11 books you need to read in 2024 *fiction*

[@joeawad4325]

You just know whenever Jack mentions Toni Morrison the words “the Human Condition” will soon follow

[@juanfa98]

love how poetic and dramatic are Jack's reviews on books he likes

[@SuryanshiAgrawal]

Could analyze the 'men written by woman' and the 'women written by men' trope in books? It would be so awesome to hear you speaking on authors' unrealistic (and sometimes even sexist) expectations of the opposite gender.

[@majacervin8867]

Yess!!!

[@twosunies]

This would be interesting!

[@emptythoughts3060]

💯💯💯

[@meganlsanders]

I find this so interesting and hadn't given it a thought until my mum said she doesn't read books by male authors. She couldn't give me a reason why (I think she just thinks it's a coincidence) but after discussing the idea with my friend we realised that too often, male writers don't write women well. It's something I really look for now when I read male authors

[@fluffg-nx7ns]

That would be sooo interesting to watch for sure!!

[@pickyourpopculturepoison]

I love that you talk about books that aren’t the same ten I always see!

[@rubyanddelilahandnani]

Have you watched Ana Wallace Johnson?

[@pickyourpopculturepoison]

@@rubyanddelilahandnani No but thanks for the Rec!!

[@rubyanddelilahandnani]

@@pickyourpopculturepoisonyou’re welcome. She’s great.

[@NovelFindsByKassi]

I also read Almond this year and was blown away by it. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@alishalee6618]

In the Dream House was one of my favorites from 2022 and also was put on my list of one of my favorites I've ever read. When you talked about it earlier in the year I got so excited because I had not ever seen anyone talk about it and it really deserves to be so I'm glad to see it on this list too.

[@TheRainbowCoach]

'She has been more consistent in my life than some people I know.' Love the sash. A trope in itself. 😆

[@matteo00111]

Best

[@MyHumbleNest]

HUGE Claire Keegan fan!! I love Small Things... and Foster, both in my top five (of 88) books this year! I can't get enough of her. Also, LOVED Ivan Illyich in 2023!

[@sarasuarezacebes9969]

Could you do " books recommended by Jess Mariano " please? I'd LOVE it

[@paxtonc5326]

jack, sweetie, i can’t read 11 books in 2 days😂

[@38k25m]

dude. first video like this that actually makes you want to read EVERY SINGLE ONE.

[@MARKJamison-r5i]

I’ve been teaching SULA for decades in my honors English class. I’m going to show this clip when we get to it this year. I feel exactly this way about this book.

[@keiichifuruya]

From your list, this year I read Sula, Alone with you in the Ether, In the Dream house and Small Things Like These. Two of these were on my top ten of the year! Good choices 🎉

[@LuluST-nc6us]

The last two years I read a Toni Morrison book each and I'd like to make that a tradition. My 2024-Morrison will now be Sula. Happy new year everyone!

[@luisarickli6738]

I simply adore your way of talking about the things you love, it inspires me so much! And btw, I loved the christmas lights on your shelves!!

[@charlotted3213]

jack reminds me of that really down to earth cousin that’s also so smart and tries not to rub it in 😭

[@susanalfieri4487]

Some of my favorite reads of late are BUNNY (Mona Award), THE HEAVEN AND EARTH GROCERY STORE (James McBride), and THE DAUGHTERS OF MADURAI (RAJASREE VARIYAR). All are beautiful and mesmerizing in their own way, but James McBride's characters simply crackle with humanness. They are unforgetable. I may have cried in each book, although BUNNY is not really meant to be sad. Great reads all.

[@tateshivers7461]

hey jack if your looking for more native authors i absolutely recommend ‘braiding sweet grass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer. it’s a collection of essays all about indigenous knowledge, our relationship to the earth and each other. it’s writing is really lyrical and sweet while also being incredibly insightful/critical on a variety of issues like colonization. i think it’s a book everyone should read lol

[@maiarasilva9546]

I read Young Mungo because of one of your videos and it was the best book I read this year (possibly the best from the last few years), at first it was difficult to get into because my first language isn't english so the writing made me confused, but once I got used to it I absolutely fell in love with it. Honestly I think about it all the time, I never thought I would see myself in a story from such a specific european social context but this one really hit. Anyway I will definitely check out the other ones lol

[@amandahall873]

UGHHH into the dream house is one of my favorite books of all time and I recommend it to everyone, especially because carmen’s experience completely resonate with mine. I’m so glad to see it recommended here!

[@marifer7881]

A book you must read is Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova.

