This Inspiring Nonfiction Read Was the Best Book of 2024
It has a Southern California connection, too.
Courtesy of Amazon
As we look back on 2024, it’s safe to say that it was a great year for reading. From thrillers we couldn’t put down to touching and inspiring memoirs to science fiction and fantasy books that took us to another world, there were so many options to add to our shelves.
As part of their annual tradition, Amazon editors revealed their picks for the best books of 2024. The book that they proclaimed number one? Thomas Fuller’s narrative nonfiction read, The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory. Fuller’s book tells the journey of the football team at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside from being underdogs to have an undefeated record.
“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,” Sarah Gelman, editorial director for Amazon Books, said in a press release. “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.”
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The other books in the top 10 list include a retelling of the Mark Twain classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Ina Garten’s inspiring memoir, and an intriguing historical-fiction-and-fantasy combo. Take a look at the list below.
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
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
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
The Women: A Novel 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
The Small and the Mighty 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
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
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
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
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enter
“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
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
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