WCLS Staff Favorites 2024Like this list

72 items

• James

  a Novel

  Everett, Percival

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  Mary K, Mary V, and Kaye all claim this as a favorite of 2024. Mary K says: "This retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an unforgettable, thoroughly American story of a man living between two worlds, who finds liberation in being wholly…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Last Cuentista

  Higuera, Donna Barba,

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  Paul says: "Faced with impending extinction, humanity makes a desperate bid to colonize the stars. Thanks to her scientist parents, young Petra Peña is part of that first and only wave. Her most precious cargo? A lifetime of stories she has heard…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Held

  Michaels, Anne, 1958-

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  Mary V says: "'Who can say what happens when we are remembered?' Library due date looming, I had to rush through Held — like a cold-water plunge — brief, invigorating. Gorgeous language, vivid character sketches — a meditation on love, loss, life.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Misfit

  Growing Up Awkward in the '80s

  Gulman, Gary,

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  Neil says: "Gulman is a sweet and gentle stand-up comic. HIs comedy special, "The Great Depresh", is a stand-up routine/documentary that recounts Gulman's experience with debilitation depression. It was an intimate look into his world that was both…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Brightwood Code

  Hesse, Monica,

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  Tamar says: "A fast-paced historical thriller that follows 18-year-old Edda who is haunted by her experience after having worked as a switchboard operator in WWII. An intriguing mystery based on the true story of the young women who translated…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Was a Teenage Slasher

  Jones, Stephen Graham, 1972-

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  Jonathan says: "For horror fans, this is both a romp and a complex deconstruction of the slasher genre. As our protagonist slowly awakens to his inevitable transformation into the titular teenage slasher, the reader is brought behind the curtain to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Stolen

  a Novel

  Laestadius, Ann-Helén,

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  Wendy M says: "I have been loving the Norwegian suspense noir books and found this gem incorporating Sámi culture and family generational dynamics to enrich the plot. It isn't for the faint of heart, especially if you are an animal lover, but well…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages

  the World Through Medieval Eyes

  Bale, Anthony, 1975-

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  Emma says: "Travelers in the Middle Ages weren't just pilgrims and merchants; they were also tourists! This medieval travelogue contains packing lists, safety advice, and stories from real-life people with wanderlust. The author is more interested…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• An Easy Death

  Harris, Charlaine,

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  Maggie Mae says: "It's always hard to choose a favorite, but I really enjoyed the Gunnie Rose series. This is the first book in the series."

• The Will of the Many

  Islington, James, 1981-

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  Rheannan says this was one of her standout favorites of the year.

• The Snow Goose

  Gallico, Paul, 1897-1976

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  Sarah says: "This has been on my TBR list for a long time now. A sweet novella about an outcast hermit, a young girl, and a mysteriously magical snow goose. It only took me about 45 minutes to read, but I was crying and hugging the book to my chest…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• All Fours

  a Novel

  July, Miranda, 1974-

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  Rosie says: "An unpredictable, funny, challenging and very human story about the balance between partnerships and independence. Definitely the most memorable novel of the year for me."

• Starling House

  Harrow, Alix E.,

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  Hana says this is her favorite adult novel of the year.

• The City in Glass

  Vo, Nghi,

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  Tasia says: "A fantasy novel of love, loss, resilience, and transformation."

• The Only Good Indians

  a Novel

  Jones, Stephen Graham, 1972-

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  Rhiannon says: "My two favorite books this year were horror - they are absolutely not for the faint of heart! But very interesting and philosophical if you can stomach it. This has got to be one of the best books I've ever read but I don't really…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Long Live Evil

  Brennan, Sarah Rees,

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  Suzanne says: "I am still absolutely feral for this book!. I'm foaming at the mouth for the sequel All Hail Chaos that's slated to be out in the fall of next year. My silly brain couldn't even finish the book before I was tempting fate and spoilers…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

  a Novel

  Hanks, Tom,

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  Kris says: "The narration by Tom Hanks, with all his nuances of voice, made this memorable, as he walks us through every behind-the-scene thing.  A real and entertaining tribute to those that make a great movie possible."

• A Well-trained Wife

  My Escape From Christian Patriarchy [a Memoir]

  Levings, Tia,

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  Dana says this was her top pick of 2024.

• She Come by It Natural

  Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs

  Smarsh, Sarah,

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  Tessa says: "A nonfiction book was adapted from a magazine series about Dolly Parton. This short book went into the inspirations of Dolly's songs and their impact on working women."

• Lifeform

  Slate, Jenny, 1982-

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  Katie C says: "Creative and quirky essays exploring birth, death and all things human. I loved this!"