As you might expect, the Greenwich Library staff are active readers. Here’s a list of what they are looking forward to reading this summer. Try a few yourself, if you are looking for something to read. See the full list in the online catalog.
Catherine’s Picks:
The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at A Time, by Huffington, Arianna Stassinopoulos
I am planning to read The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington. Huffington has put together cultural and scientific research on sleep, as well as her own experiences with burnout. I think we all function at less of our potential due to lack of sleep and want to understand it on a wider scale. I recently saw a documentary on light, sleep, and melatonin production as it relates to the illness so I expect this book to fulfill my curiosity on the topic.
Julian Fellowes’s Belgravia, by Fellowes, Julian
This book explores the lives of the British nobility and the nouveau riche in 1840s London. I enjoy Fellowes’ storytelling ability and of course, want to read this mostly because I am in serious Downton Abbey withdrawal.
Siobhan’s Picks:
All the Missing Girls, by Miranda, Megan
This is a great read that keeps you guessing until the end. I had a chance to preview the book, and I could not put it down. The book begins with our protagonist, Nicolette, headed back to her small hometown to take care of her ailing father, but just a couple of days into her visit a local girl goes missing. The case seems eerily similar to a girl who went missing ten years prior, a girl who happened to be Nicolette’s best friend. The novel unfolds in reverse, counting back to the day the local girl went missing.
With Malice, by Cook, Eileen
This is a young adult book suitable for anyone that enjoys reading psychological thrillers. Jill wakes up in a hospital room to find out that she was involved in a fatal car accident that took the life of her best friend, Simone. She has no memory of the crash, but suddenly she is at the center of a murder investigation. Jill desperately tries to piece together the events of the tragic night and the memories that allude her.
Roy’s Picks:
The Redbreast: A Detective Harry Hole Mystery, by Nesbø, Jo
Having just returned from Norway, I will read The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo… …it is one of his series featuring the Oslo detective Harry Hole. It will be an interesting way to learn more about Norwegian society.
March Violets: A Bernie Gunther Novel, by Kerr, Philip
Also, a librarian colleague of mine has suggested the books of Philip Kerr and I will read them. Kerr writes about pre-World War II as well as the war years in Berlin, which will be a very interesting topic. A good starting point is March Violets, the first of his series set in pre-World War II Berlin.
Marianne’s Picks:
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, by Hoffer, Eric
I intend to reread Eric Hoffer’s now classic, The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements to shed some light on these times.
The Little Red Chairs, by O’Brien, Edna
I will be reading Edna Obrien’s The Little Red Chairs—for the love of her prose.
Widowmaker: A Novel, by Doiron, Paul
On my iPhone from Overdrive is Paul Doiron’s The Widowmaker, a Mike Bowditch Mystery, for the lowdown on real Mainers.
Stephen’s Picks:
Angel, by Taylor, Elizabeth
I’ve already delved into this one, which was originally published in 1957 and most recently republished by the excellent New York Review of Books imprint. It explores the life of a writer of popular romance books named Angela Deverell. She finds fame and fortune but not critical respect or ultimately, happiness, mainly due to her unrealistic view of life. So far my reaction to her has shifted from anger to pathetic tragedy and back again. Fascinating stuff and no, the author is not the famed actress but rather a little known but respected British novelist and short story writer.
Afternoon Men, by Powell, Anthony
Completely looking forward to this based solely on this description: Afternoon Men follows the trivial encounters and idle pastimes of the social set through William Atwater. With a glee in the upending pretense that rivals the works of Max Beerbohm and Evelyn Waugh, Powell attacks artistic pretension, aristocratic jadedness, and the dark side of the “glamorous” life.
There’s nothing like some satire to get one through the summer heat. I cannot wait.
David’s Pick:
Paradise of the Pacific: Approaching Hawaii, by Moore, Susanna
I plan to read Paradise of the Pacific: approaching Hawaii, by Susanna Moore. The book was recommended by a friend and long-time Hawaii dweller.
Luke’s Pick:
Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and How You Can Make A Difference, by MacAskill, William
This summer I will be reading Doing Good Better by William MacAskill, a book that introduces the movement of Effective Altruism and seeks to highlight the most effective ways to make the world a healthier and safer place. The Guardian described it as a “toolkit” designed to help people use their personal resources (i.e. time and money) to create lasting global change.
Elaine’s Picks:
Alexander Hamilton, by Chernow, Ron
I am fascinated by Alexander Hamilton. A young man, self-taught leaves the West Indies and eventually becomes a Great Statesman of the United States. He rode with Washington, created the Bank of NY, and was a brilliant orator and writer, whose ability to persuade was uncanny. A gifted leader and statesman, whose remarkable life is told by the equally gifted writer, Ron Chernow.
The Summer Before the War, by Simonson, Helen
Inspired by Downton Abbey and all things British, I am curious about the summer of 1914 –the last season that Britain could boast of enjoying almost 100 years of peace and prosperity.
