Below are the staff picks from 2024.

2024 Staff Picks

1. A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales
This was a great regency era detective story featuring a different perspective on Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson. This book held my attention with its attention to detail in plot, character development, and especially the humor. I hope the author writes a sequel and/or more titles.  

2. The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
I had to read this because I've read EVERY other book by Rick Riordan and this one did not disappoint. If you want action, you get it! Humor, get that too! Mythology with a twist, 100 fold!  If you haven't read the first Percy Jackson series, I would start with that as you may not know some of the past experiences that are mentioned in this book.  

3. Embrace Your Weird by Felicia Day
Actress Felicia Day has made quirky and weird trendy in tv shows like Supernatural and Eureka. In this book she helps you to embrace your own quirky and weird traits with all manner of text,  activities, and experiences.  

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I really enjoyed the historical accuracy of this book.  The characters were great and the location, building, and happenings descriptions were so detailed I felt like I was in 18th century Scotland.  

5. Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes
I read this book and it really struck a chord with me; I'm always looking for ways to get away from the screens, noise, and craziness of life. This book teaches you how to get outside, really getting comfortable in the wild and taking in all it can teach you.

1. Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn has been a favorite author of mine for years.  I enjoyed the  Bridgerton series several years ago when I read it, and I'm enjoying visiting this delightful family again on the TV series.  If you haven't read the books you should check Julia Quinn out during this month of romance. 

2. Lisa Kleypas
Lisa Kleypas is another of my favorite romance authors. She has several series that I have enjoyed over the years, both historical and contemporary.  Lisa's books tend to have a lot of suspense that will keep you reading.   

3. Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is known for her romantic comedy novels and is credited with the creator of the sports romance.  Enjoy her fun romantic novels this month. 

4. Jude Deveraux
Jude Deveraux is known for her historical romances, but has more recently written contemporary and paranormal romances.  If you haven't read her novels, there are a wealth of novels and time periods to select from.  

5. Nora Roberts
Although many readers would not consider a romance author list complete without Danielle Steel, I've personally never been a fan.  I don't think a list would be complete without Nora Roberts.  Nora has written over 200 romance novels.  I can't claim to have read all of her novels; however I have enjoyed many of her romances including her paranormal books.  

1. Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery
I enjoy historical fiction, biographies, and stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things.
This book checks all the boxes. It's easy to see why this book won the 2014 National Outdoor Book Award for History/Biography.  Emma Gatewood was the first woman to solo thru-hike the 2,050-mile long Appalachian Trail.  Her journey of determination and perseverance through rattlesnake strikes, hurricanes, and numerous stumbles nearly single-handedly helped to pave the way for the Appalachian Trail to be enjoyed by future generations.   

2. The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
It's 1738 and sixteen-year-old Eliza Lucas has been tasked with managing her family's three plantations in the absence of her father. Determined to save her family's estate Eliza defies the cultural norms of the time, rejecting arranged suitors, educating herself on crop rotation and diversification, and forming strategic - albeit dangerous - alliances. The Indigo Girl is a compelling story of a real life historical figure who played a significant role in shaping the course of US history. 

3. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
"Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a rabbit who has made almost entirely of china. He had china arms and china legs, china paws and a china head, a china torso and a china nose.  ...  The rabbit's name was Edward Tulane, and he was tall. He measured almost three feet from the tip of his ears to the tip of his feet; his eyes were painted a penetrating and intelligent blue."
Have you ever read a book that stayed with you long after you read it? One that left a lasting imprint on your heart.  That's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane for my children and I.
This book is charming and relatable to loss and learning to love again.  Kate DiCamillo has won countless awards for her contributions to children's literature so I recommend reading all her books, but if you choose only one let it be this one.   

4. The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors. Several of his books are New York Times Best Sellers, and he has also won humanitarian awards for his philanthropic efforts.
This book is a thought-provoking story that explores the aftermath of a mysterious shipwreck.  A group of survivors find themselves adrift for three days before they spot a man floating in the waves. They pull him in. "Thank the Lord we found you," a passenger says. "I am the Lord," the man whispers.
What follows leads to profound reflections on faith, humanity, and the meaning of life.  

5. Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso) by Amy Weatherly and Jess JohnstonI listened to the audio version of this book while on a recent road trip and knew it had to go on my list!
Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso) is a delightful collection of essays that celebrate the messy, hilarious, and heartwarming moments of life.  It is narrated by the authors which I loved. This book is witty, candid, and so relevant as we all long to do life with people who truly "get us."