[@TheOrwelian84]

Young Mongo is actually a book about me and Tolkien and our secret relationship when we met at the Somme

[@jamieann1234]

Ive just finished Alone With You In The Ether and my god. I adored it. Solid 5/5 immediately ❤😢

[@kehayrbrown2465]

I understand that these videos can only be so long, but I always find it a little disheartening whenever Toni Morrison is mentioned and race and class are completely removed from the conversation. I know that as a Black person my position and experience of the writing may be a bit closer to the material, but something the Morrison has created avenues for everyone to relate to her work, regardless of race. This is in no way just a criticism of just Jack as a book critic, though one of my favorites; I've just noticed across all book content creators, Toni Morrison specifically is heralded, but the main themes of race, class, and women are not discussed.

[@luisawetzel9503]

Jaaaaack give us a video about Saltburn🎉

[@laurak7247]

Jack, you have to stop making me put even more books on my tbr

[@KhumoMarkham]

Young Mungo was absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t put the book down and I’m pretty sure I’ll be recommending it forever!

[@amandamcneill6111]

Another gem which I'm currently reading is O Brother bt John Niven.

[@KhumoMarkham]

@@amandamcneill6111 thank you for the recommendation. I’ll be picking it up

[@nnnbooks1211]

I just finished "Another Brooklyn" by J. Woodson and you were so right. thanks for the recommendation

[@nnnbooks1211]

I then went to finish in the dream house and it is so powerful. loved the book

[@camih05]

i just bought Almond!!

[@lothanyfountain9443]

If you wanna read more Native American fiction I really really recommend Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko.

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

New to books on youtube. Best wishes to you and your channel in 2024.

[@matthewernst6178]

There There was STUNNING. Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow. An ocean poured through my eyes. It’s Tommy’s first and only book. 2024 is a great time to reread this masterpiece.

[@bladepanthera]

Dw Jack, I wrote a card to my parents with "Merry Christmas 2024!" in it. 😂 Told my dad I'd reuse it next year hahaha

[@SherriParker-e7v]

Read Mayflies because of Jack. Very well written. Revue is spot on

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

Small Things Like These made my top 10 books this year. A masterpiece.

[@authenticcat5603]

hi jack (or well anyone reading this really)! does anyone have a book rec for a friend who really loved Life of Pi, A Tale for the Time Being, The Language of Flowers, and When Breath Becomes Air. She loves books that aren't really set in the "digital age" or books that give us an idea of how we can disconnect from our laptops and phones and communicate, and books that tell us how privileged we are to live in this hyper-connected world. She's a mother of a girl and a boy and loves books that have the idea of the complexity of motherhood. She also loves books that make the reader think.

[@senseijutsu]

based on all the books i've constantly seen you recommended, i'm completely sure you would love anais nin, please give her a chance with any of her fictional works or diaries😭😭😭 love from argentina

[@sanijad9smiles]

You should read Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez! Incredible book

[@karpuzir]

i literally just bought young mungo and plan for it to be my first 2024 book. cant wait

[@matteo00111]

If you haven't read 'Step Up: Success Unlocked', you're missing out. It's packed with practical advice on building a successful routine. It emphasizes the significance of routine, discipline, and the impact of our surroundings on our journey to success. It brilliantly covers motivation and the power of daily routines. This book is a fantastic inspiration for anyone aspiring to a new and better beginning. Highly recommend

[@alondra6395]

Couple days ago I watched 3 of ur recent rec videos and I got a couple of them since b&n had that sale! I’m currently reading in the dream house and it’s the first memoir I’ve ever read! Great recommendation. From the rest of the ones in this video I also bought Sula and the death of Ivan ilyich. All the books you recommend sound amazing so I’m going to try to get the rest of these soon

[@rachelevans2811]

You should check out Trent Dalton - amazing Australian author! Lola in the Mirror is his latest 😊

[@han-mg9eq]

in jack we trust

[@benbrubaker9950]

Thought you'd mention Another Country by James Baldwin!

[@asan1050]

Jack! ThanksMuch for sharing !

[@thanjavdh]

If you like Sula you should read Song of Solomon also by Toni Morrison!!

[@enchantingaudiobooks]

Was waiting for your recommendation, finally It's here 🥳

[@janhavi765]

reading Sula for class right now

[@starrydustbunnies]

i love your videos! i have been reading a palestinian authors recently, and i thought maybe you could make a video on palestinian voices? the books that absolutely destroyed me are Mornings in Jenin, and Against a Loveless World both by Susan Abulhawa, and dear god. dear bones. dear yellow. by Noor Hindi.

