SPPL Staff's Favorite Reads of 2024Like this list

47 items

• All Fours

  a Novel

  July, Miranda, 1974-

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  Recommended by: Caitlin, Merriam Park| I'm a fan of Miranda July and this was even more unexpected and wonderful than I thought it could be. | Features of this book: Exploration of Identity, Distinctly Voiced & Well-Characterized,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Assistant to the Villain

  Maehrer, Hannah Nicole,

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  Recommended by: Aura, Rice Street | I love books with eccentric over-the-top characters. This book is definitely ridiculous. It reads like fanfiction but it is a quick and easy read and sometimes that's what you want. I would recommend…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Before, Now

  Salmieri, Daniel, 1983-

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  Recommended by: Cecilia, Sun Ray | I love how the sparse language and soft illustrations lead the reader on a gentle, introspective journey through the life cycle of a family. I would recommend this to families with young children,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Between Two Fires

  An Epic Tale of Medieval Horror

  Buehlman, Christopher

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  Recommended by: Max, Merriam Park | Gross alternate history taking place in Medieval France during the black plague. Full of monsters and demons of heroes must overcome. I would recommend this book to horror fans. | Features of this book:…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Butcher of the Forest

  Mohamed, Premee,

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  Recommended by: Madison, Rondo | This book was a really well told and succinct horror fantasy novella that draws you in and makes you want to read a whole series about it. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Covenant of Water

  a Novel

  Verghese, Abraham, 1955-

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  Recommended by: Maren, Hayden Heights | Covenant of Water is a novel about a multigenerational family overcoming a curse that lives with them for generations. We hear about the family and how each member is impacted by the curse. The…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Deluge

  Markley, Stephen,

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  Recommended by: Alaina, Merriam Park | It brings climate change and contemporary American politics to life via multiple narratives. I would recommend this book to literary fiction readers; news junkies. | Features of this book: Eye-Opening…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Doppelganger

  a Trip Into the Mirror World

  Klein, Naomi, 1970-

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  Recommended by: Genna, Merriam Park | This was a really well written, interesting, and infuriating look at the political shifts of the last few years and an exploration of what she calls “diagonal politics” - beyond the right and left…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ducks

  Two Years in the Oil Sands

  Beaton, Kate, 1983-

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  Recommended by: Ben, George Latimer Central | A truly wonderfully put together graphic memoir, I'm glad that I finally got around to reading this. Kate Beaton draws an incredibly expressive picture of her experiences, and it is both…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dungeon Crawler Carl

  Dinniman, Matt,

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  Recommended by: Matt, Mobile Library and Rick, George Latimer Central| Aliens have destroyed the earth and forced the people left alive to participate in a Squid Game/Dungeons and Dragons/Video Game hybrid for the entertainment of the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dying in the Wool

  Brody, Frances

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  Recommended by: Emily, Highland Park | It's always great to find a new historical mystery series and this one has a protagonist who is very likable but perfectly human. The author makes a point of learning about the industries and areas…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Empire of Shadows

  Benson, Jacquelyn

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  Recommended by: Rhica, George Latimer Central | I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Alex Picard, who does an excellent job! I recommend this book to anyone who loves the 1999 film masterpiece "The Mummy" with Brendan Fraser…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Eyes & the Impossible

  Eggers, Dave,

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  Recommended by: Alisa, Saint Anthony Park | It is a beautifully written book with great characters, a compelling adventure, and themes of friendship, community, resilience, interdependence, art, and nature. What's not to like? I would…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Faithful and Virtuous Night

  Glück, Louise, 1943-

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  Recommended by: Katie, Rice Street | Beautiful and devastating. About death and grieving. Also about aging. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for work about aging and grief. | Features of this book: Poetry

• The Future Was Color

  a Novel

  Nathan, Patrick,

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  Recommended by: Andrew, Dayton's Bluff | I liked this book because it was like if "Sunset Boulevard" met "Cabaret" by way of the "Great Gatsby." Very well-written and poses the question of how you can continue living in the face of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Homegoing

  Gyasi, Yaa

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  Recommended by: Marlena, Rondo/George Latimer Central | The writing was both devastating and invigorating. The prose accurately captured the historical elements including place, time and emotion present in the story and characters. The…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Horse

  Brooks, Geraldine,

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  Recommended by: Andrea, George Latimer Central | "Horse" illuminated a little-known part of American history. I would recommend this book to anyone. | Features of this book: Emotionally Devastating, Beautiful Prose/Well Written,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Husbands

  a Novel

  Gramazio, Holly,

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  Recommended by: Jennifer A.C., Dayton's Bluff | This book is hilarious and original. I would recommend this book to lovers of rom-com titles especially, but anyone looking for something a little different or unique. | Features of this…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• In Memoriam

  Winn, Alice (Alice Mary Felicity), 1992-

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  Recommended by: Claire, Administration | This was the first book I read in 2024 and the one that has stuck with me through the entire year. This book is one of the most poignant WWI novels I have ever read (and I realize there are MANY…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Invisible Women

  Data Bias in a World Designed for Men

  Criado-Perez, Caroline

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  Recommended by: Marika, Administration | This book touched on how data (or lack of data) has impacted women. It collected data from around the world, from many economic realities, from multiple perspectives, illustrating the numerous areas…Read moreRead more of this annotation