OPL Staff members share their favorite books of 2023
Aniana Del Mar Jumps In
A First Time for Everything
This mostly-autobiographical summer trip with a school group takes place before cell phones; a historical setting that many parents, teachers, and librarians…
Read more of this comment about A First Time for EverythingThe Eyes & the Impossible
"A book for all generations. It tells a story with a quirky, wise community of animals that teach us about the importance of looking out for each other."…
Read more of this comment about The Eyes & the ImpossibleSaints of the Household
"A novel in verse and spare prose told from the different points of view of two BriBri- American brothers who are about to graduate high school. After…
Read more of this comment about Saints of the HouseholdThe Ferryman
"The archipelago of Prospero consists of three islands, all cut off from the problems of the rest of the world. One is inhabited by elite residents, one…
Read more of this comment about The FerrymanHow to Say Goodbye
"Elegantly illustrated, simple guidance for how to say goodbye to a loved one who will soon pass away. I appreciated the author's clarity and candor, and…
Read more of this comment about How to Say GoodbyeThe Covenant of Water
"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese is a literary masterpiece that flawlessly unfolds as a transgenerational family saga of a South Indian family.…
Read more of this comment about The Covenant of WaterNext New Syrian Girl
"This book was just so unique and gave me window into Syrian culture through the lens of of two vastly different Syrian teens that find friendship. While…
Read more of this comment about The Next New Syrian GirlInvestiGATORS series
"It's a laugh out loud series that even adults can find enduring. My kid fell in love with the characters' hilarious investigations and the adventures…
Read more of this comment about InvestiGATORSWhat You Don't Know Will Make a Whole World
"Dorothy Lazard's memoir is so inspiring. Her life voyage is full of fascinating stories. I would love to have met child Dorothy and am glad to know her…
Read more of this comment about What You Don't Know Will Make A…Sisterhood Heals
"A life altering journey through self-reflection and friendship! Written by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, George and creator…
Read more of this comment about Sisterhood HealsThe Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejia
"Artistic 12-year-old Valentina and her younger brother Julian are on a trek in the Andes mountains with their Papi who is searching for a mythical creature…
Read more of this comment about The Enchanted Life of Valentina…The Reformatory
"Haunting horror novel about a ghost-infested prison for boys set amongst the terrors of Jim Crow-era Florida. The steady pacing and character development…
Read more of this comment about The ReformatorySimon Sort Of Says
"I kept interrupting my wife to read aloud funny passages from this middle-grade novel about a middle-class Nebraska family that moves to the middle of…
Read more of this comment about Simon Sort of SaysAccountable
"In 2017 a racist Instagram account was started by a high school student in nearby Albany. When the account was discovered by its targets and the creator…
Read more of this comment about AccountableThe People's Hospital
"This book is a searing inditement of American healthcare. Beautifully written, the stories of five people navigating the inequities of the healthcare…
Read more of this comment about The People's HospitalUnOrdinary
Human Sacrifices
"Dark, very dark, just like I often like my reads. Short stories that read quick. " --Susy, Rockridge
Excavations
"A former journalist and student activist must dust off her investigative skills when her husband disappears in a massive tower collapse in 1992. As she…
Read more of this comment about ExcavationsOut There Screaming
"19 haunting stories to keep you up at night and frightened during the day. A master director of phycological thrillers and dark humor, Jordan Peele has…
Read more of this comment about Out There ScreamingBehind the Seams
"This book is wild. Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones features Dolly Parton's iconic wardrobe collection along with anecdotes of her time in show…
Read more of this comment about Behind the SeamsThe Chinese Groove
"Eighteen-year-old Zheng Xue Li, also known as Shelley, leaves his Yunnan Province home to seek Family, Love and Fortune in San Francisco. The invisible…
Read more of this comment about The Chinese GrooveHot Pot Murder
"I've read other mystery books by Jennifer J. Chow and didn't realize that she'd started a new series. I LOVE the L.A. Night Market books so far! This…
Read more of this comment about Hot Pot MurderThe Clever Rabbit
"In this Iranian folk tale presented as a graphic novel, the very cute characters will surely captivate young readers with imminent danger barely escaped,…
Read more of this comment about The Clever RabbitAmerican Gun
"This is a fascinating and frightening story of the AR-15; detailing how it came to be invented, why it is the weapon of choice of mass murderers, and…
Read more of this comment about American GunImpossible People
"Julia Wertz's autobiographical graphic novels are amazing. They've gone from super silly (and super fun!) to delving into more serious matters. This one…
Read more of this comment about Impossible PeopleThe Wager
"This masterpiece is based on a shipwrecked and the characters' harrowing journey. I love how Grann presents the reader with all accounts of what occurred,…
Read more of this comment about The WagerHungry Ghost
"In this gorgeous graphic novel a teenage girl manages to keep her serious eating disorder a secret from everyone who cares about her until, facing deep…
Read more of this comment about Hungry GhostAgents of Chaos
"As a child of the 80s and 90s, my memories of High Times magazine are primarily of close-up images of crystalline purple and green buds and endless, mundane…
Read more of this comment about Agents of ChaosRemember Us
"I can think of no author as prolific and versatile as Jacqueline Woodson that also consistently produces such high quality writing. She is a true economist…
Read more of this comment about Remember UsWomen of Myth
"50 women of myth and legend from around the world to admire and inspire! Written by friends Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy who are also cohosts of…
Read more of this comment about Women of MythDeluge
"This is an impressive work of fiction that feels incredibly real. Markley weaves in details from real life to paint a vision of a near-future ravaged…
Read more of this comment about The DelugeThe Fall That Saved Us
"This is a love story between two women who have experienced a lifetime of hurt and trauma; one is a retired demon hunter, and the other is a demon. This…
Read more of this comment about The Fall That Saved UsMexikid
"In this autobiographical graphic novel, Martín describes an epic summer expedition from Watsonville, California to Jalisco, Mexico in 1977 with his parents…
Read more of this comment about MexikidTumble
Adela Ramirez, age twelve, sleuths out the identity of her estranged father -- and finds out that she is part of an extended family of lucha libre wrestlers!…
Read more of this comment about TumbleThe Weight of Blood
Carrie meets Passing in this mystery thriller. Tiffany D. Jackson's amazing tales always leave you wondering. --Kidbrarian PT, Children's Services, Main…
Read more of this comment about The Weight of BloodTomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow
This one reads like a reality show with a messy love triangle. You may consider if and how does one find love after grief. --Librarian Pat, Children's…
Read more of this comment about You Made A Fool of Death With your…Get the full list
Our Favorites of 2023
Past Staff Favorites
Aniana Del Mar Jumps in
This vivid, colorful middle grade novel-in-verse immerses you in the world of Dominican-American Aniana, who is torn between her love for swimming, her…
Read more of this comment about Aniana Del Mar Jumps in