Table of contents for Booklist, Vol. 120, No. 14, 3/15/24 in Booklist

The Over the Rainbow committee of ALA’s Rainbow Roundtable gave careful consideration to books across all genres, including memoir, history, true crime, fiction, poetry, and more. The final ten selections showcase a wide range of queer stories and experiences, working to dispel, one book at a time, the myth of the single narrative. Better Living through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World. By Christian Cooper. Random, $28 (9780593242384). Told with Cooper’s characteristic calm, the book reflects on society regarding both race and queerness with a true birdwatcher’s attention to detail. The Celebrants. By Steven Rowley. Putman, $28 (9780593540428). A touching story of lifelong friends as they deal with a coming loss highlights the intersection of queer community and chosen family, lighthearted, but not without its deeper…

Below, you will find the top 10 choices from the full list selected by the 2024 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Committee of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). All titles were published in 2023 unless otherwise noted. For the complete list, visit ala.org/yalsa/2024-quick-picks-reluctant-young-adult-readers. Breakup from Hell. By Ann Davila Cardinal. HarperTeen, $18.99 (9780063045309). Gr. 8–12. Mica and her best friends must battle Hell’s legions and her ex-boyfriend if they want to save their town and possibly the world. The Do-Over. By Lynn Painter. Simon Pulse, $19.99 (9781534478862). Gr. 9–12. Emilie finds herself trapped, reliving Valentine’s Day over and over. She keeps colliding with classmate Nick, who helps her realize that, even though she and her boyfriend, Josh, look good together on paper, interfering with fate never…

Each year, the Rise: A Feminist Book Project, sponsored by the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of ALA, selects a list of recommended feminist books, fiction and nonfiction, for young readers from preschool through age 18. Titles published in late 2022 are noted; all others were published in 2023. The titles below make up the top 10 picks from the full list, which is available at risefeministbooks.wordpress.com/2024/01/15/current-booklist/. All the Fighting Parts. By Hannah V. Sawyerr. Abrams/Amulet, $19.99 (9781419762611). Gr. 9–12. Sixteen-year-old Amina chooses to speak out when Pastor Johnson sexually assaults her, leading to a tumultuous journey of regaining trust in her support system and herself. A 2024 Morris Award finalist. Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior. By Carole Lindstrom. Illus. by Bridget George. Roaring Brook, $18.99 (9781250795274).…

The Listen List Council of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) announces the 2024 Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration. This award highlights extraordinary narrators and listening experiences that merit special attention by a general adult audience. Full annotations and listen-a-likes appear online: rusaupdate.org/awards/the-listen-list/ The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. By Shannon Chakraboråty. Read by Lameece Issaq and Amin El Gamal. 2023. 17hr. HarperAudio, DD (9780062963536). Chakraborty’s picaresque novel of piracy and magic should be experienced in audio as Amina, narrated by Lameece Issaq, relates her adventures to a scribe in a tavern, voiced by Amin El Gamal. Superb comic timing will make listeners feel like they are overhearing this epic tale from the next table. Chain-Gang All Stars. By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.…

Journalism & Publishing Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life. By Nicholas D. Kristof. May 2024. 480p. Knopf, $32 (9780593536568). 070.1. This hefty account of Kristof’s life and career will remind readers of the ground-breaking, insightful, often influential work Kristof has produced throughout his 40 years with the New York Times as a reporter, editor, and columnist, from his coverage of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests (for which he and his wife, Sheryl Wu-Dunn, won a Pulitzer Prize) to his opposition to the Iraq War, his fight against child pornography, his relentless exposure of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, his advocacy of women’s rights worldwide, and his chronicles of the breakdown of America’s working class, among many other issues. Hardly surprising for someone with degrees from Harvard and Oxford Universities, who for decades…

Another series gaining popularity thanks to the anime bump is Ryoko Kui’s Deliciousin Dungeon, a comical dungeon crawl with food-manga elements and Dungeons & Dragons inspiration all tied into one. There are currently 12 volumes, with books 13 and 14 due out later this year, so this is a perfect time for libraries to capitalize on the series’ popularity, collect a series of manageable length, and perhaps throw watch parties with monster-inspired dishes. With only a few innuendos, the series is generally suitable for readers in grades 7–12. Volume 1: A group of dungeon explorers nearly dies fighting a red dragon. The questers are saved by the quick wits of one party member, Falin, who teleports them out, but without their gear—or her! Three of the original party—Laios, Marcille, and…

