Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods and Percival Everett’s James chosen as the No. 2 and No. 3 picks by the Amazon Books Editors who read thousands of new releases from among Amazon’s wide selection

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today revealed the Amazon Books Editors’ picks for the Best Books of 2024 with Thomas Fuller’s uplifting narrative nonfiction, The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory, topping the list at No. 1. Additional titles within the top five include Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods, Percival Everett’s James, Kristin Hannah’s The Women, and Sharon McMahon’s The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement.

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Amazon Editors' Best Books of 2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

The highly-anticipated top 100 list, along with the top 20 picks in popular categories, reflects a culmination of passionate debate and careful consideration among the Amazon Books Editors, who collectively read thousands of books every year to select the Best Books of the Month, which are shared on the Amazon Book Review and across Amazon. From bestsellers and hidden gems to debut titles and BookTok favorites, the Best Books of the Year list offers something for every type of reader, including literature and fiction, mystery and thrillers, romance, history, biographies and memoirs, cookbooks, children’s books, and more.

“Over the course of 2024, the Amazon Books Editors read fiercely and passionately, discovering stories that both entertained and expanded our worldview. We laughed, we cried, and we’re thrilled to share our Best Books of the Year list with readers,” said Sarah Gelman, editorial director for Amazon Books. “It’s always exciting when a book unanimously captivates the entire Editorial team, and our number one pick, The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller, is just that book. It’s a feel-good true story about an all-deaf high school football team, and their triumphant climb from underdogs to champions. This incredible tale of grit, perseverance, and brotherhood will stick with you, even if you aren’t a football fan.”

After being told his book was the No. 1 pick, Thomas Fuller said, “We have been through some bruising years in America—politically, with COVID, and natural disasters. Writing this book was a tonic for me, a pause button for the unrelenting ticker of bad news, and a joyful window into a remarkable community. I hope readers feel the same way. And a huge thank you goes to the players and coaches at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside for lifting our spirits and inspiring us all.”

Fuller’s extraordinary narrative joins prior Best Book of the Year selections from the Amazon Books Editors, including last year’s top pick, James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store; Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Highway; Lauren Groff’s Fates and Furies; Brittany K. Barnett’s A Knock at Midnight; Tara Westover’s Educated; and David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

Below are the top 10 picks of 2024. Explore all the Best Books of the Year, including the top 20 for each genre, by visiting amazon.com/bestbooks. Discover additional favorites by looking for the “Editors’ pick” badge on individual book pages. Readers can also tune into an Amazon Live interview with Thomas Fuller, author of the No. 1 pick The Boys of Riverside, on November 13 at 9:00 a.m. PST/12:00 p.m. EST.

1. The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory by Thomas Fuller
   
   “Thomas Fuller chronicles a deaf football team in their glorious ascent from underdogs to champions. Readers will experience a wide range of emotions as these athletes face adversity, and use their unique superpowers to rise above. Simultaneously entertaining and inspiring, this story is extraordinary.” — Ben Grange, Amazon editor
2. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
   
   “Genre blending is one of the year’s biggest trends, and Liz Moore's novel showcases how it’s done right. Whether you love historical novels, family dramas, missing-person mysteries, or socially-conscious novels about feminism, class, or nature, Moore has blended them all seamlessly that the result is a prismatic wonder to enjoy, admire, and recommend.” — Vannessa Cronin, Amazon editor
3. James by Percival Everett
   
   “With the same fiery wit, snap, and energy of his previous work, Percival Everett brings to life a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and, in so doing, delivers an entirely new classic—one that is rip-roaringly American, wry, and hard-hitting. This is a Best Book of 2024, and what is sure to be one of the best books of the decade.” — Al Woodworth, Amazon editor
4. The Women by Kristin Hannah
   
   “Kristin Hannah is known for novels that elicit all the feels, and The Women is no exception. Packing as much emotional punch as The Nightingale, it sings the praises of the unsung heroes of the Vietnam War—the combat nurses. It’s a story that serves as another stitch in a still-open wound, one that can only help the healing process.” — Erin Kodicek, Amazon editor
5. The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon
   
   “Instagram star Sharon McMahon delivers a pitch-perfect dose of inspiration and reassurance in her fascinating retelling of history, uncovering the stories of unsung heroes who, in everyday actions and small moments, forever shaped our country in innumerable ways. This unputdownable page-turner is for anyone who feels like their voice may not make a difference.” — Lindsay Powers, Amazon editor
6. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
   
   “Poet Kaveh Akbar makes his dazzling fiction debut with an unforgettable main character whose voice feels shot from a cannon and reminds us of the charismatic and undeniably addictive hero of Demon Copperhead. Martyr! is both laugh-out-loud funny and deadly serious—a coming-of-age story and a portrait of a young Iranian American wrestling with what it means to have a life of value.” — Al Woodworth, Amazon editor
7. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
   
   “Beloved icon Ina Garten throws open the curtains of her life, sharing her story with warmth and jocularity. There are plenty of surprises here, but what keeps readers glued to the page is her grit, kindness, humor, and optimism. This is an intimate and energizing memoir of a life punctuated by challenges, risks, and finding your passion. It’s as satisfying as the food and recipes she's shared over decades.” — Seira Wilson, Amazon editor
8. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
   
   “One of the most honest, resonant, and funny books about how chance encounters can lead us down the most surprising paths. It takes a scalpel to the expectations we place on ourselves and celebrates how freeing it is to let them go. Phoebe shows up at the Cornwall Inn in Rhode Island with no luggage and a grand plan, but a chance encounter with a bride changes everything.” — Abby Abell, Amazon editor
9. I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
   
   “Things are not all quiet on the Midwestern front in another gem by Leif Enger, set on and around Lake Superior in the near future. This harrowing but beautifully told tale is a sly paean to books, language, love, and the transformative power of receiving and extending kindness.” — Erin Kodicek, Amazon editor
10. The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
    
    “Leigh Bardugo gives us a kaleidoscopic story of power, politics, magic, and love, set against the rich atmosphere and cutthroat intrigue of Renaissance Spain. Readers’ emotions reach an all-time high as we join a servant girl with a bit of hidden magic and a desire for a better life through betrayals and triumphs of cinematic proportions. Historical fiction illuminated with fantasy, The Familiar is a feast for the heart and mind.” — Seira Wilson, Amazon editor

About Amazon Books Editors

The Amazon Books Editors are a group of literary experts with extensive experience spanning publishing, journalism, and communications. They read thousands of books every year across genres to help customers discover their next favorite read, and put together Best Books of the Month, Best Books of the Year So Far, and Best Books of the Year lists on Amazon. To read Editor reviews, discover recommendations of new books in popular categories, and explore author interviews, visit the Amazon Book Review. You can also follow the Amazon Books Editors’ recommendations and conversations @amazonbooks on Instagram and Facebook.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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