• The Best Mediterranean Novels - Brandy Sour by Constantia Soteriou & Lina Protopapa (translator)
  • The Best Mediterranean Novels - Far by Rosa Ribas & Charlotte Coombe (translator)
  • The Best Mediterranean Novels - The Palace on the Higher Hill by Karim Kattan & Jeffrey Zuckerman (translator)
  • The Best Mediterranean Novels - Spanish Beauty Esther García Llovet and Richard Village (translator)
  • The Best Mediterranean Novels - The Little I Knew by Chiara Valerio & Ailsa Wood (translator)

The Best Mediterranean Novels, published by Foundry Editions

Publisher Foundry Editions was set up in 2023 to showcase beautiful writing, unusual storytelling, unforgettable characters and intelligent entertainment from across the Mediterranean region. Here are five of their most recent books, now available in English for the first time, from Spanish noir to historical fiction from Cyprus, an Italian bestseller and a family saga and gothic ghost story set in Palestine.

  • Notable Novels of Summer 2024 - Parade: A Novel by Rachel Cusk
  • Notable Novels of Summer 2024 - Long Island Compromise: A Novel by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
  • Notable Novels of Summer 2024 - Caledonian Road: A Novel by Andrew O'Hagan
  • Notable Novels of Summer 2024 - All Fours: A Novel by Miranda July
  • Notable Novels of Summer 2024 - The Hypocrite: A Novel by Jo Hamya

Notable Novels of Summer 2024, recommended by Cal Flyn

Another year, another summer stretching out before us… another reading dilemma? Five Books deputy editor Cal Flyn offers a succinct round-up of the novels that should be on your radar in the summer of 2024: highly anticipated works of fiction from well-known literary figures and ‘breakout’ books that have quickly amassed significant critical attention – to guide you on your way.  See all our best novels of 2024 recommendations

  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - The New Life: A Novel by Tom Crewe
  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - Hungry Ghosts: A Novel by Kevin Jared Hosein
  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - My Father's House by Joseph O'Connor
  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - In the Upper Country: A Novel by Kai Thomas
  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - Absolutely and Forever by Rose Tremain
  • The Best Historical Fiction of 2024 - The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng

The Best Historical Fiction of 2024, recommended by Katharine Grant

The judges of the Walter Scott Prize aim to highlight the very best new historical novels, and in 2024 they have settled on a varied shortlist featuring a Trinidadian tragedy, a Vatican-based thriller, and a charming coming-of-age tale from 1960s Middle England. We spoke to Katharine Grant, chair of the judging panel, to find out more. See also Best Historical Fiction Books 2025

  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - Brotherless Night: A Novel by V. V. Ganeshananthan
  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - Soldier Sailor: A Novel by Claire Kilroy
  • Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist - River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure

Recent Fiction Highlights: The 2024 Women’s Prize Shortlist, recommended by Monica Ali

Each summer, the judges for the Women’s Prize for Fiction highlight the best new fiction books by female writers published over the previous twelve months. We asked Monica Ali, the acclaimed novelist and chair of this year’s jury, to talk us through the six novels that made the 2024 shortlist. See all our best novels of 2024 recommendations