Staff-suggested materials ahead! RevisedNovember 6, 2024 You can always count on library staff to recommend some of the year's best books. Here's hoping you discover new favorites! Library staff loved these 139 titles published in 2024. Audience - Any -All agesFamilies-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers-Kids-TweensTeensAdults Format - Any -audiobookbook-board book-chapter book-graphic novel-picture book-readermusicvideo Genre - Any -award winnersbook club pickscomics and graphic novelsfamily lifefantasyfictionfood and cookinghistoryhorrorhumor and satireidentity and cultureLGBTQIA+love storiesmysterynonfictionpeoplereferencescience fictionseasonalsportsthriller and suspense Lexi B says:Even in a world of dark fairy tales, a grim scholar and her rival, a dreamy princess, prove that nothing is as dangerous and nightmarish as politics. Amanda K says:A delicate blend of "Cinderella," Bridgerton and Project Runway, this standalone novel is full of longing, aspiration and soft-glowing magic. Meredith R says:For fans of escape rooms, treasure hunts and non-stop action! Thad P says:See some of the amazing things that somehow survived in the deep ocean. Spanning thousands of years, step into the lives of people long gone. Jeff D says:Come back to Area X! This prequel to the trilogy is thrilling, mysterious, horrifying...you may never leave... Julie M says:Join the fun as you count along with these daring babies! Sarah C says:Ever wanted a life do-over? In this quirky choose-your-own-adventure novel, you can! Just remember: every choice has its consequences. Lori W says:When artificial intelligence meets real emotions, all bets are off! Annie C says:Struggling with life and wanting to escape? You'll find a like-minded companion in this heart-wrenching survival story. LaNesha S says:Looking for a creepy book to dive into with captivating illustrations and a touch of horror? Well, you're in the right place for a chilling read. Annie C says:A mishmash of some of my favorites things: the cute and cuddly with the gruesome and gory. The juxtaposition of sweet and sinister is top notch. Susan A says:A beautiful pairing of poetry and art. Stephanie B says:If you ever wondered what Harry Potter would have been like set in an HBCU for the young, Black and magical-- look no further. Stephanie B says:A fantasy world eerily similar to a world we know. A must read if you are in the mood for unique magic, with a side of existential crisis. Lily D says:I love the use of pull tabs and flaps to help curious minds learn how to listen and respond to their body's signals. Becca B says:People over profit, or else the spiders will unionize. Chris V says:Buckle up, buckaroos! Chuck Tingle's at it again with another queer horror hit! It's time to bury this trope for good. Emily K says:A queer mariachi musician learns to put his hubris aside and work through his grief, in this musical rivals-to-lovers teen romance. Leah B says:A sweet and complex story that left me heartbroken and hopeful! Beautifully written and phenomenal on audio. Julie M says:A universally relatable sibling story that highlights a Cherokee family's traditions. Hillary K says:A fun farm adventure that's a joy to read together! Stephanie B says:Set in 1980s South Birmingham, this novels puts a fresh twist on the crime thriller genre that is both witty and emotionally captivating. Jade B says:Not to be dramatic, but this is one of the most visually gorgeous books I have ever read and I'm going to run away to be a flower farmer now. Hilary H says:I picked this up for the cover, but I kept reading for the energy I got hating Anna's family and rooting for her all the way to hell and back. Thad P says:A visual treat filled with fun facts, odd critters and lots of good dino info. (Almost) everything you want to know about dinosaurs. Lexi B says:If you like angsty horror, let this book into your life. Now, pardon me as I devour this entrancingly creepy book and its beautiful writing yet again. Jodi L says:Reads just like a really short season of "Master Chef Junior," if everyone spoke in rhymes. But just as intense! Jodi L says:Trey is a 12-year-old con man trained by the very best, his dear old dad. Gordon Korman is so back. Lily D says:Black and queer figures are celebrated through evocative writing and stunning illustrations. Lexi B says:This The Count of Monte Cristo retelling really said, "I see your enemies to lovers, and I raise you enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers, again." Lori W says:I couldn't help but fall in love with the soul-baring, heartfelt recounting of living in Elvis' spotlight and in the shadow of his death. Lexi