The bestselling books of the year, according to 4 local bookstores

From a spike in popularity for a fantasy series to the latest hot romance, 2024 was a good year not only for readers but also for independent bookstores. Somerville-based bookstore Narrative opened in May, centering authors of color. Boston poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola’s JustBook-ish opened its doors in Dorchester in November. And romance brick-and-mortar Lovestruck Books is set to open in Cambridge this winter.

In honor of the flourishing independent bookstore scene in Greater Boston, I asked booksellers from four local shops to share their top bestsellers of the year:

If you’re in need of a book recommendation, from biographies to fiction to queer literature, there is something on this list for everyone.

July’s second novel subverts expectations of how middle-aged women should act. “All Fours” follows a somewhat famous artist’s planned cross-country road trip turned spontaneous journey for freedom.

“The premise is simple: Our delightful protagonist gets a $20,000 surprise check from a whiskey company to license a sentence she wrote about hand jobs, and she decides to blow it on a solo cross-country trip. Does she get there? Will she find herself along the way? This is unlike anything you’ve read before. Prepare to have far too much fun reading this one. I read this one twice then revisited her short story collection (try her on audio; she’s a brilliant narrator) and look up her films, too. Miranda July is a force and wonder who restores my faith in the simple glory of being alive.”  — Kate Layte, Papercuts Bookshop

“A Court of Thorns and Roses” is a dark, sexy, enemies-to-lovers fantasy. When Feyre hunts and kills a wolf in the woods, a faerie named Tamlin captures and takes her to his magical land as vengeance. Her loathing evolves into passion for him as she learns the truth about the Fae world. But darkness starts to take over the land, and Feyre needs to stop it before she loses Tamlin. Originally published in 2020, this novel is the first in Maas’ series, which has exploded in popularity with romantasy on the rise.

“Our world has a way of being difficult to live in full time, and sometimes you just need to escape for a while. To read this book is to take the first step in a long journey full of magic, found family, romance, and political tensions that don't actually affect your real life, but will still stir your emotions every which way.” — Lena Costello, Brookline Booksmith

Former Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton traverses the dumpster fire that is early adulthood, from securing a job to getting dumped. She experiences romantic love but realizes her girl best friends are the most important loves of her life.

“Growing up and falling in and out of love are cringey, beautiful, painful, and oh-so-human experiences. But for all their universality, these experiences can still feel so lonely. Sometimes you just need a sister to talk to (or read from) who will agree that it all sucks, remind you that it can all be beautiful, and assure you that you're going to be okay.” — Lena Costello, Brookline Booksmith

In Emily Henry’s latest romance, Daphne thinks she has found her soulmate in Peter and moves to Waning Bay, Michigan to start a life with him. Her happily ever after abruptly ends when Peter tells her he is in love with his best friend Petra the morning after their bachelor and bachelorette parties. Daphne is homesick and heartbroken, but at least she has her dream job as a children’s librarian. In an ironic twist of fate, she moves in with Petra’s ex Miles. Daphne is tightly wound, and Miles is more of a go-with-the-flow guy. The unlikely duo mope around until they decide to hatch a plan to get back at the happy new couple. And a glorious fake dating storyline begins. [Learn more about the novel by reading my review here.]

“Romantic relationships can often serve as an artificial substitute for every other form of loving relationship in your life. ‘Funny Story’ serves as a reminder to look up, to appreciate, grow, and repair the friendships you already have, and to open yourself fully to new experiences. Then, just maybe, romance will flourish as a bonus to an already full life.” — Lena Costello, Brookline Booksmith

This picture book follows a father telling his three daughters stories of Palestine — a homeland they have never been to and cannot visit but can experience through his visceral descriptions. The girls feel love for Palestine and know they can always experience its sights and sounds through their father’s memories.

“This beautifully illustrated book highlights the complexities and beauty of life, culture, love and family. This book is not only for children, but for adults, too.” — Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, All She Wrote Books

“Jackie” tells the story of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Tripp explores everything from Kennedy Onassis’ love story with former President John F. Kennedy to her own intellect and accomplishments.

