New Must-Read Books for 2024

Aaron Robertson's 'The Black Utopians' examines Black freedom movements in America, drawing from his familial connection to the historic all-Black town of Promise Land, Tennessee. In 'The Mighty Red,' Louise Erdrich narrates a love story set during the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting social and economic divides in a North Dakota town. Hampton Sides' 'The Wide Wide Sea' delves into Captain James Cook's last voyage, exploring his contentious legacy through a mix of historical accounts and Indigenous perspectives. 'Health and Safety' by Emily Witt offers a memoir on psychedelic drug use, juxtaposed against personal upheavals like the Trump election and the pandemic. 'Hip-Hop Is History' by Questlove is a personal chronicle of hip-hop's evolution, tying it to broader cultural shifts and the artist's own experiences. Lastly, 'Ghostroots' by Pemi Aguda, a finalist for the National Book Award, is a collection of gothic tales set in Lagos, Nigeria, where characters confront ancestral ghosts, blending themes of mental illness and cultural history.