B says:Truly the best read-aloud book I've read this year. A cute, interactive tale perfect for all occasions-- from lively storytimes to quiet bedtimes. Carol F says:Twisting religious beliefs to justify adultery and murder haunt a couple in this sordid tale of friendship, love and greed. says:Stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, but when you've got the support of your childhood rival, anything is possible. Lily D says:Zetian is more brutal and unapologetic than ever as she leads a revolution and navigates a complex power struggle. Heather H says:The perfect book for budding gardeners! Libby V says:"We are all just trying to find a place to call our own. We are all deserving of comfort and safety, a place to call home." Amanda K says:Think "80 for Brady" meets "Ocean's 11" and "Call the Midwife." An eclectic group of strangers save their community center by any means necessary. Lily D says:Academic enemies to lovers and leaked emails? Say less! Carol V says:There is no way to avoid the sense of comradery you will feel with the hilarious, brutal and compelling stories of Chelsea Devantez. Heather H says:A thrilling ride through the darker side of internet fame. Nora is the Annie Wilkes for the social-media generation. Hillary K says:It's never too early to start growing self-esteem! Heather H says:Ice Journey of the Polar Bear teaches young readers the reality of climate change in a story both educational and emotionally poignant. Chaz C says:A beautiful story of grief, love and family. If you enjoy an Irish accent, go for the audiobook. Susan A says:Steeped in murder, love, deception and magic! Heather W says:I'm a sucker for a novel in verse and this one did not disappoint! Sports, middle school drama, a loving family-- this has it all. Susan A says:Perfectly crafted to draw you in and unravel the mystery of who done it! Susan A says:Just in time for your garden harvest, or a trip to the farmers market! Heather W says:A sweet story of a dad's first time voting as a U.S. citizen. This book breaks down the voting process and reminds us that every vote counts. Hillary K says:Hidden mirrors and large card flaps-- perfect for little hands to grab-- will have your baby reaching for this book again and again! Becca B says:A gorgeous picture book for anxious hearts, showing how patterns provide consistency when life feels overwhelming and chaotic. Sarah C says:This gripping teen murder mystery is tense and full of twists, shining an important light on the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women. LaNesha S says:He was accused of murder. She fell in love. A dangerous dance with a suspected serial killer begins, and she's about to discover how deadly love is. Andrew C says:Despite the book's upfront disclaimer that its story is "false" and its setting not real, Loving, Ohio feels urgently, devastatingly true. Lily D says:After reading this book, I was filled with PRIDE! Becca B says:Come for the Elle Fanning audiobook narration, stay for the pro-wrestler grandpa. David C says:See how love, ambition and betrayal turn a lonely young girl into one of the most infamous witches in all of myth and legend. April O says:Raw, insightful, introspective and sprinkled with a bit of wry humor, this impactful book was so nice, I read it twice. Jodi L says:Millie Fleur-- who is probably a long-lost member of the Addams family-- has a crucial lesson for you: stay weird, if you're weird! Morgan H says:Saddle up for this simply sweet celebration of family and identity that radiates joy from every page. Heather W says:Your feet are a part of the amazing you! Let's celebrate all the things they can do! Hillary K says:Perfect for tummy time, Baby will love the full-color and black-and-white images; you'll love that it folds out and stands upright! Morgan H says:Irresistibly creepy and oddly comforting, you'll race to the end to find out: what exactly is haunting Violet? Becca B says:Who better to narrate a story about change and loss than an old typewriter? Terry M-R says:A Stepford Wives-like eerie story set in an affluent Black community where everyone is just too perfect and too nice to be real! Kelsey Y says:Mean Girls meets murder in this classic murder mystery that takes a hard turn into something much darker in the final act. April O says:Let’s be honest-- reading about people who are kinda the worst is totally the best. Entitled PTA mom drama at its glitzy, Miami-elite finest. Meredith R says:A fab fairy tale starring an unlikely heroine and some seriously villainous mermaids. Amanda K says:A fun reimagining of Disney's "Cinderella," as told by the prince. This tale is more than slippers