And, all at once, summer is here with a vengeance, dear readers. For those of you looking for a place to cool off for a bit, please know that our A/C is happily droning away. Please feel free to come in and beat the heat–and while you’re here, you can avail yourself of our long list of events, which includes book groups, activities for kids and young adults, and programs to help you stay active in a safe (and cool!) setting.
We also have thousands of materials to keep you busy while you are soaking up the A/C, too–and our staff continues to come up with some phenomenal selections of their favorite summer reading for you to try! Here are just a few more that have been added to our lists. You can find these (and many more) on the new Free For All Display on the shelves across from the Circulation Desk!
From Upstairs At The Main:
A Man Called Ove: Swedish author Fredrik Backman has earned rave reviews around the world for his unexpectedly charming and touching novel about the curmudgeonly Ove, an elderly man who has been ignored by his neighbors for years. But when a new young couple moves in next door, and inadvertently flattens Ove’s mailbox, they begin to see that beneath the grumpy, sharp exterior is a man with many stories to tell, and plenty of love still to give. Backman’s unique sense of humor makes this story into something truly original, and makes for a story that is heartwarming, quirky, and will most certainly change the way you look at the world around you.
Uprooted: Naomi Novik is quickly becoming a household name in the world of fantasy, and this stunning novel has been a huge success with critics and readers alike. Agnieszka loves her home in her quiet valley with her friends and relations. But their peace is maintained at a terrible cost. Her people rely on the maniacle wizard known as the Dragon to keep the evil in the woods at bay. The Dragon requires that one young woman be handed over to serve him for ten years, and the time for the next sacrifice is fast approaching. Agnieszka is convinced that her best friend will be the Dragon’s next choice, and is heartbroken over her powerlessness to save her–but when the Dragon comes, it’s Agnieszka he has in his sights…This blend of fairytale and coming-of-age novel was nominated for a Hugo Award (one of the most prestigious awards in the fantasy genre), and was named among the best books of last years by a number of outlets, making it an ideal place to start for those looking to add a little more fantasy to their lives!
From the Reference Desk:
Shirley I Jest! A Storied Life: Cindy Williams, half of the comedic duo of Laverne & Shirley, has had a wild and lively career in show business. This book is an engaging and heartfelt journey from Williams s blue collar roots to unexpected stardom from being pranked by Jim Morrison while waiting tables at Whisky a Go Go to starring in one of the most iconic shows on television. Even for those who didn’t watch her show, Williams writes with a comic flair that is simply infectious, and her tales of rubbing elbows with the talented, the famous, and the infamous, are totally fascinating, especially because she never loses the common sense and insight that came from a childhood outside of Hollywood’s glitz and facades, bringing the reader on her wild ride with heart and humor.
From the Circulation Desk:
The Luminaries: I think I’ve mentioned Eleanor Catton’s magnificent debut novel in the past, but it deserves to be mentioned again (and again, and again). This is a fascinating story about a strong, enigmatic, and resolute woman, and the many lives that come within her sphere. Walter Moody has arrived in New Zealand hoping to make his fortune, but his trip has been marked thus far by nothing but disaster. But when he stumbles on twelve men holding a secret meeting, he finds himself drawn into a tale of gold and opium, of trust and lies, of truth and fictions, that will ultimately change each and every man involved…and re-define the woman at the center of each of their tales. Catton based the structure of her book on the Zodiac (as it appeared in the late 19th century), making this book as striking in its set-up and premise as it is in its use of language. Moreover, I cannot recommend the audiobook of this novel more highly. Mark Meadows’ narration is spellbinding, and his ability to do All The Voices blew me away!
Until next time, dear readers–safe travels, and good books!