12 brilliant novels for your Christmas list

Plus a literary confession

Even though I’m a published author, I hated literature at school (Shakespeare? Ugh). I didn’t even enjoy it at uni, where my Spanish and Latin American set texts included Cervantes and García Márquez.

You won’t find any book snobbery in this newsletter! I’ve never enjoyed the classics, and that’s OK. Part of growing older has been accepting that I like what I like to read – and that is mostly women’s fiction and memoir (I’ll share my non-fiction picks later).

This year’s reading has been pretty mainstream – or at least the favourite novels I’ve picked out here include bestsellers and highly publicised fiction. Again, that’s OK. You didn’t come here for high-brow.

So, here goes with 12 of my favourite novels of 2024 (in no particular order)…

Leading Man by Justin Myers

You’ll like this if you love: The Flat Share

A coming-of-age story about people-pleaser Leo, this is as funny as all of Justin’s novels, but with extra heart and poignancy.

Pity Party by Daisy Buchanan

You’ll like this if you love: I’m Sorry You Feel That Way

A stunning novel about grief, love, marriage and healing. My favourite of Daisy’s books (a strong statement).

Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook

You’ll like this if you love: The Seawomen

Sisterly love, revenge, adventure and public hangings. What more could you want? This one is screaming to be adapted for the big screen.

You Are Here by David Nicholls

You’ll like this if you love: One Good Thing

A love story that unfolds along the 192-mile Coast to Coast walk. Pure feel-good fiction from the author of One Day.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

You’ll like this if you love: Mad Men

Scriptwriter Sally meets an unlikely love match. Funny and tender.

My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes

You’ll like this if you love: Book Lovers

Anna ditches her glamorous New York city for smalltown Ireland, where we encounter the usual Keyes capers.

The Maid by Nita Prose

You’ll like this if you love: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Murder mystery meets The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Genius.

Probably Nothing by Lauren Bravo

You’ll like this if you love: Anything Sophia Money-Coutts

People-pleasing Bryony accidentally digs herself a massive metaphorical hole involving her dead boyfriend’s family and a pyramid scheme. Spit-your-tea-out funny.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

You’ll like this if you love: This Family or The Paper Palace

Three sisters reunite in New York City after the death of their fourth sibling. A masterpiece that broke my heart.

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

You’ll like this if you love: At the Table

The one I wish I’d written! The clock ticks towards Piglet’s wedding day as her life unravels, one delicious bite at a time.

Bellies by Nicola Dinan

You’ll like this if you love: Detransition, Baby

Boy meets boy. Boy decides to transition. Moving, absorbing and beautifully written.

Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood

You’ll like this if you love: We All Want Impossible Things

The full spectrum of hormones from teenage daughter to menopausal mum. Brilliant on mental health, grief and motherhood – and what a finish!

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If you’d like to buy any of these books while supporting independent book shops and authors, you can visit my shop on Bookshop.org.

Have you read and loved any of these? Let me know in the comments!