“I read historical fiction so I can be transported to a time and place and experience history. A brilliant, beautiful book like Dawn Tripp’s ‘Jackie’ touches the soul in ways that conventional biographies can’t. I devoured this novel and felt the power of history and the depth of a remarkable woman.” — Wendy Dodson, Hummingbird Books

Ellie lives a privileged life as a young girl in 1950s Tehran. Following the death of her father, she and her mother are forced to downsize. Ellie meets a new friend named Homa and learns the beauties of a smaller life. Everything changes when Ellie and her mother are able to return to the upper class. Ellie moves on and forgets about Homa until they cross paths years later. Their story of dealing with the dynamics of growing up economically divided is set against political turmoil in Iran.

“This is such a beautiful story that explores how childhood friendships shape us, and how love and courage can transform us. The author has crafted a world so vivid, so full of light and sound, so rich with the intoxicating scents and sights of Iran, that you feel as if you’re living inside the story. I read in awe as I followed their childhood quest to become ‘lion women,’ and was moved to tears by the cost of one’s unwavering stance.” — Wendy Dodson, Hummingbird Books

Ta-Nehisi Coates examines his travels through tangible and mythical lenses to investigate how our stories inform and change our realities. He explores what’s lost in storytelling from real life in a place to its portrayal in the media in his latest “The Message.”

Coates was recently a guest on NPR’s Fresh Air. and said his book “is about the nationalisms of people who are told that they are nothing, that they are not a nation, that they are not a people ... that the only place in the world that is fit for them is as an underclass or maybe not in the world at all. “And the stories that we construct to fight back against that.”

“Urgent. If there’s just one nonfiction book short enough for you to read yourself first then gift this year, it’s ‘The Message.’ Coates begins with the exploration of the duty of the writer, the journalist, the nonfiction writer sharing the truth in order to haunt the reader. He’s crafted a treatise on the power of words to untangle the chaos of the world, and this book is just that. His reflective travels to Senegal, to South Carolina where his own books are being banned, and to Palestine to explore and unravel the ways the created stories of power structures hold up oppression. Words and stories have the power to reshape and unravel this narrative. Don’t miss this one. Also recommend the audio as he reads it himself.” — Kate Layte, Papercuts Bookshop

“The Mighty Red” sets the story of ordinary people in Argus, North Dakota against threats from the Great Recession, climate change and the decline in natural resources. There’s love, struggle, tragedy and hope. (Read WBUR book critic Carol Iaciofano Aucoin’s review for further insight.)

“From Pulitzer winner, independent bookstore owner (Birchbark Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota) and absolute master of the craft, Louise Erdrich brings us the story of Kismet Poe — a young woman from the Red River Valley in North Dakota. This is a spellbinding story of sweet beet farming, jealousy, family, secrets, tragedy and the power of a river and the land to shape the lives of the people that live there. And us too, as the reader. The writing is tender and funny, you’ll be swept up with this story.” — Kate Layte, Papercuts Bookshop

In her memoir, JoJo Levesque explores the ugly side of her young fame as a pop and R&B artist. She grew up with parents battling addiction and depression and went through an extensive lawsuit with her record label, but made it out. Levesque began her own music label, performed on Broadway and accomplished success despite her difficult childhood.

“JoJo spills ALL THE TEA in the most heartbreaking and honest way possible. It felt like such an honor and privilege to read her story.” — Ava Budavari, All She Wrote Books

In KT Hoffman’s sports romance, Gene Ionescu loves the life he has built for himself on minor league team the Beaverton Beavers as the first openly trans player in professional baseball. His peace is disrupted when his rival and former teammate Luis Estrada gets traded to his team. Their arguing and frustration with each other turns to sexual tension as they work closer together.

“‘The Prospects’ did not disappoint at all! This book is chock full of trans joy and queer happy feelings. It’s truly impossible not to love it.” — Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, All She Wrote Books

Parents experience whole lives before they bring their children into the world. In “Tom Lake,” Lara tells her three daughters about her past stage and romantic relationship with famous actor Peter Duke. The story causes the daughters to reexamine what they think they know about their mother and their own lives. The book was first released in 2023, but the paperback format came out this year.

“Ann Patchett is endlessly wise — about love, family, and pretty much everything life throws our way. Now that my fangirling is out of the way, let me talk about ‘Tom Lake,’ her latest novel. I loved it. The writing is exquisite, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. It’s not a love story in the conventional sense, but it is a deeply moving one — about a woman’s love for her daughters, her life, her husband, and her past.” — Wendy Dodson, Hummingbird Books