As the pages of 2024 turn to their final chapter, KDL librarians reflect on the stories that captivated their imaginations, stirred their emotions and left lasting impressions. These book recommendations promise to inspire, entertain and perhaps even change the way you see the world. KDL librarians are experts who live and breathe literature every day. Here they share the best book they read in 2024.
A Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
This book made me feel very uncomfortable, but I don't consider that a bad thing. I felt reading it challenged my assumptions and biases, and I still think about it even now, months after finishing it.
-Susan, Plainfield Twp. Branch
Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
This book is exquisitely written and celebrates language and poetry through a thought-provoking, moving story of a young struggling writer. More than once I found myself pausing to look up words in a dictionary and re-reading sentences just to savor the beauty of them. If you appreciate literary fiction and an achingly loveable, tragic protagonist, I highly recommend.
-Jenny, East Grand Rapids Branch
Hum by Helen Philips
A taut, psychological thriller set in our near future. A well-crafted dystopian that's all too believable.
-Trevor, Grandville Branch
The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale
This astonishing masterpiece is captivating, hilariously heartwarming and intriguingly dark. With a remarkable cast of murderers brought together by fate, it sweeps you onto an emotional rollercoaster and dares to ask: How do you get away with murder?
-Clare, Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
James by Percival Everett
James tells the story of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the slave, Jim. Everett created an action-packed adventure story with unpredictable turns, at times hilarious and at times startlingly serious. As the story progresses, Jim claims himself as James, this bold becoming is what I loved most. The audio was brilliantly read by a cast and added to my appreciation of the exceptional dialogue.
-Nanette, Cascade Twp. Branch
The Wager by David Grann
An amazing secret mission turned to shipwreck in frozen Patagonia turned to mutiny and trial in the 1740s London. Incredibly well researched and written by the author of The Killer of the Flower Moon.
-Phillip, Alto Branch
The Women by Kristin Hannah
A historical fiction with such detail, you become immersed in the story. The passion of the writer shines through, making this story an impactful and engaging experience.
-Audrey, Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Fever House by Keith Rosson
Punk rock energy, self-righteousness and rage distilled into an action-packed horror novel about zombies, deep state government black op agencies, subliminal suggestion and dealing with a devil.
-Mike, Cascade Twp. Branch
The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larsen
This story tells about the tumultuous five months leading up to the beginning of the Civil War. In-depth storytelling includes many of the unknown people who played their parts in this historical time of our country. From the Author of The Devil in the White City.
-Clyde, Spencer Twp. Branch
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
This is an engaging historical fiction novel set in Washington DC in the 1950s, told from the perspective of multiple women who live in a boarding house during the McCarthy era.
-Jackie, Wyoming Branch
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson
A brilliant approach to the mythic figure of Hercules that manages to be incredibly innovative and relevant while remaining true to the source material and providing fresh insight into the nature of "heroes" and the stories we tell about them.
-Dave, Comstock Park Branch
Rednecks by Taylor Brown
This book was so captivating from the very first page! It's told in the most intriguing epic battle style but is based on true events in our American history. I chose the audiobook on a whim and absolutely could not put it down. The audio version is like sitting around a campfire having an old cowboy tell you a tale of revenge, but the print version is just as compelling. It's a roller coaster of emotion as you learn the injustices faced in our nation's battle for safe and fair labor laws for the coal miners that kept our country running.
-Sara, Nelson Twp. Branch
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
Winner of the 2024 Newbery, this book is not to be missed by anyone over 8 years old; grown-ups, that means you, too. A moving story about a wild dog, Johannes, who is "the eyes" of a small park to a pair of elderly captive buffalo, he reports on what he sees all around him, including an influx of more people, a giant art installation, and a massive herd of sheep, among other strange new sights. Just as Johannes' eyes are opened to the wonders of the world around him, your heart will swell with gratitude and curiosity at all the beauty in the world around you.
-Jenny, East Grand Rapids Branch
Lifeform by Jenny Slate
I'm such a Jenny Slate fan that I think I will love anything she writes, but I'm not sure I relate to a single person's musings as much as I do hers. Little Weirds is one of my favorite books of all time, and this, to me, lives up to that high bar.
-Nathan, Grandville Branch
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
A heartwarming and humorous book featuring a diverse cast of mostly older characters with interesting backstories and real challenges, hopes, and fears. I laughed and cried throughout and didn't want the story to end!
-Amy, Englehardt Branch (Lowell)
How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger
This graphic novel follows 13-year-old Tara as she skips 8th grade and proceeds directly to high school. She enters a world (and an English class) that's complicated and terrifying -- and absolutely hilarious.
-Liz, Amy Van Andel Library (Ada)
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
A young bride grows into the matriarch of an Indian family whose members have suffered several water-related tragedies. Many plot lines and characters flow together to create a complex, moving and deeply satisfying story.
-Sara, Cascade Twp. Branch
Add a comment to: Read Like a Librarian: The Best Books We Read in 2024