Whether you’re lounging poolside or just sprawled out directly in front of the A/C, summer is a great time to catch up on some reading. We asked staff members at your local libraries, as well as our own here at News of the Highlands, Inc., for their summer reading recommendations:
Recommended by staff at News of the Highlands, Inc.
Women’s Murder Club series
by James Patterson
I would recommend all 18 books in Patterson’s “Women’s Murder Club” series. The first book, First to Die, will grip you immediately so you cannot let go.
These books follow a group of extraordinary females – including a detective, a lawyer, and a journalist – who work together to solve a variety of crimes. Patterson’s books are very easy reading and contain so many twists and turns that make you keep turning pages. The suspense of these thrillers makes you not want to put the book down until it’s through and waste no time to start reading the next one.
— Bobbi J. Turner,
Asst. General Manager
The Chef
by James Patterson and Max DiLallo
I just read The Chef by James Patterson and Max DiLallo, and it was really good!
It’s set in New Orleans, and is a book about a police detective by day; celebrity food truck operator by night.
As a bonus with this book, when you finish the book, there are recipes that were referred to in the story. Win win!
If you love Newburgh’s own James Patterson — as I do! — you’ll enjoy this quick read. And when you finish it, there are now several of Patterson’s ‘book shots’ (very short, inexpensive digital reads) featuring the star of the book, Detective Caleb Rooney.
Redemption
by David Baldacci
Memory Man, The Last Mile, The Fix, The Fallen and now …. Redemption!
I’m most definitely a lover of book series, and this David Baldacci series, featuring FBI agent (sort of) Amos Decker is one of my recent favorites. It’s five books in now, and I just finished the latest one.
During a visit to his hometown in Ohio, former homicide detective Amos Decker realizes he may have made a mistake in his first ever case, and now he wants to set the record right.
If you like crime, if you like stories about people who have overcome tragedy — yet still struggle with it internally — and if you like well-written books by accomplished authors, then this book (or all five in the series) may be one that you want to pick up. Redemption is one of those ‘books in a series’ that you certainly can easily read and enjoy without having read the others, but you’d probably enjoy it more if you read them in order.
—MJ Pitt,
Editor
The News of the Highlands
Catcher in the Rye
by JD Salinger
I read this on a bus to North Carolina a few days after I graduated from college. Since then, I’ve reread the classic every 10 to 15 years – making me think that it’s appropriate for any age group. The narrative has an energy that’s unique.
Angela’s Ashes
by Frank McCourt
The author takes a humorous look at his youth and adolescence in Ireland as part of a dysfunctional family. If you enjoy his recollections, you can read the next two books in the trilogy, which are set in the United States.
All Creatures Great and Small
by James Heriot
This first of four books recounts the experience of a farmland veterinarian who started his career in England before the onset of World War II. You don’t have to know much about animals to enjoy this series of humorous episodes.
Manhunt
by James L. Swanson
After the Lincoln assassination, Booth left Washington on horseback, slipped past the sentries, and remained at large for 12 days. The reader follows his escape attempt and almost roots for his survival.
Lindbergh: A photographic biography of the Lone Eagle
by Bruce McAllister and Stefan Wilkinson
More than a summer read, this is a book you’ll want to keep. Lindbergh was the first media hero of the 20th Century. The photographs are remarkable, and local author Stefan Wilkinson reveals secrets you won’t find in history books.
— Ken Cashman,
Editor
The Cornwall Local
The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
An epic volume of fantasy that’s as immersive as it is expansive. The fate of the world hangs in the balance as the courageous hobbit, Frodo Baggins, and his allies venture across Middle-earth on a life-or-death quest to destroy the ring of power before an ancient evil can reclaim it.
Additionally, if you’d like to read about the entire history of Middle-earth, start with The Silmarillion, which documents its brutal First and Second Ages before the events of The Lord of the Rings (the Third Age). Follow it with the light-hearted classic, The Hobbit and finish with the Rings trilogy.
