Here are this summer’s reader submissions! Check back for periodic updates. (All information is shared by permission.)
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The Hook-Up Equation
by Roxie Noir
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Break the Rules
by Roxie Noir
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Drive Me Crazy
by Carly Robyn
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A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy
by Tia Levings
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I’ve Got My Mind Set on Brew
by Stephanie J. Scott
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Out on a Limb
by Hannah Bonam-Young
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One Last Time
by Roxie Noir
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Undying
by Amie Kaufman
-Sandra I.
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If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
by Gregg Olsen
This true story really delves into the horrors that three sisters lives through as their mother abused and tortured not only them, but other friends. Some chapters could get a little long winded, but overall the story flows. It is awful to think what these girls endured.
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The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson
by Ellen Baker
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The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah does it again! Her books are so well written and the characters are incredibly developed. She tells the journey of a nurse in Vietnam and everything she deals with after the war. Such a gripping story.
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The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
by Jonathan Haidt
Eye-opening book about the negative impact of technology and social media on today’s society, especially children. Highly recommend.
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Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You
by Ali Abdaal
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Ringworld
by Larry Niven
I can see why it won the Hugo award decades ago, but the writing doesn’t quite hold up to modern standards. Good SF but the characters are very star trek captain kirk era.
-Adric Q.
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If This Book Exists, You’re In the Wrong Universe
by Jason Pargin
If This Book Exists, You’re In the Wrong Universe
Absolute joy to journey through the John and David universe again. Pargin’s sharp humor has me hooked, and his smart ways to incorporate culture in a silly and irreverent way is some of my favorite parts of his writing.
If waxing poetic about how Regulators by Warren G can stave off cosmic horrors, then this book is for you.
-Adric Q.
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Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough
by Michael Easter
Interesting non-fiction book about the emotional and behavioral factors that keep us in the scarcity loop, wanting more.
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The Seamstress of New Orleans
by Diane C. McPhail
This book was EXCELLENT. The plot was engaging and somewhat mysterious. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will definitely enjoy this book. I read a lot of historical fiction, but this book was set in the early 1900s, and many historical fiction books don’t cover this time period so that was refreshing.
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Fire Exit
by Morgan Talty
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Monogamy
by Sue Miller
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How to Age Disgracefully
by Clare Pooley
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The Honey Witch
by Sydney J. Shields
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Lovers and Liars
by Amanda Eyre Ward
Engaging novel of three sisters who are hiding various secrets. Some are current day and some relate back to childhood. I found the book interesting and the characters intriguing. If you enjoyed The Jetsetters which was her most well known novel, you will enjoy this book.
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Table for Two
by Amor Towles
Table for Two is a book of six short stories by Amor Towles. My favorite was the story about Eve. The characters in these stories are interwoven throughout the book.
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The Last Light Over Oslo
by Alix Rickloff
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Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
by Adam Higginbotham
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Challenger is a deep dive into the history of the space shuttle program culminating in the ill fated Challenger mission. Empathetic portrayals of the seven lost astronauts are a highlight. The technical and administrative failures are detailed in a highly readable fashion. Highly recommended!!
-Stanley B.
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A Death in Cornwall
by Daniel Silva
I am a Daniel Silva groupie, having read all his 24 novels, in their chronological order. In this novel it was fun to see his characters resurface: they are like old friends to me, having seen Gabriel Allon and his fellow Israel intelligence operatives solve international crimes and form life lasting relationships. The world of art restoration plays a crucial part in all the novels. Allon is an art restorer and the sometimes shady world of art and museum thefts are illuminating. This novel deals with just that. The art stolen from Jewish families by the Nazis during World War II is the focus of the novel’s intrigue. I willingly go along for the ride with Allon and his beautiful wife Chiara. Not only do you keep pace with the thrills of the chase but you get an amazing lesson in art history, full of factual surprises that most museums and art dealers like to keep secret. A great end of the summer read, but then again, you have to remember I am a Silva groupie.
-Edie S.
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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew
by Emanuel Acho
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Death Without Company
by Craig Johnson
This is the second of the 23 books in the Longmire series about Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire. Terrific story set in the current West with lots of flashbacks in history. Loved it. Also a Netflix series!!
–Carol S.
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The Briar Club
by Kate Quinn
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The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
I checked this book out based on Carol’s review from earlier this summer. I loved it, too! While it’s set on a beach town and has a wholesome ending to it, this is not your average beach read. There’s some dark comedy here. If you liked White Lotus on HBO, this book is likely up your alley.
-Lauren L.
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On Call
by Anthony Fauci
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Unearthed
by Amie Kaufman
Sandra I.
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We Used to Live Here
by Marcus Kliewer
A couple moves into a house in the middle of nowhere. One night a family comes and asks to view it because the dad used to live there, and get stuck because of a snow storm. This book was creepy, and very unsettling. Loved it!
-Anastasia S.
