days ago
In the book world, new releases get a lot of attention: You'll find them in elaborate displays at bookstores and libraries, and hundreds of people review them in magazines, online and on Goodreads. But let's not forget about backlist books! Unlike those new releases (also called frontlist books), backlist books are still in print but have been on the market for at least a year. (They're also easier to find at libraries, garage sales and Little Free Libraries!) And you can discover some real gems! Here's we've rounded up our favorite backlist titles from authors with new books out. Happy reading!
This year's runaway hit The Women is on so many readers' favorite books lists, but Firefly Lane is the book that introduced many women to Kristin Hannah. Originally published in 2009, the story of love, loss and the magic of friendship was so popular with readers it spawned a sequel, Fly Away , and a 2021 Netflix series. Spanning more than 30 years, the series follows unlikely best friends Tully and Kate, who meet at age 14 and couldn’t be more different. But when a tragedy brings them together, they are bonded for life. Throughout their friendship, they experience all of the ups and downs that life offers. One achieves wealth and fame while the other chooses marriage and motherhood, but their bond remains strong — until it faces the ultimate test.
What readers are saying: "Leave it to Kristin Hannah to leave me laughing then crying all within the pages of one book, again! Firefly Lane was a trip down memory lane for me. If you want a book that will take you on a journey through every emotion you can feel, this one's for you. It's a masterpiece of love, friendship, family, hardship, redemption and hope and I loved every single word. I've loved Kristin Hannah for years and always find her books to be moving, with each one better than the last."
Bestselling author duo Christina Lauren has two books out this year, The Paradise Problem and T angled Up in You. But this heartfelt story of first loves, friendships and betrayals came long before. Macy works as a pediatrics resident, and in her off time, she’s planning her wedding to a successful older man. But when she bumps into Elliot, her first true love (sho she hasn't seen in years), Macy’s entire world shifts. Alternating between past and present timelines, will Macy and Elliot find their happy ending?
What readers are saying: “If you know me, you know I love a good romance,” says Melissa D’Agnese , Woman's World Senior Editor. “It’s the perfect genre to escape a blah day — and this book about first loves was the pick-me-up I needed. I enjoyed how the plot jumped between the past and present, I felt my heavy mood lift and it left me heartened!"
Jodi PIcoult is known for her intense and heartfelt stories, and many readers can't wait to get their hands on her upcoming 2024 book, By Any Other Name . Until then, check out Picoult's Leaving Time , which touches on grief, tragedy and suspense. Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, who disappeared 10 years earlier when Jenna was just 3. So when Jenna finds a divine sign of her mom, she contacts a psychic and a detective. With her mother's journal entries and her own memories, this book is a guaranteed page turner to the finish.
What readers are saying: "It's not many authors who can give you characters you love, a suspense story you can't stop reading, and enough education on a subject that you feel almost like an expert the way Jodi Picoult can. I don't know why the story of Jenna, a teenage girl looking for her mother who disappeared ten years ago, hit me so hard, but I loved this book so much that I had to read the other two novellas that gave me more backstory on the novel. I just didn't want to ever leave these characters."
Reese Witherspoon chose Sullivan's summer read, The Cliffs, as one of her bookclub picks, but fans of the author rave about her backlist book Saints for All Occasions. At 21 and 17, motherless sisters Nora and Theresa Flynn set sail from their tiny Irish village for a new life in Boston. Always the responsible one, Nora does her best to watch over vivacious Theresa, who’s smitten with city life. But when Theresa finds herself in an impossible situation, Nora’s attempt to fix the problem backfires. Years later Nora is the matriarch of a large Catholic family, while Teresa is a cloistered nun — and only tragedy can bring them back together.
What readers are saying: "I read two of Sullivan's other novels, so I shouldn't be surprised that I loved this one just as much, if not more. A well-written story of mistakes, choices, family, love and forgiveness. From the very first page, I was pulled in by the characters. Throughout the entire novel, I felt I was standing in the background, observing, listening and sharing the experience."
Fans are buzzing about Ware's newest book, The Perfect Couple, but Ware has been thrilling readers for years! In one of our favorites, the 2018 book, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, Hal, a young tarot card reader who’s struggling to make ends meet, receives a mysterious letter informing her that she is entitled to an inheritance. Despite not knowing the deceased, Hal decides to attend her funeral and stay at her estate in the hopes of walking away with the money — but the events surrounding the inheritance prove to be more complicated than she ever imagined.
