My Lesbian Novel by Renee Gladman review – an experimental romcom
The American author sets out to write a “feelgood” romance that honours her commitment to language as a charged, living entity
Unmasking Lucy Letby by Jonathan Coffey and Judith Moritz review – reasonable doubt
A forensic study of the Lucy Letby case leaves many questions unanswered
Anthony Cummins’s best fiction of 2024
From Sally Rooney’s funny and observant latest to Joseph O’Neill’s compelling Godwin and Sarah Manguso’s gripping portrayal of a broken marriage, these are the year’s most enjoyable novels
Alison Flood’s best crime and thrillers of 2024
This year’s pulse-quickening picks include the tense finale of Attica Locke’s Highway 59 series, Mo Hayder’s frightening last work and a fresh murder mystery from Richard Osman
Rachel Cooke’s best graphic novels of 2024
From Aimée de Jongh’s contemporary reworking of a William Golding classic to an extraterrestrial tale from Charles Burns, here are the best titles of the year
Five of the best food books of 2024
From delicious Singaporean street food to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about capers
The best biographies and memoirs of 2024
Salman Rushdie’s account of his near-fatal stabbing, a 360-degree view of Queen Elizabeth II and Al Pacino’s rags to riches career are among this year’s most compelling personal histories
The best fiction of 2024
From Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo to Alan Hollinghurst’s Our Evenings, Percival Everett’s James and a host of inventive debuts – this year’s highlights in fiction
Five of the best young adult books of 2024
Perilous journeys, a crocodile god’s curse, Lord of the Flies as a graphic novel and more
Merchant Ivory review – handsome tribute to the masters of refined costume drama
An insightful appreciation of the director/producer team who gave us The Remains of the Day and launched the careers of Hugh Grant and Helena Bonham Carter
Five of the best music books of 2024
From stories of queer artists reshaping the pop landscape to an insider’s view of Tupac and Biggie, the highlights of a tuneful year
Nightbitch review – Amy Adams doggy fantasy-satire stays fatally muzzled
While Adams delivers what could be the performance of her career, Marielle Heller’s film shrinks away from a properly funny or scary exploration of motherhood and midlife crisis
The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins review – a tense thriller from The Girl on the Train author
A human bone is discovered in a London gallery sculpture in this mystery narrated by actor Gemma Whelan
Five of the best translated fiction of 2024
An indigenous epic, macabre short stories from Spain, Aztec adventures and more
The best children’s books of 2024
Get lost in a fox’s quest; plus snowman magic, a wily genie and cookery from around the world