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Within Arm’s Reach
by Ann Napolitano
From the author that wrote Hello Beautiful, comes Within Arm’s Reach. This was her first novel and was republished after the success of Hello Beautiful. The story revolves around the Mclaughlin family and their matriarch, Catharine. The story is told from the viewpoints of Catharine, Kelly, Louis and their daughters, Gracie and Lila. A wonderful story of a family trying to find love and happiness and still trying to connect with each other.
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Local Woman Missing
by Mary Kubica
This was my first book by this author and will definitely not be my last. It was an easy read but really had me guessing about who did what and why. I had a few theories and none were accurate (which is great as it wasn’t predictable) There were a few far fetched parts, but overall a great thriller.
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The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
Great Summer Read!! Phoebe is a depressed divorced woman who checks into a luxury hotel in Rhode Island and becomes a member of the wedding party! Fast moving story of relationships beginning, ending and just carrying on.
-Carol S.
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The God of the Woods
by Liz Moore
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Whalefall
by Daniel Kraus
This was a very weird read. About a diver who goes searching for his dad’s body in the ocean after he is presumed dead. Then he gets swallowed by a whale. Do not recommend, especially if you are claustrophobic.
-Anastasia S.
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Incidents Around the House
by Josh Malerman
Fantastic book to read going into spooky season! It’s about a family tormented by a creature they call “Other Mommy.” Gave me goosebumps!
-Anastasia S.
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None of This is True
by Lisa Jewell
This is about two women who find each other in the bathroom of a restaurant and find out they are “birthday twins.” Lives unravel from there on in. Absolutely fantastic audiobook!
-Anastasia S.
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The Leftover Woman
by Jean Kwok
Both a compelling family drama and an intriguing mystery about the power of motherhood for a Chinese woman without money or support and an American executive with everything going for her who share a common bond: they love an adopted baby girl For readers who enjoy exploring the different facets of Chinese and American cultures..
-Deborah L.
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The Comfort of Ghosts
by Jacqueline Winspear
This is the 18th and final book of Winspear’s British mystery series featuring Maisie Dobbs. Four teenage orphans in London in a city recovering from war, witness a murder and are being pursued to cover up the murder as a suicide. Great historical fiction!
-Carol S.
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One of Our Kind
by Nicola Yoon
For people who enjoyed watching Get Out on Netflix or reading One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole, Nicola Yoon’s One of Our Kind is for you. This is a psychological thriller with a strong focus on race and class struggles in the US.
-Lauren L.
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Sylvia’s Second Act
by Hillary Yablon
Sylvia’s Second Act is what the Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That, should have been. Hillary Yablon writes about wealthy, fabulous women maintaining or reclaiming their independence in their retirement and elder years. Like Sex and the City, the plotlines are a bit far-fetched (how are opportunities just falling from the sky?!), but it’s a light, enjoyable read with a scandalous opening scene that’ll hook you right in.
-Lauren L.
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The Last Mrs. Parrish
by Liv Constantine
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the sequel. So many twists and great character development.
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It Starts with Us
by Colleen Hoover
This is the sequel to It Ends with Us. I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t have the depth of plot that the first book had. It was nice to find out what happened with Lily and Atlas. It was a quick and easy read.
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A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah Maas
I loved this book. I mostly read thrillers and historical fiction, but enjoy a good fantasy series. It’s easy to read for a fantasy series, but the plot and character development are wonderful. There are many moving parts especially when trying to figure out the faerie world, but overall it’s easy to follow. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Crime Novel
by Lisa Jewell
I have read most of Lisa Jewell’s books, but this one is different as it is based on Jessica Jones from the Marvel Universe. The book was engaging and the plot was very interesting. The ending was a little far fetched for me, but overall a good read.
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How the Light Gets In
by Joyce Maynard
If I could, this novel would rate 10 STARS. Joyce Maynard has written a sequel to her last year’s novel, COUNT THE WAYS, with this follow up to Eleanor and her family. Briefly, this is the story of a wonderful woman, Eleanor, a woman of outstanding qualities. She is a good mother, a good wife, an author and artist who is turned upon by her once adoring family. The pain and trauma follows her throughout most of her life. She undeservedly endures the hardship she faces. It is obvious she is speaking for all women and what they face raising families, making marriages work under not always ideal circumstances, and must stand by to painfully watch as her children suffer in sometimes horrible and heartbreaking fashion. The words powerful and stunning are appropriate adjectives for Maynard’s work. An amazing writer she universalizes what all women face during the course of their lives. The absolute heft and sensitivity of her plot left me sometimes breathless and sometime in tears. I cannot say this about all novels I have read, this one is an exception. You are in for an event in reading you are not apt to find elsewhere. I am buying it as gifts for the women in my life who are a metaphor for the protagonist, Eleanor. Kudos to this author for bringing the realities of life to the surface in a heartbreaking, but real, manner.
-Edie S.
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The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Gareth Stein
If you’re a dog person this is your book. Enzo (the dog) narrates the story of a race car driver, his wife, young daughter and the role the dog plays in this family. Read it over a weekend – loved it.
-Carol S.
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The Invisible Hour
by Alice Hoffman
Not my favorite Hoffman book. This one involves time travel, Nathaniel Hawthorne and a cult. It felt like two books in one.
-Caitlin R.
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Long Island Compromise
by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
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Collide
by Bal Khabra
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Hymn of Breath and Bone
by Madeleine Elliot
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Bride of the Fae Prince
by Anastasis Blythe
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A Fate Inked in Blood
by Danielle Jensen
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All the Summers in Between
by Brooke Lea Foster
All the Summers in Between is the first book I’ve read this summer that’s earned a five-star, glowing recommendation! This novel blends characteristics of the historical fiction, suspense/thriller, mystery, and women’s lit/beach read genres, creating a storyline with wide appeal. Plus, the novel ends with the main character making a decision that I just CANNOT FATHOM; fodder for the perfect book club conversation!
-Lauren L.
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Ringworld
by Larry Niven
I can see why it won the Hugo award decades ago, but the writing doesn’t quite hold up to modern standards. Good SF but the characters are very star trek captain kirk era.
-Adric Q.
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If This Book Exists, You’re In the Wrong Universe
by Jason Pargin
If This Book Exists, You’re In the Wrong Universe
Absolute joy to journey through the John and David universe again. Pargin’s sharp humor has me hooked, and his smart ways to incorporate culture in a silly and irreverent way is some of my favorite parts of his writing.
If waxing poetic about how Regulators by Warren G can stave off cosmic horrors, then this book is for you.
-Adric Q.
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The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
Great Summer Read!! Phoebe is a depressed divorced woman who checks into a luxury hotel in Rhode Island and becomes a member of the wedding party! Fast moving story of relationships beginning, ending and just carrying on.
-Carol S.
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Ward D
by Freida McFadden
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The Briar Club
by Kate Quinn
Loved it!! Eight women of different ages and backgrounds living in a rundown rooming house in Washington DC in the 50s. Russian intrigue, racial injustice, relationships,friendships, murder. And recipes – they start a Thursday dinner club and cook meals on a hot plate!! Great book! Couldn’t put it down.
-Carol S.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
by Lisa See
This is a historical novel that takes place in China during the 15th century. It is based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a woman who became a doctor for women, when this was nearly impossible. During this time period, women were thought to be worthless and were told to be only a proper wife. I enjoyed reading this book about a woman who persevered against all odds.
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Normal Rules Don’t Apply
by Kate Atkinson
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The Paris Apartment
by Lucy Foley
Enticing mystery which keeps you guessing who-done-it constantly. Chapters are written in each individual characters perspective making you second guess your theory at every turn. Wonderful surprising ending!
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Tom Lake
by Ann Patchett
Wonderful coming of age story told through a 57 year old mother reflecting on her short lived life as an actress. She retells this story to her 3 adult daughters during the pandemic.
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The Tale of Hill Top Farm
by Susan Wittig Albert
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Never Lie
by Freida McFadden
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The Glassmaker
by Tracy Chevalier
Chevalier, known for her art historical fiction (Girl With a Pearl Earring) begins her novel of the Murano glass blowers in 1497, In an interesting format, she skips ahead in each section, bringing the reader to new centuries of glass blowing, ending with the present day, The characters do not change and their age remains consistent to where she leaves off in the previous century. This is also a history of Venice, a neighbor of Murano, that influences the sale of glass artifacts, beads, and diverse object d’art. Chandeliers, figurines, glass beads for Josephine Bonaparte all are integrated into the story of the Rosso family, who represent a dynasty of glass makers. While it is an interesting family saga, it does become repetitious and there is little drama to stir the reader’s imagination. What is fascinating is the way Venice is influenced by the times, the plague, the world wars, and the current financial situation in the world. There is a glossary at the back of the novel explaining the interesting curse words Italians use to punctuate their sentences, particularly the Venetian gondoliers and the Rosso family members. You learn something on every page, but not enough to qualify it more than just summer reading. Murano glass is beautiful, the millefleur beads are beautiful, their part in the novel does not compensate for a less than interesting plot.
-Edie S.
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The Diamond Eye
by Kate Quinn
Historical fiction – an educated Russian woman joins the Soviet Army and becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. The book flips from her WWII battling Hitler’s troops to her after war tour of US and meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt. Thrilling story.
-Carol S.
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The Keeper of Hidden Books
by Madeline Martin
I love WWII stories and this one didn’t disappoint. It follows the protagonist and her friends as war settles in Warsaw. A great read!
-Erin B.
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Their Divine Fires
by Wendy Chen
Beautifully written historical tale of the women throughout three generations of a Chinese family.
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I Don’t Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony
by Nick Corasaniti
This book is a compilation of interviews about Asbury Park’s local music scene, ranging from the 1960s to present day. While there is of course substantial coverage of The Boss, Corasanti challenges the misconception that Asbury Park is synonymous with Bruce Springsteen. I Don’t Want to Go Home emphasizes Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes’ role in the early years of the Stone Pony, followed by waves of disco, metal, and punk. This book is an enjoyable read for local historians, music lovers, and anyone attracted to the strong sense of community that Asbury has always strived to sustain.
