Every year, a slew of books finds its way to the shelves, and amid the flood of fleeting tales and temporary favorites, some stand out as ones that just might endure for years to come. These are the narratives that last, characters who linger, and prose that promises to resonate for generations. What books do I believe made a timeless mark this year? Dive in to see the handpicked selection of stories that are destined for classic status.
6 New Literary Fiction Releases Bound to Be Modern Classics
Let Us Descend
In LET US DESCEND, Jesmyn Ward takes us on a profound journey through the agonizing heart of American slavery, masterfully weaving a narrative that is as haunting as it is exquisite. Through the eyes of Annis, we traverse terrains of pain, endurance, and indomitable spirit, and with each step, Ward’s lyrical prose embeds us deeper into the very soul of the American South. This story is a tapestry of generations, where memories of mothers and grandmothers come alive, and where the relentless human quest for dignity and hope shines brilliantly against a backdrop of cruelty. The spiritual connections, the bonds of womanhood, and the poetic parallels to Dante’s Inferno all contribute to a narrative that feels larger than life. LET US DESCEND stands as a testament to the eternal resilience of the human spirit, reminding us of the stories that echo through time and demanding a rightful place in the annals of classic literature. Ward’s latest work is not just a book, it’s a legacy—one that future generations will no doubt treasure, drawing strength and inspiration from its pages.
Let Us Descend
From Jesmyn Ward—the two-time National Book Award winner, youngest winner of the Library of Congress Prize for Fiction, and MacArthur Fellow—comes a haunting masterpiece, sure to be an instant classic, about an enslaved girl in the years before the Civil War.
“‘Let us descend,’ the poet now began, ‘and enter this blind world.’” —Inferno, Dante Alighieri
Let Us Descend is a reimagining of American slavery, as beautifully rendered as it is heart-wrenching. Searching, harrowing, replete with transcendent love, the novel is a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the fearsome heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation.
Annis, sold south by the white enslaver who fathered her, is the reader’s guide through this hellscape. As she struggles through the miles-long march, Annis turns inward, seeking comfort from memories of her mother and stories of her African warrior grandmother. Throughout, she opens herself to a world beyond this world, one teeming with spirits: of earth and water, of myth and history; spirits who nurture and give, and those who manipulate and take. While Ward leads readers through the descent, this, her fourth novel, is ultimately a story of rebirth and reclamation.
From one of the most singularly brilliant and beloved writers of her generation, this miracle of a novel inscribes Black American grief and joy into the very land—the rich but unforgiving forests, swamps, and rivers of the American South. Let Us Descend is Jesmyn Ward’s most magnificent novel yet, a masterwork for the ages.
MENTIONED IN:
Close
Demon Copperhead
In the rugged landscape of southern Appalachia emerges DEMON COPPERHEAD, a novel that paints an intimate portrait of survival, resilience, and the haunting cry of rural America. Barbara Kingsolver’s masterpiece echoes Dickensian themes, drawing us into the tumultuous life of a young boy named Demon who was born into a world that consistently overlooks him. However, within these pages, Demon’s voice resonates with searing honesty, wit, and an unyielding spirit that captures the heart and will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. His journey sheds light on the opioid crisis, societal judgments, and the often unspoken pain of those born into beautiful yet challenging terrains. As you navigate the highs and lows of Demon’s story, you’ll find yourself questioning, reflecting upon, and ultimately celebrating the undying spirit of humanity that thrives even in the harshest environments. Kingsolver has gifted us a tale both timeless and deeply relevant, ensuring that this Pulitzer Prize winner will have a place in the pantheon of literature and will be cherished by readers for years to come.
Demon Copperhead
Close
Monstrilio
In this hauntingly evocative debut by Gerardo Sámano Córdova, MONSTRILIO weaves a tale of profound loss, unyielding love, and the blurred lines between human and monster. Set against a backdrop spanning from Mexico City to Berlin, the narrative dives deep into the recesses of grief, presenting an eerie aesthetic reminiscent of classics like Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Córdova masterfully captures the universal themes of belonging, the depths of maternal love, and the desperate search for acceptance. Told through the raw perspectives of four distinct characters, the reader is invited to confront the unsettling reality of mortality and the monstrous lengths one might go to for a second chance at life. MONSTRILIO deftly navigates the gray areas of love and horror, and though it delivers a slow burn, the steam it builds is steady, HOT, and will undoubtedly linger in the hearts and minds of readers as it explores the enduring nature of humanity’s quest for meaning and connection.
Monstrilio
Close
The Future
In THE FUTURE, Naomi Alderman crafts a hauntingly plausible portrayal of our world teetering on the precipice of its own demise, steered by a few powerful tech magnates who prioritize self-preservation over the collective good. Drawing readers into a twisted game of power, survival, and digital manipulation, Alderman offers both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope. As we navigate a labyrinthine narrative, we confront society’s stark imbalances, the allure of wealth, and the undeniable influence of AI. Sound like any society you’ve heard of/live in? Yes, many facets of this book resonate eerily with our own reality, and like the dystopian stories that came before it, the prescience of Alderman’s latest book will ensure that it lives on well into, well, the future.
However, though some moments send chills down your spine for their potential truth, others spark a fire for change and the possibility of a brighter, more equitable world. This isn’t just a dystopian fiction; it’s a call to arms. Engrossing, provocative, and deeply unsettling, THE FUTURE compels readers to question their own roles in shaping what’s to come. As the book vividly illustrates, power may shift hands, but it never truly vanishes.
The Future
The bestselling, award-winning author of The Power delivers a dazzling tour de force where a handful of friends plot a daring heist to save the world from the tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it.
