Our Favorite Books of 2024Like this list

39 items

• James

  a Novel

  Everett, Percival,

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  Everett’s genius reimagining of Huckleberry Finn is told from the viewpoint of Jim, who prefers to be known as James. James is a heroic, courageous and tender autodidact, whose story is laced with humor, written with elegance, and completely…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Wide Wide Sea

  Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

  Sides, Hampton,

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  Hampton Sides does a masterful job of telling this tale of adventure and woe, balancing admirations for James Cook's skills as a captain (nobody died of scurvy on any of his voyages!) and critiquing the imperialism and outright slaughter that were…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Canto Contigo

  a Novel

  Garza Villa, Jonny,

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  I am a super fan of enemies to lovers books and wowza this one delivers. Rafie is a mariachi who gets demoted and then moves to a new school only to find that his love interest from mariachi camp is the lead there. Hot feuding and making up. --Susy,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Partition Project

  Faruqi, Saadia,

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  When her grandmother from Pakistan comes to live with her family, Manhoor knew her life would change, but certainly not like she would've expected! I loved the main character energy of Manhoor, the budding young journalist and like Manhoor, my life…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Another Word for Love

  a Memoir

  Wallace, Carvell,

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  Carvel Wallace's memoir takes readers on a poignant journey through his life's struggles, triumphs, and the beauty of growing up Black and queer. I am in awe by Wallace's vulnerability in sharing his truth, and his writing, which is both beautiful…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Aloha Everything

  George, Kaylin Melia,

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  Author Kaylin Melia George has written a beautiful celebration of the storytelling of hula. She lovingly translating the stories behind hula to the written form while Mae White's hand painted illustrations perfectly captures the vibrancy and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Prospects

  a Novel

  Hoffman, KT,

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  Gene Ionescu is the first openly trans player in the minor leagues and he's almost ready to let himself believe he can make it to the majors... until former teammate and current rival Luis Estrada gets traded onto his team, throwing a wrench into…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Cahokia Jazz

  a Novel

  Spufford, Francis, 1964-

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  Jazz Age Noir with a twist. Francis Spufford imagines a United States in which Cahokia – the largest pre-Colombian metropolis north of Mexico – persevered, became a stronghold of Indigenous and Black culture and entered the Union as a state. Far…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Lunar New Year Love Story

  Yang, Gene Luen,

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  The cutest teen rom-com graphic novel set right here in Oakland. A close look at one teen's fearless quest to understand her family's personal and cultural history and to figure out love and friendship on the way. --Sharon McKellar, Teen Services

• The Mindful Magic of Flower Drawing

  a Step-by-step Guide to Drawing & Doodling Flowers

  Wilson, Chloe,

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  Looking for a new way to disconnect from the busy world for a moment? Like a guided meditation in doodling this book removes our commitment to perfection and helps readers find their flow. Adaptable for any medium, this is a skill you can carry all…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Kareem Between

  Safadi, Shifa Saltagi,

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  Kareem Between is a wonderfully written book in verse. Kareem is in middle school and dreams of being on the school’s football team, but he is stuck between this dream and doing what he knows in his heart is right. For not knowing much about…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Wander in the Dark

  Emill, Jumata,

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  Imagine your brother is accused of murder. The brother who hates you and reminds you of everything he could not have growing up. No one believes him except for you. Hard would you fight to prove his innocence even when everyone else believes he is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• All Fours

  a Novel

  July, Miranda, 1974-

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  You never know what you’re going to get when you read the book that everyone’s talking about. I’m so glad I didn’t let the hype deter me—All Fours is a thoughtful, hilarious and often bonkers take on womanhood, intimacy, connection…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• [Ellipsis]

  Joudah, Fady, 1971-

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  A new collection from the Palestinian-American poet Fady Joudah, written in the final months of 2023. The child of a refugee family, Joudah writes on the heartbreak of bearing witness and being complicit from afar in a genocide of his people that…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sunrise Nights

  Zentner, Jeff,

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  Florence and Jude meet on Sunrise Night, the all nighter ending sleepaway arts camp. They hit it off big time but decide not to keep contact after camp. They meet up the next summer and the summer after that. Will they be able to actually be…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Maid and the Crocodile

  a Novel in the World of Raybearer

  Ifueko, Jordan,

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  Finding your place in the world is always tough, but it's especially tough for Small Sade, a disabled orphan looking for a job in Oluwan City. Nevermind that she catches the attention of a god, as well as that of a wealthy inn keeper. Skillfully…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Brave Baby Hummingbird

  Montgomery, Sy,

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  First, the illustrations are gorgeous! This is a well-sized nonfiction children's book that can be a lovely read-aloud picture book. Readers hear a coming-of-age tale from the hummingbird's perspective. The author includes resources in the back…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Twenty-four Seconds From Now...

  a Love Story

  Reynolds, Jason,

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  In case a book by Jason Reynolds didn't already have your attention, his latest YA novella is a sweet depiction of a teenage relationship and first-time intimacy, in all its awkwardness, excitement, and insecurity. I loved the way the cringe-y, but…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Not Quite a Ghost

  Ursu, Anne,

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  It's rare to find a children's book that is just genuinely spooky, but Not Quite a Ghost is absolutely that! Ursu pulls off a middle-grade novel that tackles all the common issues of that age (friendship, school, family) while also exploring mental…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ten Bridges I've Burnt

  a Memoir in Verse

  Purnell, Brontez,

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  "Purnell has a unique literary voice that both provokes and envelopes readers in a painfully tender familiarity. As he unearths scarring memories disrupted by quippy humorous remarks, he unravels himself throughout the narrative, producing tears and…Read moreRead more of this annotation