Family is a perennial topic in picture books, but thesetitles, reviewed in Booklist between March 15, 2023, and March 1, 2024, do an exceptional job of portraying everything from the simple joys of a day at the pool to the lovably exasperating attention of a little sibling to quiet, meaningful bonds with grandparents. —Sarah Hunter The Book That Almost Rhymed. By Omar Abed. Illus. by Hatem Aly. 2024. Dial, $18.99 (9780593406380). PreS–Gr. 2. A boy is trying to write a rhyming story, but his little sister, who’s eager to be like him, keeps interrupting with non-rhyming words in this buoyant, comical sibling story. The Last Stand. By Antwan Eady. Illus. by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey. 2024. Knopf, $18.99 (9780593480571). PreS–Gr. 2. A young Black boy admires his dedicated grandfather’s…

The Reading List Council has announced the annual best-of list comprised of eight different fiction genres for adult readers. A shortlist of honor titles, up to four per genre, was also announced. All titles were published in 2023. Adrenaline Better the Blood. By Michael Bennett. Atlantic Monthly, $27.99 (9780802160607). Detective Hana Westerman has long struggled to balance her Māori heritage with her work. When a serial killer begins committing ritualistic killings in response to a crime that occurred decades prior, Hana must face demons in her own past as her hunt for the killer grows ever more desperate. Shortlist: The Antiquity Affair, by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (Harper Muse); Blood Sisters, by Vanessa Lillie (Berkley); Going Zero, by Anthony McCarten (Harper); The Last Word, by Taylor Adams (Morrow). Fantasy…

The Best Fiction for Young Adults list is compiled annually by a committee of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and comprises fiction appropriate for ages 12 to 18. All titles were published in 2023 unless otherwise noted. The committee’s top 10 choices are identified with an asterisk (*). Always the Almost. By Edward Underhill. St. Martin’s/Wednesday, $18.99 (9781250835208). Miles makes a New Year’s resolution to win back his ex-boyfriend and defeat his piano rival. When he meets Eric, a kind and thoughtful new kid, and starts practicing with a new piano teacher, Miles begins to learn more about himself and what he really wants. Ander & Santi Were Here. By Jonny Garza Villa. St. Martin’s/Wednesday, $18.99 (9781250843999). Nonbinary teen Ander is preparing to leave for college but is spending…

The Great Graphic Novels for Teens list is compiled annually by a committee of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and comprises recommended graphic novels for readers ages 12 to 18. The titles below make up the top 10 picks from the full list, which is available at ala.org/yalsa/2024-great-graphic-novels-teens. Titles published in 2022 are noted; all others were published in 2023. Belle of the Ball. By Mari Costa. Art by the author. First Second, $17.99 (9781250784124). Gr. 9–12. Feelings get complicated between team mascot Belle, cheerleader Regina, and all-star athlete Chloe in this refreshing take on the high-school love triangle. Brooms. By Jasmine Walls. Art by Teo. Levine Querido, $18.99 (9781646142682). Gr. 9–12. In a 1930s infused with magic, broom racing is a sport for the privileged. Billie May,…

The Rainbow Round Table of the American Library Association is pleased to offer the 2024 Rainbow Project bibliography of recommended titles for youth from birth to age 18 that contain significant and authentic gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (GLBTQ) content. Titles published in late 2022 are noted; all others were published in 2023. Below are 20 exceptional choices from the list. For the complete list, visit glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1448. Rainbow List Top 10 Titles for Younger Readers Camp QUILTBAG. By Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass. Algonquin, $16.99 (9781643752662). Abigail and Kai end up at the same summer camp for queer kids, and what starts as a plan to help each other with their camp goals turns into a true friendship. A Child’s Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and…

