How do you choose what to read?
As a teacher and librarian, I get asked that question quite a bit. The quick answer is: I read what interests me. The longer answer is: I read with young people and educators in mind. What benefits would readers gain from this book? I am of Iranian descent so other authors who are Iranian are on my radar to read and support. I also seek out stories from other people's cultures and perspectives that are different than mine. Non-fiction books that cover a range of topics, especially about history and science, infatuate me. What I love about books is the various formats that a person can tell and take in a story: a novel-in-verse, a graphic novel, a nonfiction narrative, or a traditional chapter book.
Below, I have compiled my favorite books that I read in the year 2024. Some of these were published prior to 2024, however, I finally got to read them so they made the list! Many of them have been awarded literary honors, however, a good deal of them have not. Even if they haven't been selected for awards, they deserve to be widely shared.
Each category is intended to inform the audience's age for which the book was written:
Young Adult: usually ages 14+, depending on the book's content, definitely for ages 18+, i.e. adults
Middle Grade: usually ages 9-13, depending on the book's content, some adults will enjoy these, too
These books made me cry, laugh, jump out of my seat, think and have conversations about the subject matter and characters. They taught me about the world, others' experiences and connections between myself and the subjects of the books. If you've read any of these or have recommendations for me, please leave a comment!
.jpg)
.jpg)
