Wrap Up 2024: Staff Favorites
It’s time to wrap up the year with Wrap Up 2024! Check out LPL staff’s favorites of the year. Books, movies, TV shows, graphic novels, & other library goodies are now on display on the 1st floor. What were some of your favorites from this past year?
To request one of these items from our catalog, click the links below!
Jeff:
Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
I have seen so many children at my school reading Warriors books that I decided to give the first book a try just to get some idea of the basic story. What I found was a truly fascinating adventure about cats living the wild and forming factions and surviving. A nice surprise treat of a read.
The Starlet and the Spy by Lee Ji-min
An excellent historical fiction novel set during Marilyn Monroe’s USO tour of South Korea in February 1954.
Rosie:
The September House by Carissa Orlando
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
Sarah H.
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara
Warm cozy mystery about a grim reaper and the teenager whose soul she is tasked to collect. It was funny, charming, and a quick read that I really enjoyed. Some tears were shed at the end and I’m so ready for the next book in the series!
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
Chaos ensues after the books of a little library owned by a woman who is pushing to have books removed from the school and library because of “inappropriate content” are swapped out with frequently banned and challenged books. Very funny, witty, and heartwarming while not shying away from the issues of bigotry, racism, violence, and censorship. Great for book clubs as there is a lot to unpack in this novel.
Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney
A British murder mystery featuring Ava, a brilliant 14-year-old with a bizarre interest in the decomposition of animals. While checking on one of her specimens she finds the body of one of her peers. As young boys start disappearing and the body count rises, Ava unofficially teams up with detective Delaheye to find the murder.
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
This is one of my favorite reads of the year so far! Dark academia, magical realism, science fiction, action, fantastic world building, and all the emotions. If you like any of these themes and don’t make reading this book a priority once it’s released, you’re missing out. Fingers-crossed this is a series because I need more.
The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff
This novel is hilarious with memorable characters. Featuring curses, demons, and untrustworthy characters this book was so much fun to read. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll stop here.
Regan:
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
This humorous and heartwarming novel follows Margo, a twenty-year-old broke college student turned even broker single mom, and a slew of other lovable characters, including Margo’s ex-pro-wrestler father and cosplay-enthusiast roommate, as Margo struggles to make ends meet for herself and her infant son.
Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman
Haunting takes on a whole new meaning in the world of Ghost Eaters where “getting haunted” means dosing on a mysterious drug called ghost that allows users to see the dead. Greif-stricken after the death of a friend, Erin gets hooked on the substance only to discover its horrifying side effects. This addicting read pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean
This science-y true crime chronicles various unethical deeds perpetrated in the name of science throughout history. You’ll learn about dinosaur-inspired sabotage, grave robbing, sketchy medical trials, and more all from Sam Kean’s approachable and conversational prose.
Alex:
Nona the Ninth by Tasmyn Muir, Narrated by Moira Quirk
Specifically the audiobook narrated by Moira Quirk. The writing style is witty and sarcastic, and Moira delivers her lines to spectacular effect.
H. P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu by Gou Tanabe
I found the original story beautiful but difficult to grasp. The beautiful illustrations enhanced the horror, and I finally feel like I understand this important classic.
Monster by Naoki Urasawa
An absolutely fascinating psychological horror manga series about a Japanese neurosurgeon in Germany tracking down the serial killer whose life he saved as a child.
Nicole:
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel
The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel:
If you love history and adventure, this series makes for a captivating read! Based in 18,000 BCE, when Neanderthals still roamed polar ice sheets and co-existed with humans (pre-Pangea), each book takes you through a young woman’s unforgettable voyage, showcasing her unrelenting bravery and determination to survive. Complete with plenty of action (and surprising twists), these books are my absolute favorite because it reminds women of their strength and teaches them to understand that they have the power to accomplish anything they set their mind to.
Ben H.:
Zero K by Don DeLillo:
DeLillo’s latest full-length novel explores themes of cryopreservation, the boundaries of scientific development, identity, language, and life in the information age. In Zero K, DeLillo imagines a future in which humans are preserved and continue to exist long after the world they destroyed is gone. While wildfires and wars rage above the surface, the bodies and minds of the elite few are frozen down below, all to be resurrected at a later date. DeLillo’s prose is beautiful and strong and precise, almost poetic in a way, and it begs to be read aloud. This is 21st century DeLillo in peak form.
Whitney:
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy:
In a dystopian future nearly devoid of wildlife, a troubled woman follows the migration of the last remaining Arctic terns.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro:
Students at a British boarding school discover their life purpose in this coming-of-age science-fiction novel.
Maddy:
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree:
This book was an absolutely delightful read! I went into it with high expectations, as I was recommended it by what felt like everyone I knew, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint. It was extremely quaint and cozy, the characters felt genuine, and the subversion of tropes was much appreciated. The prequel also didn’t disappoint, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
Arcane by Christian Linke and Alex Yee:
Without a doubt, this is the best show I have ever seen. Between the gorgeous animation, complex characters, and beautiful score, this show left an impact on me that I think I’ll carry forever. It is absolutely worth the watch, even if you know nothing about the game it’s based on. I seriously cannot recommend this show enough.
Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund:
I fell in love with the Halo franchise after playing through all the games this year, and was overjoyed when I found out there were books! This one in particular, gave me all the little details I desperately wanted from the original trilogy, and expanded the lore in such a captivating way. I haven’t had time to read the sequels yet, but have hope that they’re equally as good!
Tracy:
The Passionate Tudor by Alison Weir
It Had to be You by Mary Higgins Clark
Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by James Howe
Karen:
American Mother by Colum McCann with Diane Foley:
Diane Foley is the mother of James Foley, a journalist, who was captured by an ISIS group in Syria and beheaded in 2014. She agreed to meet with one of her son’s killers in 2021. The fact that Diane met with Alexanda and the substance of their conversations is nothing less than astonishing!
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict:
This is an exceptional historical and biographical novel about Belle da Costa Geene who is hired by J.P. Morgan in 1905 as his personal librarian. Belle outperforms her employer’s expectations by curating Mr. Morgan’s rare books and artwork and creating a world-class collection while hiding her true identity as a Black woman.
Kyle:
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Conquest: Julius Caesar’s Gallic War by Vincent Tarek
The Burning God by R. F. Kuang
Ben S.:
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig:
Book one of The Shepherd King duology is a moody, dark novel with all the things I love most about fantasy fiction. The world’s magic system is unique and surprising. Each protagonist is capable of good or evil depending on the situation. The storytelling is creative and emotionally captivating. Be warned, there is very little sunshine in this book and its sequel, Two Twisted Crowns.
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey:
Book one of The Expanse series follows the surviving crew of a spaceship mysteriously destroyed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The protagonists find themselves caught in the middle of an epic power struggle between various governments and paramilitary organizations stationed on Earth, Mars, and in the Belt. Characters are constantly forced to think about and act upon the question of what it means to be human. I love books that challenge readers to empathize. This series is one of the best.
Beth:
