Our Favorite Books of 2023Like this list

35 items

• Mexikid

  a Graphic Memoir

  Martin, Pedro, 1967-

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  "In this autobiographical graphic novel, Martín describes an epic summer expedition from Watsonville, California to Jalisco, Mexico in 1977 with his parents and 8 siblings in a borrowed motorhome, to help their abuelo/grandpa wrap up his ranch and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Excavations

  A Novel

  Michell, Hannah

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  "A former journalist and student activist must dust off her investigative skills when her husband disappears in a massive tower collapse in 1992. As she uncovers layers of neoliberal corruption in post-dictatorship South Korea, our protagonist’s…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Women of Myth

  From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Amaterasu and Athena, Your Guide to the Amazing and Diverse Women From World Mythology

  Williamson, Jenny,

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  "50 women of myth and legend from around the world to admire and inspire! Written by friends Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy who are also cohosts of the podcast Ancient History Fangirl. In the briefest introduction to women from all over the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Remember Us

  Woodson, Jacqueline

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  "I can think of no author as prolific and versatile as Jacqueline Woodson that also consistently produces such high quality writing. She is a true economist of words and manages to spark so much character and poetry in under 200 pages. This…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Agents of Chaos

  Thomas King Forçade, High Times, and the Paranoid End of the 1970s

  Howe, Sean,

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  "As a child of the 80s and 90s, my memories of High Times magazine are primarily of close-up images of crystalline purple and green buds and endless, mundane discussions of strain crossing and preferred lightbulb arrangement. Little did I know at…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Hungry Ghost

  Ying, Victoria

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  "In this gorgeous graphic novel a teenage girl manages to keep her serious eating disorder a secret from everyone who cares about her until, facing deep grief and loss, she realizes she needs some help. The format doesn't allow for deep exploration…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Wager

  a Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

  Grann, David,

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  "This masterpiece is based on a shipwrecked and the characters' harrowing journey. I love how Grann presents the reader with all accounts of what occurred, which leaves you with a vivid imagery of the ordeal. If you love "The Killers of the Flower…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Impossible People

  a Completely Average Recovery Story

  Wertz, Julia

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  "Julia Wertz's autobiographical graphic novels are amazing. They've gone from super silly (and super fun!) to delving into more serious matters. This one is honest and frank. I loved it." --Susy, Rockridge Branch

• American Gun

  the True Story of the AR-15

  McWhirter, Cameron,

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  "This is a fascinating and frightening story of the AR-15; detailing how it came to be invented, why it is the weapon of choice of mass murderers, and a symbol for gun enthusiasts. The authors outline how attempts at gun control legislation have…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Clever Rabbit

  An Iranian Graphic Folktale

  Golkar, Golriz

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  "In this Iranian folk tale presented as a graphic novel, the very cute characters will surely captivate young readers with imminent danger barely escaped, team decision-making (both successful & not), fears overcome, finding a center of peacefulness…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Hot Pot Murder

  Chow, Jennifer J.

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  "I've read other mystery books by Jennifer J. Chow and didn't realize that she'd started a new series. I LOVE the L.A. Night Market books so far! This was a great follow up to "Death by Bubble Tea"! Foodie related crimes solved by cousins. "…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Chinese Groove

  a Novel

  Ma, Kathryn

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  "Eighteen-year-old Zheng Xue Li, also known as Shelley, leaves his Yunnan Province home to seek Family, Love and Fortune in San Francisco. The invisible bonds that exist between family and strangers alike drive this lovable, naively optimistic hero…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Behind the Seams

  My Life in Rhinestones

  Parton, Dolly,

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  "This book is wild. Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones features Dolly Parton's iconic wardrobe collection along with anecdotes of her time in show business. This book has almost all of her most famous outfits along with stories of the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Out There Screaming

  An Anthology of New Black Horror

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  "19 haunting stories to keep you up at night and frightened during the day. A master director of phycological thrillers and dark humor, Jordan Peele has curated a variety of new voices to the genre. From the first story that leaves readers fuming,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Human Sacrifices

  Ampuero, María Fernanda

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  "Dark, very dark, just like I often like my reads. Short stories that read quick. " --Susy, Rockridge Branch

• unOrdinary

  uru-chan (Comics writer and artist)

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  "Colorful manga, easy to read, great story line." --OPL staff member

• The People's Hospital

  Hope and Peril in American Medicine

  Nuila, Ricardo, 1978-

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  "This book is a searing inditement of American healthcare. Beautifully written, the stories of five people navigating the inequities of the healthcare system on top of medical issues. A tough read, but one that will stay with you and have you…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Accountable

  the True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed

  Slater, Dashka,

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  "In 2017 a racist Instagram account was started by a high school student in nearby Albany. When the account was discovered by its targets and the creator and participants identified, the reprocussions were widespread and impacted the entire…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Deluge

  a Novel

  Markley, Stephen

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  "This is an impressive work of fiction that feels incredibly real. Markley weaves in details from real life to paint a vision of a near-future ravaged by climate change and the movers and shakers fighting to save humanity by any means necessary. The…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Simon Sort of Says

  Bow, Erin

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  ""I kept interrupting my wife to read aloud funny passages from this middle-grade novel about a middle-class Nebraska family that moves to the middle of off-the-grid nowhere USA. Eventually I just said, "You're reading this after me." The author has…Read moreRead more of this annotation