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Booklist (American Library Association)

Booklist Editors' Choice 2024

Booklist (American Library Association)'s Booklist Editors' Choice 2024 names 176 books across 21 categories. 47 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Adult Books for Young Adults: Fiction

  1. Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Lola in the Mirror by Trent Daltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Road to Ruin by Hana Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Some Strange Music Draws Me In by Griffin Hansburysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sweetness in the Skin by Ishi Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Border Between Us by Rudy Ruizsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  9. We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnstonsource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books for Young Adults: Nonfiction

  1. DIY Thrift Flip: Sewing Techniques for Transforming Old Clothes into Fun, Wearable Fashions by April Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Lies that Kill: A Citizen’s Guide to Disinformation by Elaine Kamarck and Darrell M. Westsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Chair and the Valley: A Memoir of Trauma, Healing, and the Outdoors by Banning Lyonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia by Kate Mannesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffasource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Fiction

  1. All Fours by Miranda Julysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentnersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushnersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Enlightenment by Sarah Perrysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Fire Exit by Morgan Taltysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Help Wanted by Adelle Waldmansource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Intermezzo by Sally Rooneysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. James by Percival Everettsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Malas by Marcela Fuentessource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbarsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Masquerade by O. O. Sangoyomisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurstsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Pride and Joy by Louisa Onomésource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Sandwich by Catherine Newmansource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Sweetness in the Skin by Ishi Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Fetishist by Katherine Minsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The God of the Woods by Liz Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Morningside by Téa Obrehtsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Night the River Wept by Lo Patricksource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Wedding People by Alison Espachsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messudsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orangesource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Genre Fiction: Crime, Romance, SF/Fantasy/Horror

  1. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Absolution by Jeff VanderMeersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Daughter of Calamity by Rosalie M. Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Funny Story by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  7. One of Us Knows by Alyssa Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Southern Man by Greg Ilessource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Cottage around the Corner by D. L. Soriasource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Hunter by Tana Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Pairing by Casey McQuistonsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendonsource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Health & Medicine

  1. Treating Violence: An Emergency Room Doctor Takes on a Deadly American Epidemic by Rob Goresource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: History

  1. A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune by Noliwe Rookssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America by Joy-Ann Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Out of the Sierra: A Story of Rarámuri Resistance by Victoria Blancosource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffasource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Language

  1. Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares about Words by Anne Curzansource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Literature

  1. Frighten the Horses by Oliver Radclyffesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Joyful Recollections of Trauma by Paul Scheersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde by Alexis Pauline Gumbssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. They Call You Back: A Lost History, a Search, a Memoir by Tim Z. Hernandezsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. We Loved It All: A Memory of Life by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Philosophy & Psychology

  1. Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do about Animals by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphysource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Poetry

  1. Hivestruck by Vincent Torosource (opens in a new tab)
  2. The Moon That Turns You Back by Hala Alyansource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Science

  1. Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos by Lisa Kalteneggersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Deep Water: The World in the Ocean by James Bradleysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi by Boyce Upholtsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoë Schlangersource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: Social Sciences

  1. By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land by Rebecca Naglesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chaykasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority by Marie Aranasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Lies that Kill: A Citizen’s Guide to Disinformation by Elaine Kamarck and Darrell M. Westsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity by Michele Norrissource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Stolen Wealth of Slavery: A Case for Reparations by David Monterosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Truth about Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers by Zeke Hernandezsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. “They Just Need to Get a Job”: 15 Myths on Homelessness by Mary Brosnahansource (opens in a new tab)

Adult Books: The Arts

  1. Mondrian: His Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute by Nicholas Fox Webersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. My Black Country: A Journey through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future by Alice Randallsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring by Brad Goochsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Traveling: On The Path of Joni Mitchell by Ann Powerssource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Middle Fiction

  1. Bye Forever, I Guess by Jodi Meadowssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Godfather Death by Sally Nichollssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Gooseberry by Robin Gowsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Harriet Hound by Kate Fostersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejiasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Lone Wolf Gets a Pet by Kiah Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Mishka by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, translated by Nancy Forest-Fliersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Olivetti by Allie Millingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigleysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRoccasource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The House on Yeet Street by Preston Nortonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Leessource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessysource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Middle Nonfiction