James Joyce: Portrait of A Dubliner, A Graphic Biography, by Zapico, Alfonso
This will be my first Graphic Novel, do I dare admit it? But having majored in English Literature, who better to introduce me to the graphic format than James Joyce through the voice of Alfonso Zapico?
Me Before You, by Moyes, Jojo
World traveler Will Traynor, a quadriplegic. following a motorcycle accident and spirited Louisa Clark form an unlikely connection. Will is morose and bossy, and Louisa lives an insular life. The relationship is rocky from the start, but Louisa is determined to convince Will life is worth living, and Will dares Louisa to take risks- experience life.
The English Spy, by Silva, Daniel
Daniel Silva’s The English Spy grabs you immediately. Though it is the 15th book in the Gabriel Allon series, do not hesitate to pick up this book as your introduction to Gabariel Allon. Silva provides each character’s history and their connection to each other by illustrating incidences and situations leaving the reader with strong visual impressions. Silva is on the same par as John le Carre- the spy riddle master.
Carl’s Pick:
Cape Cod, by Thoreau, Henry David
Since my family and I are vacationing on Cape Cod this summer, I’m going to read Henry David Thoreau’s Cape Cod. I’ve read it before and enjoyed it immensely. I love Thoreau’s descriptions of Nature and the sea. The Cape is a wildlife refuge of sorts. Seagulls, albatrosses, and terns can be seen on the beaches. White swans can be seen floating on inland ponds. Beach plums and blueberry bushes cover the land. Scrub pine is still the primary tree cover from the Canal to Provincetown. Despite over-development in some places, there are still plenty of wild, natural tracts that bring you close to Nature. The ocean is the main attraction for me. Thoreau goes to great lengths describing the many “moods” of the sea. At times it can be gentle, and at other times it can be wild and menacing. It provides recreation for vacationers but erodes tall bluffs along the coast. I remember fondly the many times we spent swimming and making sand castles on the sandy beaches. Although Thoreau’s book was written in 1865, it does a great job of describing the natural beauty of the Cape today. I consider it one of the first books to point out the need for protecting this important environment, which serves as a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. Hopefully, other people will read this book, and understand how lucky we are to have such a beautiful natural preserve. What could be better than reading Thoreau’s book on the Cape?
Kate’s Pick:
Station Eleven, by Mandel, Emily St. John
Our 2016 Greenwich Reads Together Selection is a great option for a summer read. Pick up a paperback at the Library or download the ebook.
Robin’s Picks:
All Things Cease to Appear, by Brundage, Elizabeth
This acclaimed writer combines noir and gothic in a novel about two families entwined in their own unhappiness with, at the center, a gruesome and unsolved murder.
The Nest, by Sweeney, Cynthia D’aprix
A warm, funny, and acutely perceptive debut novel about four adult siblings and the fate of the shared inheritance that has shaped their choices and their lives.
Sweetbitter, by Danler, Stephanie
DANLER “A lush, thrilling debut”–a publishing event already the subject of an article in The New York Times–about a year in the life of a uniquely beguiling young woman, set in the wild, alluring world of a famous downtown New York restaurant.
The Versions of Us, by Barnett, Laura
BARNETT In one moment, two lives will be changed forever…and forever…and forever. The one thing that’s certain is that they met on Cambridge Street by chance and felt a connection that would last a lifetime. But as for what happened next…
The Goldfinch, by Tartt, Donna
And last but certainly not least – currently reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I’ve put off reading this because it’s such a long book and seemed really intimidating but it is the perfect summer book- funny, serious, and addicting, all rolled into one…
Barbara M’s Pick:
Sapiens, by Harari, Yuval N.
I am reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. Spanning 70,000 years of human history, the author offers his explanation of how homo sapiens came to dominate the earth and what may lie ahead for our species. This engrossing, thought-provoking, and very readable book is certain to spark a lively discussion. I downloaded the e-book from Overdrive to read at the beach. Also available to borrow is the hefty 400-page printed copy.
Michele’s Picks:
Days of Rage: America’s Radical Underground, the FBI, and the Forgotten Age of Revolutionary Violence, by Bryan Burrough
I am planning to resume reading Days of Rage: America’s Radical Underground, the FBI, and the Forgotten Age of Revolutionary Violence by Bryan Burrough. I put this book aside after getting sidetracked by other books and then the loan expired and I had to put it on hold again. The downloadable version is ready for me now and it is first on my list. The Library has a good selection of books and films on 70s radical revolutionary groups covered in this book. I am planning to compliment my reading with the following feature and documentary films: Weather Underground, a 2004 documentary available on downloadable video, The Company You Keep, a 2013 feature film on DVD based on the novel by Neil Gordon, and The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, 2016 feature film now on DVD. It’s going to be a hot summer.
Greenwich Library staff are some of the most prolific readers in our community and are always looking to share their recommendations, no matter the genre. Looking for titles based on category? Check out what our librarians are reading and loving here: greenwichlibrary.org/staff-picks. Or, get personalized recommendations based on your reading tastes here: greenwichlibrary.org/forms/personalized-reading-recommendations.
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