PEOPLE’s Best Books To Read in January 2024: Crystal Hefner’s Memoir and New Fiction From the Author of “Such a Fun Age”

See our picks for the best reads of the month

A tense academic drama, a wry anti-romance, and a family trying to pick up the pieces — here are PEOPLE's picks for the best new books of January.

'Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith' by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

"I think when you're in a profession where you're fighting for gold, silver and bronze, it's always going to be an opportunity to look at yourself and want to be that perfect," the Olympic hurdler told PEOPLE. In this inspiring memoir, she shares her experience of overcoming obstacles, both professional and personal.

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself' by Crystal Hefner

The former Playboy model and widow of Hugh Hefner is breaking down walls, and tells of her relationship with Hefner, the secrets of the Playboy Mansion and starting life anew.

"For years, I had been keeping up the Playboy charade for Hef, for the public," she writes in this revealing memoir.

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Come and Get It' by Kiley Reid

Visiting professor Agatha Paul intends to spend a year at the University of Arkansas teaching and doing research for her next book. But she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of a dorm’s residents, including Millie, an RA with homeownership aspirations, and a trio of secretive, scheming suitemates. Low-stakes squabbles soon escalate, leading to a shocking end of the semester. A thrilling, delectable look at wealth, privilege and desire. — Carly Tagen-Dye

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Good Material' by Dolly Alderton

“Why did Jen fall out of love with me?” Andy, a London comedian, can’t fathom why his ex ended things. He muddles through “The Madness” of heartbreak with (poor) help from his mates. And while he never gets his answer, the reader does, oh so satisfyingly. — Kim Hubbard

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Hard by a Great Forest' by Leo Vardiashvili

Twenty years after fleeing conflict-torn Georgia for England, Irakli returns to search for the wife he left behind. Then he disappears, leaving his son Saba a cryptic warning to stay away—and a second search begins. A brutal, funny and searingly ironic debut. — Theo Munger

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy' by Robert Hardman

This extensive biography details the monarch's new role as King and life in the royal family after Queen Elizabeth II's death.

"He's a father who loves his son and a doting grandfather," Hardman told PEOPLE of King Charles III. "One thing we don't see, and people weren't expecting, the King is spending a lot more time at Windsor than anyone expected."

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Unstoppable!' by Maggie Nichols

The NCAA champion gymnast opens up about her time training for the Olympics, her experience with body image issues and her bravery as "Athlete A," when Nichols became the first person to report sexual abuse by Team USA doctor Larry Nassar. A stunning account of strength.

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed With It' by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

A behind-the-scenes romp about the making of the iconic 2004 comedy — from cast party twerking to the list of celebs who were considered for the film (including Kristin Stewart!).

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Muse: Cicely Tyson and Me: A Relationship Forged in Fashion' by B Michael

This rapturously photographed book about the lifelong bond between famed designer B Michael and his famous muse, actress and activist Cicely Tyson, is a love letter written in chiffon and satin. Michael first met and designed for Tyson when she was 80, forging a collaborative friendship that ensured their style had real substance, while winning accolades. It proves that kindness and friendship never go out of fashion. — Caroline Leavitt

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Martyr!' by Kaveh Akbar

In 1988 the U.S. shot down an Iranian plane carrying 290 civilians. No one survived. Spinning dervish-like around this fact, Akbar’s debut is full of love, fury, humor and wisdom. Protagonist Cyrus Shams— poet, recovering alcoholic, son of one of the passengers— is coming straight for your heart. — Marion Winik

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Lovers in Auschwitz' by Keren Blankfeld

Young, talented and Jewish, Zippi Spitzer and David Wisnia had big dreams before landing in a Nazi death camp. Even amid the nightmare, Zippi “saw a gleam of life” in David. This searing true story shows the human spirit transcending horrific suffering. — Anne Leslie

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Karma' by Boy George

The "Karma Chameleon" singer writes of his childhood in England, his iconic music career and his relationship with Culture Club bandmate Jon Moss. Oh, and that memorable Janet Jackson interaction. Written like a good talk with an old friend.

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Where You End' by Abbott Kahler

Plagued by amnesia after emerging from a post-car-crash coma, 22-year-old Kat has no trouble remembering her twin sister, Jude, and the eerily telepathic bond they share. Kat is grateful for her sister’s help in reconstructing her life, but when she learns Jude has been lying, she flees—and that could be a dangerous mistake. This delectably creepy thriller will keep you guessing right to the end. — Robin Micheli

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'The Fetishist' by Katherine Min

After Daniel Karmody cheats on his cellist fiancée, Alma Soon Ja Lee, with violinist Emi Tokugawa, this particular “fetishist” learns that objectifying Asian women can have consequences. In his case: payback of operatic proportions. Bursting with wit and insight, Min’s novel is a wild delight. — Marion Winik

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Behind You Is the Sea' by Susan Muaddi Darraj

A good-hearted cop named Marcus serves as the backbone of this novel-in-stories about Palestinian American families in Baltimore. While the older generation cling to the past, their children move forward, with varying degrees of success. Lively and enlightening. — Mary Pols

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Invisible Woman' by Katia Lief

Filmmaker Joni Ackerman and her leading lady and best friend, Val, were rising stars in Hollywood until their careers were derailed: Joni’s by marriage to Paul and motherhood, Val’s by a violent rape the women agreed to keep secret. Decades later Paul is the star and Joni adrift when Val’s attacker is accused of multiple sexual assaults. A darkly clever thriller about women’s thwarted ambitions, celebrity, the Time’s Up movement and revenge — Mary Pols

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'You Only Call When You're in Trouble' by Stephen McCauley

Scandal sends professor Cecily Kemp’s career into a tailspin just as her bohemian-to-a-fault mom drops a bombshell about Cecily’s paternity. A wryly funny family drama interlaced with astute observations on aging and academia. — Claire Martin

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Northwoods' by Amy Pease

After a teenage boy is found dead in a Wisconsin resort town, and a girl he knew goes missing, the local sheriff and her troubled son start digging—and wind up entangled in a web of addiction and profiteers. A riveting debut by a nurse practitioner with an insider’s view of the opioid epidemic. — Richard Eisenberg

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Mercury' by Amy Jo Burns

Seventeen and rootless, Marley West is captivated by the close-knit Joseph family, owners of a roofing business in small-town Pennsylvania. But once she marries into the clan, its hidden dysfunction becomes evident. Marley spends years trying to earn the Josephs’ respect and prop up their struggling business—and then a body discovered under the collapsed roof of a church threatens to bring all their lives crashing down. An exquisitely observed tale about blood bonds and the toll of secrets. — Robin Micheli

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'Anna O' by Matthew Blake

Steeped in mythology, psychology and true-crime lore, Blake’s cliff-hanger features a young woman who’s been asleep since she murdered her two besties four years earlier. Now it’s time to wake up Sleeping Beauty . . . and unleash a cascade of twists likely to outfox all but the sharpest thriller mavens. — Marion Winik

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

'The Book of Fire' by Christy Lefteri

Five months after a wildfire nearly destroys her small Greek town, Irini encounters the man who started it. Then he dies mysteriously—and she finds herself under suspicion. A tender depiction of loss and healing that raises compelling questions about guilt and blame in the age of climate change. — Mary Pols

Buy it: Amazon, Bookshop.org

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