The Best Northwest Books of 2024, chosen by Multcolib StaffLike this list

17 items

• Black Girl You Are Atlas

  Watson, Renée,

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  I don’t know what’s better, Watson’s poems, or Holmes’s illustrations. I mean, how often do we get an illustrated book of poetry? Watson is a hometown girl, so look out for at least one poem about rain. -Patricia C.

• Crossings

  How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet

  Goldfarb, Ben (Environmental journalist),

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  When I think about ecology, roads don't usually come to mind, but this book changed that! While the subject may be heavy, this is written in a palpable and fun way. -Kyle T.

• Gaytheist

  Coming Out of My Orthodox Childhood

  Mann, Lonnie,

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  Coming of age and coming out in an Orthodox home is not easy. This memoir will make you pause, reflect, and reconsider what other people have gone through to get where they are today. -Matt S.

• Here We Go Again

  a Novel

  Cochrun, Alison,

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  Lovely. Heart-opening. This queer second-chance romance will make you yearn for the open road and all the possibilities it can bring. Don't forget to pack tissues! -Kady F.

• How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

  Wexler, Django,

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  Shouldn't have read it after my husband fell asleep. Nearly bit my tongue bloody trying not to laugh. -Heidi S.

• In the Jingle Jangle Jungle

  Keeping Time With the Brian Jonestown Massacre

  Gion, Joel,

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  An insider's view into 90's indie rock up and down the West Coast. Great writing and stories. -Larry L.

• One Week in January

  New Paintings for An Old Diary

  Ellis, Carson, 1975-

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  I came for the stylish and personal paintings, but I stayed for the diary entries. This one is full of heart, and full of what makes Portland so special to those that moved here in their early adulthood. For lovers of "Old Portland" and new, this…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Rebel Girl

  My Life as a Feminist Punk

  Hanna, Kathleen, 1968-

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  This deeply personal account from the epicenter of the riot grrrl movement is everything I want in a music memoir. Sharp and intense, with plenty of name dropping of both the music scene and the feminist thinkers who influence Hanna's work.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Skin & Bones

  a Novel

  Watson, Renée

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  This is a realistic story about finding yourself when you're in the midst of grief and loss. - Alicia T.

• Something Wild & Wonderful

  Kelly, Anita (Romance author),

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  My fav Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) novel. There's a scene eating soft serve in Cascade Locks! But it's the characters that drew me in the most. Especially, quiet Portlander Alexei with his memories of coming out to his very conservative Russian…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Devil by Name

  a Novel

  Rosson, Keith (Novelist),

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  Gnarly, gory, and suffused with dark energy. Once again a demonic hand is in the back of a freezer on 82nd, and the convention center... well, it's not good. Sequel to Fever House. -Erika B.

• The Kuiper Belt Job

  Levine, David D., 1961-

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  In this fun heist story by a Portland author, an aging crew of misfits has to get back together for one last job. -Heidi S.

• The Prospects

  a Novel

  Hoffman, KT,

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  I am thrilled to tears to see more trans characters' stories being published. KT does a brilliant job with Gene, an openly gay and trans man in professional baseball, right here in Beaverton. All pun intended, this story hits it out of the park! …Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Summer Love Strategy : a Novel

  Stoeve, Ray

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  A cute sapphic romance featuring imperfect characters with a diverse collection of queer identities that they're figuring out. I love how this book tackles balancing responsibility, friendship, romance, and family. -Marten M.

• Thunder Song

  Essays

  LaPointe, Sasha taqwšeblu,

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  Captivating from the first look at the cover to the very last word. It will push, pull, and stretch at your heart and mind with tender, raw tenacity. -Rebecca S.

• What Is Love?

  Comfort, Jen,

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  Rivals to lovers? Check. Game show shenanigans? Check. ADHD and bisexual representation? Check and check. I adore Jen Comfort's charmingly bonkers books and this one is no exception! -Liza D.

• Tribute

  Rose, L.M.

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  Romance with a side of SciFi? Yes, please! Great characters in a slow burn and slightly spicy love story. -Ann K.