The Best Books of 2024, as Chosen by Smithsonian Scholars

This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.

About this list

Smithsonian, 11 Books

Staff at the Smithsonian Institution pick their favorite reads of 2024, including riveting memoirs, fascinating true histories and fun fiction.w

Who voted
11 people all mentioned in the article

This list was originally published in 2024 and was added to this site over 1 year ago.

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Cover of 'Building The Worlds That Kill Us' by David Rosner, Gerald Markowitz

Building The Worlds That Kill Us

David Rosner, Gerald Markowitz

Cover of 'Remember The First Ladies' by Diana B. Carlin, Anita B. McBride, Nancy Kegan Smith

Remember The First Ladies

Diana B. Carlin, Anita B. McBride, Nancy Kegan Smith

Cover of 'Clouds In Space' by Teresa Robeson

Clouds In Space

Cover of 'When Women Ran Fifth Avenue' by Julie Satow

When Women Ran Fifth Avenue

Cover of 'The Manicurist’s Daughter' by Susan Lieu

The Manicurist’s Daughter

Cover of 'Into The Great Wide Ocean' by Sönke Johnsen

Into The Great Wide Ocean

Cover of 'Insatiable City' by Theresa McCulla

Insatiable City

Theresa McCulla

Cover of 'The Notebooks Of Sonny Rollins' by Sam V. H. Reese

The Notebooks Of Sonny Rollins

Sam V. H. Reese

Cover of 'The Jewish Holiday Table' by Naama Shefi, Devra Ferst, Jewish Food Society

The Jewish Holiday Table

Naama Shefi, Devra Ferst, Jewish Food Society

Cover of 'The African Decor Edit' by Nasozi Kakembo

The African Decor Edit

Cover of 'The Ministry Of Time' by Kaliane Bradley

The Ministry Of Time

Kaliane Bradley