[@aamnahere6250]

I read 'Mornings in Jenin' a few years ago and this book wrecked me in ways I cannot even describe. I've read extremely powerful and sad books but this book made me sob in a way that I still remember. You're absolutely right! We do need more Palestinian authors being represented now.

[@starrydustbunnies]

@@aamnahere6250 i know right. i've read so many depressing books, but at the end of the day i could convince myself that it's just fiction and get myself together, but the fact that mornings in jenin might as well be the story of so many palestinians... gosh

[@truly_rare]

Running 'cause there's only a day and a few hours left before 2023 ends🏃🏻‍♀️

[@laurenschenck5355]

SO EXCITED!!! 😊

[@tanushreemanna6820]

Can you please suggest a book based on disability studies?

[@tanishamitra4842]

Please please please recommend books like saltburn Ps i really hope you read this comment

[@simonwalsh6804]

Hi Jack - I just found your channel. Do you have any non-fiction videos; I love to read but I am trying to get back into the habit. I am a scientist by profession and do enjoy fiction, but I also really like non-fiction. Lovely library BTW

[@nathanhunt9986]

love love love

[@fenceyhen4249]

Pls read War and Peace for 24 hours

[@aneya1517]

Would love to hear your thoughts on “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride this year if you haven’t read it yet! Absolutely destroyed me.

[@davidaaronnajera8692]

Has Jack read Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan quartet? I think that he would really like them!

[@jenn7340]

jack please read The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson! its honestly so good!

[@DrawtheCurtains]

Bro expects me to read 11 books in a day and a half???

[@scarlett2692]

LMAO

[@anuththaraherath9714]

He said “make them your tbr in 2024”

[@jonthasnas]

Better start quick !!

[@jonthasnas]

​@@anuththaraherath9714 The title is 2023 😅

[@jo.mb97]

😂😂 same thought

[@diagonall_y]

0:39 - Sula by Toni Morrison 2:40 - Alone With You In The Ether by Olivie Blake 4:19 - Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan 5:20 - Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson 6:29 - By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart 8:06 - Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn 10:13 - In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado 11:28 - There There by Tommy Orange 13:30 - Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart 14:58 - The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy 16:16 - Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan edit: hi, i would really appreciate it if u would recommend more books for me to read in 2024 if u see this

[@lilkakow]

Writers and lovers, Piranesi,Who runs the frog hospital, Light from uncommon stars, Self portrait in green,Count Luna, Sunburn by Chloe Michelle howarth and the broken earth trilogy by n.k.jemisin

[@lilbeans]

Any specific genres?

[@bikashnath01]

Hey buddy, here's a book recommendation for you - it's called "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It's a short story book where people come into a restaurant where they can time travel to the past or to the future.

[@emptythoughts3060]

A very happy new year to especially you!!

[@chacha-ox9wv]

i'm reading 'A Tale for the time being' by Ruth Ozeki rn and I'm loooving it. Highly recommend!

[@nothingtoseehere316]

“As I pulled to Tokyo station, I turned the final page”- this is pure poetry and could and a great book opening line- Happy New Year

[@Ida2170]

“hurts your heart but also expands your soul” yep, that’s exactly the subgenre I gravitate to

[@michellesiderio1010]

Leads to the bottle….. let me go….

[@Charellie]

Like this if you're here before Jack changed the title to 2024 ❤

[@StrangerBillie]

Yep

[@jbriaz]

My wife and I should have left for a New Years’ trip 90 minutes ago, but she is predictably not ready. Thanks for letting me pass the time while she gets ready. And thanks for all the videos throughout the year. Happy New Year to Jack and his book community!

[@hellohellohi18]

idk why but this comment made me so happy

[@weammessead5271]

also me​@@hellohellohi18

[@isla.g]

hope you and your wife have a nice trip :)

[@hugitkissitloveit8640]

I'm panicked Did you make it in time ? 😅

[@jbriaz]

@@hugitkissitloveit8640 Yes, we did. With 23 minutes to spare to be precise :)

[@ainadiaz8301]

if you enjoy reading about native americans i would recommend tracks by louise erdrich, truly an amazing work. you will not be disappointed.

[@thatmediocreartist1234]

I just recently got Emma and I'm so excited to start reading. I only got it because I've heard such good things and this channel has expanded my literary horizons so much. So, just thank you

[@Emmy-rw8yl]

I LOVE Jane Austen!! But for me personally Emma wasn’t my favourite of the books I’ve read by her. (Maybe a 4 stars, which is still high) I really really loved pride and prejudice and persuasion which were both 5 stars so if you like Emma I’d recommend to read those books as well❤❤

[@CricketGirl33]

I read Emma in 2023 for the first time, and I liked it a lot! Hope you like it too. I've bought Persuasion as well, but still haven't gotten around to reading it.