When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Now, she’s surrounded by mega-rich companies designing private weather, predictive analytics, and covert weaponry, while spouting technological prophecy. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father’s fox and rabbit sermon—once a parable to her—are starting to come true, how much future is actually left?
Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She’s cornered, desperate and—worst of all—might die without ever knowing what's going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Who made it? What is it really for? And if those behind it can save her from danger, what do they want from her, and what else do they know about the future?
Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. An explosive chain of events is set in motion. While a few billionaires assured of their own safety lead the world to destruction, Martha’s relentless drive and Zhen’s insatiable curiosity could lead to something beautiful or the cataclysmic end of civilization.
By turns thrilling, hilarious, tender, and always piercingly brilliant, The Future unfolds at a breakneck speed, highlighting how power corrupts the few who have it and what it means to stand up to them. The future is coming. The Future is here.
Close
Everything's Fine
EVERYTHING’S FINE by Cecilia Rabess might be the sleeper pick on this list, as its debut has been met with a polarizing response. In this book, readers are plunged into the intricacies of a seemingly unconventional romance, navigating the chasm of racial dynamics, personal identity, and the haunting realities of privilege. Jess, a Black woman grappling with the weight of societal expectations, finds herself ensnared in a relationship with Josh, a man who, despite his love for her, remains blissfully unaware of the layers of systemic prejudice that shape her existence. Their entwined lives serve as a poignant metaphor for the complex tapestry of interracial relations and the silent sacrifices many make in the name of love. Rabess’s masterful storytelling, laced with dry humor and meticulous details, offers an unflinching examination of the roles that race, class, and self-worth play in modern society. These themes, both intimate and universal, urge readers to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface of our own lives. What’s more, the discourse around this book is sure to continue on for quite some time. Who knows—maybe the story and its many interpretations will be studied in the years to come.
Everything's Fine
“Extraordinarily brave...plain funny as hell, too.” —Zakiya Dalila Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Black Girl
“A subtle, ironic, wise, state-of-the-nation novel, sharp enough to draw blood, hidden inside a moving, intimate, sincere and very real love story--or vice versa.” —Nick Hornby
When Jess lands a job as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, she’s less than thrilled to learn she’ll be on the same team as Josh, her preppy, white, conservative sparring partner from college. Josh loves playing the devil’s advocate and is just…the worst.
But when Jess finds herself the sole Black woman on the floor, overlooked and underestimated, it’s Josh who shows up for her in surprising—if imperfect—ways. Before long, an unlikely friendship—one tinged with undeniable chemistry—forms between the two. A friendship that gradually, and then suddenly, turns into an electrifying romance that shocks them both.
Despite their differences, the force of their attraction propels the relationship forwards, and Jess begins to question whether it’s more important to be happy than right. But then it’s 2016, and the cultural and political landscape shifts underneath them. And Jess, who is just beginning to discover who she is and who she has the right to be, is forced to ask herself what she’s willing to compromise for love and whether, in fact, everything’s fine.
A stunning debut that introduces Cecilia Rabess as a blazing new talent, Everything’s Fine is a painfully funny, poignant, heartfelt novel that doesn’t just ask will they, but…should they?
MENTIONED IN:
Close
Big Swiss
Can a cover make a classic? Not on its own, but BIG SWISS’s Renaissance-painting-worthy dust jacket certainly doesn’t hurt. And neither does its captivating and immensely bewildering novel, which you will no doubt ponder long after the last page.
This book tells the story of Greta—a sex therapist’s transcriptionist—and her electrifying connection with an unsuspecting patient. As usual, Jen Beagin’s transformative storytelling is as uproarious as it is candid, while also challenging us to confront the complexities of trauma, accountability, and the convoluted dynamics of infidelity. The narrative delves deep, offering an unflinching gaze into the human psyche with a stylistic precision that is both unsettling and revelatory. Navigating between the blurred lines of trauma-driven actions and personal accountability, it poses the haunting question: If trauma dictates our actions, are we ever really at fault? With its razor-sharp wit and vivid details, BIG SWISS stands out as a masterful blend of dark humor and profound introspection as it beckons readers to witness the beauty in the grotesque and find laughter in the shadows.
Big Swiss
A brilliantly original and funny novel about a sex therapist’s transcriptionist who falls in love with a client while listening to her sessions. When they accidentally meet in real life, an explosive affair ensues.
Greta lives with her friend Sabine in an ancient Dutch farmhouse in Hudson, New York. The house, built in 1737, is unrenovated, uninsulated, and full of bees. Greta spends her days transcribing therapy sessions for a sex coach who calls himself Om. She becomes infatuated with his newest client, a repressed married woman she affectionately refers to as Big Swiss, since she’s tall, stoic, and originally from Switzerland. Greta is fascinated by Big Swiss’s refreshing attitude toward trauma. They both have dark histories, but Big Swiss chooses to remain unattached to her suffering while Greta continues to be tortured by her past.
One day, Greta recognizes Big Swiss’s voice at the dog park. In a panic, she introduces herself with a fake name and they quickly become enmeshed. Although Big Swiss is unaware of Greta’s true identity, Greta has never been more herself with anyone. Her attraction to Big Swiss overrides her guilt, and she’ll do anything to sustain the relationship…
Bold, outlandish, and filled with irresistible characters, Big Swiss is both a love story and also a deft examination of infidelity, mental health, sexual stereotypes, and more—from an amazingly talented, one-of-a-kind voice in contemporary fiction.
MENTIONED IN:
Close
Photo credit: iStock / alexkich