Books Released in 2024 That You Need to Read in 2025
After a long period of the general population reading less and less, people are finally starting to read more. This has created a wonderful domino effect that has led to more people writing, more books being published, and better books being published. 2024 was no exception.
Now, an increase in published books is bittersweet. More published books means there will be more novels out there that will fit what you’re looking for. The unfortunate side-effect is that there are more books to wade through to find the books that you want to read.
That’s where we come in. We’re breaking down the best books released this past year that you absolutely don’t want to miss.
1. Unsettled: American Jews and the Movement for Justice in Palestine by Oren Kroll-Zeldin
Unsettled: American Jews and the Movement for Justice is a non-fiction book by Professor Oren Kroll-Zeldin, published by NYU Press. There is a reason this book is listed first. This may be the most important book you read all year. While many have stopped paying attention to the 77 year tragedy happening in the middle east after the January 15th ceasefire, the fight for Palestinian rights has continued. As we write this and as you read this, Palestinians are being held in an open-air prison with their resources being controlled by an outside force, funded by the West, that has stolen their land. This can be a complex topic, which is why it's so important to read and learn.
So, why the recommendation of Kroll-Zeldin’s book specifically? In addition to being well-written, this book examines the role of American Jews in the fight for Palestinian rights. This is a key thing for people to understand. For the uninformed and misinformed, it’s very easy to look at what’s happening in Palestine and chalk it up as a conflict between Jewish people and Muslims. This is far from the truth, and a great way of getting an understanding of this is to look at the many Jewish-Americans that are staunchly anti-zionist. This is a fantastic read for those that want more context and a better perspective into the genocide that is happening in Palestine.
You can find your copy of Unsettled: American Jews and the Movement for Justice in Palestine by Oren Kroll-Zeldin here in print and eBook editions.
2. Theophanies by Sarah Ghazal Ali
Theophanies is a poetry collection by Sarah Ghazal Ali, published by Alice James. If you don’t know, theophanies are tangible encounters with God. These serve as the recurring motif of Sarah Ghazal Ali’s poetry in this collection. However, this debut collection goes beyond a focus on faith and religion. Ali uses these motifs, without necessarily positioning herself as either a skeptic or believer, to examine themes of family, gender, and more, while touching on their complex relationship with religion.
This collection is powerful, with a unique style and careful writing that will keep you engaged. This is worth a spot on your bookshelf.
You can find your copy of Theophanies on the Alice James website.
3. Being Human, Then Decaying by J.B. Exte
Being Human, Then Decaying is a literary fiction novel by J.B. Exte, published by Deathless Publishing. This tragic tale bounces back and forth from two sides of a breakup, during and after. The chapters that focus on the post-breakup follow the story of Elisha, written in the third-person, detailing how his life crumbled apart. The chapters that tell the stories during their relationship are written by Elisha in the first-person. These chapters look into the key moments in their relationship, from first meeting to final goodbyes.
This novel is a work of art, with carefully chosen word after carefully chosen word, keeping an addicting pace and presenting interesting and real dialogue. Reading this novel will allow you to reflect on themes of the effects of isolation, vice vs virtue, relationships, and grief.
At the time of writing, this book has accumulated a 5-star rating on Goodreads.
You can find your copy of Being Human, Then Decaying by J.B. Exte exclusively here in hardcover, softcover, and eBook options.
4. Many Arms Enfold Us by Diavolo Ray
Many Arms Enfold Us is a horror novel by Diavolo Ray, published independently. This book is a haunting exploration of themes such as identity, grief, and transformation. Ray weaves a narrative that is both tender and unrelenting, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between past and present, self and other, human and divine blur in breathtaking ways.
At its core, Many Arms Enfold Us is about what it means to be seen, to belong, and to survive the forces—both external and internal—that seek to define us. The prose is lyrical without being indulgent, sharp without being cruel. Ray’s storytelling is precise and deliberate, ensuring that every sentence carries weight.
This is a novel that lingers, that wraps itself around you long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for something that is both devastating and beautiful, Many Arms Enfold Us deserves a place on your shelf. Find your copy at this link.
5. Flesh Communion and Other Stories by Holly Garcia
Flesh Communion and Other Stories is a short story collection by Holly Garcia, published by Easton Falls Publishing. This collection has everything, from fully fleshed out short stories to flash fiction, and even some poetry. Each and every story is well-written, covering intriguing plots, such as a woman trying to hold onto memories as her partner battles with dementia, a virus halting animal consumption by humans, a rougarou attack in the swamps (If you’re not from the Bayous like I am and haven’t heard of rougarous, it's worth learning about them), and more.
This range of stories culminate in a collection that has something for everyone, written with clear attention to detail and artistic vision. With these stories, you truly end up feeling like you’re traveling between worlds that you want to escape, with stories that you’ll think about years later.
Pick up your Kindle or paperback edition here.