SEATTLE — As you’re thinking about your top 10 reads of 2024, the King County Library System (KCLS) has a few page-turners to share as well.
KCLS Executive Director Heidi Daniel joined New Day Northwest to share a favorite from each of the library’s six categories on their list of best books of 2024. The full list, which was compiled from staff favorites, includes over 130 titles. It was published Monday.
Adult fiction: Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
The debut novel from MJ Wassmer follows Dan Foster, who’s not living up to his full potential and goes on vacation with his girlfriend. The sun explodes unleashing the apocalypse. Foster emerges as an unlikely hero of the end of the world, and he has to decide if he stays or tries to escape.
“It’s a little bit deeper beach read,” Daniel said.
Adult nonfiction: Sharks Don't Sink by Jasmin Graham
This debut memoir from a shark scientist chronicles Jasmine Graham’s journey in the field as a Black woman. After struggling to navigate traditional academia, Graham helped found the organization Minorities in Shark Science and became an independent researcher.
“It’s super readable,” Daniel said. “Don’t be afraid of it if you're afraid of nonfiction.”
Daniel called this book a must-read for anyone interested in the ocean or nontraditional career paths.
Young Adult: Looking for Smoke by K. A. Cobell
This thriller mystery takes place on the Blackfeet Nation where four teens become suspects in a murder investigation. The author is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, and Daniel said it has an authentic feel from Cobell’s lived experience. It also shines a light on missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“It’s a really important conversation to have, but also, it’s a great thriller,” Daniel said. “It’s really well-written. It’s engaging. I couldn’t put it down.”
Audiobook: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
If you could find out when you were going to die, would you? And would that change how you live your life? That’s the question passengers on a flight face when a woman on board predicts how and when they will die. The book examines “free will and destiny, grief and love, and the endless struggle to maintain certainty and control in an uncertain world,” according to the book’s description on KCLS’ website.
Spanish language: Mi Sueno Americano by Wilmer Valderrama
Mi Sueno Americano, which translates to My American Dream, is the autobiography of Wilmer Valderrama, whose family fled Venezuela during the economic collapse when he was young. Valderrama grew up in Los Angeles and gained notoriety as an actor on That '70s Show and NCIS. However, he has also had a big impact philanthropically, serving with the United Service Organization.
This is the first year King County has selected top books of the year in Spanish.
Children’s: I'm Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Julie Kwon
This story is about a young boy who has to write an apology note to a classmate, and he struggles with it.
“It resonated with me, because children, teens, adults, we all struggle with the right way to say, ‘I’m sorry,'” Daniel said.
Daniel recommended this book as one to share with your child – or anyone – to help them learn what makes a meaningful apology.