Summer is here, which means it’s time for fun, sun, relaxation and the search for an enjoyable read to take on holidays. I often rely on my colleagues to recommend a good title. Here are some library staff picks to help you narrow down your search to find the perfect book for summer.
Do you enjoy science fiction? Dana recommends The Fifth Wave by Richard Yancey. Dana says: “This fast-paced science fiction thriller kept me reading and guessing the whole way through. This is a horrific alien invasion story where aliens use natural disasters and people to try and wipe out the human race.”
Steal the North by Heather Brittain Bergstrom is Janeen’s summer pick. She says the book is “beautifully set in small-town eastern Washington, and shares the journey of learning to grow as an individual while sharing the promise of adventure that young love can take you on. This is a light but comfortable read to accompany you on any road trip this summer.”
If you like fantasy, you might be interested in reading one of Brandon’s favourites. His pick is Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch. Brandon says the book is about a “fun, upbeat, humorous young officer in the Metropolitan Police who, following an unexpected encounter with a ghost, is recruited into the small branch of the Met that deals with magic and the supernatural.” If you like this book, there are more in the series for you to enjoy while relaxing this summer.
Caroline recommends The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. She says the book is a “charming story about a recently widowed bookstore owner and his love of stories. Funny, tender and moving, this book reminds us all why we read and why we love.”
Non-fiction books are great picks for summer, too. Sharon recommends Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything? Canadian author and health science expert Timothy Caulfield has written a book that Sharon says is a “fun and informative look at how pop culture affects our views on science.”
One of Colleen’s favourite authors to read in the summer is Bill Bryson. She says The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid “will have you laughing out loud as he shares his childhood stories of growing up in Des Moines, Iowa during the idyllic 1950s.”
My favourite pick for the summer is anything written by Karl Pilkington, the star of British television’s An Idiot Abroad and The Moaning of Life. His first book is An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington. A dedicated homebody, Pilkington is sent to visit the wonders of the world by his friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Pilkington’s interesting and humourous experiences in China, India, Egypt and other countries make for very enjoyable, light reading.
Visit your local library and chat with knowledgeable staff who will be happy to recommend more perfect summer reads.
--A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Lori Nick works at Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox Public Library.