[@Mario-p2h6g]

I loved that book. I recently found another KZbin channel very intresting that suggested Mansfield Park and I'm going to read it this weekend. The channel is called IntoTheBooks23. She's good at what she does.

[@burmakara]

borlest - the hidden truths of wealth (thank me later)

[@undefined-andrew]

Thank you so much!

[@BlaxMedia8]

What's this

[@undefined-andrew]

@@BlaxMedia8 It's forbidden ebook which talks about the mysterious secrets of attracting money and building massive businesses

[@burmakara]

forbidden ebook, if any book is a must-read, then it is this one

[@melaniek6714]

Based on you loving 'Alone with you in the ether', I think you would really love 'The Solitude of Prime numbers' by Paolo Giordano. I bought this because of the wonderful title, but it is an amazing book with two very flawed characters you just really grow to love. Check it out... I promise you won't regret it ;)

[@onourpath]

Wow, I don't often come across folks who've read that one! Agree completely -- such an amazing book. 💚

[@melaniek6714]

@@onourpath It was very popular in Germany when it was published.. maybe that's why I know it :)

[@onourpath]

@@melaniek6714 I wish it had been everywhere here. I handsold the heck out of that book. The author was 25 when that was published, *and* he was a physicist! 🤯 It won the equivalent of the Pulitzer in Italy. So deserved! 💚

[@melaniek6714]

@@onourpath I know. Went to one of his readings when he published his 2nd book which I don't like as much, but means that I have a copy with a personal signing :)

[@emilysaunders1424]

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke was the first book I read in 2023, and it was also my favorite! Highly recommend to anyone who likes dark academia with fantasy elements! It's also a pretty quick read

[@shruteeh07]

You should definitely try some NEW authors this year... 1. The kite runner 2. The thousand splendid suns 3. Malgudi days 4. Mahabharata unravelled 5. The pearl that broke it's shell 6. The palace of illusions Love from India ❤

[@trueservitude]

Kite runner and thousand splendid suns are both by Khaled Hosseini who is a Afghan-American.

[@hobicheekz7645]

​@@trueservitudeyes and very emotional

[@aamnahere6250]

Khaled Housseini is an Afghan American author, not Indian. Indians need to stop claiming other South Asian authors as Indian when they're clearly not.

[@seaof_stars]

Khaled Hosseini is Afghani, he's an incredible writer and I'm pretty sure Jack has talked about his books on this channel before but y'all gotta stop lumping in the rest of South Asia with India, we're all incredibly unique cultures we don't need to be put in those boxes of expectations.

[@himanshikaushik721]

@shruti0007 Ladki research your facts comment karne se pehle. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ @sana-ip9jl @aamnahere6250 @seaof_stars Very sorry for the error she has made. Clearly she didn’t know what she was writing.

[@marieh4280]

I absolutely LOVED ‚Almond‘. I flew through this book and loved it so much, it actually surprised me because it’s not what I normally read. But it out me on a new literary path. I cried and laughed so much.

[@AC-dz9yq]

JACK I read 100 books this year because of you

[@karat24x]

Jack, you NEED to read “Betty” by Tiffany McDaniel. It is HEARTBREAKING, gut wrenching and is a masterpiece! It’s about this girl Betty who is telling the story of her family who are of Cherokee Heritage. It deals with some really hard topics so TW but it is amazing. It is also based off of the authors mother, it’s a true story which makes it even more devastating. It’s A little life level of sad. LOVE YOU

[@irenesellier8714]

🙏

[@lindasreading]

Sounds very interesting. Could you tell me if it has a TW for s.xual a.buse?

[@karat24x]

@@lindasreading it does, there is quite a central theme of that. Hope you are okay lovely🥰

[@c_mn_1592]

loved this book! So emotional

[@adityakadam024]

I really loved the book Foster by Claire Keegan. So really looking forward to reading Small Things Like these.

[@tristanprather3739]

Hey Jack, I think you should read Alibis by Andre Aciman. They're labeled as "essays on elsewhere" and I think that, as the world-traveller that you are, you would really like it. The essays are lyrical and wonderfully thoughtful. Since you liked Aciman's fiction, I think you'd absolutely love his essays.

