Fast Five Fiction: My Top 5 Graphic Novels of 2024

There were a lot of really great books published in 2024. Over the next few weeks we'll be counting down some of my favorite reads from last year. I had a great reading year and read 331 books across all different age groups and genres. I'm continually impressed, year after year, with the amount of quality literature that is being published. If you want to follow along with my 2025 reading adventures, you can follow me on Goodreads for even more reading recommendations. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

My 5 favorite Graphic Novels read in 2024 (in no particular order):

Good as Goldie by Georgia Dunn

This just in: There’s a new cat in the neighborhood and she is all kinds of mysterious!

The Breaking Cat News crew has never met a cat quite like Goldie before. Street smart, wildlife savvy, and determined to solve the mystery of how her People vanished, Goldie is here to turn life in and out of the studio upside down! Along the way they’ll meet trash collecting raccoons, a fork wielding squirrel, and one brave little chipmunk!

Go undercover with Tommy and Beatrix as Goldie gets to the bottom of this case with the help of Lupin’s (stolen) tape recorder. It’s an exciting adventure for the BCN team with friends old and new, and you’re invited!

The fun doesn’t stop there! The “More to Explore” section includes all new paper dolls of Goldie and the wild lands creatures, as well as fun disguises for Beatrix and Tommy, and a tasty applesauce recipe to try.

The Happy Shop by Brittany Long Olsen

Welcome to the Happy Shop!

Eleven-year-old Darcy just moved to a new country. She's feeling lost and misses her friends back home. That's when she stumbles upon a shop full of mysterious glowing jars labeled with things like "Picking up the last sweater on the rack and it's on sale" and "Having the perfect weather on your wedding day." Much to Darcy's surprise-this store sells happy feelings.

After Darcy accidentally breaks one of the irreplaceable jars, she must make it up to the shopkeepers, Frida and Flora, by doing chores around the store, and is soon tasked with collecting happy feelings. But she learns that the magical business is anything but magical. With fewer customers than ever, Frida and Flora might have to close their doors. Can Darcy think of an idea to save the Happy Shop? What if they sold more than just happy feelings?

From debut writer and illustrator Brittany Long Olsen comes The Happy Shop, a heartfelt story about helping those you love and understanding your feelings.

Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto

Discover the magic of the wilderness in this breathtaking graphic novel reminiscent of The Secret Garden . Poppy’s mother hasn’t been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the couch. So maybe that’s why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighborhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten forest that’s been there all along, as well as a new friend named Rob. Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wilderness – if you know where to look! Poppy looks, and then she looks closer … and sees flowers opening before her eyes, watches animals slip into their hidden homes, and listens to the sound of water droplets falling gently on puddles, leaves and feathers. She can barely wait to tell Mum about everything she’s seen, and asks her to come see, too – but her mother rarely has the energy to leave the couch. Will Poppy ever be able help her mother see the beauty in the woods – and in life? This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is an exploration of grief, love, and finding magic in the wilderness – and in ourselves.

Detective Beans: The Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen

Meet Detective Beans, the best kitten detective in town, equipped with his tie, brown trench coat, and—GASP. It’s gone! His detective hat is missing! Follow along to discover the charming, whimsical, and mysterious world of Detective Beans.

Meet Detective Beans (just Beans for short), a young cat sleuth dedicated to doing whatever it takes to solve the case. After a night of mystery movies with his best friend, Biscuit, Detective Beans wakes up to find his detective hat is missing. There’s only one thing to do: hit the streets of Cat Town and find that missing hat! Cat Town is full of suspects, from the neighborhood bird to a magician in the park, and each twist and turn in this journey leads to an interesting new encounter — and to solving a much bigger case than Beans could have imagined.

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

A graphic novel adventure in which two siblings, a mysterious Night Librarian, and a motley cast of book characters try to save the New York Public Library

Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work. But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction.

Happy Friday, and happy reading!