One of my favorite parts of December is all the year-end lists that come out at this time of year (seemingly earlier and earlier every year!) What makes it even better is that I get to put together the OPL staff favorites from the past year. This year we had even more staff recommendations, with tons of great choices across different genres and all ages of readers. Get ready to have your TBR (To Be Read) shelf expand!
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See our past staff favorites for previous years.
James "Everett’s genius reimagining of Huckleberry Finn is told from the viewpoint of Jim, who prefers to be known as James. James is a heroic, courageous and tender autodidact, whose story is laced with humor, written with elegance, and completely engrossing. I suspect people will still be reading this book in 2124, but I recommend you read it right now." --Christy Thomas, Dimond Branch and Main Library
The Wide Wide Sea "Hampton Sides does a masterful job of telling this tale of adventure and woe, balancing admirations for James Cook's skills as a captain (nobody died of scurvy on any of his voyages!) and critiquing the imperialism and outright slaughter that were the result of his voyages. Reading this book, I felt as if I was there on the ship, not quite knowing what to expect next." --Brian Guenther
Canto Contigo "I am a super fan of enemies to lovers books and wowza this one delivers. Rafie is a mariachi who gets demoted and then moves to a new school only to find that his love interest from mariachi camp is the lead there. Hot feuding and making up." --Susy, Rockridge Branch
The Partition Project "When her grandmother from Pakistan comes to live with her family, Manhoor knew her life would change, but certainly not like she would've expected! I loved the main character energy of Manhoor, the budding young journalist and like Manhoor, my life was changed for the better reading this book. I knew woefully little about Partition before reading this book and this compelling story and the beautiful relationships at its center has me eager to learn more Pakistan history." --Megan, Community Relations
Another Word for Love "Carvel Wallace's memoir takes readers on a poignant journey through his life's struggles, triumphs, and the beauty of growing up Black and queer. I am in awe by Wallace's vulnerability in sharing his truth, and his writing, which is both beautiful and poetic that invites readers to experience the transformative power of healing so that we can love and be loved. An amazing book that will be a gift I share with others this holiday season." --Tarshel Beards, Community Relations
Aloha Everything "Author Kaylin Melia George has written a beautiful celebration of the storytelling of hula. She lovingly translating the stories behind hula to the written form while Mae White's hand painted illustrations perfectly captures the vibrancy and movement of hula. A true treasure of a book and an amazing adaptation of traditional storytelling to a new form!" --Mr. Steve, Elmhurst Branch
The Prospects "Gene Ionescu is the first openly trans player in the minor leagues and he's almost ready to let himself believe he can make it to the majors... until former teammate and current rival Luis Estrada gets traded onto his team, throwing a wrench into his dreams. Tender, sexy, and so full of heart — read it for the queer found family vibes, homemade-bagels-as-love-language, and even a little bit of crying in baseball. You do not need to love baseball to love these two." --Maya, Main Library TeenZone
Cahokia Jazz "Jazz Age Noir with a twist. Francis Spufford imagines a United States in which Cahokia – the largest pre-Colombian metropolis north of Mexico – persevered, became a stronghold of Indigenous and Black culture and entered the Union as a state. Far from a utopic vision, Spufford’s creation exists within the context of racism and robber baron capitalism that plagued – and continues to plague – the real United States. Speculative historical detective fiction is a genre I need more of, though it is hard to imagine anything topping this brilliant, thought-provoking pioneer of the genre." --Ian Hetzner, Magazines & Newspapers Room, Main Library
Lunar New Year Love Story "The cutest teen rom-com graphic novel set right here in Oakland. A close look at one teen's fearless quest to understand her family's personal and cultural history and to figure out love and friendship on the way." --Sharon McKellar, Teen Services
The Mindful Magic of Flower Drawing "Looking for a new way to disconnect from the busy world for a moment? Like a guided meditation in doodling this book removes our commitment to perfection and helps readers find their flow. Adaptable for any medium, this is a skill you can carry all day and use anytime you need a moment." --J Walker Arts & Natural Science Librarian, Main Library
