Adult Summer Reading 2023: Staff Picks
Staff Picks from the Valley Cottage Library
Here are the Valley Cottage Library staff's summer picks.
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.
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Alive at the End of the World
by
Call Number: 811 JONESRecommended by Katrina
Gut wrenching -- Brilliant -- Important
Some of these lines will stay with me for a long time.
Ebook available via hoopla -
A Book of Days
by
Call Number: B SMITHRecommended by Georgette
A wonderful compilation of the author's photos paired with daily historic/personal/meditative notes.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Burn the Place
by
Call Number: B REGANRecommended by Katrina
Engaging and well-written. Would definitely recommend to those who appreciate reading about lives full of food and/or addiction.
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
Dirtbag, Massachusetts
by
Call Number: B FITZGERALDRecommended by Meredith
If you like memoirs, this is an interesting collection of essays about the author's life. He tells it well on audiobook as well.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
How Minds Change
by
Call Number: 153.4 MCRRecommended by Sean
Good faith rhetoric in our time of "post-truth". If facts don't convince, how do we continue to communicate about the issues that are most divisive? Includes some practical approaches. -
An Immense World
by
Call Number: 591.5 YONRecommended by Sean
At last! An attempt to answer the important philosophical question, "what is it like to be a bat?" (Nagel, 1974). A wondrous vacation from human perception, and Yong writes with such enthusiasm: "I could go on. I'm going to go on." (p. 94 discussing animal perception of UV light).
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Lab Girl
by
Call Number: B JAHRENRecommended by Christy
Part botany, part biography, this book kept me captivated learning new facts about trees and plants while showing the human and female perspective of science. Read it in 3 days!
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Madam
by
Call Number: B ADLERRecommended by Katie
The fascinating life of a formidable woman who gained incredible influence despite living on the fringes of society. Well-researched and entertaining.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Orwell's Roses
by
Call Number: B ORWELLRecommended by Georgette
Beautifully written biography about George Orwell. Great read for lovers of 20th century history and gardeners! -
Poverty, by America
by
Call Number: 362.5 DESRecommended by Anya
An uncomfortable but important analysis of poverty in America. Accessible and instructive, this (brief) book makes you think, and then makes you think some more.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Time Is a Mother
by
Call Number: 811 VUONGRecommended by Sean
Written after the death of Vuong's mother, the collection offers moments of hope found in the grimmest of places (especially, "Beautiful Short Loser," "Nothing," and "The Last Dinosaur"). Poems are performed by the author in the audiobook version.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on 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.
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American Mermaid
by
Call Number: LANGBEINRecommended by Anya
A super funny Hollywood satire, story about climate change, and feminist fantasy all rolled into one book. It's original and weird, in the best way! -
Dinosaurs
by
Call Number: MILLETRecommended by Anya
One of those quiet stories that sneaks into your consciousness, and then stays there. Also recommended : A Children's Bible by the same author.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
Four Treasures of the Sky
by
Call Number: ZHANGRecommended by Nancy
Set in late 1800's China, a young teenager is forced to make a life on her own after her parents are arrested during a politically turbulent time. Disguising herself as a boy, she manages to subsist until she is kidnapped and smuggled aboard a San Francisco-bound ship and forced to work in a brothel. Read how Daiyu tries to make a life in America, when anti-Chinese sentiments abound.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
Heart Bones
by
Call Number: HOOVERRecommended by Kristen
Heavy-themed by beautiful, passionate and inspires critical thinking in life's hardships. Out of all Colleen Hoover's novels, this is one of my favorites.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby -
I Have Some Questions for You
by
Call Number: MAKKAIRecommended by Anya
A page-turning, modern murder mystery that's much, much more. The audiobook version is narrated by fan-favorite Julia Whelan; highly recommend!
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Lone Women
by
Call Number: LAVALLERecommended by Anya
A beautifully atmospheric and thought-provoking cross-genre read, with elements of horror and fantasy set in a literary historical western. The author examines themes of race, gender, class, and sexuality in early 20th century America. It will have you on the edge of your seat and glued to the page!
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Now Is Not the Time to Panic
by
Call Number: WILSONRecommended by Katrina
For a book without much action, I found it very suspenseful! Humorous + brilliant + strange + creative = this book!
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
Remarkably Bright Creatures
by
Call Number: VAN PELTRecommended by Shelley
I would not have thought I would enjoy a story narrated by an aging octopus but this book was wonderful. You will be pulled into the story of its life and how he influences those around him.
Ebook available on Hoopla
Audiobook available on Hoopla -
The Rent Collector
by
Call Number: WRIGHTRecommended by Shelley
This story takes place in a dump in Cambodia. The main characters are a young family, father, mother, and toddler who live there. A relationship occurs between the rent collector and the mother. Excellent, heartfelt story.
Ebook available on Hoopla -
Strange the Dreamer
by
Call Number: YA TAYLORRecommended by Carly
Lain Taylor poetically tells the story of a young librarian that dreams of a forgotten, mystica land. Far away, a girl with the ability to see into other's dreams lives hidden inside the forgotten city. Fate drives the two together, as their realities force them apart.
Audiobook and ebook availabel via Overdrive/Libby -
Thistlefoot
by
Call Number: NETHERCOTTRecommended by Katrina
This book was inventive, creepy, and immersive. If you appreciate some strangeness and metaphor in you fantasy, this is a solid pick.
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive -
Thoughtless
by
Call Number: STEPHENSRecommended by Kristen
This title (and series) is not for everyone. You've been warned. An emotional rollercoaster with the complex details of love and growing up. This author writes "angst" better than most. -
Warrior Girl Unearthed
by
Call Number: YA BOULLEYRecommended by Katrina
An energetic mystery in an immersive setting. Wonderful characters guaranteed to teach you something. Great audio production as well!
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby -
Lady Tan's Circle of Women
by
Call Number: SEERecommended by Jennifer
thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel. I learned an incredible amount about ancient Chinese culture and medicine. The story will forever stick with me because of the strength of a female character in a society allowing very little freedom for women.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive -
The Soulmate
by
Call Number: HEPWORTHRecommended by Jennifer
I always enjoy a great thriller. This book kept me in suspense. It starts out with a seemingly perfect marriage -- with page-turning twists the reader begins to question whether the victim in the story jumped or was pushed off the tall cliffs.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive
