2024's New York Times #1 Best Sellers in Fiction

Since 1931, when The New York Times began publishing its list of best-selling books, it has become the dream of many a writer to have their work make the cut. To be the number one best seller is, of course, the ultimate aspiration. Here are all the novels that have nabbed the top spot so far this year.

Fourth Wing

Rebecca Yarros's sexy, suspenseful romantasy spent a total of six weeks as number one this year (adding to several weeks in 2023!). Fragile, bookish Violet Sorrengail is an unlikely dragon rider. But when the commanding general, aka her tough-as-talons mother, commands it, Violet's only choice is survival or death.

Random in Death

When young, aspiring musician Jenna is killed by a toxic injection at a rock concert, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is brought in to investigate. But it's not clear why this level-headed teen would be targeted. This is the 58th installment of the In Death series by NYT best-selling regular J. D. Robb, aka Nora Roberts.

House of Flame and Shadow

Stranded in a strange new world, Bryce wants only to get back to Midgard. Hunt is desperate to help her, but, imprisoned in the Asteri dungeons, his hands are, quite literally, tied. The third book in Sarah J. Maas's Crescent City series follows global bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath.

The Women

This title by Kristen Hannah has racked up ten total weeks on the list, more than any other novel so far this year. Set amidst the changing world of 1965, it is a coming-of-age story centered on twenty-year-old Frankie as she decides to join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and follow her brother to Vietnam.

Just for the Summer

Thanks to a viral reddit post, everyone knows about Justin's curse. Every woman he dates meets their soulmate after they break up. When Emma slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a crazy idea. This witty rom-com from Abby Jimenez hit the right note for springtime readers.

Toxic Prey

In this thriller from John Sandford, infectious disease specialist Dr. Lionel Scott has taken on the task of saving the Earth by removing its greatest threat: humanity. When Scott disappears, Letty Davenport and her father, Lucas Davenport, must find him before the virus he created becomes the perfect weapon.

A Calamity of Souls

This legal drama by David Baldacci is set in southern Virginia in 1968. Jack Lee is a white lawyer who has never before challenged the racist system around him. When he decides to represent a Black man charged with a brutal killing, he enlists the help of Desiree DuBose, a Black lawyer from Chicago.

Funny Story

Daphne's new life with her fiancé, Peter, in his lakeside hometown was perfect. That is, until Peter left her for his childhood bestie, Petra. Now Daphne needs a roommate and (coincidence!) so does Petra's ex, Miles. Emily Henry's newest bestseller is about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common.

King of Sloth

Charming, easygoing, and rich beyond belief, Xavier Castillo has the world at his fingertips. Sloane Kensington is his high-powered publicist, intelligent, ambitious, and used to dealing with difficult clients like Xavier. Book #4 in the Kings of Sin series by Ana Huang charts their unlikely—and spicy—romance.

The 24th Hour

SFPD Sgt. Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant D.A. Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas are celebrating exciting news. But before they can raise their glasses, a woman in the restaurant is assaulted. It's #24 in The Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.

Think Twice

Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. But now two federal agents have walked into his office, claiming that Greg Downing is alive—and wanted for murder in this thriller of secrets and lies by Harlan Coben.

You Like it Darker

"You like it darker? Fine, so do I," writes Stephen King in the afterword to his new collection delving into the darker part of life. Exploring themes of fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, each of these iconic stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries.

Camino Ghosts

Mercer Mann desperately needs an idea for her next novel and Camino Island bookseller Bruce Cable has one for her. A developer is vying for ownership of an uninhabited island off the coast of North Florida. But this island has a history. This is the third installment of a new mystery series from John Grisham.

Eruption

A history-making eruption amidst terrifying government secrets. Before his untimely death in 2008, Michael Crichton started working on this passion project. Knowing how special it was, his widow held onto his notes and the partial manuscript until she found the right author, James Patterson, to complete it.

The Housemaid is Watching

Millie used to clean other people's houses. Now, after years of saving, she and her family have a home of their own. She's finally left her dark past behind her. Or has she? Could her new quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all? This is the third thriller in Freida McFadden's wildly popular series.

Red Sky Mourning

A storm is on the horizon. America's days are numbered. Three seemingly disconnected events are on a collision course to ignite a power grab unlike anything the world has ever seen. Now Navy SEAL sniper James Reece is racing to dismantle a conspiracy in this page-turner, part of a series, by Jack Carr.

A Death in Cornwall

Art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon finds himself pursuing a powerful and dangerous new adversary when he agrees to help an old friend with a baffling murder investigation. The 24th installment of this bestselling series by Daniel Silva offers a dazzling tale of murder, power, and insatiable greed.

The Black Bird Oracle

This All Souls fantasy by Deborah Harkness continues the story of scholarly witch Diana Bishop and vampire geneticist Matthew de Clermont. When the pair receive a formal demand from the Congregation to test the magic of their seven-year-old twins, a concerned Diana forges a different path for her family's future.

It Ends With Us

Seeking a fresh start, florist Lily moves to Boston and opens a flower shop. When she falls for neurosurgeon Ryle, she overlooks signs of his violent tendencies. As anticipation grew about the film adaptation of this heartrending romance by Colleen Hoover, the 2016 book spent five weeks at the top of the list.

Daydream

The newest sports romance in the Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace follows fan-favorite Henry who's struggling to survive a difficult class with his least favorite professor. As the reluctant captain of the hockey team, Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle, a bookish fellow junior who offers to help.

Passions in Death

For a second time this year, J. D. Robb achieved the top spot with the next title in the In Death series. This time, a pre-wedding girls' night out turns into a murder scene. The site of the grisly crime brings back painful memories for Detective Eve Dallas, but she won't stop until she gets justice for the victim.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

In the second installment to TJ Klune's enchanting fantasy series, Arthur Parnassus and the love of his life, Linus Baker, are hoping to adopt the six magical and so-called dangerous children who live in their strange orphanage. But unforeseen forces pose a threat to their family's future happiness.

Counting Miracles

Raised by his grandparents, Tanner Hughes follows in his grandfather's military footsteps. Happiest when off on his next adventure, he has zero desire to settle down. But when his grandmother passes away, her last words are: find where you belong. This romantic novel from Nicholas Sparks tugs at the heartstrings.

The Boyfriend

Like every single woman in New York City, Sydney has had terrible luck in dating—until now. Her new boyfriend is perfect. But a string of murders by a mystery man who dates his victims before killing them has her on edge. This suspenseful new thriller from Freida McFadden ruled the roost for two weeks.

The Waiting

Book #6 in the bestselling series by Michael Connelly finds LAPD Detective Renée Ballard joining forces with officer Maddie Bosch, Harry Bosch's daughter, to track a serial rapist whose trail has gone cold. But Maddie has an ulterior motive for getting access to the city's library of lost souls.

In Too Deep

In this thriller by Lee Child and Andrew Child, Jack Reacher wakes up handcuffed to a makeshift bed. He recalls the car he hitched a ride in getting run off the road. His captors assume Reacher is accomplice to the driver, who died in the crash. They patch him up, planning to make him talk—a plan that backfires spectacularly.

The Grey Wolf

At two weeks on the list, the newest mystery in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny begins with a sequence of strange and unsettling events—including murder—that propel Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization. Something much more sinister than any one case is fast approaching.

According to The New York Times, these are the best selling books of the year. How many have you read?

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon