Reader Reviews
Looking for your next summer read?
Check out suggestions from your neighbors.
Do you have a book you're dying to recommend?
Submit a review to our Adult Summer Reading Program and you could win a prize!
Reader Reviews : Non-Fiction
All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep by Call Number: 305.8009 HEN
Andre Henry shares his journey as a Social Justice leader. This is a very informative and eye opening book.
Happy People Are Annoying by Call Number: B PECK
I chose this book based on a bunch of recommendations and the book lived up to all the hype. While I couldn’t completely relate to every story in this memoir, the author tied every story to a piece of insight anyone could relate to. I truly enjoyed the journey the author took me on throughout the entire timeline. The author was smart about the timeline he told, as it was not in chronological order, but rather in an order that kept all parts of his life connected and really engaged the reader. I would definitely recommend this as it was funny, insightful, well said, and relatable.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Girl with No Job by Call Number: B OSHRY
I love Claudia Oshry on instagram and in her comedy, however I did not like this book. I understand it’s a memoir but all she did was talk about herself without giving the reader a reason to read her words . There was no insight, it wasn’t really funny, and I didn’t relate to any of it. It seemed more like a book about her accomplishments but was not relatable to an average person.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Good Nurse by Call Number: 364.1524 GRARecommended by Kimberly C.
I thought the author told the story well. Although I did find it difficult sometimes following the dialogues of the wire that was worn by the CI and the phone conversations of the hospital administrators.
Under the Skin by Call Number: 362.1 VIL
Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation discusses the history of how white supremacist ideas and systemic racism have shaped our health systems and led to unequal health outcomes for African American people in our country.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Law of Attraction by Call Number: 133.93 ABR
Interesting book basically saying ask and you shall receive. Your thoughts control what comes your way.
Maus II: a Survivor's Tale by Call Number: YA B SPIEGELMAN v.2
The graphic novel about a son's conversations with his father who is a Holocaust Survivor. Very moving and powerful. I have been to the Holocaust Museum in DC several times, and this story brings the truth to life.I also need to visit the Holocaust Museum here in Rockland.
Inconsistency by
My cousin, Rachel Walt, published this book of poetry. I found it interesting and moving. I am not usually interested in books of poetry, but purchased this one because my cousin is the author. I did enjoy then poems, and recognized some familiar themes in several of them.
101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Call Number: 640 KEL
I took this book out to complete a BINGO and ended up finding it to be interesting and useful. My family already recycles, composts and has had reusable shopping bags for over 25 years. We use cloth napkins and have reusable straws as well. I found this book was well written and interesting-I read it in one day and have already made some new changes.
Audiobook available via Hoopla
Old in Art School by Call Number: B PAINTERRecommended by Beverly A.
A good memoir. I could really relate to Ms. Painter. Slow in some parts where she gets into the technical parts of art.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Hoopla
Reader Reviews: Fiction
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Call Number: CRONINRecommended by Kimberly C.
This is a wonderful book, although sad. I thought the writing was good for a first book, although I would get a little confused when she would jump to a thought in the past and then back to the present again.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Hoopla
Attack on Titan 1 by Call Number: YA ISAYAMA v.1Recommended by Sarah W.
Re-reading this for the third or forth time allows you to notice things that you passed over the first time around. It’s good to re-read since a lot of things just blended together and were hard to remember. 4/5 stars because I have been scarred by the interview in the back. Isayama is asked what his fetish is (an odd question) and he responds “I have a body hair fetish”
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Tale Teller by Call Number: HILLERMANRecommended by Kimberly C.
This is a great series. The series started with Anne Hillerman’s dad as the author and when he dies she took over. I think that she has taken this series to another level. I’m glad she took over and the series didn’t just end. You learn a bit about the Navaho culture which is very interesting.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Attack on Titan 2 by Call Number: YA ISAYAMA v.2Recommended by Sarah W.
Listen, I love this book but hate hate HATE that Mikasa has a crush on Eren. They are basically siblings!! I know there aren’t a lot of choices after being overtaken by titans and all, but it’s not healthy for your family tree to be a circle (again, not related by blood but Mikasa was adopted into the Jaeger family after her parents were killed).
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Homewreckers by Call Number: ANDREWSRecommended by Kristen T.
I loved this book. It had a love story, a mystery and home improvement. The mystery wasn’t obvious. Fun to be able to put all the clues together. Also liked renovating situations. A fun read.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Sovereign by Call Number: SANSOMRecommended by Kimberly C.
If you like reading historical fiction set in the 1500s then this is a great series for you. It is suspenseful and unpredictable. I never know who did it until the very end.