[@_dandaramr]

i just love the way Jack describes the books

[@Beyond_Reads_]

Yes😊

[@abbie3540]

i’ve been lucky enough to read sula in two different classes and truly every time i read it i get so much more from it, genuinely the best book i have ever read

[@karismithasasidran9430]

Alone With You In The Ether is my all time fav book!!! And seeing that Jack analyzing a beautiful book, in a beautiful way is such a blessing!

[@mitalishinde6890]

I generally do not enjoy romance books but Alone with you in the ether is the only romance book I enjoyed reading.

[@GabrielTucker721]

What a blessing you have to have a life where you read books and make an income from it. Love your book recs, they are not the highly marketed novels!

[@angel_lopez2446]

i knoww this is a super random comment but i just wanted to say that if you guys are going through something! i just wanted to take the time to say that your life matters! Jesus loves you so much and you have such a huge purpose and value on this earth!!! you cn trust Jesus!! Repent and believe the gospel and he will change your lifeee!! God bless yall!! Happy reading!!!

[@BooksforLifeyoutube]

Hi, You're awesome! Please help me understand why a yet-to-be-discovered good book doesn't get sold. We have a very good book, but no support.

[@farshajdifrinak9027]

I agree with a lot of your reviews, Alone with you in the Ether is not one of them. It seems like you are only recommending that book because you are friendly with the author. I was actually angry finishing that book because of how bad it was. Pretentious main characters - both superficial in thought, cliche bee analogies, and the conflict was basically 5 short pages of absolutely nothing. A few decent lines can't make up for that tepid dud.

[@cathy4697]

That's a bit of an unfair accusation, the friends with the author bit. Quite a few people love that book, including myself and a few others in the comment section. It's okay to disagree with a recommendation without bringing character question into it

[@farshajdifrinak9027]

@@cathy4697 the edition he showed is a special edition that the author and/or publishing house personally gifts to people. So assuming personal relationships affect authenticity isn't farfetched nor is it unfair.

[@cathywilliams1610]

I absolutely love your book recommendations but am very emotionally fragile right now 😅 If you've actually even read any, do you have any recommendations for happy books that don't make you cry? 🙏🏻🤞🏻

[@mayanabrumatte]

This was such a straight forward, good video. I can’t even explain it better. From the beginning to the last second, I believed it and it convinced to read all of it. Thanks Jack! Have a good new year! Happy new year Jack watchers!!!

[@615yeo]

Recently bought Small Things Like These by Keegan from a charity shop! Never read her work before, but i’ve heard her name in your videos before so I definitely knew I had to read it, the synopsis sounds brilliant. Glad you enjoyed it + happy new year!

[@theincredibleknuffibar4834]

Manifesting someone in my life who talks about words as passionately as you do, Jack. I would fall in love with them and never stop as long as I live and breathe darling ❣️

[@heather2026]

Hello, I’m a mom of two early teenagers. They struggle with nonfiction. I believe because they are not interested in what they are reading. Do you have any tips on how to get them more interesting in what they are reading? Especially in school when they don’t get to choose what they are reading.

[@allyc3310]

king title says 2023 😮

[@morganlv13]

Or maybe we should read all those books in two days lmao

[@kmlkai]

young mungo dug a hole in my heart,made me cry like no other book omg

[@simonblue3172]

I need a book that will completely wreck me and is a lesbian love story.

[@littlefiddlechick1513]

My favorite book is called Mr. Fix It and Miss Sue. I bought it on Amazon. It came out this year, so it’s not very popular but I love it!❤

[@sunglory4488]

I read Almond last year, And at that time I felt like that well it was a really good story but it is short and I believe characters could have been more explained in details. But I was incredibly mistaken! This book is a masterpiece and I do still think about it, It was really really beautiful~

[@jezeldjones]

I wish I could read straight up literary fiction. If there’s not something fantastical/magical/supernatural I just cannot escape fully into a book.

[@themindlessmess]

Bestie!! Make it 2024 😬

[@matierebleue]

In 2023 ?…but I’m afraid I won’t have the time !😊

[@ashleighjoy3196]

I have two unread books by Toni Morrison and I'm so excited to get more into her books this next year! (also just noticed that your bio still says you're 24 even though your birthday makes you 25 just so ya know😋)

[@hummingawayawayaway]

Poor guy let him eternally be 24 at least in his bio - I'd do that if I can't get my 2 years spent in the pandemic back lol

[@OlinGarrison]

I love that you talk about books that aren’t the same ten I always see!

[@MarkelleRayneeSheree]

Video idea: choose 5 booktubers and read their top book for 2023.