I learned about “The Correspondents” from an A Mighty Girl post about journalist Clare Hollingworth, and it has proven to be a fascinating and compelling listen. The book follows six American and British women journalists (five writers and one photographer) as they reported on WWII. Not only is it the story of their adventures, travels and reports, but it also follows the difficulties they faced as female reporters as they battled the hesitancy of their newspapers to hire women as war correspondents and restrictions, particularly by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, on women in combat zones. The book was not always an easy listen, particularly as it traced each woman’s response to and reports on the liberation of concentration camps near the end of the war, but those experiences seemed a part of the larger whole as the author broke down the reasons why these women continued for 6+ years to report the realities of war.
Three words that describe this book: Can’t stop listening
You might want to pick this book up if: You are interested in women’s history, WWII, journalism, or the everyday experiences of women in a conflict zone.
-Alexis
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
As one might have guessed, “Adventuring Together” is a book about adventuring with your children/family. Ms. Eskridge makes a point that adventures push us out of our boundaries, help us grow and teach us many lessons along the way. You might think adventures have to be these grandiose events that take months of planning, lots of money and leave us exhausted afterwards. I love how the author shows that small adventures can be just as important if not even more rewarding than a large event … and that even a shared book can be an adventure. The important thing is that adventures build traditions and traditions build memories. Besides convincing you of the importance of adventures, Ms. Eskridge gives tips, tools and lists of ideas to get you started. There are even some how-tos in the back of the book to help you jump right in. If you read this book, I’m quite sure you’ll be ready to throw on your backpack and head out the door!
Three words that describe this book: Inspiring, humorous, helpful
You might want to pick this book up if: You feel like your life has become stale and you want to put a little excitement back into it with the people you love most.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
All the buzz about “Remarkably Bright Creatures” wasn’t enough to lure me to pick it up — until this year’s summer reading theme was “Oceans of Possibilities.” The description about an “unlikely” friendship between an octopus and widow was a major snag for me. The “unlikely” part seemed far fetched indeed! Somewhat reluctantly I put a hold on the audiobook as part of a summer reading challenge with a reading partner. I was pleasantly surprised to meet an entire cast of delightful, charming, quirky characters.
By happenstance, on the same day I started the book, I heard an interesting story on NPR comparing the intelligence of octopuses and humans … fascinating! The timing seemed like a direct retort to my skepticism about the plausibility of friendship with an octopus. One of the joys of reading is making discoveries that open paths to continued learning and parallel discoveries — often by fostering awareness and empathy. Rousing my curiosity about octopuses is a bonus — perhaps the friendship between Marcellus and Tova is not so unlikely after all.
Highly recommend as a light and warm-hearted summer read. You will soon feel like you are living in fictional Sowell Bay or wishing you did.
Three words that describe this book: Warm-hearted, quirky, wry
You might want to pick this book up if: You want to meet a cast of resilient characters who take a risk on friendship and community.
-Kristi
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” is about how humans have evolved and how we got to be such complex and civilized creatures. It explains how we overtook the world and the effect it had on other creatures. The book also explains how different cultures compare and how they came to be. I really enjoyed this book because it was a very good overview of human history. It taught me a lot about humanity and made me want to learn more about our species and about the world. The ending really stuck out to me, realizing that our species will most likely go extinct is very jarring. Humans one day being replaced with a species that we created through genetic modification is a very big possibility which I found fascinating.
Three words that describe this book: very mind opening
You might want to pick this book up if: you are interested in history, culture, science, or want to expand your knowledge of the world.
-Abby
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
With promotional blurbs from Joy Harjo and Roxane Gay, and an award from the Academy of American Poets, Emily Skaja’s “Brute” commemorates the desperate clawing and the trying-to-find-any-foothold-you-can feeling of endings. It remains approachable in both form and content, making it a good starting point if you’d like to read more poetry. My only complaint is that I wish individual poems stood on their own a bit more, though that is personal taste.
Three words that describe this book: human, human, human
You might want to pick this book up if: You’ve been meaning to read more poetry.
-Anna
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
Author Abby Jimenez delivers again! I’ve read all of her books and they are all nothing short of delightful. If you want a break from the seriousness of the world and are looking for something that will make you feel good, then her books are what you need. “Part of Your World” might be my favorite out of them all, too.
Alexis comes from a long line of city doctors while Daniel’s family is deeply rooted in his small-town community. At first look, their lives are completely different, but that doesn’t stop their attraction to each other. Not only is the book about finding love, but it’s also about figuring out what you want for your life, not what others want for you.
If you like romance, you’ll love this!
