Before Libby came into my life, I was a book-a-holic buying the latest novels the moment they were released. Feeding my habit had always cost me enough to finance a yearly tropical vacation, but it was the arrival of the E-book plus an Amazon account that sent me over the edge. From the comfort of my reading chair, I'd pop into the Kindle Store only to be greeted immediately by my dealer, someone called "Recommended for You Based On Your Previous Purchases." Hitting the Buy button again and again was my perfect pavlovian fix. Soon, I had more books stashed in my Kindle than I could read in lifetime, plus a credit card bill that rivaled the national debt. Then, along came Libby to save the day!
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For those who do not know, Libby is the app which supports your local library. To join, you simply download the app, create an account, and add your library card (you can get one online) to start your book-loaning journey. This virtual library, just like the real thing, allows you to place books on hold or borrow ones that are already available. You have 21 days to read the novel before the digital copy expires. The good news is there are no fines, nor do we need to panic when we find a library book hidden under the car seat that is 20 weeks overdue. The bad news is you have to wait, sometimes for several months, for the latest novels. I've waited so long for the next hottest thing in literature that it's been turned into a mini-series starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon before it downloads to my Kindle!
Still, I've found that the wait is usually worth it. I've read some fantastic books in 2024, though some were published in 2023! Here's my Top 10. Read on! Then, download the Libby App and enjoy these novels at absolutely no cost to you!
James by Percevel Everett
This is the retelling of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," from the viewpoint of the slave, Jim. If you, like me, have not revisited the classic since middle school, this book will revive latent memories. This time, however, instead of it being the tale of the boy who fakes his own murder and runs away with an escaped slave, it is the story of an escaped slave who risks his own freedom to help a desperate boy. A future classic for sure.
The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell
We meet Donkey (Dorothy) Zook who lives on an island in the middle of a swamp with her grandmother, “Herself.” The women of the family have always lived segregated from the rest of the community with only a draw bridge to connect them to the rest of the world. The people of the nearby town traverse the bridge for the magical, curing tinctures that Herself produces. When her grandmother is injured in an act of violence, eleven-year-old Donkey must take on the responsibilities of running the island, learning to make the medicines, and uniting her grandmother’s daughters. If you want to know why Dorothy is called Donkey, you might just need to pick up the book and read it for yourselves!
Yellow Face by R.F. Huang
This is a darkly humorous novel that deals with one of the big questions of the day in the world of publishing: Should a book about a minority culture be written ONLY by a member of that culture. In this story, struggling writer and white woman, June Hayward, visits her former friend and current rival, Chinese-American author Athena Liu, at her apartment. When Liu suddenly dies of an allergic reaction after telling June the plot of her latest novel, June steals the unfinished manuscript and passes it off as her own. From there, we delve into the world of book marketing where it is decided to change June’s last name to “Song” to convince readers that she is, in fact, Chinese. Much of the novel makes me think of the old adage, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
And if it isn't an Irish novel for your reading pleasure! Here, we have the once wealthy and powerful Barnes family struggling post-recession. Patriarch Dickie Barnes can barely keep the multiple car dealerships and garages he inherited afloat, while his wife, Imelda, is trying to get her extreme spending habits under control. Their children, Cassie and PJ, have their own issues. The marriage between Dickie and Imelda was never as it seemed. When she arrived at the church on their wedding day, her eyes were swollen from the sting of a bee that got caught in her veil. We soon learn that the bee sting was not the beginning, but the middle of their life together.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
This is a strangely fun novel that tells the story of stand-up comedian, Andy, who is dealing with a break-up with his girlfriend of four years. We feel for Andy as he tries to navigate his new Jen-free existence by moving in with various people in his life, including an eighty-something conspiracy theorist. He also engages in risky behavior like heavy drinking and stalking his ex on-line. It’s when he begins to incorporate his situation into his stand-up routine that things begin to go well for him in that regard, and his life begins to change.
This is my very favorite of the novels I’ve listed, here. It was a smooth read, highly entertaining and satisfying. It begins when Phoebe Stone checks herself into a posh hotel with the plan to commit suicide because her husband has left her for her best friend. But, the hotel is also the scene of the lavish wedding of a bridezilla named Lila. The two meet on the elevator to their rooms, and Lila soon learns of Phoebe’s plans. She won’t allow it! It will ruin her wedding if she knows there is a dead woman in one of the rooms! Lila quickly moves into Phoebe’s life, asking her advice and telling her far too much about herself. Next thing you know, after the original maid of honor cancels at the last minute, she asks Phoebe to take her place. It’s all a journey of discovery for Phoebe with lots of interesting twists and turns along the way.
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson
This is a sweet, touching novel about the power of friendship. At 86, Mabel Beaumont has lost her husband of 62 years, Arthur. He was a list-maker, and when she finds his final one, she is struck by the single item it contains: Find D. Mabel is certain that he wanted her to find her long-lost best friend, Dot. As she attempts to do so, she meets new people who step into her life to help her make it through the challenging journey of new widowhood. A hanky at the ready is advisable.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr by Crystal Smith Paul
Though the story is about world-famous movie and television star, Kitty Karr, it also focuses on the lives of the three St. John sisters - Elise, Giovanni, and Noelle. Upon her death, Kitty left her entire fortune to the three black woman, famous in their own right as the daughters of a successful musician father and actress mother. News of the inheritance creates questions both in the press and amongst the sisters. Why did Kitty leave her vast estate to these three? Who was the real Kitty Karr? It's an enjoyable novel just perfect for one of those Netflix miniseries!
The Women by Kristen Hannah
No one combines history and story-telling like Kristen Hannah. Her attention to detail, the product of intense research, shows in each of her novels. This one takes place in the sixties just as the Vietnam conflict is heating up. It's the story of Frankie McGrath, a young socialite who decides to enlist as a nurse to make her father proud. Even as she spins a tale of youthful innocence and lost love, Kristen Hannah does not sugarcoat the horrors of war.
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Here's one for the mystery lovers! North Carolina heiress, Ruby McTavish, dies and leaves her entire estate to her adopted son, Camden. In so doing, she has left her sister's grandchildren, Ben and Libby, out in the will. Obviously, this does not sit well with them or with Ruby's sister, Nelle. At one time, Ruby was famous for having been kidnapped as a toddler from her own back yard. Upon her return to Ashby House, her father doted on her, much to the chagrin of Nelle, and even left Ruby complete control of the estate as long as she made sure Nelle was taken care of. But, Ruby has secrets. And we learn of these through a series of letters she sends to a mystery recipient. There are plenty of questions, but Rachel Hawkins saves the most unexpected answers for last!
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