-Lauren L.
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The Cliffs
by J. Courtney Sullivan
J. Courtney Sullivan is my favorite author, and you’ll find reviews for her other books from other readers on this list, as well. Her books embody lived experiences of Irish Catholic middle-class women in the Northeast. For those of us who’ve spent many years in Jersey, her characters feel like portraits of people you’ve known in your life. The Cliffs centers on a highly complex main character— a deeply flawed woman whose personal and professional endeavors sustain numerous plot points.
-Lauren L.
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The Divine Fires
by Wendy Chen
Beautifully written historical tale of the women throughout three generations of a Chinese family.
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Sipsworth
by Simon van Booy
November 9
by Colleen Hoover
Very quick read. Interesting plot line about two people who agree to meet on November 9th every year with no contact in between.
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Funny Story
by Emily Henry
I would recommend Funny Story for its excellent dialog, character growth, and feminist underpinnings – especially notable for romantic fiction. Emily Henry’s characters inhabit the same, but highly believable spaces and share a lot of commonalities – late 20-early 30s (but with friends and family members who are not), living independent lives working at their chosen professions. But she also delivers a lot of consistency in the tightness of her writing, plot development and spiciness. Not every romance writer can write to a consistent high standard, but so far she seems to be doing so.
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Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
I was excited to start it after reading the ACOTAR series but it was awful. Drawn out, annoying characters, barely a story. I’ve heard the series gets better but I’m not sure I’ll be continuing with this one. Read the Kindred Saga instead!
-Anastasia S.
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Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television
by Thea Glassman
Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television
I loved reading this book! It was a trip down memory lane, for sure! Loved hearing a little more about the shows I grew up watching.
-Anastasia S.
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The Murder Inn
by James Patterson & Candice Fox
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The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club
by Helen Simonson
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Crooked House
by Agatha Christie
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It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know about Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told)
by Karen Tang
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The Last to Vanish
by Megan Miranda
I have read all but one of her adult novels and this was just mediocre for me. Her other novels were better for me as I didn’t enjoy the characters in this one too much. She still has some great twists and turns in this one though.
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The Fury
by Alex Michaelides
This book was ok. The characters annoyed me severely. While it was an interesting concept and had some twists, I much preferred his first book The Silent Patient.
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It Ends with Us
by Colleen Hoover
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the sequel. It’s a very easy read and I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
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Our Little Farm: Adventures in Sustainable Living
by Peter and Miriam Wohllebeny
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The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster
by Shauna Robinson
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The Heart in Winter
by Kevin Barry
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Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief
by Joanne Cacciatore
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One by One
by Freida McFadden
This book was just ok for me. It follows a group of adult friends on an unexpected journey through the woods. I didn’t find the characters to be very interesting and the plot wasn’t very plausible. I do enjoy books by this author overall though so another one of her novels would be a great pick.
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Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, & a Swan Song for an Era
by Laurence Leamer
A book based on the life of Truman Capote and his swans (women friends). This book goes into the life of Truman Capote and the women who became his trusted friends. He used their secrets and life stories which were told in confidence to further his writing career. Feeling betrayed most of them turned against him in later years. It’s an interesting read if you enjoyed the FX series Feud: Capote vs The Swans.
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Small Things Like These
by Claire Keegan
I had held off reading this book, though I was enraptured by Claire Keegan’s short stories, because I knew it would be sad. And it was a melancholy read. So worth it, for me, for the precise beauty of the prose and the emotional clarity of the characters and their journeys. Afterwards, I read a long-form piece of journalism about the Magdalyn laundries. While Keegan writes at the end that the book was not based on any real-life people, there is no doubt that her story illuminated emotional truths, moral certainties, in a way nonfiction facts cannot always do.
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A World of Curiosities
by Louise Penny
If you have trouble going to sleep at night, read this book. It’s better than a sleeping pill. One paragraph and I was a goner. That’s not to say that it’s not interesting and educational because it was. But I never have taken so long to get through a book on a subject I find fascinating, and important.
-Sandra I.
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The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Women can be heroes…that is the protagonist’s (Frankie) motivation and the novel’s message. I liked Frankie’s courage, passion, and honesty but disliked her naivete. As usual, Kristin Hannah does a fantastic job recreating another place in time. In this novel, much of the action takes place in Vietnam and is harrowing and graphic. We need more books and movies about Vietnam and its unsung female and male heroes. Life in the 1960s is well depicted and the PTSD of our veterans who were mistreated because they fought in an unpopular and immoral war. I loved brave Frankie but hated how sappy and depressed she became when she thought someone close to her had died. No spoilers here. There is a dichotomy between Hannah’s earlier novels such as The Nightingale, The Great Alone, and The Four Winds, and this book which sometimes is too reminiscent of Firefly Lane.
-Deb L.
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The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Gareth Stein
If you’re a dog person this is your book. Enzo (the dog) narrates the story of a race car driver, his wife, young daughter and the role the dog plays in this family. Read it over a weekend – loved it.
-Carol S.
