As 2024 comes to a close, you might find yourself swimming in end-of-year book lists showcasing bestsellers and award-winning texts. This year, Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, Samantha Harvey’s Orbital and Asako Yuzuki’s Butter have been among the titles dominating the discussions.

But what if you’re shopping for someone who’s already read all of those or you’re looking for something a little different to add to your bookshelf over the winter break? In that case, it’s time to turn to recommendations, and who better to share their suggestions than some of the most exciting authors of the year?

With a curated selection of hidden gems and personal favourites, we asked 12 authors to share the books that stayed with them long after the final page. From quietly moving novels to bold non-fiction explorations that challenge the way we see the world, these are the stories they couldn’t put down. (And you won’t be able to either.)

11 of this year’s most exciting authors reveal the best book they read in 2024