Adult Summer Reading 2024: Reader Reviews

Recommended by Mark H.

This works as a sort of supplement to the author's "Licence to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films", which itself is a good read. He covers some new ground in film scholarship by using newly available documents. His goal was to debunk myths about the production of Dr. No that came out of famous, if unreliable, anecdotes.
Ebook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Kimberly C.

Tragic story. I had not heard of the sinking of the Lusitania. Very well written.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Mark H.

Whether you're new to reading horror or are just looking to catch up with modern horror, this book is a good starting point. The author breaks down horror to various sub-genres and describes books she recommends largely based on the format Novelist established. It's a highly subjective selection but she describes the books in ways that make you want to check them out. She also highlights several authors and has some pen some essays on their thoughts about the genre. Worth a look if you're even slightly curious about modern horror. And besides, as a friend put it, "it's got gold inside."

Recommended by Alice K.

Home sick in bed, I was happy that my husband picked this out for me at the library. Bob Newhart's death had been announced that day, and I suppose this was featured as a tribute to him. Parts of the book are hilarious; others are just ramblings. You can read it quickly and savor the funny parts. Rest in peace, Bob!
eBook is available on OverDrive/Libby.

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This book is a memoir. Wonderfully written from the point of view of a young boy. He tells the story of his upbringing. The poverty he lived through in Ireland with his numerous siblings. A detailed account of the Depression era and living in the slums of Ireland. With a deadbeat drunken father who was unable to keep a job, and a mother who had lost all hope. The story of hardship, resilience and humor.
Audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Mark H.

I found this bad boy used at a small book shop in New Paltz. It gives a nice mini-history of the oldest continuously running restaurant in the US. The recipes cover many of the basic New England seafood staples. They aren’t too fancy for an average cook at home. They all look delicious.

Recommended by Mark H.

A fun book for kids I'll be getting for my younger nephew and niece. It's made up of close up photos of animals and makes you guess if it's a butt or a face. It was surprising how many I got wrong. There's some nice details about each animal too.
Ebook available on hoopla.

Recommended by Mark H.

A fun book for kids I'll be getting for my younger nephew and niece. It's made up of close up photos of animals and makes you guess if it's a butt or a face. It was surprising how many I got wrong. There's some nice details about each animal too.
Ebook available on hoopla.

Recommended by Beverly A

This is a memoir of a father whose daughter on a sunny summer day begins to exhibit signs of a mental breakdown on the streets of NYC. It is a short book and fairly easy and quick to read.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kimberly C

This was a great biography. I gives you just a glimpse into the life of M.K. Asante growing up in Philadelphia and all that he and his family went through.

Recommended by Alice K.

Beautifully written and true to the time period (the 1950s), this quiet book demands full attention and patience. Everything moves slowly, but so sadly. I was very nearly in a funk half-way through, but I decided not to abandon as Strout is such a painter of real people and real situations. Be forewarned it's not light reading but worthwhile.
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Kimberly C.

This series never disappoints. The killer is never predictable so you don’t know who did until the end.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Kimberly C.

This is a great series to read. It is set during the mid 1500s England under the reign of King Henry the VIII. If you like historical fiction then you will love it.

Recommended by Alice K.

I liked this book until near the end when a startling act occurred (not going to reveal it), and I said, "No way would this happen!" It was uncharacteristic and brutal. Then I began to think more about the book and realized that the characters are one-dimensional and stereotypes. There are plot points that are just too coincidental. So I give this three stars for being readable, perhaps as a summer beach read, but no more.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Alice K.

Liked it but not for the faint of heart or the impatient. There's practically no conversation in this short (187 pages in paperback) novel. Lots and lots of exposition. This is one woman telling us a story, no hurry, no rush. I think it's slow, languid pace suits this summer's (2024) heat wave perfectly, as it requires close attention and no quick reading. The main characters are, however, to me fairly unsavory. Except for Lucy, and perhaps Jamil, I felt no sympathy for any of them. The conclusion of the book is a bit of a jolt, which I think adds a false note to the story, but I leave it up to other readers to decide if they feel the same way.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant.

Another riveting mystery by Claire Kells, this time set in Alaska. Continuing the story of federal agents who always find themselves in precarious investigations, you’ll enjoy this gripping tale and will want to see it through to being solved!
Ebook and audiobook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant.