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The Invisible Hour
by Alice Hoffman
Not my favorite Hoffman book. This one involves time travel, Nathaniel Hawthorne and a cult. It felt like two books in one.
-Caitlin R.
The Hunter
by Tana French
I loved this book. Tana French never disappoints. This book built on the characters and setting from the Searcher. I definitely recommend it.
-Caitlin R.
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Within Arm’s Reach
by Ann Napolitano
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The Library of Borrowed Hearts
by Lucy Gilmore
The Library of Borrowed Hearts
Lighthearted read about a librarian and her friendship with an aging library patron. Easy Summer read.
-Carol S.
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Leonardo da Vinci
by Walter Isaacson
What a surprise: I knew that the author did interviews on the Christiane Amanpour show, but what a great job he did in presenting Leonardo da Vinci. I had just gone to France and visited the Clos Lucé residence that the French king François 1st invited him to live in. Actually it seems the French had conquered Milan for a while and they greatly admired the Italian Renaissance artists and polymaths. Leonardo was a prime example of the Renaissance man. He had many talents: he was an artist, an architect, an engineer, an organizer of elaborate pageants, a designer of military equipment, a keen observer of nature. Because or perhaps thanks to the fact that he was an illegitimate child, he did not go to regular school, so he never learned Latin or math – but by the same token he was not hemmed in by received notions. His imagination and creativity had full reign. In order to paint the human body, he had to know which muscles caused which movements, This led him to dissect human cadavers to teach himself how the body worked. He carried a notebook with him, taking copious notes on everything he observed. His observations led him to a number of discoveries that were only “rediscovered” years or centuries later. He is the first person known to have described all the types of teeth in the human skull. His anatomical drawings were almost perfect and way ahead of his time. I highly recommend this book.
-Vivian H.
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The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
by Dorothy Gilman
How did I miss this wonderful novel first published in 1966? A friend’s recommendation brought me to this absolute treasure. Its author is from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and so is its heroine,. It is the story, both harrowing and humorous, of Emily Pollifax, retired and looking for something new. She boldly goes to the office of the CIA and volunteers to be a spy. Granted, what happens is fanciful, but also totally engaging in its often gruelling and believable events. Being incarcerated in a depressing prison in Albania, with another agent and demonic guards, she manages to invent an escape. What is amazing is the reader buys into this. Pollifax makes you smile, invites you to share the life of a sixty-something woman who suffers the vagaries of being a prisoner, but yet continues to look at life with optimism, when she can. Pollifax is said to rival Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Quite frankly, I prefer Pollifax. A perfect summer read that takes you away from the humidity and woes of the world! Suspend your disbelief and allow yourself to be immersed in wonderful fiction, you will laugh, hold your breath, and finally applaud the ending. (And if you’ve ever played the card game Solitaire, you have an extra bonus in store!)
-Edie S.
1984: The Graphic Novel
by George Orwell & Fido Nesti
Decided to re-read 1984, in the graphic novel format. Excellent illustration and the message still rings true today, although 1984 has come and gone. Highly recommend for all, especially if you enjoy dystopian literature (Farhenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury, Handmaid’s Tail – Margaret Atwood, etc.). Very relevant and thought provoking.
-Erika D.
The Prophet: A Graphic Novel
by Kahlil Gibran & Pete Katz
This is a graphic novel adaptation of The Prophet which is beautifully illustrated and interwoven with one woman’s personal experience with the book. The graphic novel shows how the woman, who has put her life on hold to care for her hospitalized father, receives the book as a gift from a friend. Upon reading The Prophet, she begins to find joy in her life, again, while continuing to handle her responsibilities.
-Erika D.
The God of Endings
by Jacqueline Holland
Wow! Not your typical vampire novel. This book does not glamorize the immortal, rather it poignantly investigates repetitive loss and regret, as the immortal lives on, while those they love perish. Finally, after harnessing wisdom given over their immortal life, the herione learns to take a risk and have faith in the process, which will hopefully lead to a beautiful, new beginning.
-Erika D.
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Summertime Punchline
by Betty Corrello
A female comedian returns to the Jersey Shore after a break-up, rehashing her act in a bar owned by her childhood flame. Their romance rekindles. This is your prototypical beach read, with two perks working in its favor: 1.) It’s set on the Jersey Shore (in a fictional town I’d bet is based on Seaside Heights and Toms River), providing a sense of local color that you’ll pick up on easily as you read. 2.) Corrello has worked to present a diverse character cast, one that is reflective of Jersey. It’s nice to see her attempts at representation (even if a few do veer more towards stereotypes), which oftentimes isn’t included when romance writers plug characters into their customary plot frameworks.
-Lauren L.
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Have I Told You This Already? Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember
by Lauren Graham
This is Lauren Graham’s fourth book, and she’s run out of material. She literally jokes about it in the title and introduction. The last few chapters are the worst. They dissolve into nonsensical rhymes and filler sentences, punctuated by parenthetical comments where she openly acknowledges her draft is way overdue to her editor. Some could consider it an attempt at humor, but this book doesn’t come anywhere close to her earlier one, Talking As Fast As I Can.