What readers are saying: "When the humid late-summer temperatures reach their peak, I begin to feel tired and mentally restless since it’s too hot for most activities,” shares Shay Trotter , Woman's World Associate Editor. “Reading this thriller was the perfect way to recharge in the A/C and working to piece together this puzzle was the rejuvenating boost I needed!”
Kristy Woodson Harvey knows how to write compelling family drama, and her new book, A Happier Life, is chock-full of it. If you like that, you'll love Slightly South of Simple, the first in her Peachtree Bluff series. When Caroline hits a bump in her marriage, she heads south to her mother, Ansley. Soon, her two sisters, Sloane and Emerson, arrive with drama of their own. However, when the past reappears for Ansley, the secrets she's kept from her daughters may make their way to the surface.
What readers are saying: "As much as I’d love to spend my summer at the beach, it’s not in the cards for me,” laughs Patty Bontekoe , Woman's World Executive Editor. “So I decided to live vicariously through the Murphys, who are spending time in the Southern beach town of Peachtree Bluff. I loved this family. They reminded me of my three sisters, whom I called after reading to set up our own getaway! And when I saw there were three more books in the series, I kept on reading!”
The Queen of the Beach Read just released her final Nantucket book, Swan Song, and she's got plenty more beachy titles on her backlist! As 28 Summers begins, Mallory Blessing’s son, Link, gets deathbed instructions from her to call a number, but he has no clue who will answer. When he finds out, he’s shocked. Flashback to the summer of 1993: Mallory has struck up a summer love in Nantucket. Now, the past and present collide as Link learns his mother met her true love, Jake, for one weekend a year…for the past 28 years.
What readers are saying: "Easily one of my favorite books by Elin — couldn’t put it down! Definitely a perfect vacation read. Fell in love with the characters and the forbidden love story. Sure it’s out of touch with reality a little bit but if you just let it happen it will rip your heart open!!!"
This week's release, The Summer Pact , Is Giffin's 12th novel featuring strong female characters. A top backlist pick? Heart of the Matter. Focusing on marriage and motherhood, Giffin delivers a an emotional novel that dives into the power of forgiveness. Meet Valerie, a single mother of one son, and Tessa, a doctor’s wife. Their lives collide when Valerie’s son ends up in the hospital under the care of Tessa’s husband, Nick—and Nick and Valerie spark a connection that tests his marriage. Relationships are put to the test, morals are questioned and these characters have to decide what truly matters most to them.
What readers are saying: "This is a uniquely told story about an affair as seen in alternating points of view through the eyes of the wife and the mistress. It's a well-paced, compelling and unusually balanced look at the pain and confusion infidelity causes. The pace was fast and I wanted to turn the pages and see what happened to both the women. I read this in two days and loved the experience and uniqueness despite the sad subject."
Readers are flocking to libraries and bookstores to check out Center's new book, The Rom-Commers, but her backlist title, Things You Save in a Fire, is one not to miss! When firefighter Cassie Hanwell has to relocate from her Texas firehouse to an old-school one in Boston, she’s met with a lack of funding, hazing, poor facilities and a team who’s not thrilled to have a “lady” on their crew — except for one handsome rookie, who causes Cassie to reconsider her “never date a firefighter” rule. Add to that, living in the home of her ailing mother, and Cassie is burning the candle at both ends to prove herself.
What readers are saying: “Recently, I was pulled in all different directions with family obligations and work and found myself on a short fuse with those I love most,” says Tara Hans, Woman's World Managing Editor. “I needed some ‘me time’ when this book caught my eye. I loved that this was a story where the female was the hero in a traditionally male-dominated job. It had action, romance, drama, but above all, it reminded me to be patient with loved ones and appreciate them while I have them.”
Readers buzzing about Solomon's new release, Past Present Future , shouldn't miss this backlist title! In this time loop romance, Barrett Bloom can't wait to experience college and leave high school behind her. However, on September 21, her first day of classes, everything goes wrong. The next day she wakes up hoping for a fresh start, but soon realizes it's still September 21 — and she's trapped with Miles, her nemesis from her physics class. They agree to work together to try and get out of the time loop and find themselves getting closer through unexpected romantic adventures. Will Barret and Miles make it to tomorrow? And if they do, will their relationship be changed forever?
What readers are saying: "I love that when I read Rachel's books, I'm not just getting a love story," says Courtney Shapiro , Woman's World Digital Associate Editor. "I really enjoy the depth and vulnerability she creates in her stories. It's also probably pretty difficult to write a time loop story without repeating the same information and while it was the same day, Rachel made every September 21st feel special."
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