The moment. The breath. “Start Here, Start Now” focuses on these and teaches you how to come back to those whenever you should stray. With touches of a Buddhist connection, it stays mostly on the path toward finding a better you, the you that’s already there, through the simplest thing you’re already doing. You just have to focus. I enjoyed this book for the meditation instruction and tips, but was most thrilled with the humor. “Somewhere in this process, you will come face to face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy,” is among the sharper lines that caught me off guard in this sea of calm prose.
Three words that describe this book: Calm, considered, filling
You might want to pick this book up if: You want to learn about mindfulness meditation, need a refresher, or want a fun read.
-Jim
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“The Anthropocene Reviewed” is a series of essays where John Green discusses, and ultimately reviews, various items and phenomenon that make up our current geological age, the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene is all about how humans have shaped the world and its biodiversity by our influence and mere existence. What I enjoyed about Green’s reviews is that while he clearly takes humanity’s effect on the planet serious, his essays are not doom-and-gloom serious. He is addressing common, often universally experienced phenomenon (such as Canada Geese and the QWERTY keyboard) in a thoughtful yet lighthearted way. His essays diverge at times in ways that make you think “where is this going and how did I get here from where we just were?” but it always comes back together. I enjoyed Green’s humor and insight, learned a few things, and appreciated the opportunity to consider some aspects of everyday life I’d never really thought about before.
Three words that describe this book: Intelligent, challenging, informative
You might want to pick this book up if: You might, as I did, pick this book up if you are a fan of John Green’s other works. If you like his writing and are interested in the human behind the YA stories, you will be rewarded for your time — you will learn both about the world around you, how Green sees it, and more about the author himself. If you are hoping for another witty set of teenagers facing the challenges of youth, you will be disappointed.
-Sarah
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“Convenience Store Woman” is a story about a woman who truly finds her calling, working part-time at a convenience store. If only everyone else in her life could accept this, things would be peachy. But her parents and sister always hold out hope that she will eventually “get better” over her autistic traits. Keiko tries with all her might to understand and obey the rules of being human, observing that “foreign objects get expelled.” This book will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like a misfit.
Three words that describe this book: quirky, funny, thought-provoking
You might want to pick this book up if: You want a quick read or you like stories about quirky people.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“The Eye of the World” is the first book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. The series is described as a redefinition of the genre of fantasy adventure. The book follows five young people from a small farming community as they are caught up in an adventure that involves trollocs (like orcs for those who have read Lord of the Rings), friendly ogres and powerful witches. The action is non-stop, the character development is excellent, and the plot is enchanting on its own, and mind-boggling when one considers that it is setting up another 13 books. My word of advice: read the prequel “New Spring” first.
Three words that describe this book: Mythical, engrossing, enchanting
You might want to pick this book up if: you were in the mood for a long, fun, and always entertaining adventure.
-Lynn
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“The Bees: A Novel” is a truly imaginative thriller that tracks the life of Flora, a sanitation worker bee of the lowest caste, in the hive system. Disney it is not. Dystopian it certainly is. If you are looking for a breezy read about flowers and insects and nature, look elsewhere. What makes the book so engrossing, though, is the author’s deft use of scientifically accurate details to create a sometimes disturbing though always fascinating tale. (Note: I frequently found myself fact checking on the Internet while reading the book. “Are queen bee larvae fed royal jelly?” Check. “Are wasps predators of bees?” Check. In every instance, the detail was accurate). Instead of making up “facts” to fit the story, the author created a story to fit the facts, which makes it that much more compelling.
Three words that describe this book: Imaginative, dystopian, compelling
You might want to pick this book up if: You are fascinated by bees or enjoy a dystopian thriller.
-Jeff
“Hamnet” is the fictionalized account of Shakespeare’s passionate relationship with his wife Agnes and an investigation of their grief over the loss of a son. The writing is simply gorgeous, and O’Farrell excels and creating intimate portraits and settings you can almost feel. An unforgettable interlude follows the path of a single plague-carrying flea from Alexandria to Stratford and shows the author’s incredible imagination and skill. An outstanding work of historical fiction.
Three words that describe this book: Lush, immersive, moving
You might want to pick this book up if: You love historical fiction, descriptive writing, and enjoy stories of noteworthy literary figures told through the eyes of “secondary” characters.
-Lauren
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading 2021. We will continue to share these throughout the year.
“Royal Sisters” describes the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret. As a life long Anglophile, I found this book to be informative and entertaining. Much of the Queen’s early life was discussed, revealing how she evolved from minor royal to Her Majesty. Much had been written about her, so no real surprises. The fascinating aspect of this book was the life of Princess Margaret. She is a tragic figure, often misunderstood and exploited by the press. They shared a bond and history that only the two of them could understand. The peek into the palace was fascinating. I highly recommend this book.
Three words that describe this book: Touching, personal, and captivating
You might want to pick this book up if: You are an Anglophile or interested in British Royalty.
-Donna
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.
In the book “Life’s Too Short,” we’re introduced to Vanessa and Adrian. Vanessa is a travel vlogger with an unorthodox and frustrating family. Adrian is a lawyer with a black and white life. Both have unhappy pasts and Vanessa’s future seems tragic. In her third book by Abby Jimenez readers once again truly get to know her characters through wonderful characterization and dialogue making it a delightful read for someone who loves character-driven romantic comedy. BUT … as a die-hard happily-ever-after romance reader, Jimenez’s books skirt the edges of Jodi Picoult-ish/Oprah book club-ish books (emotionally manipulative and often WAY too dramatic) by including some deeper emotions and conflicts than are often written into classic happily-ever-after romance novels. But they only skirt those edges and the characters are SO GOOD you have to read them, anyway! This one was almost as good as her first two books.
Three words that describe this book: Characters. Dialogue. Humor.
You might want to pick this book up if: You like romance novels and you like good dialogue and smart characters.
-Kristen
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.
In the book “Nothing To See Here,” Madison gets caught with drugs at a prestigious boarding school, and Lillian takes the fall and ends up expelled. Madison goes on to marry a wealthy senator, but Lillian finds herself living in her mom’s attic and working at a local grocery store. The women stay in touch with occasional letters until Madison calls Lillian with a strange request. Following the death of her husband’s ex-wife, Madison must take in her two stepchildren. The kids have a weird quirk: they spontaneously combust when they are upset. Madison needs someone to care for the children over the summer as they look for a more permanent solution, and Lillian agrees to be their governess. I loved Lillian as the book’s protagonist and narrator because she was so honest and funny. If you don’t listen to the audiobook, you’re missing out; the narrator does such a great job capturing the humor and emotion in this book.
Three words that describe this book: Quirky, Funny, Sincere
You might want to pick this book up if: You’re looking for a quick read that will make you laugh.
-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.
“What’s Done in Darkness” follows Sarah (Sarabeth) who grew up in a ultra religious family in the Arkansas Ozarks. Right before turning 18 she’s kidnapped. About a week later she’s released without ever knowing who abducted her or why. Rather than embrace her return her family shuns her. Five years later Sarah is living a completely different life in a city near St. Louis. A detective contacts her asking for help finding a couple of recently missing girls who might be related to her case. This forces Sarah to go back to her past and deal with the difficult feelings around her abduction and her family. Very fast paced mystery/thriller. Bonus, Laura McHugh is a Missouri author who also has three other great mystery books that take place in the Midwest.
Three words that describe this book: intriguing, dark, compelling
You might want to pick this book up if: you enjoyed the author’s previous books, or if you’re a fan of dark mystery/thrillers.
-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.
