With the start of the new year, we’re looking back on the stories that resonated most with the Naperville community in 2024. From the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of New Mexico, and even to the magical halls of a beloved wizarding school, last year’s top picks took us on unforgettable journeys across the world. Whether exploring history, fantasy or faraway lands, we hope this list of Naperville Public Library’s most popular picks of 2024 serves as inspiration for your next reading, viewing or listening adventure! Top Fiction Book: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah When 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears that women can be heroes, it sparks a revelation. Raised by conservative parents, she has always done what’s expected. But in 1965, as the world changes, she dares to imagine a different future and joins the Army Nurse Corps, following her brother to Vietnam. Overwhelmed by the horrors of war, Frankie experiences the bonds and betrayals of combat. But the real challenge comes when she returns home to a divided America, where Vietnam is a painful memory. Top Nonfiction Book: “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her truth was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. For the first time, Spears shares her incredible journey and the strength of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’ groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love — and the importance of a woman telling her own story on her own terms. Top Teen Book: “The Final Gambit” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes To inherit billions, all Avery Grambs must do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The only thing that gets Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers. She knows their secrets and they know hers. But as the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery will become the richest teenager on the planet, trouble arrives in the form of a visitor who needs her help — and whose presence in Hawthorne House could change everything. It soon becomes clear there is one last puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player. Top Children’s Book: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at No. 4 Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s 11th birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin! Top Movie: “Oppenheimer” Dive into director Christopher Nolan’s gripping biographical drama of the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the Manhattan Project and played a pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb. The film explores his moral dilemmas, personal struggles and the profound consequences of creating a weapon of mass destruction set against the backdrop of World War II and the dawn of the nuclear age. Top Video Game: “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” Jump into the unexpected with Mario! Classic Mario gameplay gets turned on its head in the first traditional side-scrolling Super Mario game in almost 20 years. Discover the power of Wonder flowers as they let you jump higher, swim faster and more, including special power-ups like Elephant Mario, Bubble Mario and Drill Mario. Top Board Game: Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition is a new party game that’s just like Cards Against Humanity but written for kids and adults to play together. In each round, one player asks a question from a black card and everyone else answers with their funniest white card. They didn’t just take the adult stuff out of the original game: they wrote a whole new game from scratch and tested it with thousands of families. Top CD: “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift “The Tortured Poets Department” blends Swift’s signature storytelling with a mix of lighthearted and introspective tracks. The songs explore themes of love, heartbreak and creativity, offering a fun and relatable take on the emotional ups and downs of life. With clever lyrics and catchy melodies, the album showcases Swift’s ability to balance playful moments with deeper reflections, making it a delightful listen for fans of all her musical eras. Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.