I always love this author’s slight leap from reality, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed the flow of the book, and the overall concept; however, I did not find the main character to be particularly deep or relatable. Overall, I enjoyed the story but wish I felt more connected to the characters.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Alice K.

This great writing for sure. No idea why I haven't read anything by Auster before, but this book makes me think I have missed out. The prose is gorgeous; the characters are beautifully drawn. I can visualize each one, even the minor ones. This is a slow read; not much conversation to speak of. Musings and writings of an elderly professor now retired and trying to fill his days the best he can. While he grieves for his dead wife, we grieve along with him. As things happen (I won't give them away), we are there with him. I did not want this book to end! What a truly beautiful book.
Ebook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant.

A beautiful tale told by Enzo, the best friend we all wish we had. A dogs insights into the lives of his owners are so crisp and heartbreaking, you won’t be able to tear away.
Ebook available on Hoopla
Audiobook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This is an historical novel, set in Philadelphia in 1837. It's is about three young Black women working towards abolition and freedom. I feel the author paints a vivid picture of the time period, the trials and joys of Black families, and honestly depicts white mob organized race riots.
Ebook and audiobook available to request on Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H.

I started reading le Carré's work a couple of months ago. This was the one I was looking forward to the most and it is a doozy. The story centers on Alec Leamas, a British agent who was put on the shelf after and then participates in a plot to go to East Germany to pose as a defector and sow disinformation to damage a powerful East German intelligence officer. There are no heroes to root for. Le Carré's intent to depict espionage as inherently amoral and counterproductive comes across strongly.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Alice K.

I loved this gem of a book! Perfect for a summer read on the porch or beach. Perfect for a winter read cozy on the couch. Any time you are in the mood for a charmer this book is for you. Library and book lovers unite and support this book. Buy it or borrow it from the library. I bet it's a wonderful audio book, too (don't know if it's available on audio, though). The chapters offer a diverse range of main characters, but the librarian and librarian-in-training remain constant throughout. And sometimes characters from one chapter reappear as minor characters in other chapters. You'll recognize them and smile. What a joy this book is!
Ebook available on Hoopla
Audiobook available on Hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This was an amazing 2nd novel in this series by Freida McFadden! The main character Millie continues to narrate the story, starting a few years after the end of the first book. The story keeps giving little nuggets of information, and it kept me wondering until the very end. I can’t wait to read the 3rd installation of this series.

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

I heard about Flamer on the podcast "Code Switch" from NPR. They were talking about challenged an/or banned books. It's about a boy moving on to HS fro MS who is navigating his way and dealing with bullies and friendships on. his path to self discovery.
Ebook available on Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H.

This one is about a young woman working on her MFA in a writing program. It’s got a lot of really biting and sardonic observations about the people, the cliches, and environment at a prestigious writing program. Then the horror aspects of the story kick in and things get a bit weird.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant.

An interesting look at a diverse community in 1970s Pennsylvania with a town full of secrets and stories. Brilliantly written from the perspective of all of the characters to get an in depth look at the stories that make them human.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Kristen T.

Entertaining book. I really want to this town if it really exists!
Ebook and audiobook available on Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kristen T.

This was a great read. The characters were good and there was a mystery too.
Ebook available on Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

A story about two middle school students who are best friends and musicians. Engaging story and very moving.
Ebook available on Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H.

Le Carré wrote this followup to The Spy Who Came in From the Cold after discovering people thought the protagonist in that book was meant to be a tragic hero. He really lays it on here depicting an incompetent agency run by people blinded by nostalgia for WWII, botching a mission to find proof of a missile installation behind enemy lines that probably doesn’t exist. Le Carré’s thoughts on the futility of espionage and his fine sense of irony really come across.
Audiobook available on hoopla

Recommended by Kristen T

This book was hysterical at times and a really good mystery. Very enjoyable.

Reviewed by Alice K.

My book club selected this one because we were talking about book banning. This book has been banned in many states, libraries, etc. Maybe it's due to descriptions of and naming of masturbation, or maybe because of its not so subtle digs at Catholic education. It is relentless. The main character is bullied, harassed, beaten up, ignored. Every adolescent knows at least some of the pain he's experiencing. I wanted some relief, which I didn't get by the sad ending (spoiler alert). I don't recommend this to young people except if they are very grounded, mature and secure in themselves. Even as a 70+ year old, I found this book hard to take.
Audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive or hoopla

Recommended by Alice K.