Kareem Between "Kareem Between is a wonderfully written book in verse. Kareem is in middle school and dreams of being on the school’s football team, but he is stuck between this dream and doing what he knows in his heart is right. For not knowing much about American football, this novel made it fun to learn about the sport, as it seamlessly ties into the story, simultaneously showcasing Syrian culture and the Arabic language. The creative positioning of the text emphasizes moments in the story, adding another reason why this book may be hard to put down and not read in one sitting." --Brianna Arellano-Meli
Wander in the Dark "Imagine your brother is accused of murder. The brother who hates you and reminds you of everything he could not have growing up. No one believes him except for you. Hard would you fight to prove his innocence even when everyone else believes he is indeed the murderer." --Makayla, 81st Ave Branch
All Fours "You never know what you’re going to get when you read the book that everyone’s talking about. I’m so glad I didn’t let the hype deter me—All Fours is a thoughtful, hilarious and often bonkers take on womanhood, intimacy, connection and—yes—menopause. July captures the complexities of human feelings and desires in a very authentic way. An inspiration to live your most authentic life." --Christy Thomas, Main Library & Dimond Branch
[ELLIPSIS] A new collection from the Palestinian-American poet Fady Joudah, written in the final months of 2023. The child of a refugee family, Joudah writes on the heartbreak of bearing witness and being complicit from afar in a genocide of his people that will soon enter its third calendar year. A beautiful, gut-wrenching collection that asks the question, “[a]fter the massacre / who will emerge innocent?” Joudah says of the long, torturous history or apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and war, “[w]hoever gets to write it most / gets to erase it best.” Let his poems be a history of their own, a truth that we all must sit with." --Ian Hetzner, Magazines & Newspapers Room, Main Library
Sunrise Nights "Florence and Jude meet on Sunrise Night, the all nighter ending sleepaway arts camp. They hit it off big time but decide not to keep contact after camp. They meet up the next summer and the summer after that. Will they be able to actually be together or only have their one night a year? Reminded me of the movie Before Sunset in a lovely way." --Susy, Rockridge Branch
The Maid and the Crocodile "Finding your place in the world is always tough, but it's especially tough for Small Sade, a disabled orphan looking for a job in Oluwan City. Nevermind that she catches the attention of a god, as well as that of a wealthy inn keeper. Skillfully blending fantasy, romance, and found family, this book tells a compelling narrative about the power of everyday people and staying true to yourself. I couldn't help but fall in love with Small Sade's stubborness and tenacity, as well as author Jordan Ifueko's worldbuilding and detailed writing style. Pick up this book for a challenging yet joyful read. As a bonus, it also has a beautifully narrated audiobook." --Lillian W. - Melrose Branch
Brave Baby Hummingbird "First, the illustrations are gorgeous! This is a well-sized nonfiction children's book that can be a lovely read-aloud picture book. Readers hear a coming-of-age tale from the hummingbird's perspective. The author includes resources in the back matter to continue learning and peacefully coexist with our neighbor, the hummingbird. It’s nothing to humm and haw about, this book has real buzz appeal." --Brianna Arellano-Meli, Temescal Branch
Twenty-four Seconds From Now "In case a book by Jason Reynolds didn't already have your attention, his latest YA novella is a sweet depiction of a teenage relationship and first-time intimacy, in all its awkwardness, excitement, and insecurity. I loved the way the cringe-y, but important and respectful teen/parent conversations were portrayed - we need these kind of stories! Laugh, cringe, cry, and subtly hand it to a friend or other teen in your life." --Megan, Community Relations
Not Quite A Ghost "It's rare to find a children's book that is just genuinely spooky, but Not Quite a Ghost is absolutely that! Ursu pulls off a middle-grade novel that tackles all the common issues of that age (friendship, school, family) while also exploring mental and physical health issues. This is all done with a not-so-subtle nod to The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gillman. And it all works!" --Sharon McKellar, Teen Services
Ten Bridges I've Burnt "Purnell has a unique literary voice that both provokes and envelopes readers in a painfully tender familiarity. As he unearths scarring memories disrupted by quippy humorous remarks, he unravels himself throughout the narrative, producing tears and laughter easily from the reader. While the novel-in-verse becomes an increasingly popular way to explore poetry and poetic structures, the memoir-in-verse holds a similar allure to curious audiences". --Main, Community Relations