Audiobook available via Hoopla
The Violin Conspiracy by Call Number: SLOCUMB
This is a story about systemic racism and classical music. It is an emotional story, full of joy and sadness.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Soulmate Equation by Call Number: LAUREN
The premise of using DNA science to find one’s soulmate was very intriguing. I enjoyed the characters and the twists in the plot line, but I felt like the ending fell a little flat. I enjoyed the book overall, however, and I would definitely recommend it as a light, fun summer read.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Silent Wife by Call Number: SLAUGHTERRecommended by Judy F.
Good character development but the storyline was disturbing. It went back and forth in time which was confusing at times.
Ebook available via Hoopla
Audiobook available via Hoopla
In a New York Minute by Call Number: SPENCER
Such a great novel! I read a lot of rom-com books and this was one of the better ones. It had a great storyline that was not too predictable and not too corny. Reading this was like watching a movie in my head and I would highly recommend as anytime read!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Wish You Were Here by Call Number: PICOULTRecommended by Kimberly C.
It is interesting to read a book written about COVID while we are still somewhat in it. Her books are always well written so you can never go wrong.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Yonder by Call Number: ASIMRecommended by Anthony C.
This is one of those books that stays with you after you close the cover. The story is harrowing yet hopeful, told through the perspective of multiple narrators experiencing similar events. And, while not a main character, Silent Mary is by far my favorite character in the book. Something about her biscuits… I highly recommend this book. It offers a look at enslaved people through their own eyes.
The Secret History by Call Number: TARTT
Donna Tartt is famous for her Pulitzer Proze winning book The Goldfinch. I think this book is better than that one. It is an intelligent psychological thriller set in the world of academia, specifically around the study of Classics and Ancient Greek. Given the references to ancient texts and languages, this is not a beach read but it is gripping. The narrator is lured into an increasingly dangerous situation and you wonder how he will get out. It is a high brow version of Alex Michaelides’ The Maidens.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Dinner List by Call Number: SERLE
Such an interesting premise for a book… If you could invite any 5 people living or dead to dinner, who would it be? In this book, when the main character shows up to her so-called ordinary birthday dinner, her “dinner list” is waiting for her. I love how to book switches back & forth between the present and past, slowly filling in the gaps for the reader. This was a quick & interesting read, which left me wanting more every time that I picked it up. I would highly recommend!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Lilac Girls by Call Number: KELLY
This book was hard to read at many points, but was a beautiful story of women supporting women during the Nazi regime. The novel takes you through the lives of three women during the holocaust. Each have very different stories to tell. Its easy to feel connected to the characters and feel their pain. I found this book hard to read but I did like learning a different perspective, a woman's perspective, of the horrors of the holocaust.
Ebook availble via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Stargazer by Call Number: HILLERMANRecommended by Kimberly C.
Fantastic series especially if you like the learning about the Navajo culture, Anne Hillerman is a great writer. They’ve also made this series into a show called Dark Winds on AMC.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via hoopla
The Waking Land by ISBN: 9780425284025
Elanna Valtai is the young woman that every fantasy fanatic will love. Callie Bates is a very good author that brought magic to the table in a new way. The plot is great and full of surprises, I like the little bit of romance that's incorporated as well.
Meant to Be by Call Number: GIFFIN
This book was lovely, another great read by Emily Giffin. I loved the alternating chapters with the different character perspectives, which helped the story unfold at a tempered pace. This was a love story through & through, which made me want to keep reading every time I got to the end of a chapter. A must read!!!
Another reviewer also rated this book:
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Take My Hand by Call Number: PERKINS-VALDEZ
Anya suggested this novel about the forced sterilizations of African American women. It is based on true facts in recent American history. It is imperative that we learn about the systemic racism our country is built upon so that we can fight for a more equitable and equal society.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
The Soul of Power by Call Number: BATES
A great end to the waking land trilogy, the epilogue was a little lack luster to end the books but the book itself was great and nice to see a different characters perspective each book!
By the Book by Call Number: GUILLORY
Was a nice easy read in one day book a slow burning romance. I really enjoyed it and would recommend to read if you like romance!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Also available on Hoopla
Love at First Spite by Call Number: COLLINSRecommended by Kristen T.
A fun revenge book. Has some elements of home design with revenge on a cheating ex and good times with friends and a love interest. An easy light read.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook is available on Hoopla
Winter Stroll by Call Number: HILDERBRANDRecommended by Kristen T.