The ALSC Notable Children’s Recordings list includes recordings for children 14 years of age and younger of especially commendable quality that demonstrate respect for young people’s intelligence and imagination; exhibit venturesome creativity; and reflect and encourage the interests of children and young adolescents in exemplary ways. Back to the Bright Before. By Katherin Nolte. Read by Jesse Vilinsky. 2023. 5hr. Listening Library, DD (9780593679722). Gr. 3+ This timeless adventure story is a testament to the talents of Jesse Vilinsky. The many distinct and emotional voices bring 11-year-old Pet; her younger brother, Simon; and their community to life. Each word of this narration tells a story, even if that word is “cheese.” Big Tree. By Brian Selznick. Read by Meryl Streep. 2023. 2.5hr. Scholastic Audio, DD (9781339004013). Gr. 2–5 A masterful…

This iteration of our twice-yearly survey of upcoming travel guides introduces several first-of-their-kind volumes along with many, many updates of those dog-eared classics. Bon voyage! 40 Days & 40 Hikes: Loving the Bruce Trail One Loop at a Time. By Nicola Ross. ECW, $21.95 (9781770417779). Ross, author of a hiking-guide series called Loops & Lattes, offers a series of one-day trips along 900 kilometers of trails in Southern Ontario; this can also be read as a travelogue. 50 Hikes with Kids Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. By Sharon Dewar and Wendy Gorton. Timber, $24.99 (9781643261645). Complete with detailed maps and scavenger hunts, these hikes devised by educators Dewar and Gorton will have Midwest kids rejoicing. 222 Cemeteries to See before You Die. By Loren Rhoads. Black Dog & Levanthal $24.99 (9780762486021).…

Older Readers Dear Younger Me: What 35 Trailblazing Women Wish They’d Known as Girls. By Elisa Boxer. Mar. 2024. 176p. illus. Rowman & Littlefield, $28 (9781538175514); e-book, $26.50 (9781538175521). Gr. 7–10. 305.4. This collective biography profiles 35 influential women who represent an array of nationalities and achievements. Coverage includes family life, education, career path, and notable successes set within a relatable context that will resonate with teens. These overviews average three or four pages each and conclude with messages to readers that take the form of a “Dear Younger Me” reflection. These personal notes range from a few words (“Never lose hope,” from a Holocaust survivor) to a few paragraphs (environmental activist Mackenzie Feldman begins with “Pay attention to what makes you different.”). Some quotes are truly inspiring, some offer…

Adult Fiction The Best That You Can Do. By Amina Gautier. Read by LaNecia Edmonds. 2024. 6.5hr. HighBridge, DD (9781696614344). Listeners will fall in love with Gautier’s fourth award-winning short story collection and winner of the 2023 Soft Skull-Kimbilio Publishing Prize. Five thought-provoking chapters include a robust arrangement of short stories, set in New York City and Philadelphia, of the African and Latinx diasporic experience that incorporate moments of truth with concise, lyrical, and philosophical artistry. The audio will appeal to short story fans exploring relatable historical fiction that focuses on multiracial families and relationships, individualism, cultural assimilation, racism, and reconciliation from the POV of women and children. Edmonds, unaccompanied, narrates the complete package of 57 short stories perfectly. She accurately captures the essence of the prose, the Spanish dialects,…

Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but fat people often face structural oppression because of how they look. This list’s title comes from Virgie Tovar’s manifesto, You Have the Right to Remain Fat, reminding people that they should be able to embrace their body as it is. Or to quote Kate Manne, author of Unshrinking, “our bodies are not the problem;” the problem is the anti-fat bias baked into every aspect of our lives. The books below explore what it’s like to be fat in America, how being fat intersects with other identities, and how we can dismantle systems that perpetuate anti-fat bias. Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist. By Sesali Bowen. 2021. Amistad. Blending personal memoir and cultural analysis, journalist Bowen honors Black women from the…

The CODES List, from a committee of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), has announced the 2024 selection of essential cookbooks for public libraries, highlighting titles for both avid home chefs and those just learning the rewards of making a meal. The list further supports those who appreciate the many joys of reading cookbooks, even if they rarely venture into the kitchen. As judged by librarians who cooked from, enjoyed, and discussed them, these are the cookbooks that will stand the test of time, become reliable favorites, and nourish readers. Baking Yesteryear: The Best Recipes from the 1900s to the 1980s. By B. Dylan Hollis. DK, $32 (9780744080049). Hollis brings his popular nostalgic baking adventures from social media to the page…