"If you want a memoir that feels like you’re hanging with one of your favorite artists who is divulging their most hilariously intimate and profoundly deep musings to you, read this NOW! The unmitigated cleverness packed into this short collection will crack you in half. The amount of truths laced with magic artistry so tenderly shared in each poem will then put you all back together. I cannot tell you how many Post-it notes I stuck into this library book to remember lines I want permanently tattooed into my brain. Seeing Brontez read material from this book at the author's event at the Rockridge Branch built an unburnable bridge directly connecting this book to my heart." --Brianna Arellano-Meli, Temescal Branch
Sky Full of Elephants "A fresh a new idea and there is not another book out there quite like it. A world where there are no white people." --Makayla, 81st Avenue Branch
Queerceañera "Joaquin is a newly-out baby gay and his whole family is excited for him – everyone, that is, except his mom, whose needling microaggressions keep bringing him down. To cheer him up, the rest of his family decides to throw him a big coming out party and call it a queerceañera to show their support! Tropey, melodramatic, and totally endearing – read it for the chaotic family Whatsapp, second-chance romance wrapped up in a fake dating scheme, and the reminder that you don't have to come out alone." --Maya, Main Library TeenZone
Seeing Things "While the United States was experiencing a golden age of horror film, India was experiencing a horror film revolution. Professor Kartik Nair looks behind the glitz and glamor of Bollywood to bring us the history of Bombay Horror. From cult classics to forgotten low budget pictures this book will entertain and delight horror fanatics." --J Walker Arts & Natural Sciences Librarian, Main Library
The Black Girl Survives in This One "A collection of horror where every Black Girl survives. It is fast paced and there are multiple great stories in this one read."--Makayla, 81st Avenue Branch
I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt "I love this book because Madeline Pendleton illustrates the perils of poverty with stories from her own life. In the opening, her boyfriend kills himself because his punk rock clothing line, once worth millions, failed. She grew up poor and sometimes homeless in Fresno, where she was smart and hardworking, but she could only get a job at a photo booth. She went to college for fashion but earned a worthless degree, and finally started her own punk clothing business called Tunnel Vision. My favorite idea of hers is that, "All work is equally valuable and should be equally paid." She pays everyone who works for her the same amount and then helps them buy houses in L.A." --Gretchen Bily, Montclair Branch
Say Hello to My Little Friend "To describe the plot of this novel feels like an injustice. The central characters are Lolita – the real-life Orca legend of the Miami Seaquarium – and Ismael “Izzy” Reyes – a 20-year old Pitbull impersonator who came to Florida on a raft from Cuba in the 2000s (a “balsero”). After receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull’s management, Izzy decides that, naturally, his next move is to follow the path of Tony Montana from the movie Scarface (hence the title). As outrageous as that might seem – and this book is indeed outrageous – what makes it so good is how quickly and deftly the author moves between patently absurd hilarity and soul-crushing profundity. At its heart this is a novel about what it means to be from a place that you can never return to and how the contours of memory shape and, ultimately, torment us." --Ian Hetzner, Magazines & Newspapers Room, Main Library
Soldiers and Kings "This powerful book explores the lives of "guías", or guides, who help undocumented immigrants make the dangerous journey from Central America to the U.S. Jason De León brings their humanity to light, challenging the stereotypes often spread by media and government. The book is unflinching in its honesty, depicting the gruesome and violent realities of their world. It forces readers to question their assumptions about migration and those who risk everything to make it happen. Dark and thought-provoking, this is an unforgettable look at survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship". --Isaiah - 81st Ave. Branch
Meditations for Mortals "Author, Oliver Burkeman, wrote a long-running and popular column for the Guardian called This Column Will Change Your Life. This book compiles his interest and research into the philosophy and psychology of time management and happiness in bite-size, low-pressure words of advice on how to make the best use of our absurdly short time on this wonderful planet." --Jamie Turbak, Main Library
Shut Up, This Is Serious "Not only does this book give a little shoutout to the Chávez branch, it is also a very real and immediate coming-of-age novel set right here in our community. Protagonist Belén is a lost senior in high school with a pregnant best friend and dismal graduation prospects. She responds to these pressures in exactly the way someone her age would, and the journey she goes on throughout the narrative, albeit frustrating at times, feels authentic and grounding. I've been recommending it to any teen patron that wanders in looking to see themselves on the page." --Mateo, Chávez Branch