The Mothman Prophecies
by John Keel
Ironically, the infamous cryptid, Mothman, appears very little in this bizarre, “true account” of the author’s experiences with high strangeness in 1960’s Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Multiple UFO sightings, harassment from the Men In Black, winged beings, curious contactees and a dreadful foreboding all lead up to the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. Keel muses on the nature of these phenomena and finds himself increasingly ensnared in something inexplicable.
—Jay LeRoy,
Graphics Dept.
Recommendations from Highland Falls Public Library
by Sylvia Servedio,
Highland Falls Library Clerk
Highland Falls Public Library
298 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928
(845) 446-3113 • highlandfallslibrary.org
Blood Oath (Alexandra Cooper novel)
by Linda Fairstein
This one of my favorite authors. Linda always gives us a piece of New York City, one of its landmarks.
In Blood Oath, we learn about Manhattan’s secretive Rockefeller University, a research institute, hospital and learning center.
Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper is back from an extended leave – following the murder of her boss – she was standing next to him when he was killed.
Her first day is busy as usual-a young woman claims she was sexually abused when she was fourteen. Her abuser is well known and powerful. Lucy Jenner wants justice. Francie, a friend and co-worker falls ill on the street, going to the welcome back party for Alex. She is taken to Rockefeller University under tight security. Why? Meanwhile rumors are circulating about a judge – his behavior behind closed doors. Detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace are working the cases with Alex. Their friendship and easy banter brings humor to this complex story. Great Read–
House Arrest (Joe DeMarco)
by Mike Lawson
I really enjoy this series – mystery, politics, Washington DC, like watching the news on TV.
Joe DeMarco is a lawyer but never been in a courtroom. He works for Congressman John Mahoney in DC, as a fixer/problem solver, sometimes making his own rules.
In House Arrest the tables turn for Joe. When Representative Lyle Canton is found shot dead in his office in the U.S. Capitol, Joe is arrested for the murder. He calls Emma, his friend and an ex-DIA agent, to help him find who framed him and to find the real killer. Emma has a lot of experience and resources which leads her to Sebastian Spear, CEO of Spear Industries. Jean, Lyle Clanton’s wife, was Spear’s high school girlfriend and his first and only love. Canton married Jean while Sebastian was busy studying. The FBI believes that they have the killer – JOE. There is no love lost between Joe’s boss John Mahoney and Clanton; they are political enemies. Meanwhile, Joe is stewing in jail.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this political thriller…
Summer of ‘69
by Elin Hilderbrand
This is your perfect beach/vacation read.
Kate Nelson Foley Levin, always summers with her children at her mother’s home in Nantucket. But not this year, her son, Tiger, has been deployed to Vietnam. While peace marches continue here, Blair, her oldest, is huge – pregnant with twins. Her due date is July, the same time as the Apollo moon landing. Flower child Kirby, has job at an inn on Martha’s Vineyard. Remember Ted Kennedy, the Chappaquiddick incident. So much happening in ‘69.
Jessie is thirteen, not looking forward to spending the summer with her mother and grandmother. Nonny, can be a little intimidating. My house, my rules. There a lot of firsts for Jessie “That was the summer I became real, my own person.” This is a wonderful family drama and happenings of that year.
I really enjoyed Summer of ‘69 – liked the title of the chapters, are songs for that era.
Queen Bee
by Dorothea Benton Frank
For me, summer begins with Ms. Frank’s novel of the year, she is the “ Queen Bee” of summer reads. I love visiting South Carolina’s low country and in this one she returns to Sullivan’s Island.
Holly Jensen, lives with her Momma, or Queen Bee, as she calls her. Momma is a crotchetly old lady, though not that old, just very demanding. Holly keeps busy by tending to her honey bees and offering jars of pecans & honey to friends and neighbors, and working part time at Publix. She also helps her widowed neighbor, Archie, by caring for his sons, Tyler and Hunter. Her sister, Leslie, married and moved away six years ago but now she is back home and she loves Charlie and he loves her. So why did she leave? *Spoiler Alert- sorry, I can’t tell you.