and stepsisters, if only everyone could remember... Libby V says:I expected a fluffy teen book, but instead got a realistic and complex story with beautiful illustrations, which all made this a valuable read for me. Lori W says:If you think of life as a song, then each multiverse is a variation. Changing one note may alter the melody, but will the chorus remain the same? Emily K says:Come for the messy family drama, including ghosts and runaway moms, and stay for the touching, humorous and comedic story. Jeff D says:We're finally getting Kaneko's books in English! If you like "Blade Runner" or "Mad Max," you will love this frenetic action epic. Hilary H says:Single parent or not, caregivers of little ones will relate to the destructive way they have of taking over our lives. This was just what I needed. Stephanie B says:Why are dragons so cool?! This is a fast-paced adventure set in a Jamaican-inspired world where god-chosen warriors collide with dragon riders. Julie M says:For everyone who has ever had a friend move away, this book highlights the hope of keeping in touch across the miles. Lexi B says:I was enticed by the Sherlock-Holmes-meets-Dracula murder mystery and then immediately entranced by Dr. Helena Moriarty. Stephanie B says:What would your dopplegänger do to destroy your life and take your secrets? Heather W says:Can you fall in love in a single night at summer camp, knowing you won't have any contact with each other for a year? Talk about long distance! Heather W says:This is a gritty novel in verse that ultimately shows redemption, possibility, survival and hope. As usual, Ellen Hopkins doesn't hold back. Leah B says:True crime brains, this one will have you collecting clues and observations all the way through! Excellent on audio. Amie W says:A tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top romp of a murder mystery celebrating and poking fun at all the tropes we know and love. Terry M-R says:Tan's insightful anecdotes and brilliant, original color sketches will open your eyes to the wonders of backyard birding! Jodi L says:Ember decides that hoarding bread, rather than gold, is a far better use of his efforts. These glowing illustrations are sure to brighten your winter! Carmi D says:Full of monsters and fantastically terrifying creatures, this dark fairy tale is best read in the late hours of the night. Hannah M says:The perfect blend of historical fiction and fantasy, this is a train ride you won't forget! Desi T says:A thought-provoking and engaging look at skin-color dynamics and housing practices during the Jim Crow era. Lexi B says:I'll never forget this brilliant, bewitching and bone-chilling book. The magic of Eelgrass Bog has irrevocably changed me (in the best way possible). Annie C says:A slow and steady burn of tension guiding us through the six months leading up to the Battle of Fort Sumter. Nonfiction storytelling at its finest. Amy B says:Looking for a new British cozy mystery series to read this summer? This humorous and highly entertaining debut novel doesn't disappoint! April O says:Snapshots of teachers' lives weave into a beautiful love note to education and all of the humans who keep this essential work running. Terry M-R says:Chevalier is a vivid storyteller. History and magical realism are blended into a beautiful family saga about Venetian glassmakers. Don't miss it! Terry M-R says:A tense and twisty thriller that warns the reader: "don't go into the woods alone!" Lori W says:Pack your passport and Prosecco! Everyone's favorite guncle is back, this time to teach about love and maybe learn a little, too. Becca B says:As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the magic attic. Amy B says:Trying to add more plants to your diet? Interested in Mediterranean food? Check out Diane Kochilas' latest cookbook to find a new favorite recipe. Emily K says:Blood magic, a murder mystery and romance star in this Vietnam-inspired novel. Susan A says:Have a frightfully good time building your own Halloween-themed Lego creations! Thad P says:I was always taught that we started growing grain to eat. Now it turns out it may have been to drink. So which came first, the loaf or the bottle? Hillary K says:Technically for babies, but grown-ups will love it, too! Drink in images of 18th-century Chinese cats, 4,000-year-old Egyptian shields and more. Jodi L says:Three escape-room fanatics get trapped in an abandoned 1950s funhouse while searching for treasure-- it's as fun and weird as it sounds! Desi T says:A twisted cold case that heats up as the story evolves. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories where the ending isn't easily seen. Amy B says:A beautiful book of essays to remind us this Earth Day that "All flourishing is mutual." Emily K says:A cozy fantasy novel that features a talking spider plant, an adorable seaside town and a librarian trying to save books in a revolution. Terry M-R says:Crime sometimes pays! True crime lovers will relish this enthralling tale of New York's pioneering stolen goods and bank heist entrepreneur. Amanda K says:A film for those whose love language is food. A feast for the eyes and a story for the soul, every morsel of this should be relished and savored. LaNesha S says:Everyone has their favorite teacher. But what happens when that special teacher becomes TOO special... and TOO special turns into OBSESSION!? Morgan H says:The kind of book you can't put down with characters that feel so real you'll wish you could give them a giant hug. Rachel T says:A bittersweet and relatable coming-of-age story addressing themes of bullying, mental health and loss. Hannah M says:A wonderful life story told by the matriarch herself. Now it's time to rewatch "Gilmore Girls." Amie W says:Who could resist the possibility of finding a lost pirate treasure? But what if it comes with betrayals, family secrets and maybe some murders? Chaz C says:Halloween?! Eric Carle?! Lift-the flap?! Heather H says:An endearing and relatable cast of diverse characters take on both a mysterious evil and high school drama. Welcome to Silverlake! Emily K says:Demons have office jobs, monsters sell hot dogs and a girl just wants to break her curse. Humor and high jinks ensue in this comedy-horror novel. Hannah M says:Kristin Hannah is a powerful storyteller! I loved that this novel focused on the importance of female friendship. Jodi L says:A dangerous cult, a midnight escape-- and Fern is desperate to get back. Heather W says:Don't let the cover fool you! This is not a "back to school" read. It's a lovely, quiet story about finding joy in the journey, wherever that leads. Hillary K says:An engrossing, unforgettable journey that serves twists and turn, along with a cautionary tale for anyone communicating online. Chaz C says:Just in time for summer gardening! Pair this delightful picture book with delicious produce. Meredith R says:For everyone who has ever wondered what goes on inside their dogs' heads-- it's so much funnier and weirder than you think. Heather W says:What don't they want you to know? To quote the book, "If people are this angry that you're reading books, then you're probably doing something right." David C says:Who knew that a romance with your (un)dead best friend could be so cute? Perfect for fans of Cemetery Boys and The Taking of Jake Livingston. Susan A says:Once upon a time, computers were women, and they changed the world. Stephanie B says:This is a love story, not only in romance, but with relationships, intimacy and family. An important read for all teens. Julie M says:A charming tale highlighting the different perspectives of a dog and cat on their playful journey home. Sarah C says:Bray captivates readers with her multi-timeline storytelling as she creatively connects history with current-day politics. A truly beautiful book. Stephanie B says:Set in the Ohio Caverns of West Liberty, this tale will make you second guess everything until the very end. Take a tour of the caverns after reading. Meredith R says:When sibling rivalry leads to betrayal, is "sorry" enough to fix it? Jodi L says:Loved this high-energy graphic novel about an all-Muslim girls basketball team and their first season! Based on a true story! Stunning artwork! Amy B says:Private security guard Amy and her father-in-law Steve are the detective duo I didn't know I needed. One of my top 10 favorite books of 2024! Carol F says:A gripping and dramatic oral account told by the military officials and troops who planned, fought, sacrificed and triumphed on this infamous day. Morgan H says:Toddlers and grown-ups alike will delight in this silly and interactive search for a missing snoot. Cora S says:A poignant memoir you won't want to put down! Jade B says:Timely, poignant, academic (but accessible). Judith Butler is BACK! Morgan H says:Legends turn into lore in this nostalgic and rollicking ride through some of the most memorable and impactful music of the last century. Chris V says:The stakes are high in this EPIC return to the Cosmere! Chaz C says:A sports romance even non-sports fans can get behind! Heather W says:Everything a kid could want in a book-- plus a little extra. I mean, who doesn't love homework? Annie C says:A clever, and sometimes funny, retelling of the Arthurian legend. Full of all the witches, heroines, faeries and knights you could hope for.