-Lauren L.
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Margo’s Got Money Troubles
by Rufi Thorpe
The NY Times has been pushing this book extensively, with two features in the last month. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. The main character is a naive, young mother, yet the plotline suggests a naive writer. The plot wavers, with some unrealistic scenes (misrepresenting legal systems akin to how poorly written soap operas do) followed by a too-good-to-believe happily ever after.
-Lauren L.
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Next-Door Nemesis
by Alexa Martin
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Happily Never After
by Lynn Painter
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Not in Love
by Ali Hazelwood
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Fangirl Down
by Tessa Bailey
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The Perfect Son
by Freida McFadden
I really enjoyed this book. It delves into a mother’s love and how far one will go for their child. Also some good twists towards the end of the book.
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The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
by Elizabeth Kolbert
If you have trouble going to sleep at night, read this book. It’s better than a sleeping pill. One paragraph and I was a goner. That’s not to say that it’s not interesting and educational because it was. But I never have taken so long to get through a book on a subject I find fascinating, and important.
-Sandra I.
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The Sicilian Inheritance
by Jo Piazza
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Still Life
by Sarah Winman
Think Twice
by Harlan Coben
Think Twice begins with Myron Bolitar reopening his agency for sports stars. He finds out that someone he knew and gave a eulogy for is alive and accused of murder. This book is about Myron’s journey to find the truth. He is helped by his best friend Win. There are many twists and turns in this story. The author shows us that everyone should think twice before making a decision. I always enjoy reading Harlan Coben’s books and recommend Think Twice.
The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Excellent story of women who volunteered for armed forces during Viet Nam war & their lack of recognition & demeaning treatment even by the government & Veteran’s Association.
____________
Kristin Hannah at her best, telling the story of Frankie a recently graduated RN who enlists and serves on the frontlines in Vietnam. I was unaware of the struggle women had to be recognized as veterans. Read in a weekend. Couldn’t put it down.
-Carol S.
Burnout: The Key to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
A fast paced plot set in rural Virginia where a man tries to outlive his father’s felonious legacy.
The Teacher by Frieda McFadden
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
A fast paced plot of a very charismatic pedophile.
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
After the death of her husband and son, Helen Cartwright moved back to her childhood home. She is an elderly woman and very lonely. Her days are very repetitive. This continues until she meets and helps a creature. As the story continues, you learn more about Helen’s past life. This book is about second chances and how a person’s life can take an unexpected turn.
City in Ruins by Don Winslow
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
Winslow, the veteran author of twenty-five best selling crime thrillers, surprised me by announcing this book, the last in a trilogy, will be his last. The novel, like its predecessors, City on Fire and City of Dreams, is a satisfying organized crime story, set in Providence, Rhode Island and Las Vegas, Nevada, where we learn the underside of running casinos, their owners, and the patrons who frequent them. Both the good and sleazy are represented. The protagonist, Danny Ryan, is different from the Mafia dons we know. Ryan is good, honorable, and evokes sympathy for his troubled past, quite unusual for a crime figure. The book leaves you cheering for the comeuppance of those who deserve it, all while maintaining suspense and identification with characters of all types. Page turner puts it mildly. Irish, Italians and Jews brilliantly illuminate the varied walks of humanity. Chapters are short, bringing you along in fast and easy steps. There is nothing left unsaid about crime families. their wives, children and business associates, all of them portrayed as human. Hard to believe you are rooting for the demise of those you like. I will be sorry Winslow is no longer writing novels. I am glad his legacy ends with this one. Masterful, a testament to one of the best crime writers I have read. WOWZA!
-Edie S.
Born Rich by Bob Proctor
Born Rich book is the new version of this book which was written by Bob Proctor years ago. This is a very practical book as it gives you knowledge and tools to understand what is meant for you is yours already. There is absolutely no other way to simple things as this book did! Become a doer and universe has already made plans for you! Just keep going! The only thing which I wasn’t expecting and which made me shockingly sad was that Bob Proctor is not with us anymore and while reading this book I came to know that. I have been reading his other books and I used to feel he is around us and maybe someone I will get to meet him maybe. But when I started this book, in a complete shock I realized that his knowledge is here but he left this world already and that day I couldn’t stop crying. May the world learn from his teachings and become a better place for all of us. Thanks Bob and his team!
-Sapana P.
Psychology of the Unconscious by Carl Jung
I have been reading so many motivational quotes from Carl Jung and was eager to read his book. Finally, finished this book and what a simple way to describe the origination of feelings, life cycle and how beautifully he connected everything from Science-Psychology-to daily life! A must read just to understand the Life!
-Sapana P.
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Shadows of Self picks up where the first book in the Wax and Wayne trilogy left off, with both protagonists keeping the peace in the big city. This book feels darker than the first entry I to the trilogy, with assassinations combined with mystery that wasn’t as prevelant in the first book. For fans of the Mistborn trilogy, know that these books will have a completely different feel, with lots of levity sprinkled into the general universe of Mistborn. Also much more gunfighting, if guns are your thing. Overall I found the book enjoyable enough, and as a much shorter read than any of the Mistborn trilogy, a perfect summer tale.
