The Best Novels of 2024

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

Every year, members of the World Science Fiction Society nominate writers for the Hugo Award, then vote for the winner. All speculative fiction is eligible – fantasy as well as sci-fi – and the shortlist is one of the most prestigious for both genres. Here, Sylvia Bishop introduces us to the nominees for the title of the best speculative novel of 2024 – and the page-turning champion. See all our best science fiction books, fantasy fiction, and best novels of 2024 recommendations.

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

Throughout the year, as new books are published and the shortlists for prizes are announced, we highlight mysteries we think are gripping or fun to read. Here's our list of the best mysteries of 2024 so far, but we'll be adding more as we read them.

The Orwell Prize for Political Fiction is awarded annually to "outstanding novels and collections of short stories, first published in the UK or Ireland, that illuminate major social and political themes, present or past, through the art of narrative."

Every year, the judges for the Arthur C. Clarke Award highlight the best of the latest batch of science fiction books. In 2024, the six-strong shortlist includes an exploration of octopus intelligence, a queer space opera, and a dystopian novel hailed as the new Hunger Games. Andrew M. Butler, academic and chair of the judges, talks us through the finalists for the title of sci fi novel of the year.  See all our best science fiction books and  best novels of 2024 recommendations

Every year, members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association nominate and vote for the best works of speculative fiction published over the previous year. Here, Sylvia Bishop introduces us to the books shortlisted for the 2024 Nebula Award for the best new novel – and the "astonishing" debut that ultimately triumphed. See all our science fiction, fantasy and best novels of 2024 recommendations

Popular fiction is popular for a reason: confounding mysteries, devastating love stories, and spectacular visions of speculative worlds offer us an escape hatch from everyday life. Here we offer a handy Five Books round-up of superior genre novels of spring 2024 including unmissable new titles from firm fan favourites. See all our best novels of 2024 recommendations

Joining a book discussion group is a great way to meet fellow book-lovers—but one of the trickiest things can be deciding which books you should tackle together. Here are our suggestions: recently published books that should appeal to a broad range of readers—and which will offer your book club plenty to discuss over a glass of wine.

If you've been looking for a love story to tuck into your beach bag, then look no further. Katherine D. Morgan—creator of Grand Gesture Books, a new romance-only bookstore—recommends the best new romance books of summer 2024. See all our romance and best novels of 2024 recommendations