Indigo reveals best books of 2024

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Indigo has unveiled its selection of the best books of 2024, and it’s the perfect opportunity to create your next reading challenge before the year is up. The curated list features 10 of the top books released this year, with input from industry experts and Canadian readers alike. 

“We source favourite reads from hundreds of employees and customers through the course of the year, which is winnowed down and expanded to include fall releases from the team at our Indigo head office,” said Brandon Forsyth, a buyer at Indigo.  

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From there, a committee of book lovers reads the entire shortlist to pare it down to 10 of the year’s best books. The titles included in this year’s list cover a range of genres, including general fiction, romance, thriller, science fiction and fantasy. They also feature themes of mental health, Indigenous learnings and political and environmental upheaval, reflecting some of this year’s biggest social conversations. 

Check out the full list below:

1. Here One Moment, Liane Moriarty

As the acclaimed author of Big Little Lies and Apples Never Fall, it comes as no surprise that Liane Moriarty takes the top spot on Indigo’s best books of 2024 list. Her latest novel asks what would you do if you knew you only had a certain amount of time left to live, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. 

2. The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer

From the author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer explores what we can learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most. 

3. Intermezzo, Sally Rooney

With her fourth novel, Irish writer Sally Rooney offers a moving glimpse at how we’re affected by grief, love and family as brothers Peter and Ivan Koubek learn they may be more alike than they thought following the death of their father. 

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4. Just for the Summer, Abby Jimenez

Fans of romance reads will want to add the latest from Abby Jimenez to your reading list. This lighthearted read set against a lakeside cottage takes the fake dating trope to fun new limits – perfect for a beach read. 

5. The Briar Club, Kate Quinn

Set in Washington, D.C. in the 1950s, The Briar Club follows an unlikely group of women who form a bond while living in a boarding house during the post-war era. 

6. Nexus, Yuval Noah Harari

A must-read for fans of Harari’s previous books Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, this non-fiction book takes another look at millennium-spanning history – this time focused on the history of information networks from the Stone Age to today.

7. The Knowing, Tanya Talaga

Anishinaabe author Tanya Talaga retells her family’s experience with government and Church-sanctioned programs in Canada in this deeply personal memoir. In it, she lays bare the reality of these programs that were designed to erase the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

8. real ones, Katherena Vermette 

In this witty and hopeful story, two Michif (Métis) sisters must face their childhood trauma when their mother is called out for false claims of Indigenous identity.

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9. The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley

The debut from author Kaliane Bradley, The Ministry of Time combines time travel romance, a spy thriller and a workplace comedy to create a fresh and witty page-turner. 

10. A Song to Drown Rivers, Ann Liang

Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, this historical fantasy explores the challenges of womanhood, war, sacrifice and love against all odds.

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