This is from a book series. I really liked the series. It was nice to see a family evolve over 4 books. Be sure to read them in order or it is weird when you know things before they happen.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Apples Never Fall by Call Number: MORIARTY
The Invisible Library by Call Number: COGMAN
Irene and her assistant Kai make for a very interesting story, Cogman creates an amazing multi world series that I have now read two books from and loved both. Magic, fae and dragons are all in it with the occasional wolf and vampire much going on but still clear to understand and dive into.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Hoopla
Sunset Limited by Call Number: BURKE
Recommended by Kimberly C.
Great series. Probably the best author I’ve read who can describe a scene so descriptively that you have a movie going on in your head while reading the book.
Audiobook available via hoopla
Dollface by Call Number: ROSENRecommended by Kimberly C.
This was a fantastic read! Renee Rosen captured the prohibition era perfectly. Couldn't put it down.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
One Italian Summer by Call Number: SERLE
I have loved this author’s other books, but I was less than thrilled with this story. The author focused heavily on describing the setting- an small Italian town on the Amalfi Coast- and I felt she lacked giving the characters the same depth and description. I found it difficult to connect to the main character, and while the premise was interesting, the story did not pull at my emotions the way I had hoped. I was a bit disappointed overall.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Book of Night by Call Number: BLACK
I love a lot of Holly Black's books but this by far has to be my favorite! The romance was better in this book than previous ones and the shadow magic plot was unlike any I have read before!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
When She Dreams by Call Number: QUICK
A nice quick read romance. I liked the mystery although I will say it is predictable about halfway through for some of the murders but not all. I liked how the book ended as well it tied in nicely.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Made in Manhattan by Call Number: LAYNERecommended by Kristen T.
Pretty easy read. Finished it in a few hours. Light story set in NYC.
Song of Solomon by Call Number: MORRISONRecommended by Beverly A.
I really liked this book. Some depressing parts but not as depressing as some of her other works. Lots to debate and think about.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Harlem Shuffle by Call Number: WHITEHEADRecommended by Beverly A.
Read The Nickel Boys and was throughly depressed. This book is not as upsetting but not uplifting either. It gives one an interesting view into being a Black man in Harlem in the 60s.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
One Perfect Lie by Call Number: SCOTTOLINERecommended by Kimberly C.
As always Lisa Scottoline kept me on the seat of my pants. Unpredictable in that I thought the plot was going one way and it went another. Worth the read.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook availabe via Overdrive/Libby
The House of Impossible Beauties by Call Number: CASSARARecommeded by Beverly A.
Depressing book about the AIDS epidemic and the relationships that struggled and died as a result. Good insight into the lives of the gay community in NYC in the 80s; dreams, hopes, loves and struggles.
Ebook availabel via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook availabel via Overdrive/Libby
The Wedding Veil by Call Number: HARVEYRecommended by Kristen T.
This book was so interesting. It used historical events and wove them in with a fictional story. It makes me want to learn more about the Vanderbilts.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Reminders of Him by Call Number: HOOVER
Just when I think she can’t play with my heart strings anymore, Colleen Hoover does it again! Reminders of Him is a fantastic book that plays with the reader’s sense of what’s right & wrong. With alternating character perspectives in each chapter, the story is filled in bit by bit and it reads at a wonderful pace. I couldn’t put it down, highly recommended!!!
The Sacred Bridge by ISBN: 9780062908360Recommended by Kimberly C.
I love this series. If you like to learn a bit about the Navajo culture then this is a must read. They also just came out with a series on AMC called the Dark Winds which is about this series of books. There are 25 books in total.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook availabe via Overdrive/Libby
The Midnight Bargain by Call Number: POLK
A nice mix between bridgerton themes and magic. I really think it's captivating and a quick read. A nice stand alone fantasy book!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook availabe via Hoopla
Welcome to the School by the Sea by Call Number: COLGANRecommended by Kristen T.
A fun read. Great for summer reading. The author is very descriptive and good characters. This is the first in the series. Moving on to number 2.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Let It Snow by Call Number: THAYERRecommended by Kristen T.
I know it's the summer but I've read other books by the author and liked them. This was no different. Fun to read about Christmas in the summer! Just don't come too fast!
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Summerland by Call Number: HILDERBRANDRecommended by Kristen T.
This was not an upbeat book but I love the author so I read it. It was very enjoyable.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available via Overdrive/Libby
Summer on the Island by Call Number: NOVAKRecommended by Kristen T.
I love a beach book. This is set in Florida. It's present day so it deals with life after a pandemic. Interesting characters. A good read.
Ebook available via Overdrive/Libby
