Life is tough, isn’t it? Hectic, exhausting, and extremely monotonous. There’s no denying that. We’re being truly honest here.

But does that mean you can’t do anything about it?

What if there was an escape, even if temporary, but wouldn’t that be just amazing?

Well, for me, it’s immersing myself in some popular realistic fiction books.

It is not just escaping reality… it is staying in reality but being transported into a fantastical setting. Maybe a parallel universe? Or maybe a futuristic setting? The idea of being able to escape the tiring life to dive into a world of imagination that shines a new light on everything real.

Finding comfort and relaxation in fiction books is surely captivating, especially for those who find peace of mind while reading books.

So, we bring you a list of the best realistic fiction books of 2024 that you should choose for your weekend reads.

The Best Realistic Fiction Books of 2024: Editor’s Picks

Put on your bookworm’s glasses as we dive right into the best fiction books of 2024 that will surely make you crave more.

Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu

Have a sweet eye for psychological thrillers? If so, Dinaw Mengestu’s Someone Like Us, released just last month, is a must-read. Praised by some of the biggest platforms such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and many others, this book brings a story of family secrets and emotional resonance to one’s home.

Hum by Helen Phillips

Marriage, motherhood, science fiction, and suspense—Hum by Helen Phillips is our next pick in the best realistic fiction books of 2024. What makes us add this to our list is the book’s domestic realism. Even though a fiction tale set in a dystopian world, it’s resemblance to our real world is uncanny. All this has made this book a top pick of platforms such as People, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, Vogue, Esquire, and many others.

Pooja: Destiny Awaits by Jamison Shults

If you are looking for popular realistic fiction books for your little one, you must definitely get your hands on Jamison Shults’s Pooja: Destiny Awaits. It is about a puppy that goes through a life-changing experience and is immersed in helping other animals. Sowing the seeds of kindness and compassion towards animals in young, developing minds, this book is surely full of invaluable life lessons and vivid illustrations.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

Wow. A debut novel making it to our list. It must be something. Set in Dutch countryside, back in the early 1960s, this novel takes readers into the post-World War traumas, in a society surrounded by conservative social attitudes. The book has been widely successful in short span of time and has also been long-listed for the Booker Prize of 2024.

Swift River by Essie Chambers

The next on our list is Essie Chambers’s Swift River. Released in June this year, this novel is among the top picks of Los Angeles Times and BookPage. Set in the late 1980s, the story revolves around the reality of our family history shapes as individuals. It is known to take readers on a complete journey, from heartbreak to the instilling of hope within. No wonder this book has been referred to as the most anticipated book by platforms such as Time.

These are our top picks for the best fiction books for 2024 that should make it to your reading list for this year. Get your hands on these books and have a fun reading time, a perfect escape from your exhausting and chaotic life.

Popular Realistic Fiction Books & Best Fiction Novels of 2024