Bill Bryson takes us on a tour of time, focusing on the Summer of 1927. Though his narrative focuses on life in the United States during those few months, he constantly deviates across time and space to make connections with world events, causes & eventual effects, etc. Bryson weaves a tale of big personalities, like Charles Lindbergh and Babe Ruth, while constantly reminding us that we all play a part in the construction of a national narrative.
I found “One Summer: America, 1927” a riveting book. So much so that I later listened to the audiobook version where the author treats us to a double dose of his humor — written AND spoken. The unfortunate parallels between human behavior then and now (1927 and 2025, respectively) are a sad reminder that we don’t often learn from our own human history and that some things seemed doomed to repeat.
Three words that describe this book: Revealing. Connecting. Humorous.
You might want to pick this book up if: I highly recommend this book (print and audio) to anyone seeking to make sense of our country and the impacts of shared experiences across cultures and societies.
-Tony
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
“North Woods” by Daniel Mason, will be the subject of the First Thursday Book Discussion on September 4 at noon in the Columbia Public Library.
“North Woods” was selected by a community vote, after a small committee of local residents narrowed down nearly 200 nominations to just two, to be this year’s Community One Read. Attending the book discussion is a great way to kick of the month of community activities that will be centered around the book. Hear other patrons’ opinions, discuss themes and share your ideas and questions. You’ll be primed to partake in the events throughout the month!
The discussion should be lively. “North Woods,” has been loved by some readers and less so by others. It has no shortage of imagery and symbolism for analysis: apples, rot, growth and fertility, to name a few. The story crosses a variety of genres and topics, changing with the passage of time across this small piece of Massachusetts.
Many great novelists and writers have engaged in dual careers. Isaac Asimov bridged the worlds of working physicist and science fiction author; Lewis Carroll was a lecturer in mathematics at Oxford and the pen behind wondrous and bizarre stories such as “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Philip Larkin was directing the University of Hull library while writing “The Whitsun Weddings” and many of his other great works of poetry.
What could be more challenging than holding down a full time job and producing great literary works? The very act of doing both requires, it seems, an extraordinary amount of ambition and remarkably precise time management skills—not to mention a brilliant and agile mind. Continue reading “Literary Links: Travel and Time: The Works of Daniel Mason”
Hey, there, comic fans! I’m back once again with some Quintessential Comics for you to enjoy! We’re currently wrapping up Summer Reading and the theme this year was Color Our World. To celebrate that, why not check out some of these graphic novels that incorporate color in interesting ways? I’ve attempted to include selections that either utilize color to enhance the narrative or are just really pretty, because why not? Let’s not waste anymore time and just jump right in.
“Asterios Polyp”
This has received praise for its use of color to convey emotion and provide insight on character perspective. What I find appealing about this entry is how it bounces between two narratives that each employ shades of color in very purposeful ways. You get a sense of warmth radiating from a character or sit with a feeling of longing all through the use of color. The premise for this one is relatively simple, while its themes are not. Our protagonist leaves behind his career as an architect in order to become a mechanic after experiencing a spiritual crisis. He possesses a very rigid worldview, which is only highlighted by the two prominent color schemes, one of which is used to signal past events that led to his current situation. It’s all a very interesting exploration of philosophy, identity, and subjective reality. Continue reading “Quintessential Comics: Color Our World”
Recently, I created a nonfiction book display composed of nothing but cute books. I set a couple of parameters for myself: they had to be adult nonfiction; I could not select exclusively animal books (a real possibility); and I would offer some variety. I decided to come up with a system for selecting books.
Cute books seem to come in a number of categories. Let’s start with the obvious: baby animals. In this category, we find “Nursery Earth: the Wondrous Lives of Baby Animals and the Extraordinary Ways They Shape Our World,” by Danna Staaf. Booklist says, “Case study after case 
study, like those of the 17-year cicada and the one-day mayfly, demonstrates that, despite obvious differences, every creature (humans included) experiences these cycles, and in ways that scientists can learn from: the two-year fertilization of elephant eggs, water births of salamanders and octopus, the internal hatching of seahorses within the father’s pouch.” I would argue that all baby animals are not equal in cuteness but they all have their place in the ecosystem. The variety of ways in which different creatures are brought into the world is certainly fascinating. If you want to jump straight into cute pictures, check out “Cute Animals for Hard Times,” from Chronicla Books. It has over seventy delightful animal photos to brighten your day.
An offshoot of this is adult animals. Here is a book by the always-cute baker, Kim Joy: “Bake Me a Cat: 50 Purrrfect Recipes for Edible Kitty Cakes, Cookies and More!” “Catering for a range of skill
levels, whether you fancy baking Tiger Buns, Meow Bao, Kit-tea Scones or a Happy Purrrrthday Cake, bring joy to your cooking and a smile to every cat-owner’s face with Bake Me a Cat!” Adorable. Continue reading “That’s So Cute!”
Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in August. All of the mentioned titles are available to put on hold in our catalog and will also be made available via the library’s Overdrive website on the day of publication in eBook and downloadable audiobook format (as available). For a more extensive list of new nonfiction books coming out this month, check our online catalog.
Top Picks
“The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb” by Garrett M. Graff (Aug 5)
The building of the atomic bomb is the most audacious undertaking in human history: a rush by a small group of scientists and engineers in complete secrecy to unlock the most fundamental power of the universe. Even today, the Manhattan Project evokes boldness, daring, and the grandest of dreams: bringing an end to World War II in the Pacific. As Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen fight overseas, men and women strive to discover the atom’s secrets in places like Chicago, Berkeley, Oak Ridge, Hanford, and Los Alamos. On August 6, 1945, the world discovers what the end of the war—and the new global age—will look like. The road to the first atomic bomb ends in Hiroshima, Japan, but it begins in Hitler’s Europe, where brilliant physicists are forced to flee fascism and antisemitism—bringing to America their determination to harness atomic power before it falls into the Führer’s arsenal. “The Devil Reached Toward the Sky” traces the breakthroughs and the breakneck pace of atomic development in the years leading up to 1945, then takes us inside the B-29 bombers carrying Little Boy and Fat Man and finally to ground zero at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett M. Graff, “The Devil Reached Toward the Sky” is the panoramic narrative of how ordinary people grapple with extraordinary wartime risks, sacrifices, and choices that will transform the course of history. Engineers experiment with forces of terrifying power, knowing each passing day costs soldiers’ lives—but fearing too the consequences of their creation. Hundreds of thousands of workers toil around the clock to produce uranium and plutonium in an endeavor so classified that most people involved learn the reality of their effort only when it is announced on the radio by President Truman. The 509th Composite Group trains for a mission whose details are kept a mystery until shortly before takeoff, when the Enola Gay and Bockscar are loaded with bombs the crew has never seen. And the civilians of two Japanese cities that have been spared American attacks—preserved for the sake of judging the bomb’s power—escape their pulverized homes into a greater hellscape. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: August 2025”
After quitting her job and divorcing her husband, Yeong-Ju opens the Hyunam-dong Bookshop. She meets new friends and connections all while creating a welcoming space for people to rest and heal.
I loved the slow-paced slice-of-life feel to “Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.” Every character had their own unique struggles, but they all ended up grappling with the same types of questions — What is success? What makes a happy life? How do I go on from here? The translator of the text seemed to do a good job of maintaining the integrity of the turns of phrase common in South Korean speech.
Three words that describe this book: Cozy, intimate, inspirational
You might want to pick this book up if: If you like slow-paced character-driven slice-of-life books with a cozy setting, you’ll probably like this book.
-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.
“Good Inside” is a parenting book that teaches the idea that all kids (and parents) are good inside, even when their behavior is challenging. Dr. Becky, a psychologist, offers advice on handling tough moments with empathy, clear boundaries and emotional support. Instead of using punishment, the book focuses on understanding the feelings behind a child’s actions and building a strong connection.
I liked the book because it gave practical tips I can actually use with my own kids in real life. But I also really connected with the overall framework and philosophy — it helped me see parenting in a new, more compassionate way. Some parts were a bit repetitive, but overall it felt supportive, realistic and really useful.
Three words that describe this book: Compassionate, practical, empowering.
You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick up this book if you’re a parent looking for a calmer, more understanding way to handle tough moments with your kids — or if you want practical tools that actually work in real life without yelling or punishment.
-Robbie
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.
1. “Party Girl” dir. Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Release Date: June 9, 1995
Why I Picked It: Ragtag Cinema selected “Party Girl” for their annual birthday screening in June, and I couldn’t miss out on this story of a hedonistic diva finding happiness behind the circulation desk. Watching it at Ragtag was a treat, but if you didn’t make it, try Kanopy. 5/5 falafels.
Continue reading “Quick Recs: 3 Movies + 2 Books + 1 Album”
I love the book “Crying in H Mart” even though it broke my heart to read about the complicated, albeit loving relationship between the author and her mother. I waited to read this book because I lost my own mother in the last few years — at times it was tough to read the author’s words because they hit so close to home with my own loss.
I appreciated how the author highlighted the history of her family/mother through food and these shared experiences over a dinner/kitchen table. Overall it was a deeply moving experience reading about the author’s love and loss.
Three words that describe this book: Culture, family, food
You might want to pick this book up if: You are ever homesick. Also if you enjoy learning about people/culture through food.
-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.
