Staff Picks from the Valley Cottage Library
Here are the Valley Cottage Library staff's summer picks.
One Minute Book Reviews
Non-Fiction Staff Picks for Summer Reading
Click on the book title to place a hold on the print version. Where available on Libby/Overdrive or Hoopla, we've linked to the ebook and/or audiobook in the body of the recommendation. As always, please contact us if you need help downloading content.
Girly Drinks by Call Number: 394.13 OMERecommended by Megan
Each chapter focuses on an historical figure instrumental in the world of what you may or may not call "girly drinks". Well-researched and entertaining.
Audiobook available via hoopla
The Best of Me by Call Number: 814 SEDARISRecommended by Adrienne
Best stories from the author's career. A warm and delightful look at the surprises in everday life.
The Owl Who Liked Sitting on Caesar by Call Number: 598.97 WINRecommended by Georgette
A touching memoir about a British historian's 15-year relationship with a tawny owl.
Do Nothing by Call Number: 158 HEARecommended by Megan
An engaging voice that provides history and context surrounding the development of America's [over]work culture and how to shift your mindset.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Shadow Divers by Call Number: 940.5451 KURRecommended by Christy
Get a towel for this page-turner that will leave you gasping for air in a suspenseful underwater adventure!
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Call Number: 650.1 CHORecommended by Carida
One of my favorite activities is staring at the water. The ocean, the lake, the pond, and even a pool. I love it because it's not only relaxing, but it makes me thik of my hopes and dreams. I imagine the infinite possibilities I have as an individual and even we as people can strive for.
Deepak Chopra embodies that mindset with his book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. He begins with the first law: "The Law of Pure Potentiality," which he defines as "the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity." He gifts to us humans the Oceans of Possibilities!!!
Audiobook available Overdrive/Libby
I Wore My Blackest Hair by Call Number: 811 DUANRecommended by Adrienne
A beautiful collection of poems that explore love, identity, family, and Chinese American girlhood.
Sex on the Moon by Call Number: 364.1628 MEZRecommended by Meredith
A fascinating true story that reads like a novel. Couldn't put it down!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Disability Visibility by Call Number: 305.908 WONRecommended by Megan
Eloquent and affecting, I loved hearing from the collected authors about their experiences. I look forward to seeking out more of their works.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Also available for YA
God, Human, Animal, Machine by ISBN: 9780385543828Recommended by Sean
Can technology answer the questions once pondered by philosophers and theologians? Meghan O'Gieblyn, a Wired columnist and former Evangelical Christian finds overlap between faith and the promises of the latest tech.
Say Nothing by ISBN: 9780307279286Recommended by Sean
Deep dive into "The Troubles." Pairs well with Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical film, Belfast.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Fiction Staff Picks for Summer Reading
Click on the book title to place a hold on the print version. Where available on Libby/Overdrive or Hoopla, we've linked to the ebook and/or audiobook in the body of the recommendation. As always, please contact us if you need help downloading content.
Take My Hand by Call Number: PERKINS-VALDEZRecommended by Anya
An important look at women's rights and the widespread injustice committed against poor women of color.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Family Chao by Call Number: CHANGRecommended by Katrina
An interesting family! Insightful points about family, immigration, self-worth, & community.
Great audio production!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Thoughtless by Call Number: STEPHENSRecommended by Kristin
They say life will laugh at all of the plans you make and throw you on a new course as soon as you feel you have it all figured out. This story was one of those. Very well written and relatable.
The Cabin at the End of the World by Call Number: TREMBLAYRecommended by Megan
It's the end of the world! Or is it...? This is one of the most unsettling books I've ever read.
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby
How High We Go in the Dark by Call Number: NAGAMATSURecommended by Anya
A moving journey into the not-so-distant future and a thought-provokingly real vision of what's to come.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Under the Wave at Waimea by Call Number: THEROUXRecommended by Regina
If you can't run away and be a surfer in Hawaii, read this and you'll feel like you are there! Aloha
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via hoopla
Four Treasures of the Sky by Call Number: ZHANGRecommended by Nancy
An engaging novel based on the experience of Chinese-American characters in an untold story of America's past.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Call Number: SMYTHERecommended by Katrina
The art was engaging, the modern twist was appealing, and the story was romantic and intriguing. Can't wait for volume 2!