This is a light, fun read with lovable, quirky characters. Many surprises and twists….Enjoy with a glass of iced tea. I loved it!!!
Searching for Sylvie Lee
by Jean Kwok
I love stories that take me to other places. Searching for Sylvie Lee does that: we go from New York to the Netherlands, and Venice. Sylvie Lee, smart, beautiful daughter of the Lee family, flies to the Netherlands to see her dying grandmother—then she disappears…
Amy, seven years younger, has always looked up to Sylvie-now what? What happened? Scared yet she has to find her sister. Amy flies to last place Sylvie was and meets cousins and relatives for the first time. She discovers the truth. A story of family secrets—a sensitive look of an immigrant family. Good Read.
A Nearly Normal Family
by M. T. Edvardsson
This is great legal thriller-Eighteen year old Stella Sandell is arrested for the murder of a man, fifteen years older. Adam, her father, is a pastor of the Church of Sweden, her mother is a defense attorney. Neither can’t grasp why their daughter would even know a shady businessman. Told in three parts:
Father-Daughter-Mother… how far would you go to protect someone you love? This was an even-paced thriller, loved all the legal stuff. Slow burn-with twists and surprise ending…
Recommendations from Cornwall Public Library
Cornwall Public Library
395 Hudson Street, Cornwall, NY 12518
(845) 534-8282 • cornwallpubliclibrary.org
FOR CHILDREN
Recommendations by Rebecca Barth, Youth Services Library Assistant
Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and Mysteries of the Cosmos
by Stephanie Roth Sisson
This is the story of Carl Sagan, the beloved scientist who taught the world to marvel at the mysteries of the cosmos and continues to inspire generations of dreamers and stargazers.
How Do You Burp in Space?
by Susan E. Goodman
When it comes to super exciting vacations the sky is no longer the limit…Space tourism is the way of the future and it’s coming faster than you think. Here is the guidebook for your intergalactic adventure.
I Love You Michael Collins
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
It’s 1969 and the country is gearing up for what looks to be the most exciting moment in U.S. history. Ten-year-old Mamie’s class is given an assignment to write letters to the astronauts…Only Mamie writes to Michael Collins, the astronaut who will come so close but never achieve everyone else’s dream of walking on the moon, because he is the one who must stay out in space with the ship.
FOR TEENS
Recommendations by Mea-ghan Doyle, Teen Librarian
Challenger Deep
by Neal Shusterman
In this young adult novel, Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student who spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head, as he struggles with mental illness.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer
The Hazel Wood is a brand new fairy tale, while the Lunar Chronicles put a futuristic spin on some old classics.
FOR ADULTS
The Alice Network
by Kate Quinn
In this historical fiction novel, two women – a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947 – are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
Other favorites we’ve read recently and which inspired lively and engaging discussion are Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
Member’s Choice Book Club – for adults usually reading non-fiction or historical fiction. Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month.
Recommendations by the group.
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II
by Denose Kiernan
It tells the unbelievable true story of young women during World War II who worked in a secret city dedicated to making fuel for the first atomic bomb—only they didn’t know that.
In the Midst of Winter
by Isabelle Allende
Exploring the timely issues of human rights and the plight of immigrants and refugees. In the Midst of Winter will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Recommendations by Marie Clark, Library staff
Invisible City
by Julia Dahl
Julia is a mystery author who recently relocated to Cornwall. This gripping novel tells the story of a New York City tabloid reporter investigating the murder of an Hasidic woman from Borough Park. It was was nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was named one of the Boston Globe’s Best Books of 2014.
Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions
by Mario Giordano
This “masterly treat” will transport you to the rocky shores of Torre Archirafi, to a Sicily full of quirky characters, scorching days, and velvety nights, alongside a protagonist who’s as fiery as the Sicilian sun.
Recommendations by Eileen Acosta, Library staff.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
by Lisa See
A moving story about tradition, tea farming, and the enduring connection between mothers and daughters.
Flight of Dreams
by Ariel Lawhon
An Agatha Christie–style page-turner exploring the unsolved mystery of the 1937 Hindenburg explosion.
