The only thing our staff loves more than getting you your new or old favorite books is reading their own new and old favorites! We may not spend the whole workday reading, as many seem to assume of library folk, but many of us spend a large majority of our NON-workday reading. All that reading means we've got opinions on books and we wanted to take a moment to share some of our favorites from 2024 with you before we got too far into 2025.
Note: these suggestions did not have to be published in 2024. They are books our staff read in 2024 and felt worthy of passing along as suggestions for those of your trying to read a bit more or find something outside your usual area.
Cataloger & YA Librarian Kyle suggests Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang
Kat Tang's Five-Star Stranger is a beautifully written story that will tug on every last one of your heartstrings. This literary fiction debut is a bittersweet examination of America's "gig economy" and expertly depicts how jaded we have become with social interactions and how every conversation is, and always has been, transactional.
Children's Librarian Ellyn suggests
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
A cozy fantasy about a travelling fortune teller who accidentally gets pulled into a quest and gathers a misfit crew around her that becomes a found family. A very easy and enjoyable read!
Library Clerk Veena suggests
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
If you like libraries and books with a hint of magic, this is the book you should read!
Library Director Regina suggests
Dear Sister by Michelle Horton
An eye-opening memoir of the bond between two sisters. One is incarcerated for killing her husband in self-defense and the author is suddenly tasked with taking in her two young kids and unraveling the abusive past her sister kept hidden from her. Seeing both the personal anguish of both sisters and how the justice system compounded their pain was incredibly moving.
Library Clerk Rita suggests
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This is a magical story filled with compassion, wisdom, and humor. Each character, from Linus the caseworker, to Arthur and the children who live at the home, transform into their full potential by recognizing their individual gifts.
Library Clerk Candace suggests
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Time travel back to medieval France. Science and history meet in this fast-paced book. Quantum physics is presented in an interesting, non-overwhelming way and history is shown as a building block of our society.
Assistant Director Bryan suggests
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
This debut novel (you'd never guess it's a debut) was described to me as "adult Hunger Games" and it delivers on that and more with hard-hitting societal criticism and vast, engaging characters. Adjei-Brenyah somehow manages to hold all the right details till the exact moment you need them, blowing you away with every page turn.