Best of 2025: Pre-2025 AdultLike this list

81 items

• I Who Have Never Known Men

  Harpman, Jacqueline,

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  Mars at Lee's Summit, Cheyenne at Kearney, and Sherry in Reader Engagement all loved this 1995 French dystopian novella, with Sherry saying: "The dystopian premise of Jacqueline Harpman's I Who Have Never Known Men is definitely dark: 40 women caged…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• When the Moon Hatched

  Parker, Sarah A. (Fantasy fiction writer),

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  Both Taylor at WN and Julienne at East Lee's Summit loved this 2024 romantasy featuring dragons, secrets, and a love that blazes eternal.

• Quicksilver

  Hart, Callie,

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  Both Sara at Kearney and Candace at Green Hills loved this 2024 enemies-to-lovers romantasy about a woman who ends up face to face with Death himself and reopens a gateway between the her world and the land of the Fae.

• Bride

  Hazelwood, Ali

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  Both Katie at Parkville and Kayla at Oak Grove loved this 2024 paranormal romance about a marriage of convenience between a werewolf and a vampire, from the popular author of "The Love Hypothesis".

• James

  Everett, Percival,

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  Both Katie in Reader Engagement and Sally at Woodneath Library Center loved this 2024 Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, with Sally saying: "A fantastic retelling of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as told by Jim (James), whose keen…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Beartown

  Backman, Fredrik, 1981-

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  Both Kaya at Riverside and Andie at Withers loved this 2016 novel about a violent crime that rocks a small town, from the author of "A Man Called Ove".

• Shark Heart

  Habeck, Emily,

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  Both Emily at Antioch and Amber at Woodneath Library Center loved this 2023 debut about a couple reckoning with a recent rare diagnosis, with Amber saying: "A quirky love story that took ahold of me from the first page and didn't let go! I LOVED IT!"

• That's Not My Name

  Lally, Megan,

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  Both Tricia and Harper at Lee's Summit loved this 2023 thriller, with Harper saying: "Kept me on the edge of my seat, incredible story with great characters, that was truly and realistically terrifying."

• All About Love

  New Visions

  hooks, bell, 1952-2021,

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  Andreya at North Oak says of this 1999 essay collection: "[bell hooks] talks about the importance of being a loving partner, friend, and community member."

• All Systems Red

  Wells, Martha,

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  Ross at North Independence loved this 2017 award winning science fiction novella (now an Apple TV adaptation) about Murderbot, a snarky security droid tasked with guarding a set of humans during a mission that soon turns deadly.

• Barbarian Days

  a Surfing Life

  Finnegan, William,

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  Ethan at Claycomo loved this 2015 memoir from the surfer turned New Yorker writer, saying "The perfect travel book, transporting, alluring, and nostalgic."

• Be Kind, My Neighbor

  Limbo, Yugo,

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  Anna at Red Bridge loved this 2022 queer horror graphic novel set in 1973 about a busker who stops in a small town and connects with a man called Mr. Neighbor who disappears once a month.

• Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

  Horvath, Patrick (Filmmaker),

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  Morgan at Blue Springs South loved this 2024 graphic novel about a serial killer bear who may have met her match.

• Bite Me

  Laurenston, Shelly

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  Emily at South Independence loved this 2014 shapeshifter romance saying, "a hysterical book about the relationship between a somewhat crazy honey badger and a temperamental Grizzly/Siberian tiger hybrid."

• The Blackout Book Club

  Green, Amy Lynn,

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  Winter at Red Bridge loved this 2022 historical fiction about a woman and her book club as they band together during World War II.

• The Blind Assassin

  Atwood, Margaret, 1939-

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  Ethan at Claycomo loved this 2000 novel from the acclaimed author of "The Handmaid's Tale" about this novel within a novel featuring a woman whose sister dies in 1945 only to have her husband die 2 years later.

• Blood Over Bright Haven

  Wang, M. L. (Maya Lin),

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  Ally in Interlibrary Loan loved this 2024 dark academia fantasy, saying "An absolutely gripping tale of power, prejudice, and pain, and the secrets that make a magical society. 10/10 would recommend to everyone."

• Born of Gilded Mountains

  Dykes, Amanda,

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  Rachel at Platte City loved this 2024 historical fiction about a scandal plagued Hollywood star who seeks refuge in a coal mining town, saying "This Historical Christian Fiction was filled with unexpected twists, beautiful imagery, and a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Bury Your Gays

  Tingle, Chuck,

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  Amber at Grandview loved this 2024 queer horror about a newly minted Oscar nominated actor who, when he refuses to kill off the gay characters in his series, is terrorized by the monsters from his horror movie past.

• Camino Winds

  Grisham, John

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  Patricia at Blue Ridge loved this 2020 mystery thriller by popular author Grisham about a murder during a hurricane, saying "This was full of action and some intense moments."