10 Authors Whose Work I Want to Explore in 2024
I'm sorry for not reading you yet, Jacqueline Woodson.
You might have noticed that there are a lot of books out there. Like, a lot of books. And new ones come out all the time. The publishing industry doesn't care if we need some time to play catch-up, and this is an issue I would like to see addressed during the presidential debates.
I own more books than I have room for, yet I browse the Libby app every Tuesday to borrow new releases for my Kindle. I try to keep up with new titles that spark my curiosity, but I'm curious about many more books than I have time to read. Plus, focusing so much on new stuff leaves me less time to read backlist titles. I tell you all this because there are books and authors I've wanted to explore for years, but I just haven't done it yet thanks to the tidal wave of books at my disposal every waking second.
I started my new book journal for 2024, and one of the sections I included is a list naming the writers whose work I want to read this year. I want to share my list and encourage you to create one of your own. I've read some of these authors before, and I'm unfamiliar with others, only aware of their stellar reputations. My list isn't about what I think I need to read; it's full of writers I want to read. Here are 10 of them.
Ann Patchett
Of all the writers on this list, I'm most familiar with Patchett. I've read three of her books: Tom Lake, Commonwealth, and This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage. I loved each one, and Patchett has a lengthy backlist of titles I can't wait to read next, specifically The Dutch House and Bel Canto. If you're not already, I implore you to follow Ann's bookstore, Parnassus, on Instagram. She and her team share new books each Tuesday, and backlist recommendations each Friday. Cute dogs make appearances in most of the videos, so there’s that, too.
Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler has written about 217 books. (Don't fact-check that.) I haven't read a single one of them, and I feel bad about this since she's been working tirelessly for decades. I just got a copy of French Braid because it was pretty and on sale, so I'll start there. There are worse reasons to buy a book. (There are better reasons, too, but I’m letting the soft animal of my body love what it loves this year.)
Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson is another prolific author whose work has gone unread by me. Two of her novels are on my shelf now, and I have no excuse for not picking them up yet. (They're Another Brooklyn and Red at the Bone.) Woodson has written many volumes of poetry and prose for children, teens, and adults, so if you, too, are curious about her work, you have plenty of choices.
James McBride
James McBride is one of the most lauded writers working today. His books consistently get praise from readers and critics, yet I have yet to read any of his work. The McBride book I'm most excited about right now is his latest, the 2023 success The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. I've also heard nothing but raves about his 1995 memoir, The Color of Water.
Jhumpa Lahiri
I read Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection Interpreter of Maladies back in 2016. I loved it, but that remains the only book of Lahiri's I've read. I'd love to read her latest story collection, Roman Stories. I'm also eager to pick up her nonfiction work, In Other Words. The book is written in Italian, translated into English, and discusses her passion for the Italian language and her family's time living in Rome. Doesn’t that sound fascinating?
Joan Didion
Oh, Joan. Several readers I know absolutely love Joan Didion. She's a literary icon whose work is still widely read and discussed. The only Didion book I've read is The White Album, and I didn't love it, so I've been hesitant to read anything else, even though I want to. Tell me, Didion lovers: which book should I read next? What will convince me to fall in love with her work, or at least better understand why she’s revered?
Kate Bowler
I feel like I've read a Kate Bowler book. I've followed her on Instagram for many years, and I've listened to her podcast. (Her voice is quite soothing!) I'm familiar with her insights and the lens through which she writes, yet her books have remained unread. One of her books is called Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved. Perhaps I should start there because I love that title. Also, her pink pantsuit and bold lipstick in the above photo make me want to be her friend. Kate, if you’re reading this, do you need a new BFF?
Mieko Kawakami
I discovered a love of Japanese literature during college, thanks to some Japanese history courses I took in which the professor gave me a handmade anthology of short fiction to read. That's all it took to get me hooked. (Haruki Murakami also helped.) Based on the descriptions and rave reviews I've read from trusted critics, I'm sure I'll love Mieko Kamakami's work. I think I'll start with All the Lovers in the Night.
Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong wrote a beautiful and successful novel called On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, but he might be best known as a poet. I've read his fiction, but his poetry has escaped my attention. I keep looking at his picture and thinking, "Why haven't I read more of you?" I hope to remedy that soon.
Tommy Orange
I'm woefully under-read when it comes to Native writers. Reading diversely matters a great deal to me, yet I haven't made Native work a priority yet. I want to change that this year, and I think Tommy Orange is an excellent author to start with since he has a new book, Wandering Stars, coming out in February. I want to read his blockbuster There There before Orange's next novel arrives, so I hope to cross off that one from my TBR this month.
I felt so much excitement writing this post because I know there’s a plethora of excellent literature out there that I’ve yet to explore. I want to hear from you! What writers rank highest on your TBR? What book has been sitting on your bookshelf unread for eight years? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
So many of these are so good. Instead of focusing on specific writers, I tend to focus on specific themes and see what emerges ... I recently discovered there's an astounding array of books with "writer's life" or "writing life" in the title and am going down that rabbit hole. But also this year I'm circling back to writers-on-writing that I love: Natalie Goldberg, Anne Lamott, SARK, Julia Cameron, Gretchen Rubin
Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend you read her book “Run”, which isn’t mentioned as often as her others...but it’s SO good. Happy Reading!