For immediate release | February 11, 2025
Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table Announces 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List Titles and Top Ten List
CHICAGO - The American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is thrilled to announce the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults (BGNA) Reading List and Top Ten List. This reading list highlights the best graphic novels for adults published in late 2023 through 2024, and it aims to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections. The 2024 BGNA Top Ten List features such titles as: "Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder," "Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees," "Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir," "The Hidden Life of Trees" and "The Jellyfish."
The Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List Selection Committee is made up of GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and their use in adult programming and services. Leslie Flynn, selection committee chair, said, “I was honored to lead the committee as we picked the titles for the 2024 list. We sought out unique books from creators around the world, especially those doing extraordinary things with the format. I believe this year’s list has something fantastic for everyone, no matter their passion or experience with graphic novels.”
The complete 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List, including the Top Ten list, is available online on the GNCRT website. GNCRT President Shira Pilarski said of this year’s list, "Congratulations to the committee on this year's list, a compendium of excellent titles for comics fans with a wide variety of interests. Whether you're a reader of manga or western graphic novels, a fan of memoir, science fiction, horror, or classical retellings, you're sure to find your next great read in this list.”
In creating and publishing these lists, the GNCRT has followed its resolution to honor the entire creative team (including writers, artists, letterers, colorists, and translators) involved in the books listed.
The Best Graphic Novels for Adults selection committee for 2024 is comprised of Leslie FLynn (Chair), Todd Krueger, Kaci Wilson, Ben Nanamaker, Kristin Lansdown, Joe Pascullo, Rachel Gagnon, Meg Miller, Michelle Colquitt, Ryan King, Katelyn Williams, Emily Grosskopf, Kellye Fleming, Molly Coyle, and Mariela Siegert (Administrative Assistant).
The Best Graphic Novels for Adults committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service, and the committee would also like to recognize and thank LibraryPass and Comics Plus for access to their services during the committee term.
Nominations for the 2025 Best Graphic Novel for Adults Reading List are now open! Nominations can be made by all members of the public, committee members and ALA members and must be submitted by midnight CST on September 15, 2025.
Eligible graphic novels for the 2025 Best Graphic Novels for Adults will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between September 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025, that appeal to adults age 19 or older. Nominations can be made by all members of the public, including committee members, library workers, educators, and comics fans through the online form.
Publishers and creators are welcome to submit copies of titles to the committee for review, though they are not eligible to nominate their own titles for consideration. Find more information on how to submit review copies.
LINKS
- 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Top 10 Announcement video
- 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List
- Best Graphic Novels for Adults information
About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table
The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. For more information, connect with GNCRT on Discord; BlueSky: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; or the GNCRT ALA Connect page.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
Contact:
Tina Coleman
GNCRT Staff Liaison
American Library Association
Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table
ccoleman@ala.org
Featured News
March 15, 2025
ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services
An executive order issued by the Trump administration on Friday night, March 14, calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries.
February 10, 2025
American Library Association launches public supporter program
The American Library Association launched a new supporter program on February 10, 2025, inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at a pivotal moment in our country’s history.
January 26, 2025
ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real
The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."
January 22, 2025
New ALA Initiative Asks Advocates to “Show Up for Our Libraries”
Today the American Library Association (ALA) launched Show Up for Our Libraries, a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers.
January 13, 2025
American Library Association extends support to libraries affected by Los Angeles wildfires
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires.
December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
December 9, 2024
The American Library Association Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the American Library Association in the association’s history.
December 5, 2024
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the American Library Association’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
November 14, 2024
American Library Association launches national search for executive director
The American Library Association (ALA) has reopened its search for an executive director in partnership with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising ALA member leaders.
November 11, 2024
Cronk, Jamison, McCauley seek ALA presidency for 2026-2027
Lindsay Cronk, Tulane University, New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, Illinois State University; and Maria McCauley, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts, are candidates for the 2026-27 presidency of the American Library Association.