We have reached the time of year when collections of the best writing of the year become available, either for your own library or as perfect holiday gifts. The Best American series was launched in 1915, and it is the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected, and popular, in this genre.
In this review, we will examine three of them: The Best American Essays 2024, edited by Wesley Morris and Kim Dana Kupperman; The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2024, edited by Padma Lakshmi and Jaya Saxena; and The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2024, edited by S.A. Cosby and Steph Cha.