Three words that describe this book: sweet, romantic, satisfying
You might want to pick this book up if: you are in the mood for a quick, light-hearted romance.
-Mary
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
“Set on You” follows a young woman who is attempting to live her life joyfully and positively and project that to others watching her. She is “curvy” and fit and wants others to realize that a person does not have to be model thin to be happy or healthy. She meets a very attractive young man who understands that as well. The books is very funny and a really quick read but it does focus on a few lessons that are very serious — accept yourself just as you are while making yourself the most healthy possible, and cruel, degrading words can hurt even the most seemingly confident person. I liked the humor and the life lessons. It was a much “steamier” read than I normally choose so I would recommend it for young adult and older.
Three words that describe this book: timely, open, honest
You might want to pick this book up if: you need a reminder that you are the best you there is and no one can tell you how you should change to be a “better, prettier” you.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
I am apparently always a year behind on reading author Jennifer Weiner’s annual beach reads. Last summer, I read her “Big Summer” (published in 2020) and now I’ve read her “That Summer” (published in 2021). This year’s release is “The Summer Place.” Keeping all of those “summer” titles straight in one’s head is a task in itself! I am patiently waiting on the library’s holds list for the newest book, so hopefully, I will manage to get to it soon and get caught up with the masses.
Judging from its cover, “That Summer” is a light, fluffy beach read. However, having read several of Weiner’s books previously, I knew to expect some depth, particularly in regard to exploration of female relationships and body image issues. However, this one is perhaps darker than her others (and certainly darker than the cover would suggest), with a lot of references to the #MeToo movement. Rape is depicted and its lifelong effects on the victim and others involved is explored. So yeah, not exactly a light and fluffy read!
I enjoyed the alternating perspectives and the mystery that pulls you in as you unravel the connections among the characters. The characters themselves are enjoyable and relatable, and I especially enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship that was explored. The settings were evocative, especially Cape Cod. The conclusion left me wanting more, but then, Weiner was dealing with enormously difficult and emotional issues without clear-cut, easy solutions in real life or in fiction, so I don’t fault her too much for that.
Three words that describe this book: #MeToo, evocative, summer
You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy chick lit — or if you’ve never tried it before and wonder what you might be missing out on. I feel that books about the female experience are important for those of us who relate to them directly but wouldn’t it be nice if those on the “outside” would also read them occasionally and have a better understanding of what it’s like to live in our shoes?
-Erin
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
Ahoy, mateys! Arrr ye ready for a voyage through history? Inspired by this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, I read “Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas.” Tis always been a pirate’s life for me, but I never before heard tales of ladies taking to the high seas. Thanks be to author Laura Sook Duncombe, for catchin’ me up on the stories of the many women who sailed beneath the jolly roger.
Spannin’ from the bronze age through the 21st century, Duncombe takes us on a voyage through the lives of dozens of women pirates. She also explores the cultural biases held by the landlubbers who recorded the stories of these pirate ladies. Like a well-honed cutlass, Duncombe cuts through the fog of historical revisionism and legend with a perfect mix of information sharin’ and storytelling.
I did find me self wondering about Duncombe’s definition of piracy. Her answer stirred something deep within the depths of me soul: “The heart of piracy is freedom.” Tis this sentiment that drove all the featured lassies as they sailed under a black flag, pillaging across the seven seas. Avast me, hearties! Pick up “Pirate Women” and set sail for the shores of knowledge. Tis time I shoved off. Fare thee well, mateys!
Three words that describe this book: Informative & entertaining
You might want to pick this book up if: You like reading the untold stories of women from history. Especially if those women happen to be pirates.
-Joe
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
Set in England in the late 19th Century, “A Curious Beginning” follows the unexpected journey of lepidopterist, independent woman and budding lady detective, Veronica Speedwell. While this is the first adventure on which we join her, she has traveled the world in search of butterflies and experienced what the world has to offer in ways uncommon for a woman of her time.
This book is a light, fun, spunky page-turner that chronicles her unlikely alliance with Stoker, a grumbly fellow natural historian who begrudgingly joins forces first as a “protector” and then as a partner. They run from police and other opponents with mysterious and dark intentions, ultimately uncovering the truth about Veronica’s identity as well as solving a murder mystery. This book was a delight to read and perfect for a summer reader looking to balance a smart, feminist story, with a light and lively tone!
Three words that describe this book: Light, spunky, smart
You might want to pick this book up if: You’re looking for a smart, fun, page-turning summer read!
-Sara
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. Submit your own book review here for a chance to have it featured on the Adults Blog.