Survival Is A Promise "This is a beautiful and nontraditional biography about ancestor Audre Lorde. This book holds so much wisdom, poetry, and life." -Celadon, OPL staff member
I Hope This Doesn't Find You "Move aside love letters, it's hate emails time to shine. Model student Sadie Wen's inside thoughts go public when her scathing email drafts accidentally get sent out – to classmates, teachers, and her especially infuriating academic rival Julius Gong. Highly entertaining, sharp, and full of tension – read it for the copious amount of secondhand embarrassment and immaculate rivals-to-lovers romance. The perfect book for recovering people pleasers." --Maya, Main Library TeenZone
Butter "I was surprised how quickly I was drawn into this novel loosely based on a female serial killer who made headlines in Japan 15 years ago, and the (fictitious) talented and ambitious female journalist making her way in a very misogynist environment. Will she or won't she get the scoop on the real story behind this killer? You could also say it's a tour of all the delicious specialties featured in different areas of Japan. Throw in there the theme concerning the prevalence of fatphobia in that culture, and the parallels between these two women's lives. There is a twist. It takes awhile to get there but it's still a page turner. The translation was superb." --Emily Odza, Eastmont Branch
The Ministry of Time "I laughed out loud more than once while reading this novel that creates a romance between a time traveling Commander Graham Gore and a modern day woman whose job is to protect and assimilate him to modern society. Drama, adventure, sci-fi, romance and comedy, this quirky fast-paced novel really has it all. Somewhere between a beach read and a literary masterpiece, it's a perfect good fun read." --Sharon McKellar, Teen Services
Fury "Surprisingly, I liked this book because it was like reading a nightmare. I was captivated by the unique writing style and the beautiful poetry that was used to tell the story of a family cursed with intergenerational trauma. This is definitely not a lighthearted read but it is a deeply engaging book. I recommend it if you like stories that make you feel strange and leaves you with questions about the world and people you may not have thought to ask." --Emily M., Lakeview Branch
The Ping-pong Queen of Chinatown "I really enjoyed this book's attempts at tackling Asian American teen identity and privilege. Not everyone will agree with how the story unfolded, but I feel like that's true to life--no one will handle a situation the same exact way. I'm going to call it another book that would've been nice to have read when I was that age. 🙂 " --S., Chávez Branch
No Cats in the Library "This adorable kids book has been a favorite in my household ever since I checked it out. My 1 year old loves the story and pointing out the cat on each page. The book's illustrations are beautiful and the text is perfect for reading a loud. The story follows a stray cat named Clarisse, she loves looking at books with pictures. She stumbles across a library and tries to get inside! If you have kids or are a lover of kids books. I definitely recommend this one!" --Emily M., Lakeview Branch
Abortion "In any fight, it's always good to study the opposition's playbook. This is a concise, thorough look at the coordinated efforts of the far right to erode reproductive rights. In a very accessible and understanding way, Valenti traces the history and strategies used to get us to a post-Roe world with further erosions on women's rights on the horizon. and what you can do about it. I'm definitely going to also subscribe to Valenti's Abortion, Every Day newsletter where she tracks the latest news and developments: jessica.substack.com, opens a new window " --Megan, Community Relations
Lovely One "The author narrates in a wonderfully inspiring and expressive voice (yes, she won oratory contests when she was still a very young person!) and movingly relates the lives of her grandparents and parents, casting a light on how it was to live in the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights era, and beyond. She relates key moments of her childhood with total honesty. I feel that when I finish listening to the audio book I will have a clear picture of everything that led to her stellar academic achievements, and, ultimately, her appointment to the Supreme Court. This is a very personal and engaging way to learn about racial injustice, and the evolution of civil rights for African-Americans in this country." --Emily Odza, Eastmont Branch
Weirdo "To Quote Jason Reynolds: 'It's a blinding light of a tale about a boy who fights to become himself. About an oddball who finds wonder in his own weirdness. It's a reminder that we all have a place.' Using my own words to describe the book, it is the comicbook my 13 year old self needed to read 30 years ago." --Nichole, Elmhurst Branch
What was your favorite book of 2024? Let us know in the comments.
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