-Ian M.
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
Despite this novel’s violence, obscene language, and a topic that is tragic, the reader is spellbound by the events that propel ordinary people into shattering situations. The setting is Boston and the 1970s busing integration between black and white communities. An Irish community is pitted against a black community. Lehane draws a startling and authentic description of the Irish who are integral to the busing issue. While the characters are hateful, you feel sympathy for them, even a fondness for the lower class lives and commonality of their bleak situation. Some of the events of segregation are understandably cruel, yet you are immersed in a time that threatened our nation. You cannot stop reading what is disturbing, even though you know horrific events are at the core of this novel. Death, disfigurement, and political and domestic warfare are part of every page. an amazing tale told by a master of the genre. Imagine rooting for as filthy mouthed, tough, and fearless Irish woman, who is a mother suffering from the effects of her and environment. Lehane at his best!
-Edie S.
Mr. Monk is Miserable by Lee Goldberg
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
I was pleasantly surprised to read this book. Having just returned from Paris I wanted to ease back into the New World by reading a book that still gave me a whiff of this magical city. I had never read any Monk books or seen the TV show. “Monk is Miserable” is one in a series of murder mysteries, written in the voice of his loyal assistant, Natalie Teeger. Monk is a compulsive, quirky detective, but he has unbelievable powers of observation. On their prior caper in Germany, Natalie inveigles Monk into taking a vacation in Paris with her. On their plane trip, a passenger is murdered, and Monk manages to determine the culprit before the police even get on the scene. Once they are in Paris, and visit the remarkable Paris sewer system as well as the Catacombs – a repository for the bones of millions of bodies from Paris cemeteries, Monk notices a skull which is much newer than the 200-year old skulls around it. It has dental fillings only invented in the last decade. This leads Monk and Natalie to discover a subculture of “freegans”, people who reject the wasteful contemporary lifestyle and instead dumpster dive to retrieve discarded items and wasted food in order to give them a second life. Many live in the underground tunnels of the Catacombs. Monk was miserable because one of his many anxieties was the fact of being on vacation. But solving two mysteries and riding in a “motocrotte” appease him.
-Vivian H.
Go as a River by Shelley Read
Historical fiction centered on young woman growing up on peach farm in 1948 Colorado. Heartbreak, loss and great descriptions of the beauty of that area of Colorado.
-Carol S.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
A powerful multi-generational saga, following the lives of Indian families who live on a river. The drama of their lives rival an Amor Towle’s novel, equal in scope with brilliant writing. While it is long, almost 800 pages, there is no need to rush. Slow immersive reading unearths the beauty of the geography, the passionate lives of the families, and an ending that leaves you breathless, You are not prepared for the denouement, it is indeed staggering.
-Edie S.
Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
Retired English teacher runs prison book club. One inmate is released and their lives interact.
-Carol S.
Maine by J. Courtenay Sullivan
Great summer read about generations of Irish Catholic family in Boston and their Maine beach property.
-Carol S.
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwong
Intriguing story of wealthy people acting crazy in beautifully described locations.
Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj
First of all, before this book I had no idea that only drinking water could resolve so many uncomfortable everyday disease’s like BP, diabetes etc. This book has very well explained how we become dehydrated at cellular level and how we can fix so many problems in our life. Thanks! A must read!
-Sapana P.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk
Absolutely love this book as it has simplified the word trauma for me. And the best part is that it gives you the tools to work on your trauma and how you can help people around you. Again everyone should read this book atleast once just to know where we are on the level of being human and how can we be at service to others.
-Sapana P.
Body by Science: A Research-Based Program to Get the Results You Want in Twelve Minutes a Week by Doug McGuff
Love this book as it has simplified the 5 exercises that could transform your body. He has also explained the gym machines and how they effectively help our body to achieve body muscle mass and maintain. Very detailed yet simple book.
-Sapana P.
Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Gabits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Awesome book! It has given the simplest way to succeed and emphasized on achieving the goals by performing small habits.
-Sapana S.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Once again Freida McFadden weaves plot strings of a thriller that keeps you reading. A tale of love, mental illness and the struggle to survive.
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
If you like historical fiction this is an excellent novel that provides lessons in the political influence of fascism, nationalism and star-crossed women in love.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Sign for Home by Blair Fell
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
-Jacque Q.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
This is the autobiography of Friends actor, Matthew Perry. Depressing and sad at times, he describes in detail his addiction to alcohol, opiates, pills and cigarettes. It’s unbelievable that he was able to perform on Friends all those years. An captivating read especially if you are fan of Friends.
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
A delightful tale of will they or won’t they love story set amongst gorgeously described settings and opulent wealth. A great escape read.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Emily Henry never misses— it was worth the wait to secure the library’s copy!
-Lauren L.
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
The story line was long and drawn out, and interweaving, but in the end (if you stay with it) it all came together. Could be very depressing.
-Sandra I.
Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Interesting story about a woman whose mother was murdered when she was 8. Her father is in jail for the murder and she has no relationship with him. She has to deal with this as an adult among other issues. I did enjoy this book
This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Two years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Prince Edward Island and fell in love. It’s a gorgeous travel destination, and I highly recommend it. Carley Fortune’s romance novel, This Summer Will Be Different, is set there. Besides being a love story between two characters, it’s also a love story with the setting. The descriptions of the setting are vivid and compelling. Whether you’re debating a real trip or traveling vicariously, this one is worth the read for the summer locale.
-Lauren L.
Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
![2 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5.png)
I picked up this book thinking it’d be similar to Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, which is a light romantic comedy about two coworkers forging a relationship I quite enjoyed last summer. I Hope This Finds You Well is billed as a rom-com, but misses the mark. This book features a troubled protagonist. It doesn’t usually take much for me to empathize with main characters, but this was one of the rare times that a character portrayal concerned me. (I don’t think this has happened since I read Ned Vizzini’s It’s Kind of a Funny Story as a teenager). Rather than rooting for the character, I found myself unsettled (at times, even disturbed) by their thoughts and behaviors— to the point I wish I could have jumped into the setting to intervene!
-Lauren L.
Trust by Hernán Díaz,
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
GoodReads.com recently posted a list of the top book for each US state, and Trust by Hernan Diaz was the recommendation for New York. This historical fiction novel, which covers a prominent financier through the Great Depression, is an excellent work in perspectivity and points of view. It’s hard to share much without spoiling the book, but it’s billed as a “literary puzzle” and lives up to that description.
-Lauren L.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Sign for Home by Blair Fell
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
-Jacque Q.
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
-Jacque Q.
How to Read a BookNature of the Beast by Monica Wood
Retired English teacher runs prison book club. One inmate released and their lives interact.
-Carol S.
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
Great Summer read about generations of Irish Catholic family in Boston and their Maine beach property.
-Carol S.
Love Stories in This Town by Amanda Eyre Ward
![2 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5.png)
I’ve read and enjoyed this author’s books but this one not so much. It’s a book of short stories and some of the stories made no point or sense. The second part of the book was based on a character, Lola but it jumped to different parts of her life and different people in her life so it was hard to follow. However, it was an improvement over the first half of the book.
Never Go Back by Lee Child
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
2013 tale of Jack Reacher’s involvement in the rescuing of a missing FBI agent secretly being held hostage & facing certain death.
A Better Man by Louise Penny
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Lucy Foley has outdone herself! I find all of her books enjoyable, but in the past have criticized some (like The Hunting Party and The Guest List) for feeling formulaic. Foley breaks the pattern with The Midnight Feast, bringing readers a thriller that blends elements of both mystery and fantasy genres. Even better, this book has depth: a plot that provides commentary on social class, particularly land use and rights. My favorite of hers by far!
-Lauren L.
The Secret Advantage by Earl Nightingale
This is a series of amazing chapters which details and guides the reader to become successful at anything. A must read/listen if you feel like you need some kind of guidance and don’t know where to look for.
-Sapana P.
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
I enjoyed this way more than I expected. I’d recommend it to anyone who was a fan of the ACOTAR series, it has a similar feel to it.
-Anastasia S.
Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
I immediately picked this up after finishing the first in the series. Loved this one just as much as the first (if not more).
-Anastasia S.
1Q84 by Haruki Marukami
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
A LONG book involving so much storytelling of everyday life with a superb magical realism
-Adric Q.
Stories of Your LIfe and Others by Ted Chiang
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
An excellent collection of near future or alternate time sci fi short stories. Easy to eat up!
-Adric Q.
Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
A fun read involving expatriates of time into our modern era.
-Adric Q.
Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
A fun read involving expatriates of time into our modern era.
-Adric Q.
The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
![5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Untitled-design-14.png)
This is the first book of the Sheriff Walt Longmire series. Loved to see the characters in my mind from the Netflix series and so enjoyed the Wyoming and Cheyenne history and heritage. Couldn’t put it down – it’s a 19 book series!!
-Carol S.
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
![3 out of 5 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/4.png)
While Lisa Wingate is to be lauded for her investigation into the history of Native American abuse in Oklahoma in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this fictionalized version, interspersed with real names from the times, after a while becomes tedious. The reader is certainly horrified by the harsh treatment of Native American children in order to rob them of their land. The chapters alternate with a current National Park Service Ranger who comes upon the ancient burial ground of three children, as part of her service. The plot is the unearthing of the children’s story and the story of how these atrocities were allowed to flourish in plain view of lawmakers and government officials. Accurate, sad, yet sometimes hopeful, I was not sorry to see the story end, with its expected conclusion, of not only righting the injustices, but the Ranger finding love after years of widowhood. A “pat” ending!
-Edie S.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Solid creepy thriller from Riley Sager (as usual!).
-Anastasia S.
Dead End Tunnel by Nick Roberts
![4 stars](https://www.scotlib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/3.png)
Great little horror story for summer! Nick Roberts always manages a good scare.
-Anastasia S.