The graphic novel “The Girl from the Sea” retells the legend of the selkie with a gay young adult protagonist. Written and drawn by Molly Knox Ostertag, this book’s beachside setting and secret summer romance make it a perfect summertime read.

If graphic novels aren’t for you or if you just enjoy listening to your books, Hoopla has an audiobook adaptation. It’s only one and a half hours long and features music and sound effects. It is read by a full cast, who’s voices are overlaid on one track, like an old timey radio play.

In whichever format you choose to pick it up, “The Girl from the Sea” is a cute, fun, and quick read.

Three words that describe this book: Cute, light-hearted, & hopeful

You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy Queer retellings of classic myths.

-Joe

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

“American Diva: Extraordinary, Unruly, Fabulous” is a collection of essays on divas, past and present. Author Deborah Paredez teaches a university course on the subject matter and I wish I could join to be in the class discussion.

I was introduced to divas I knew little about, i.e. Jomama Jones, and engaged with divas I’ve long worshiped, i.e. Tina Turner. Some chapters were too ethereal for me to connect with, but I enjoyed the author including personal elements in the book and introducing us to the divas in her life.

Three words that describe this book: Reflection. Celebration. Feminine.

You might want to pick this book up if: You admire divas!

-Anonymous

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year. 

Author Bill Bryson’s witty signature style is prevalent throughout his Australian travelogue, “In a Sunburned Country.” Although the publication date was 20 years ago, so much of his story traveling throughout the country remains a compelling read. In fact, part of the draw is the almost forgotten pre-technology travel means he uses — a somewhat sentimental throwback experience before the convenience of cell phones, internet and google maps that was standard operating procedure for traveling in that day. Even his note-taking and journaling of the trip is done with a pen and spiral notebook… imagine!

His entertaining reporting and meticulous research easily fulfill an inquisitive traveler’s desire to learn. He records in detail historical cases of lost explorers and discoveries of plants and animals unique only to Australia. All this detail is told within his descriptive narrative chronicling the vastness, beauty and danger of the many regions. He poignantly does NOT forget the Aboriginal Australians, in his writings; a people that have been forgotten, even made invisible, by so many. Every time I picked up the book to read further, I felt as though I was joining a friend, not to mention a highly engaging and educated guide, on an arm chair down under adventure.

Three words that describe this book: Fascinating, Educational; Humorous

You might want to pick this book up if: Your interested in the intriguingly singular Australian Down Under — it’s history, politics, peoples, culture, plant and animal life forms, land and water characteristics and a multitude of sometimes ironic almost unbelievable anecdotes shared in typical Bill Bryson style, this book offers an adventure you won’t quickly forget.

-Anonymous

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

I genuinely don’t know how I feel about “Love Letters to a Serial Killer.” It’s a unique story where you are in the head of a person who is clearly not doing well in their personal life and tries to find meaning through other people. She then puts any excitement and “living her life” onto an alleged serial killer, writing letters to him in jail and during his trial.

The main character is unlikable, as are most of the characters are in this book, but I was fascinated by the story and her unreliability. At times her character is definitely satirical, like a hyped up unhinged version of stories you’ve heard about who idolize killers, but she also feels like someone you might know.

The lies she tells herself to rationalize and choices she makes… I just couldn’t stop listening because I had to know what hole she was going to dig herself into next. I agree with another reviewer who said it reminded them of “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang because in both books you are in the main character’s mind and you see all the ways they justify what are clearly terrible and unethical decisions. “Love Letters to a Serial Killer” was overall fascinating and I would recommend it.

Three words that describe this book: Unhinged, Obsession, Binge-worthy

You might want to pick this book up if: You are interested in true crime, but more interested in the psyche of those people who are super obsessed with serial killers.

-Taira

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

What I liked about “Different, Not Less”:

• Personal Stories: The book is filled with real-life stories that are both inspiring and relatable, offering a deep understanding of neurodiversity.
• Empowerment: It provides a positive and affirming perspective, encouraging readers to embrace their differences as strengths.
• Educational: The book is informative, helping to break down misconceptions about neurodiversity and promote greater acceptance and inclusion.

Continue reading “Reader Review: Different, Not Less”

“Second Time Around” is about Malloy Farrell, an interior designer, who inherits her grandmother’s run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon. Her plan is to sell the shop. However, she quickly finds out her old childhood crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the shop and redevelop the area into an outdoor mall. So Mallory changes her mind about selling and decides to renovate and open a home decor shop instead. There are many renovating mishaps, entertaining side stories and budding romances in the story until a happily ever after finds Mallory.

I liked this book because Carlson always does an exceptional job with creating relaxing romance reads with enough plot development and twists and turns to keep the story moving. Starting over is a strong theme throughout the book.

Three words that describe this book: Sweet, Romantic, and Enjoyable

You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick up this book if you enjoy reading romance novels and reading novels about characters who are starting over in life.

-Anonymous

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

Anne Perry, famous for her Victorian-era mysteries, begins a new series set in 1930s Europe, with a great new heroine, young photographer Elena Standish. Elena is drawn into the hidden world of espionage through a nipped-in-the-bud love affair, which in turn pulls her grandfather to reconnect with his past in the secret service from the “war to end all wars.”

“Death in Focus” is a great series starter, with the historical verisimilitude of Perry’s previous books and engaging characters. Elena encounters unsuspected villains, unexpected heroes, and uncertain loyalties amid shifting social and political realities. The plot is satisfyingly complex, yet believable.

Three words that describe this book: Exciting, engaging, expertly plotted

You might want to pick this book up if: You like mysteries and don’t mind the 1930s setting.

-Lynn

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

I adore murder mysteries so “The Only One Left” was right up my alley and also one that hadn’t been on my radar until a friend chose it for our book club. Essentially, it is a book about Kit, a caregiver with her own secrets, who is assigned to Lenora, an elderly invalid woman living on an estate on a cliff’s edge who just also happens to be a supposed murderess.

What follows Kit showing up at the estate to care for Lenora is a delightful box of secrets, murder, and thinking that you have it all finally figured out when nothing could be further from the truth. Just when I figured one piece of the puzzle out, another piece would get lost under the couch or roll off the table and I would have to go searching for it. I figured out big things, but rarely the details that really flushed it all out. It was a very enjoyable read.

Three words that describe this book: Mystery, Secrets, Betrayal

You might want to pick this book up if: You love murder mysteries and lots of good old fashioned family secrets and drama set in another historical time. This is set in the 1980s.

-Angel

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.

“All Good People Here” features a woman who returns to her hometown as a young adult to care for her ailing uncle. When she was 6 years old, her best friend was found dead in a ditch. Shortly after returning to the town, another young girl has gone missing. Is it connected? The woman was an investigative reporter before coming back to town, so she starts digging into the new story and tries to connect it to the murder of her childhood friend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. There were several unexpected twists and many interesting characters. I also liked that it was told from the perspective of the woman in present day, and also from the mother of the dead friend at the time that was unraveling. (Although I think the book needed one more chapter and the end to tie up a few more things.)

Three words that describe this book: haunting – secrets – page-turner

You might want to pick this book up if: You like true crime podcasts (this is fiction, but has the same vibes).

-Anonymous

This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.