1. In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
I met author, Jennifer Weiner in 2004 when I read her book In Her Shoes. Let's be honest...I didn't really meet Jennifer Weiner but her writing style is so personal, raw and filled with emotion that I didn't feel like I was just reading a book. I felt like we had kicked off our shoes, sat on a comfy couch and she was telling me about her wretched sister that was so beautiful, takes more than she gives and worst of all, seems to get whatever she wants. The book, In Her Shoes is an honest take on the complexity of sisterhood and how finding your true self can help you understand others better.  

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
This book is such a true account of the moment when you are somewhere in between a child and young woman...a true coming of age tale. Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. This series found me eleven years ago and I enjoyed how the story brought back some of my own youthful memories with it. 

3. Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Series
With over 3 million books in print, this series has been translated into 27 different languages and spent more than fifty weeks on the New York Time Bestseller list and will now include the achievement of becoming a movie. This series is not just a coming of age story, it also delights science fiction, dystopian literature and quest readers. Uglies tells the story of teenager Tally Youngblood who rebels againast society's enforced conformity, after her friends, Shay and David show her the downsides to becoming a PRETTY. 

4. Iza Trapani
Iza has written a series of picture books that I use often in Storytime at the library. The stories begin with nursery rhymes that we all know and the author takes the stories even further. The Itsy Bitsy Spider doesn't just go up the waterspout but travels through the house and eventually makes it to a beautiful tree to spin a web. A star takes a young girl out of her bedroom and on a journey from way up high in Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Iza Trapani has written close to 20 of these extended nursery rhyme tales.  

5. But No Elephants by Jerry Smath
This is a book from my childhood. It was published just about the same time that I was born and I would pick this one over and over again. The story is about Grandma Tildy who lived all alone until a salesman stopped by to sell her a pet. She welcomed a canary bird and many more pets into her home from that persistent salesman but made it clear BUT NO ELEPHANTS! I later understood that the predictable text and opportunity to participate is why I loved it and why every child that I share it with does too.

1. I Survived by Lauren Tarshis
I Survived by Lauren Tarshis was probably one of the best series a kid like me could read. This series always taught me something new and historically accurate while making it suspenseful and exciting to read. It's definitely a top choice for kids getting into chapter books. 

2. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer was one of my favorite series as a middle schooler. It brought back all of the classic childhood fairytales and continued them with help from the grandchildren of the class fairy godmother. The details were so vivid I was entranced up until the last page. 

3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This series was an amazing page turner. It's highly recommended for anyone looking for a suspenseful and action packed read. A group of teenagers are put to the test to solve several different challenges whilst the rest of the world is starting to crumble. 

4. Twilight by Stephenie Mayer
This series should be read by all teenagers at some point. It's a complete classic and written well. The movies aren't comedic but will for sure make you laugh in some way. If you like romance, action, and vampires this is the series for you.

1. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles)
My husband got me into this series, the Iron Druid Chronicles, and I absolutely loved it. This book series combines action, mythology, and humor in a fantastic way. Atticus O'Sullivan, a 2,000-year-old Druid, shares a special bond with his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon. Through telepathy, Atticus and Oberon navigate deadly encounters with ancient Irish gods who either want to eliminate Atticus or exploit him to gain power from other mythological deities. 

2. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series)
I stumbled upon this book accidentally and soon found myself engrossed in the rest of the Mercy Thompson series. Mercy isn't your typical character; she tries to lead a normal life as a VW mechanic despite having a history degree she doesn't use. (I can relate, as I also have a history degree and enjoy this aspect of the story.) With her ability to transform into a coyote, she has connections to the supernatural realm. Surrounded by more powerful supernatural beings such as werewolves, vampires, and fae, she always finds herself in the midst of events, holding her ground and making things better.   

3. Iron King by Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey series)
The initial installment of the Iron Fey series introduces Meghan, whose life has felt incomplete since her father vanished when she was six. At sixteen, when her brother disappears, Meghan discovers her true identity as the daughter of a faery king, embroiled in a dangerous conflict. She navigates a mystical realm, facing peril while discovering love and a new aspect of herself. 

4. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey (Harper Hall trilogy)
My husband introduced me to the Harper Hall trilogy, which revolves around dragons. I've always been fascinated by these majestic creatures as they bring a sense of grandeur and mystery to fictional worlds. This trilogy explores the planet Pern and the vital partnership between dragons and humans in safeguarding its people.

5. Homeland by R.A. Salvatore (The Legend of Drizzt Books)
Once again, my husband introduced me to the Drizzt novels penned by R.A. Salvatore. The Legend of Drizzt Books comprises numerous trilogies and quartets. Initially darker than my usual preference, I was quickly captivated by the character Drizzt. Drizzt, a unique dark elf, rejects evil and follows his conscience. The series transitions from the underdark, the home of the subterranean dark elves, to the surface world, where Drizzt transforms into a noble ranger and a revered hero.