The Alex Awards, administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and sponsored by the Margaret E. Edwards trust, honor the top 10 adult books published during the previous year with appeal to readers between the ages of 12 and 18. The full, vetted list of the nominations can be found on the YALSA website. Bad Cree. By Jessica Johns. Doubleday, $28 (9780385548694). Monsters aren’t just the stuff of nightmares. After waking from a disturbing dream that feels all too real, Mack returns home to finally grieve for her sister. With the help of her family, she uncovers the sinister truth behind her sister’s death and the violence experienced by her Native community. Chain-Gang All-Stars. By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Pantheon, $27 (9780593317334). In a terrifyingly plausible near future, incarcerated…

This top 10 list of notable audio recordings significant to young adults was selected from the 43 titles and 46 official nominations that were posted and discussed in blog posts on YALSA’s The Hub (yalsa.ala.org/thehub). Check & Mate. By Ali Hazelwood. Read by Karissa Vacker. 2023. 9.5hr. Listening Library, DD (9780593744543). Gr. 8–12. Mallory reluctantly accepts a chess fellowship and finds herself falling back in love with the game and with the world’s number-one chess player. Vacker’s engaging narration brings the characters to life with multiple voices. Imogen, Obviously. By Becky Albertalli. Read by Caitlin Kinnunen. 2023. 9.5hr. HarperAudio, DD (9780063045903). Gr. 9–12. As the world’s best queer ally, Imogen pretends to be her best friend’s ex, but soon finds herself falling in love with someone unexpected. This lighthearted audio…

The Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, jointly administered by ALSC and YALSA, and sponsored by Booklist, is given to the producer of the best audiobooks for children and young adults available in English in the U.S. with an honor list comprised of titles for both age categories. The winners and honorees were announced on January 22, 2024, during the American Library Association LibLearnX Meeting. Odyssey Award Winner for Children El Deafo. By Cece Bell. Read by a full cast. 2023. 2.5hr. Produced by Matie Argiropoulos for Listening Library, DD (9780593748596). Gr. 4–7. As young Cece begins to use listening aids, she develops a superhero personality, El Deafo, that instills within her the confidence she needs. “Using a dynamic full-cast narration, a unique array of sound effects, and innovative…

General Fiction The Audacity. By Ryan Chapman. Apr. 2024. 288p. Soho, $27 (9781641295628); e-book (9781641295635). Chapman proves his staying power as a shrewd and suspenseful satirist in his second novel, following Riots I Have Known (2019). The setup is a riff on the notorious Theranos scam run by Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh Balwani. Chapman’s steely mastermind, billionaire Victoria Stevens, claims to have discovered a cure for cancer. Just before her mega-con is outed, she disappears into the California desert where she subjects herself to extreme physical and mental exertions and deprivation in pursuit of a solution to the crisis, leaving her curiously passive husband, Guy Sarvananthan, on the hot seat. He flees to a privately owned Caribbean island for a Davos-like gathering of the world’s richest, most despicably selfish elites…

Adult Dwellings. By Jay Stephens. Illus. by the author. Apr. 2024. 272p. Oni, $34.99 (9781637152911). 741.5. Fictional small-town Elwich is located in Ontario, has a rich folklore tradition, and also happens to be a place where truly horrifying events occur on a regular basis. Introduced to readers by a local investigative reporter, six interconnected events are presented, including crows that torture a person who has accidentally committed murder, a graduate student studying a bizarre case of foreign-accent syndrome, a puppet that leads a woman on a journey, a haunted-house attraction, a dangerous fugitive, and a man whose traumatic childhood has led him to therapy. Compellingly formatted like old comic books, the stories are interspersed with advertisements for mail-order occult and horror items as well as local interests. The colorful and…

Older Readers Book, Beast, and Crow. By Elizabeth Byrne. Mar. 2024. 368p. HarperCollins/Quill Tree, $19.99 (9780062484789). Gr. 10–12. Hartwood, New Jersey, is well-known for its high rate of unexplained disappearances, all blamed on a beast that skulks behind the Wall separating the main part of town from the Great Swamp. Locals use the Wall and its statues of the Ladies of Hartwood as an altar to wish for things. Anna has seizures and “episodes” during which she sees things that no one else can; on a visit to the Wall, she and her friend Olivia come into contact with a strange, witchy woman who offers to tell them the answer to any question. When Olivia is attacked by the beast, Anna worries about the strange prophecies and the things she…