Have fun with SUMMER READING

Looking for summer reading ideas? Please check out our suggestions on this libguide.

And be sure to catch up on reviews in 2022 as we Continue the Conversation. 

Enjoy!!! Happy Reading!!

1000 Books to Read ...

We have a huge interactive display in our library for the Great American Read and should anyone finish those titles, they might want to start in on the recently published 1,000 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU DIE by James Mustich. His compilation has a page or so devoted to each of the wide–ranging (the publisher says: poetry, science fiction, memoir, travel writing, biography, children's literature, the novel) 1,000 titles.  One aspect I really liked was Mustich’s comments on “if you like this, you’ll like that” recommendations in addition to his frank assessments.  Several years ago someone gave me the gift of the original 2006 version of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die edited by Peter Boxall.  Both collections are immense fun to explore.

This fall has definitely felt like a case of "so many books, so little time" for me. I hope to make that up and will be adding several posts about a variety of exciting new books spanning several interests.  In the meantime, have fun browsing through the many, many suggestions that Mustich profiles.

The High Season by Judy Blundell

THE HIGH SEASON by Judy Blundell is the first adult novel from this winner of the National Book Award for Young People (What I Said and How I Lied). This new novel takes place on Long Island as Memorial Day weekend arrives and Ruthie Beamish, her ex-husband Mike, and teenage daughter Jem prepare to vacate their beach house. They rent it each summer to help cover expenses and this year’s tenant is Adeline Clay, the widow of a renowned artist for whom Ruthie (now the local museum director) once worked. 

Romance, celebrity, social climbing by haves and have-nots, an affair, questions of ethics and potentially dangerous choices quickly fill this book. There’s also plenty of art, feelings of entitlement and jealousy, plus many more characters and sub-plots as Ruthie schemes and contemplates revenge. Even with so much to track, THE HIGH SEASON received starred reviews from Library Journal (“sophisticated and delicious portrayal of subtle class warfare at the shore”) and Kirkus. Interested? You can read an excerpt (and see a reading guide) on the publisher's site.

As you establish your own beach reading list, don’t forget to consul recommendations from:

IndieNext: https://www.indiebound.org/indie-next-list
LibraryReads – monthly lists: http://libraryreads.org/
Great American Read (from pbs) with America’s 100 most loved books: http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/

GoodReads; see especially the annual Choice Awards by category: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2017

The Great American Read ... watch tonight

 

 

Will you be watching the start of The Great American Read tonight on PBS’ WTTW at 8pm? Here’s the list of America’s 100 most loved books, complete with cover art for each. Many of these should look familiar, especially to our students who are assigned to read several of the titles for English classes. The Great American Read program is designed to promote reading and encourage discussion of favorite books. In addition you will be able to vote your favorite between now and October 18; more information is here. And the trailer about the program appears below.