Summer is finally here, even though it got off to a cold and rainy start! With summer comes summer reading at the library! The theme this year is A Universe of Stories. Sign up online or in any branch of the library, including the bookmobile. You can pick up prizes until August 18. Summer reading is not just for the kids, adults can set goals, read, and get prizes too! Perhaps though, you’re in a book rut. Maybe you finished the best book two months ago and just can’t find anything as good? I’ve been there, it’s a hard place in life. So, to help you get started on your summer reading goals, here are some books I’ve enjoyed.
We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
An 8 year old immigrant boy, a middle-aged divorcé, a Vegas social worker, and a wounded soldier come together in the wake of a terrible incident. The beauty of this book was how the author dealt honestly with terrible realities like abuse, war and death, and yet left the reader feeling hopeful about humanity.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
A story of two women in war-torn Kabul who start out as enemies but, because of the hardships they face together, come to love each other deeply as one is called to make a terrible sacrifice. Again, though this book deals with dark topics, it will leave you uplifted. Don’t forget your Kleenex box.
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
Though this book is historical fiction, it gives great insight and information on the tension between Israel and Palestine by following one family through 3 generations of upheaval and war. The story starts just before the Six-Day War of 1967 when the family is displaced. They are again exiled when Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait in 1990. The book humanizes this age-old conflict, and brings to life the reality of those who can never go home again.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A blind French girl and a German boy who is enlisted in the army during WWII careen toward each other on dangerous paths. This book is beautifully written and reminds us that there is still good in people who do horrible things.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
If you’ve never read a graphic novel you may feel reticent to try one, but believe me, this is the one to start with. Brosh writes about deep and poignant issues as well as light ones, but her writing and illustrating makes each topic equally hilarious. These topics range from simple-minded dogs and kids eating face cream, to depression and self-worth. This is a fast and easy read if you need to fit one last book in to meet your summer reading goal!
I hope you enjoy these and many more books this summer. If you find one especially great, stop by and tell us about it! We’re always looking for our next favorite book.
~Robin P.