Oh my, did I think our current world is difficult? You haven't a clue until you read this. The events probably occurred in the 1600s when Jamestown was settled by folks from England. Horrifying, disturbing, awful are some of the adjectives of life at that time. This is not your beach read. It is a tragic tale of a young woman trying desperately to survive in a world gone haywire. Groff's writing is lyrical and suited to such a stark tale, but the relentless trials of the young woman are simply overwhelming.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Reviewed by Mark H.

As a long time fan of the James Bond movies I felt it was time to check out the original novels. It was interesting to see what elements of this, the second Bond novel, were retained for the movie and what were jettisoned and what ended in other Bond movies. And I knew these novels weren’t exactly progressive, but holy wow, is this book racist. It depicts Black Americans as monolithic and easily manipulated by voodoo employed by the villain Mr. Big, which was depicted inaccurately by Fleming. The racism almost distracted me from noticing the boring and uneventful plot, which just ambles along. And as it was with Casino Royale, Fleming fails to give the lead female character anything but a paper thin characterization.
Ebook available on hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

Beautiful! An unexpected love story. Written in a different style. The book captivated my attention from the beginning. Tells the story of a young immigrant girl through someone else’s eyes.
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive
Audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This book is about two Asian American, educated women who come together with a fast money making scheme. Importing counterfeit luxury bags from China. At the beginning it appears the one coerced the other. It was an easy read, good humor and lighthearted; however, there is so much truth to this story. It is not a victimless story. This is a lucrative scheme. That happens to be crime. Unfortunately it happens all over the world.
Ebook and Audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

I really enjoyed this novel. It was funny, sassy and heartbreaking. Young Bridget at 16 is an orphan. Finds herself penniless in a new city. She finds a job, she falls in love and finds heartbreak. But she finds a family, something she thought she never have.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This was an interesting read. A historical fiction. The author took numerous liberties with the story. I found myself “ googling “ what was true and what was not. The story was about 17 year old Abbas a gifted young woodcarver coming of age. His loyalty to his ruler and his craft.

Recommended by Alice K.

I liked it! Not that I could solve the mystery, but it was very funny. What engaged me was that this book's characters are elderly people who are active, clever, lively and not bumbling idiots. Nice to see seniors portrayed sympathetically and realistically. Yes, they have limits and aches and pains, but they are not stupid or useless. The British "snarky" humor is priceless. The dialog is terrific.
Ebook available on Overdrive/Libby
Audiobook available on Overdrive/Libby

Recommended by Alice K.

As usual, Towles writing is a joy to read. The story is compelling, but my one peeve is that I found it difficult to keep the characters straight. Who was he? Who was she? Did I meet that character before? Not a good sign when this happens. To give Towles his due, the pictures he paints of both New York City and Los Angeles, and especially film-making and studio nonsense are spot-on. However, if you haven't read Towles before, I suggest you read A Gentleman in Moscow instead! That one is FABULOUS.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Alice K.

Loved it! Another very funny novel in the Thursday Murder Club series. A few new unforgettable characters but most of the focus is on the original group: Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim. A few of the more minor (but still memorable) characters from the first two books appear to add their brand of humor and mayhem to the chaos that seems to follow the Thursday Murder Club. Once again the aging characters are armed with wit, sense and style, which is very much appreciated by me (also aging!). Start with the first in the series, but know you're likely to be hooked on these charming mysteries.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

I enjoyed reading this book. On the surface it was about a group of scientists trying to resurrect a woolly mammoth. It was much more. A single mother raising her two daughters on her own, after her husband died in a car accident. Her late husband was also a scientist. The daughters were used to moving around living in different countries. The one thing they needed to do was learn to deal with the grief. All three grieved in their own way and felt alone and misunderstood. Interesting read. Coming of age, being a woman is a man’s world and dealing with heartbreak.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

A interesting murder mystery. (Hadn’t read one in a while) Lucy and Savvy were best friends. One day savvy is dead and Lucy is found covered in blood and no memory of what happened. The crime went unsolved for approximately five years. Until a podcaster comes along to try and solve the case. I got so involved with this book, actually I was trying to solve the murder myself.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

Your typical summer beach read. Funny, sassy, spicy and enjoyable. Fast read. Likable characters. Predictable ending but I enjoyed it very much. I’m a sucker for happy endings.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant

