In 2024, the literary landscape continues to evolve, shaped by societal shifts and individual quests for meaning. These emerging trends delve into love, identity, power, and the unclassifiable, reflecting our complex world through the lens of fiction. Here are the five trends to watch:
- Love in Conflict
Love remains a central theme in literature, but in 2024, it’s explored through the lens of conflict. Novels like Piglet by Lottie Hazel and Dominos by Phoebe McIntosh tackle relationships strained by identity, history, and trauma, questioning where love stands in these circumstances. Multigenerational love stories, especially from writers of color, are also on the rise. Books like The Ministry of Time by Kalianne Bradley and Real Americans by Rachel Khong bring fresh perspectives on how love transcends time and space. - Identity & Belonging
Issues of identity and belonging continue to resonate strongly, reflecting society’s demand for inclusivity and diverse voices. Works like Jaded by Ela Lee and Mongrel by Hanako Footman confront themes of belonging with lyrical precision, while Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s Blessings is a powerful queer coming-of-age story. Safia Elhillo’s Girls That Never Die offers a unique poetic exploration of Muslim womanhood, adding depth to the conversation about identity. - Money, Finance & ‘Eat the Rich’
Given recent economic upheavals, the theme of wealth and privilege dominates this year’s literary scene. Kiley Reid’s Come And Get It and Bri Lee’s The Work dissect money, power, and intimacy, while Carrie Sun’s memoir Private Equity provides a biting insider’s look at high finance. “Eat the rich” narratives also gain traction, spanning genres from Ellie Keel’s The Four to crime novels like The Concierge by Abby Corson, highlighting societal discontent with wealth disparity. - Irish Voices
Irish literature continues to shine in 2024, following the success of Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting. Jan Carson’s short story collection Quickly, While They Still Have Horses and Alan Murrin’s The Coast Road explore the historical and emotional landscapes of Ireland. Donal Ryan’s Heart, Be At Peace, revisiting characters from his debut The Spinning Heart, reaffirms the timeless appeal of Irish storytelling. - Books Defying Categorisation
Finally, some of the most exciting works of 2024 challenge genre conventions. Imogen Crimp, author of A Very Nice Girl, and critics alike are drawn to novels like Butter by Asako Yukuzi, which resist easy classification. These books defy trends, encouraging readers to remain open to the unexpected.
Each of these trends offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the world, making 2024 a year of compelling literary discovery.