  1. Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Graphs! by David A. Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Ying Chang Compestinesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Introducing Sandwina: The Strongest Woman in the World! by Vicki Conradsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Life after Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunellesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Made in Asian America: A History for Young People by Erika Lee and Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. My Antarctica: True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much More by G. Nerisource (opens in a new tab)
  8. One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them by Loree Griffin Burnssource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Remembering Rosalind Franklin: Rosalind Franklin & the Discovery of the Double Helix Structure of DNA by Tanya Lee Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Vincent van Gogh Atlas by Nienke Denekamp and René van Blerk, translated by Laura Watkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Wild River and the Great Dam: The Construction of Hoover Dam and the Vanishing Colorado River by Simon Boughtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. What Is Color? The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art by Steven Weinbergsource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Older Fiction

  1. Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Dear Wendy by Ann Zhaosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Desert Echoes by Abdi Nazemiansource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Dispatches from Parts Unknown by Bryan Blisssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drewssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribaysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. I’ll Be Waiting for You by Mariko Turksource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Just Another Epic Love Poem by Parisa Akhbarisource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Kindling by Traci Cheesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldívarsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalinosource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Night Owls by A. R. Vishnysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s by Hanna Alkafsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Unbecoming by Seema Yasminsource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Older Nonfiction

  1. A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women’s Soccer—and Beyond by Elizabeth Ruschsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreausource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildfire in America by Albert Marrinsource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Young Fiction

  1. A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home by Maysa Odehsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Aduseisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Danté Plays His Blues by Allen R. Wellssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Elijah’s Easter Suit by Brentom Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. If You Run Out of Words by Felicita Salasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Mad at Dad by Janie Haosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Monster Hands by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillansource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Mr. Fox’s Game of No! by David LaRochellesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayyasource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucidosource (opens in a new tab)
  11. That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Franksource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Spaceman by Randy Cecilsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. The Yellow Bus by Loren Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovicsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. We Are Definitely Human by X. Fangsource (opens in a new tab)

Books for Youth: Young Nonfiction

  1. Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Ososource (opens in a new tab)
  2. City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions by Amy Hevronsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Freedom on the Sea: The True Story of the Civil War Hero Robert Smalls and His Daring Escape to Freedom by Michael Boulware Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story about the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away by Andrew Larsensource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by Breanna J. McDanielsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstocksource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Iguanodon’s Horn: How Artists and Scientists Put a Dinosaur Back Together Again and Again and Again by Sean Rubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yangsource (opens in a new tab)

Graphic Novels: Adult

  1. Brittle Joints by Maria Sweeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hullssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. In Utero by Chris Goochsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Safer Places by Kit Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Steel of the Celestial Shadows, v.1 by Daruma Matsuurasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The AWL, v.1 by Choi Gyu-seok, translated by Lynn Eskowsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Puerto Rican War: A Graphic History by John Vasquez Mejiassource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, v.1 by Tri Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)

Graphic Novels: Youth

  1. Art Club by Rashad Doucetsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Ash’s Cabin by Jen Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Call Me Iggy by Jorge Aguirresource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chensource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsongsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Kagurabachi, v.1 by Takeru Hokazonosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBansource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Navigating with You by Jeremy Whitleysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertagsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. The Jellyfish by Boumsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Chosource (opens in a new tab)
  13. We Are Big Time by Hena Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest by Isabel Greenbergsource (opens in a new tab)

About the Booklist Editors' Choice

Booklist's annual Editors' Choice lists, read from Booklist's own feature articles on booklistonline.com (fetched through the site's public JSON API at pub.booklistonline.com, which the client-side page loads). Covers the book lists only: Adult Books, Adult Books for Young Adults, Books for Youth, and Graphic Novels (a separate list from 2023). Audio, Media, Video, and Reference Sources lists are left out; reference titles that Booklist placed inside the Adult Books list are kept. Year is the year in the list's title (the publication year of the books); the list appears in the December 1 or January 1 issue that follows. Category is the list name plus Booklist's own section heading for that year (for example Adult Books: Social Sciences, Books for Youth: Nonfiction, Older Readers), so section names change when Booklist renamed them. Every entry is a Selection; Booklist does not rank them. For edited anthologies the editor is recorded as author. Expected counts are the citations printed under each section of the cited feature.

Organization: Booklist (American Library Association). Official site (opens in a new tab)

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