In the book “Hidden Nature” we follow the story of Sloan Cooper, a natural resources officer who got shot while off duty — what bad luck! She is shocked back to life by doctors and goes to stay with her parents in the town of Heron’s Rest, where she, well, rests and heals. To keep her mind busy and fresh and also because it’s just what she does, she begins looking into the case of a missing woman in the area, and she finds more missing. There’s a mystery to solve now, and Sloan has no idea how closely she’s tied to the case!

I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the romance — all of it was on point. I feel as though if you love Nora Roberts writing, you will love this book like I do. If you have never read Nora Roberts, this is the perfect place to start! I recommend this book to nearly everyone.

Three words that describe this book: Very lovely story.

You might want to pick this book up if: You love Nora Roberts writing.

-Erica

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

“Big Magic” is an inspiring and accessible guide to living a creative life without fear. Author Elizabeth Gilbert writes with warmth, humor, and a refreshingly down-to-earth perspective on the creative process. Her central message — that creativity is a birthright, not a privilege — feels both empowering and freeing.

Where the book truly shines is in its gentle but firm dismantling of perfectionism, fear, and self-doubt. Gilbert invites us to create for the joy of creating — not for praise, success, or even meaning. That’s a beautiful, liberating reminder.

Three words that describe this book: Creative, inspiring, empowering.

You might want to pick this book up if: You’re looking for a book that is filled with personal anecdotes, encouraging mantras, and a kind of mystical belief in inspiration as a living, breathing force. Some of the ideas (like inspiration as a separate entity) may not resonate with everyone, but even the more whimsical parts are delivered with such charm that they’re easy to accept, or at least appreciate.

-Anonymous

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

A group of five adventurers are tasked with saving the world… except they are better at bickering and stealing than they are at adventuring. “The Last Available” is silly and definitely doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s a fantasy literary role-playing game (LitRPG) that is never lacking in jokes. The humor is very central in the novel, plot and character development take a backseat.

Most of the time it worked, but sometimes I did wish for a little more detail. However, the jokes kept me entertained and I was wondering how this ragtag group of adventurers was going to save the world when they could barely work together as a group.

Three words that describe this book: silly, adventure, quick

You might want to pick this book up if: If you like fantasy RPGs, fourth wall breaking, and laughing.

-Bailey

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

In the graphic novel “Shubeik Lubeik,” wishes are commodified — wrapped up in the bureaucracy and power dynamics of our world. Author Deena Mohamed’s three stories weave together the fantastical and the ordinary. Her characters are captivating, and her commentary on colonialism and class is compelling.

I don’t want to spoil the book, but one of the character’s wishes stuck with me even two years after reading this book. I still use it to comfort and affirm myself in tough times. This book is fun for the world building, yet it is also deeply personal.

Three words that describe this book: Creative, insightful, hopeful

You might want to pick this book up if: You love thoughtful world building, beautiful art, and the human spirit.

-Anonymous

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

I thoroughly enjoyed “Sun & Ssukgat: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness & Longevity.” This book was just what I was looking for… a book about Korean culture with enriching insight to the Korean approach to well-being.

I’ve enjoyed similar topics for other cultures (Japanese ikigai, Costa Rican pura vida, Swedish lagom, Danish hygge) and this lived up to my interest and expectations. I also found an interview with the author on YouTube and appreciated hearing a behind the scenes perspective, and thus, I’m enjoying the book all the more upon reflection…

Three words that describe this book: Enlightening, insightful, impactful

You might want to pick this book up if: you’re interested in Korean culture or wellness and self-care.

-Tonya

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

“Embassytown” is a really magnificent science fiction book. It is essentially about language and how it shapes culture and understanding.

The book is set in the far future in Embassytown, a human colony on a far-away planet. This planet is home to aliens who use language itself in ways that are utterly foreign to humans, which leads to all manner of complications and, ultimately, a potentially world-destroying conflict. It is challenging to capture the magic of this book in a short review without selling it short — it simply must be read!

Three words that describe this book: Thought-provoking, captivating, surreal

You might want to pick this book up if: You want a wild sci-fi adventure, plus political thriller, that also deeply explores the concept of language and how it creates meaning.

-Adrienne

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

The book “True Biz” is a fictional book about growing up Deaf from the perspective of Deaf children and teenagers. It explores Deaf history, disability rights activism, and the cochlear implant controversy with an engaging story line and lovable characters.

The book includes educational snippets, almost like school worksheets, corresponding with the lessons one of the teachers gives in the Deaf school that the book is focused on. If you’re hearing and uneducated on the topic, you can learn alongside the students with these snippets.

Three words that describe this book: Coming-of-age, stirring, educational

You might want to pick this book up if: You want a fun story about teenagers, or you’re curious about learning about Deaf experiences from a disability justice perspective.

-Sofia

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

“Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan” is a four panel manga (reminiscent of daily comic strips, as opposed to a volume length story, although the strips do build on each other) about a young professional who adopts a cat. It is a middle grade to young adult manga, but which adult amongst us does not need a few quiet moments to look at cute cat comics?

Every few pages as the cat’s personality is shown to the human I would think, “this is the cutest thing I have ever read,” and then it would get significantly CUTER. Just a really pleasant slice of life manga to wind down with.

Three words that describe this book: Cozy, cute, funny

You might want to pick this book up if: You find ridiculous cuteness relaxing.

-Anonymous

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

The book “A Captain’s Duty” is about the hijacking of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in 2009. Captain Phillips tells the story from his point of view, explaining how he handled the crisis and made tough decisions to protect his crew, even offering himself as a hostage to keep them safe. The book follows the intense five days he spent in a lifeboat with the pirates and how he survived.

I liked this book because of the action and the level of detail. It felt like I was right there in the middle of the situation. The way Captain Phillips described everything helped me understand what he was going through, both physically and mentally. I also liked the insights into how he thought as a leader, how he stayed calm, and how much he cared about his crew. It made the story feel real and inspiring.

Three words that describe this book: Intense, courageous, inspiring.

You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick up this book if you’re interested in true stories, survival under extreme pressure, or learning how real-life leadership works during a crisis. It’s a good read if you like action, suspense, and personal insight all in one.

-Robbie

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

The book “So Many Stars” is a fantastic look at older genderqueer BIPOC adults through their own words. The subjects of this book have gone through a lot of rough times (isolation, persecution, the AIDS crisis, DADT in the military, etc.) but they have also found and created communities, found families, resilience, resistance and mutual aid through changing times.

I think one of the things that really stuck out to me was the number of people interviewed who said something to the effect of, “I have always just wanted to be me.” No matter your race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, I think this is something almost everyone can relate to, although personal choices and circumstances, cultural and societal expectations, and systemic inequalities may make those paths vastly different.

Three words that describe this book: deep, heartfelt, important

You might want to pick this book up if: you want to know more about the life journeys of older genderqueer adults

-Rose

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