Full Throttle by Call Number: HILLRecommended by Megan
These short stories are all top notch! Includes a story co-written with Stephen King: "In the Tall Grass" which is now a Netflix film.
Highly recommend the audiobook for its full cast, all-star narration (available on Overdrive/Libby & hoopla!).
Ebook available via hoopla
His Favorites by Call Number: WALBERTRecommended by Georgette
Well-written narrative about a teenage girl and a teacher's betrayal.
Audiobook available via hoopla
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Call Number: GOWARRecommended by Katrina
Beautifully written and interesting. Great historical fiction with a little something extra!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available vai Overdrive/Libby
Angels of the Pacific by Call Number: HOOPERRecommended by Regina
Based on the true stories of US Army & Navy nurses in the Philippines during WWII.
Excellent story
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
This Tender Land by Call Number: KRUEGERRecommended by Megan
A view of the Midwest through the eyes of a group of Vagabonds who travel from Minnesota Louisiana. A true odyssey.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Himawari House by Call Number: YA BECKERRecommended by Sarah
I read it in a night because I was unable to put it down. It has such amazing art and an equally incredible story that can help educate about other cultures and generational trauma. It reminds you to keep in contact with the ones you love.
Dark Lover by Call Number: WAR-PBKRecommended by Kristin
Riveting. Imaginative. Thrilling. This introduction to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is just what you're looking for if you're a fan of the Twilight saga, Anne Rice, or Laurell K. Hamilton's work. This author adds new elements to the world of vampires and the supernatural that you do not want to miss.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via hoopla
Booth by Call Number: FOWLERRecommended by Anya
An engaging new perspective on a familiar part of American history.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
A Thousand Ships by Call Number: HAYNESRecommended by Caroline
I am hooked on Greek mythology from the women's perspective!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via hoopla
The House in the Cerulean Sea by Call Number: KLUNERecommended by Megan
This book is a warm hug showing that your assumptions or first impressions are not always correct. Features an unforgettable cast of characters.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Night Music by Call Number: MOYESRecommended by Mary
An unusual story line. Especially recommended for passionate lovers of classical music.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Once There Were Wolves by Call Number: MCCONAGHYRecommended by Katrina
A emotional roller-coaster. The language, the relationships, the sheer devastation and grace that humans are capable of are highlighted in this novel.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Golden Couple by Call Number: HENDRICKSRecommended by Jen
If you are looking for a psychological thriller for your next beach read, this book is for you! A married couple goes for counseling with an unorthodox therapist.
I enjoyed the complexity of the characters and all of the twists and turns. Happy summer reading!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Ordinary Monsters by Call Number: MIRORecommended by Anya
A dark, page-turning, fantastical thriller. Recommended for grown fans of Harry Potter. Also great on audio!
True Biz by Call Number: NOVICRecommended by Adrienne
A fast-paced coming-of-age story that explores the beauty and complexity of the deaf community.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
A Rip Through Time by Call Number: ARMSTRONGRecommended by Katrina
A solid mystery with great characters and a fun twist!
Secret Life by Publication Date: VANDERMEERRecommended by Sean
While the Jeff VanderMeer short story that this comic is based on was written in (or before) 2004, to me it feels like an accurate representation of life since March of 2020... enjoy!
The Secrets of Midwives by Call Number: HEPWORTHRecommended by Mary
Interesting description of non-traditional way of giving birth, and discussion of views of OBGYNs vs. midwives.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Ovrdrive/Libby
The Fervor by Call Number: KATSURecommended by Megan
Rich in historical detail with a healthy amount of horror elements to add the drama, this allows the real life horror of the Japanese internment camps plenty of room to spread.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
It Ends with Us by Call Number: HOOVERRecommended by Kristin
This was an incredible fictional romance story highlighting the long-term mental effects of physical abuse and how those experiences can shape who we become. Very moving and vulnerable.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Liby
Nothing to See Here by Call Number: WILSONRecommended by Katrina
Brilliant. Interesting, funny and utterly unique.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