This book is a slow burn, it's really interesting and perfectly captures anxiety and feeling awkward in social situations as well as the trauma and conflict caused by a missing child! When the plot thickens and starts to unravel, it was impossible to put down!
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant
This is a huge family saga-1900 to 1977. over 800 pages. It's about family, history, culture, colonization, medicine. Very engaging book.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kristen T

This was a very funny mystery. The mishaps that happened were hysterical. The characters were really good. An entertaining read!
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kristen T

Great beach read. Your typical boy meets girl and they are wrong for each other but they get there. Entertaining.
Ebook or audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Kristen T

Another entertaining read in the romance category. This book is part of a series but you don't need to read them in order. Quick and easy read.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kristen T

Another good read in this series. Easy and entertaining. Good beach read.
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Kristen T

Fun book to get some back story on a recurring character in this series. I liked the idea of a matchmaker. Fun read.
Ebook and audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Kristen T

If you read It Ends with Us, then you must read this. A great sequel to the first book. I'm glad she wrote this book to give more closure to the characters.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H

This is one of the better books I've read in a long time. It's about a grieving mother who, after losing her young son, takes a piece of his lung and keeps it in a jar. She starts feeding it and it grows into a monster that consumes blood. Her family and closest friends learn to accept and protect it. It eventually grows into a young man with her son's memories but who is not her son, and still wants to consume blood. It's sad and bittersweet, and deals with themes of grief and mourning. A good example of what modern horror can do at its best.
Audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H

I discovered Brian Floca's work at a conference, and have been gradually making my way through his non-fiction work. It's a nice illustration of the establishment of the first transcontinental railroad and how it worked. Floca does a really clever thing in illustrating what riding the train across the country was like while explaining how the train worked. Good for kids and their parents to learn about an interesting part of history.
Audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Mark H

This is such a fun book. A small community in the woods is terrified of the local wolf. Their every waking hour is spend obsessing over the wolf and how to protect themselves from him. It turns out, he's not such a bad guy because his underpants, knitted for him by the owl, changed his life.
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H

Everyone is excited for race day in the forest, except someone who keeps vandalizing the posters for the big event. Luckily, the titular Wolf in Underpants is here to save the day. Another fun book, with another life lesson cleverly written into the story.
Ebook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H

The forest community gets suspicious when the titular Wolf in Underpants has money to spend but doesn't seem to be doing any work to make this money. They accuse him of being lazy and not working, but it turns out he does a lot around the forest helping people. Another fun book in the series.
Ebook available via hoopla

Recommended by Beverly A

The true character of Jim, the slave in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huck Finn is revealed. In this book Jim is really James an intelligent Black man ( far superior to his white counterparts) who must maneuver the southern slave way of life and mentality. I would suggest reading the cliff notes of Huck Finn first if you are not familiar or don’t remember the book well.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Beverly A

Sometimes one needs to lose one’s self in a good book. This book is about various characters who discover a reading list and find comfort and hope in the books they read from the list. It’s a feel good book.
Ebook and audiobook available via hoopla

Recommended by Beverly A

One of my favorites. This is a story that spans generations. It begins with two half siblings. One girl is captured in Africa and sent into slavery in the states. The other sister avoids slavery and becomes royalty in Africa. It is a story of two extremely different lives based on circumstances. It was the young authors first book and very well received.
Ebook and audiobook available via Libby/Overdrive

Recommended by Mark H

You wouldn't think a book about a sociopathic dog told largely from the dog's POV would be compelling, but it turns out it's pretty compelling, because of both the author's prose style and the uniqueness of the premise. Baxter, the dog, doesn't think his owner, an elderly woman who barely tolerates him, is good enough for him. He kills her by pushing her down the stairs. He gets adopted by the couple across the street that he sees as superior before souring on them when they have a baby. Later he gets adopted by another family with a teenage boy obsessed with Hitler. The tension that comes out of what these two sociopaths might get up to together is really gripping. It's a quick read and a must for horror fans. Bonus points if you get the Paperbacks From Hell edition with Grady Hendrix's introduction.

Recommended by Adult Summer Reading Participant.

Although this was unlike many of her other books, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Colleen Hoover. I love that it alternated between 3 different perspectives, and that it addressed difficult topics like drug dealing, addiction, and abusive relationships. I felt like the characters were well-developed, and the story kept me interested the entire time. This was definitely a heavy and, at times, dark novel, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Ebook and audiobook available on Libby/Overdrive