Hello from Dreamland Books & Yarn! It is our great pleasure to share with you some of our favorite recent reads in this regular column. 

For the inaugural issue of The Seward Folly, we thought we’d share a list of some of our favorite books from 2024. These are culled from our booksellers’ top five lists last year – they might offer some guidance when searching for your next title:

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

A literary mystery that takes place at a youth summer camp where a girl goes missing. Her brother also disappeared from the same spot years before. A rich family, a fractured local community, and a young female detective intersect in this layered and propulsive story.

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

An incredible coming-of-age story following the narrative arc of Dickens’ David Copperfield but set in 1990s Appalachia. Beautifully written, Demon’s story provides context and invites compassion for the ravages of the opioid epidemic.

• Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Akbar tells the story of Cyrus, a recovering addict consumed by the concept of martyrdom, as he struggles to make sense of his grief, longing, and the ghosts from his past. The story is both deeply poetic and darkly humorous, and Akbar’s writing is achingly earnest.

• James by Percival Everett

This retelling of Huckleberry Finn from James’ perspective is riveting and revelatory. Winner of the National Book Award, this book is destined to become a classic right alongside (and perhaps supplanting) the source material. 

• Clear by Carys Davies

Taking place during the Scottish Clearances of the late 19th century, an impoverished minister is sent to a speck of an island off the coast of Scotland to evict its only tenant. An accident ensues and this event throws the two men into a life-saving and unlikely friendship. The book speaks to our humanity and connection to our fellow humans.

• Sivulliq: Ancestor by Lily Tuzroyluke

Part historical fiction and part thrilling adventure tale, this novel is set on the North Slope of Alaska, where an Inupiaq mother races to free her daughter, who has been kidnapped by the captain of a Yankee whaling vessel. The story is also told from the perspective of an African-American sailor. The fate of these two characters intersects as they each contend with the brutality inflicted upon their people.

We hope this list will help get you started on your next read! We love talking about books and hearing about what titles you’ve loved lately, so please do stop by or send recommendations our way. Happy reading!