Best Books We've Read In 2024
Library Staff Recommendations
See what Beaufort County readers read this year
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
He is one of my favorite authors and he writes with such imagination
Recommended by Kim Cappisillo, Senior Library Assistant
Call Me Athena by Colby Cedar Smith
This book is absolutely beautiful! This historical fiction novel is told in verse with multiple POV's. It follows Mary, a young girl living in 1930's Detroit during a tumultuous time for not only her Greek immigrant family, but others in her neighborhood. She finds letters from a young couple from WWI and discovers how her story connects with theirs.
Recommended by Alyssa Krob, Digital Resources Librarian
Cracking the Nazi Code : The Untold Story of Agent A12 and the Solving of the Holocaust Code by Jason Bell
I am fascinated by what happened during the years 1914 - 1945, a time when the world was reshaped by imperial politics. Mild-mannered and affable Dr. Winthrop Bell was a Canadian spy who reported directly to “C”, the legendary head of MI6. Bell recognized the threat of Fascism in 1919 and tried to warn the intelligence community about what the Nazis planned to do. Too many did not listen. This thrilling book is an example of how truth is stranger than fiction.
Recommended by Grace Cordial, Beaufort District Collection Manager
Heavenbreaker by Sara Wolf
Why this book? It’s rare to read a book so good that we both went out and bought our own copy!
Heavenbreaker is a story about revenge and all the mess that comes with noble houses fighting for the king’s favor; but mainly, it is a story about giant mechs jousting…in space! It is a brilliant sci-fi adventure.
Recommended by Sarah Froese, Library Assistant & Lyndsay Malphrus, Library Specialist
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
I love novels where I learn something!
As historical fiction, this story spans three fast-changing decades in Iran’s history. It begins in Tehran in 1953, and follows two small girls who've become best friends. It ends in the 1980’s, as slowly, all the women's freedoms have been taken from them, and their lives as they’d once known them have become unrecognizable. The book does offer an element of hope, though, as the women try "fiercely" (hence are seen as "lionesses") to regain what they've lost.
This book really resonated with me; the realization that life “as we know it” can change so quickly—and not for the better--is truly terrifying.
Recommended by Candy Van Tine, Branch Manager
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt
Of all the books I have read this year, The Anxious Generation is the one I keep recommending and discussing with others. The author, Jonathan Haidt, is a renowned American social psychologist whose main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions. His latest book examines the impact of techology and parenting trends on the mental health of Generation Z. Very enlightening read.
Recommended by Debbie Henderson, Information Services Librarian
Gibberish by Young Vo
I recommend this book for it’s wonderful and insightful story about moving to a new country and learning a new language. Through story and the art one can feel the struggle of not understanding what is being said and feeling out of place in a new environment. This a wonderful children’s book, especially for children and adults who have learned a new language or moved to a new country.
Recommended by Olivia Perry, Youth Services Library Specialist
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: Their stories are better than the bestsellers by James Patterson
This charming collection of short stories submitted by booksellers and librarians gives you a behind-the-books look into the intriguing and entertaining lives of those who work with books.
Recommended by Amanda Brewer Dickman, Library Director
The Stolen Slippers by Melissa De La Cruz
It's a twisted fairy tale re-telling where Cinderella is actually a villainess. It weaves in characters from Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and Alice in Wonderland. I have started to enjoy the "just when you thought you knew the story" genre of books -- they are a creative change of perspective.
Recommended by Darlene Simmons, Technical Services Manager
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
A perfect blend of history, magic, and revenge that gives new meaning to the phrase, "crazy like a fox." I've enjoyed everything Choo's written, but this is possibly her best yet!
Recommended by Emma Maines, Information Services Librarian
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Ferris is a wonderfully written coming of age family story about love, loss, and ghosts! DiCamillo writes for the heart from the heart.
Recommended by Acey Deiwert, Youth Services Library Specialist
The Measure by Nikki Elrick
The measure was Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is an ambitious, invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest. I actually had to stop for a moment and think what would I do if I were faced with this situation. Would I want to know? or would I just live my life without knowing. Would I change how I lived? Would I start living everyday to leave a poignant legacy. Lastly even though this is fiction what if!!!
Recommended by Darnell Glover, Library Assistant
Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon – Survival of Bodily Death by Raymond Moody, M. D.
This book, published in 1975, features stories from 100 people who survived clinical death and lived to tell their stories of what lies beyond death. If you’ve ever been curious about Near Death Experiences, give this book a try. It’s relatively short!
Recommended by Traci Cox, Marketing & Communications Manager
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
Geriatric criminals, teenage parents, redemption and understanding – what’s not to love?
Recommended by Cheryl Graffo, Library Specialist
The Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
A monster of a book but worth the time, made me stop at each chapter to ponder the universe.
Recommended by Seda Shook, Library Assistant
Fear The Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
This book is very much an allies-to-lovers series where we have an exiled princess and feared commander who is the last man she thought she can "trust" to save her dragons. This book is added with exciting characters, magic, and dangerous quests along the way!!
Recommended by Denise Rivers, Circulation Manager
The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie
I read the Sisters of Versailles trilogy over the summer and DEVOURED it. I was familiar with Louis XIV and Louis XVI, but I'd never heard about Louis XV of whose reign this trilogy is based. I was unsure of how easy it would be to get into, but I fell right into it without a problem. It was like reading a French version of The Tudors or a similar TV series. The drama, scandals, it was fantastic.
Recommended by Megan Beard, Library Assistant
Hundreds of Beavers
It is a black and white Indy film, a comedy, made for only $150,000. I stumbled across it and was absolutely amazed, I couldn’t look away. Film students are going to be studying this in class in the future.
Recommended by Victor Kulik, Information Services Librarian
Book recommendations from Beaufort County readers
