Here are the books, movies, and music staff enjoyed in 2024!
Some music and movies are not available in physical form to circulate but the platforms they are on are noted. Make sure to scroll to the bottom where we feature favorites that weren’t produced in 2024 but were discovered and enjoyed this year. Titles are linked up to the catalog so you can easily check availability.
Adult Fiction Books
- Argylle by Elly Conway (action-packed, well-plotted, intense)
- The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score (romantic, action-packed, weird)
- The Examiner by Janice Hallett (slow-burn, intense, unique)
- The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes (funny, cozy, unique)
- First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (psychological thriller, keeps one reading, twisty)
- Funny Story by Emily Henry (sweet, opposites attract, second chance love)
- Happy Medium by Sarah Adler (funny, character-driven, romantic)
- Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (brilliant, sarcastic, suspense)
- Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
- Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe (funny, strange, character-driven)
- The Queen by Nick Cutter (teen friendship, playing God, insect body horror)
- The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden
- Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (true-to-life, heartwarming, witty)
- When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart (strength under pressure, family relationships, Civil War)
- The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie by Freida McFadden (funny, fast-paced, pop-culture)
- The Women by Kristin Hannah (historical, intense, character-driven)
Adult Nonfiction Books
- Amrikan: 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora by Khushbu Shah (surprising, playful, mouthwatering)
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (thought-provoking, relevant, opinionated)
- By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land by Rebecca Nagle (well-written, historical, gripping)
- Finding Grace: The Inspiring True Story Of Therapy Dogs by Larry Randolph (encouraging, heartwarming, delightful)
- Hot Springs by Greta Rybus
- It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told) by Karen Tang MD (informative, eye-opening, inclusive)
- Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance by Brant Hansen (helpful, inspiring, humorous)
- Nothing is Wasted: A True Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain by Davey Blackburn (heartwrenching, hopeful, honest)
- One Day I’ll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman: A Mother’s Story by Abi Maxwell (powerful, essential, everything)
- Says Who: A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words by Anne Curzan (funny, educational, interesting)
- The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer (wise, thought-provoking, comforting)
- Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport (smart, concise, actionable)
- Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects by MOTHA (inspiring, moving, enlightening)
YA
- Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson (eerie, quirky, fast-paced)
Children’s Books
- As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts by Matthew Burgess (informative, silly, heartwarming)
Movies
- The Commandant’s Shadow (documentary available on Max and other streaming services with a premium subscription; disturbing, historical, hopeful)
- Fall Guy (fun, campy, uncomplicated)
Music
- Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish (pop; atmospheric, gorgeous, adventurous)
- This is How Tomorrow Moves by beabadoobee (alternative pop/rock)
- People Who Aren’t There Anymore by Future Islands (alternative rock; hazy, driving, introspective)
- Right Place, Wrong Person by RM (alternative hip-hop; groovy, bold, satisfying)
- Songs of a Lost World by The Cure (rock; haunting, graceful, affecting)
Better Late Than Never
Titles released in prior years but consumed and enjoyed in 2024
- Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story by Max Marshall (2023; shocking, funny, enlightening)
- Being Henry by Henry Winkler (2023 adult nonfiction; funny, poignant, insightful)
- Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen (2021 young adult fiction)
- The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl (2023 adult nonfiction; quiet, bittersweet, beautiful)
- Delta County by J.L. Hyde (2021 adult fiction)
- The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell (2017; adult nonfiction)
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (2023 YA fiction; enemies-to-lovers, poetic, grueling)
- Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea (2018 adult fiction)
- Down The Drain by Julia Fox (2023 adult nonfiction)
- Educated by Tara Westover (2018 adult nonfiction)
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (2023 adult fiction)
- The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden (2022-2024 adult fiction)
- Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida (2023 children’s nonfiction)
- Imaginary People by Viv & Riley (2023 folk music)
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1895 adult fiction)
- Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (2023 adult fiction)
- The Maid by Nita Prose (2022 adult fiction; mystery, character-driven, enjoyable)
- Never Lie by Freida McFadden (2022 adult fiction)
- No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (2023 adult fiction; character-driven, enjoyable)
- Oppenheimer (2023 historical movie)
- Over the Woodward Wall (The Up-and-Under #1) by A. Deborah Baker/Seanan McGuire (2020 adult fiction; fun, touching, clever)
- The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden (2022 adult fiction)
- Pretty Boys Are Poisonous: Poems by Megan Fox (2023 adult nonfiction; dark, honest, sharp)
- The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan (2023 pop music; campy, catchy, memorable)
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017 adult fiction)
- Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea (2016 adult fiction)
- Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea (2021 adult fiction)
- Ward D by Freida McFadden (2023 adult fiction)
- Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier (2019 alternative rock)
- What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe (2014 adult nonfiction)