Upcoming 2024 releases

By Megan Coote, Abbie Wright, Juliette Tulloch and Tessa Thejas Thomas

We are officially over halfway through 2024, so it's the perfect time to look at some highly anticipated books set to hit the bookshelves during the second half of the year. From exciting debuts by promising new authors to long-awaited releases by acclaimed writers, these are some books we’re already excited to read based on just their cover design alone.

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood - 19 September 

It might be summer, but the cover for Lucy Jane Wood’s debut novel Rewitched, a cosy slow-burn romance about discovering your inner magic, is getting us ready for autumn. The book is about Bella, a witch who is balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with concealing her magic from those around her. Then her 30th birthday brings a trial which evaluates her worthiness as a witch and Belle risks losing her magic forever. 

The allure of the book is enhanced by the enchanting cover design by illustrator Charlotte at @honeyplumpaper. The intricate design has Bella at the centre, and she is surrounded by falling autumn leaves and shimmering golden wisps of magic, transporting the reader into her world. The design is complemented by a warm and earthy colour palette which evokes a sense of autumnal nostalgia. The elegant typography used for the title captures the essence of the book, infusing it with charm and complementing the overall design. 

Those who were sent a proof of Rewitched received a personalised copy with their name added to the design, printed before the phrase “It’s time to rediscover your own magic,” which is such a special touch. Rewtiched will be published in the UK on 19 September.

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney - 24 September 

Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2024 due to the author’s incredible reputation in the writing world. This new story will follow two brothers as they cope with the death of their father and the grief that comes with it. As well as the short description of the novel’s plot, Rooney has also unveiled its UK cover design, created by British-Indian illustrator Kishan Rajani.

The cover stands out immediately, with both the central image and the author’s name sharing a vibrant shade of blue. The cover’s image features a solitary man facing away, seen through a much larger pair of legs. This divide between the two characters in the image could highlight how different they are from each other, an idea that Sally Rooney has conveyed when talking about the novel. The chess piece that is placed at one of that character’s feet also adds significance as one of the brothers is also a competitive chess player. Overall, this is a simple cover design that gives the reader an insight into a number of themes in the novel. Intermezzo is to be released in the UK on 24 September.

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami - 19 November 

Set for release on 19 November, Murakami's highly anticipated new novel is set to transverse boundaries and play with time like never before. As his first novel in six years, readers have high expectations for this new story. It follows the evolving events of a young man in search of his lost girlfriend. This leads him to join a library as a Dream Reader in a town many readers will recognise.

The cover is courtesy of Harvill Secker’s Creative Director, Suzanne Dean and illustrators Jialun Deng and Takaya Katsuragawa. The cover fits the core themes of shadows and dreams within the novel, there are two UK designs up for grabs - one depicting a woman’s divided existence and one setting the scene of the whimsical library. Both illustrators' sharp, playful designs merge to create two designs that pay homage to the complexity of Murakami’s writing and his use of magical realism. If you’re lucky, you may also be able to grab the Waterstones exclusive edition, which features sprayed edges and endpapers that tease the scenes within the novel. 

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - 5 September 

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida and translated by E. Madison Shimoda is a heartwarming fiction set in a clinic in Kyoto. This clinic offers a unique form of treatment to those who are struggling in life: cats. The story follows various clinic patients as their prescribed cats lead them to acceptance, healing and new emotional discoveries. 

The cover illustration cleverly depicts a pill bottle with cats falling from it. The cats are of different breeds to represent the different cats within the story. The blue background is calming but also clinical, as blue is common in healthcare settings. The serif text on the title compliments the clinical setting and its themes, giving a sense of formality and seriousness. Although the cover design depicts serious elements, the cats are endearing and give the cover humour. Japanese covers are notorious for the use of soft muted colours as well as cat imagery, so this is fitting. 

We'll Prescribe You a Cat is a must-read for fans of She and Her Cat and The Travelling Cat Chronicles.