The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne,

“The final book in John Gwynne’s Bloodsworn Saga, The Fury of the Gods rounds out a heart-pumping, epic fantasy trilogy filled with Vikings, gods, and monsters. Gwynne’s writing is engrossing and exciting, his characters are memorable and unique, and his plot will keep you invested throughout. If you are looking for a story full of heartbreak, revenge, courage, action, and magic, then definitely give this series a try!”

~Louis Maranski, Ginter Park Branch

The Book of Love by Kelly Link

“Four teenagers come back from the dead mysteriously – but only two get to stay in the world of the living. To survive they must pass supernatural trials…and maybe save the world too. Emotional, funny, and profound. “

~Daniel Tyler, Main Library

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

“The book has funny, irreverent premise, but by looking at what constitutes a “human” and not in this digital era where AI makes the line a little fuzzy, you wind up with an incredibly thought provoking story. Full of discussions of agency and power and betrayal and self-determination, all of which is carried by excellent prose and just the right touch of humor, I read the entire novel in a single twenty-four hour period because I couldn’t put it down.”

~Adam Zimmerli, East End Branch

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

“Isolated and bullied as the only female student in her architecture college, remote Effy jumps on the opportunity to travel to the crumbling coast of her country and design a new manor for the famous author of her favorite fairytale. But as the mist deepens and the manor continues slowly decaying into the sea, the lines between reality and fairytale begin to blur, and Effy must learn how to free herself from the inexorable control of the stories and the men who have haunted her since childhood. An atmospheric, emotional exploration of misogyny in academia and popular culture, A Study in Drowning is a lyrical story of women liberating themselves from patriarchal domination and seizing back the power to tell their own stories.”

~Kayleigh McCoy, Ginter Park Branch

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo 

“I always struggle to read outside of my comfort zone, and typically like to read fantasy and science fiction. This year I wanted to challenge myself to read a book in the historical fiction genre, but found it difficult to find a book that interested me. The Familiar is a blend of those two different genres, and  follows the story of Luiza Cotado, a maid in 16th Century Madrid, with a ‘talent for little miracles’. Her quest to better her fortune leads her into a world of romance, magic, and mischief. In addition to the mystical elements, the author delves deep into the history of Spain’s “Golden Age.”  This book is the perfect mix of history and fantasy, which gave me an introduction to a new genre, while also allowing me to read a genre that I am very familiar with (get it? haha!).”

~Briesa Koch, Hull Street Branch

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

“The God of the Woods tells the story of Barbara, a teenage girl who goes missing at the summer camp her affluent family has owned for generations. To add to the mystery, Barbara’s brother had disappeared from the same camp years before and was never found. Is the same person at fault for both disappearances? I love a good mystery, especially when told across multiple timelines and perspectives to keep me constantly guessing. Even though this book is 450+ pages, it will fly by!”

~Katie Heslop, Main Library

Soups, Salads, Sandwiches by Matty Matheson

“One of my favorite releases of 2024 is Matty Matheson’s Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, a cookbook that elevates classic dinner staples and has given me new ideas to shake up my weeknight meals. Matty Matheson may be best known for his larger-than-life personality (like in his role as Neil on The Bear), but this cookbook is full of familiar comfort foods and stories about Matheson’s home and family. Plus, I love that he includes recipes like salted caramel ice cream sandwiches for those of us with a sweet tooth!”

~Chloe McCormick, Main Library

Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns

“Looking for a queer novel with biting social commentary? This debut novel by Priya Guns is an explosive ride from start to finish – and it’s also really, REALLY funny. One of the best books I’ve read about performative allyship and what it truly means to show up for chosen family.”

~Carissa Elder, Main Library

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book 2 by Emil Ferris

“Why? The story is intense and compelling. The artwork is outstanding—imaginative, disturbing at times, but flawless. The characters are grungy, gritty and right out of 70’s Chicago. For me, the sign of a great Book Two is that it makes me want to immediately revisit Book One. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is one of my favorite graphic novel sets.”

~Laura Price, Broad Rock Branch

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

“With soft grayscale and pops of color this book gently illustrates the passage of time through the life of a yellow school bus. Each transition brings positive adaptations and new riders to explore the bus and to have their needs met. A beautiful read-aloud reflecting the cycle of life and the positive possibilities of change.”

~Lisa Crisman, West End Branch

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis 

“Is it me? Am I the drama? That is certainly the conclusion the main character of Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis has to ask himself. He’s woken up with no memory—or eyebrows—and no time before some Evil Lord Whatever is going to horribly torture and murder him. Except that all the goblin guards keep calling him Master. So now Gav (he can’t think of himself as ‘Evil Lord Gavrax) has to play along with his own evil schemes and maintain dastardly alliances until he can remember who he is. And maybe even face the harder question, who does he want to be? Rozakis turns familiar fantasy tropes playfully around in her debut novel, injecting action and just the right amount of heart. Dreadful is clever, humorous, high energy adventure to read.”

~Danielle Tarullo, Westover Hills Branch

Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party by Edward Dolnick

“For anyone who’s been a kid, or had a kid, with a particular obsession, this wonderful book traces the history, scientists, and eccentric people involved in probably the biggest scientific discovery ever – Dinosaurs! I really enjoyed learning how these ‘Terrible Lizards’ caused a Victorian panic and upended the social, scientific, religious, and even the political norms of the past.”

~Charlie Schmidt, Main Library

Delights: A Story of Hieronymus Bosch by Guy Colwell

“The Garden of Earthly Delights, an enormous triptych by Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, is one of my favorite paintings. This graphic novel (available through RPL on HOOPLA) is a fictionalized account of the story behind its creation. Colwell brings late Medieval Netherlands to life with the nobles who could have commissioned the painting, the models Bosch may have used in preparation, and the conflict he may have felt creating such an enormous and possibly scandalous work. Fans of history, art, and surrealism will enjoy this impeccably detailed volume – I sure did!”

~Summer Bowling, Broad Rock Branch

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

“Adult romance, humor, and fantasy come together in a quirky love story set in England and beyond.  Delphie dies and goes to the afterlife and meets her soulmate.  Problem is that he’s not supposed to be in the afterlife yet so he is sent back to Earth.  Delphie makes a deal to return to Earth and find him in 10 days or go back to the afterlife for good.  Fun characters and a story that changes directions a few times!”

~Lisa Wiertel, Westover Hills Branch

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham

“Although I previously only held passive knowledge about the Challenger disaster, I picked this one up on a whim and was quickly sucked into the author’s descriptive, suspenseful, and honest presentation of facts. Be prepared to be both enlightened and horrified because this one is full of hard truths, though also some unlikely heroes. As I read, I became so fascinated by the topic that I branched out: talking to my parents and in-laws about their memories, digging up decades-old NPR articles, studying official astronaut portraits, and more—finally feeling a small connection to an era of American history that previously felt foreign.”

~Mirissa Sorensen, Belmont Branch

Little Red, Autumn on the Farm by Will Hillenbrand

“With two small children, I don’t have a ton of time to read. But the one thing we do have time for is children’s books! When a story is good, you’ll know it because your child will ask for you to read it over and over. When it’s really good, you’ll know it because you won’t mind! That’s how I felt about Little Red, Autumn on the Farm. Little Red is an up-and-coming popular character and for good reason. He’s a helpful little red truck that fixes all the other vehicles around the farm. With the repetitive phrases, hidden Easter Eggs, and story of being kind, children of all ages will love this book. I predict Little Red will become as beloved as Curious George, Pete the Cat, or Llama Llama.”

~Jennifer Deuell, Main Library