“The Grapes of Wrath” is about a family who attempts to escape the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression by migrating from Oklahoma to California. This book is a classic, but it is a classic for a reason. The themes are many of the same ones that dominate cultural and political discussion today: poverty, homelessness, climate change, migration, worker rights and unions, just to name a few. Steinbeck’s writing is beautiful and evocative while remaining down-to-earth and easy to understand.

I felt like I personally gained more insight from this book because my grandmother’s family went on a similar journey from Southern Missouri to Oklahoma to California and back in the 1920s and 1930s. I imagine that they would have experienced many of the same things as the Joad family on their travels.

Three words that describe this book: timeless, genuine, hopeful

You might want to pick this book up if: you are interested in American history and politics over time.

-Rose

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

I absolutely devoured “The Trees” and still wanted more. I think fans of Jordan Peele’s “Us” will love this exploration of race and reparations by Percival Everett.

I loved how he wrote each character, flipping race stereotypes on their head and being unrelenting in his writing of unlikable characters. The chapters were short and fast, making it so easy to fly through. The story was spooky and mysterious, originally taking over a small town before the whole country became involved. With incredible writing, deeply addicting plot, and a stellar, expansive cast of characters, this book has made me a life long fan of Everett’s.

Three words that describe this book: Haunting, vengeful, addictive.

You might want to pick this book up if: you had just finished visiting your racist family.

-Jordan

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

The book “The Once and Future Witches” takes place during the 19th century women’s suffrage movement but adds a fantasy element of witchcraft. The world building and character development were great! I enjoyed the overall story and inclusive characters.

I think there are story elements that could trigger strong emotional reactions (i.e., violence, abuse, suggested sexual violence). I think these components fit into the overall narrative of the oppressive environment for women, but it could be hard for some people to read.

Three words that describe this book: Witches, suffragettes, community

You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy alternative histories with fantasy twists or books with inclusive characters.

-Anonymous

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

Author Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” calls back to his much earlier work “Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World,” presenting an alternate version of the magical “Town” that much of that novel centers on. The fractured narrative juxtaposes the seemingly ordinary life of a middle-aged man who suddenly decides to become a librarian with two tales of his past: one, the mournful story of his first love at 17; the other, a story about an alternate version of himself who becomes trapped in a strange, sometimes frightening reality outside of our own. Not every question the story presents is answered, but the pieces all come together in an emotionally satisfying way.

Three words that describe this book: Mysterious, longing, experimental

You might want to pick this book up if: You like Murakami’s other works (especially “Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World”) or the puzzle-box narratives of television shows like “Severance” or “Dark.”

-Eric

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

The book “Piranesi” is a mix of the genres of realistic fantasy and dark academia. A man lives (or is trapped) within a house with oceans in the cellars and clouds in the upper floors. Has the house affected his mind?

This is one of those books that starts out slow and opaque and becomes clearer and more complex as you progress through the novel. I love the character of Piranesi and it is a delight to spend time with him, a beloved child of the house.

Three words that describe this book: alternate worlds, mystery, dark academia

You might want to pick this book up if: You like realistic fiction such as the “Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix Harrow or “Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo.

-Aimee

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

“The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers” explores the shared lives of an eccentric group of individuals who make a living from creating and selling all different types of intellectual puzzles. This book feels like a very fresh, fun work of fiction that has several heartwarming story lines taking place.

I love this book because I love all types of puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords, wooden, etc.  There are many levels in which the reader can engage in the story, including even crafting an anagram of their own name.

Three words that describe this book: Unique, charming and clever.

You might want to pick this book up if: You are a fan of puzzles and enjoy a light, heartwarming read.

-Kimberly

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

16 years after Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, her daughter is determined to prove her mother was innocent with the help of detective Hercule Poirot. Because Poirot is investigating a cold case, he must rely entirely on the testimonies of those who were present at the time of the incident.

I’ve been reading through author Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot novels, and “Five Little Pigs” definitely stands out as one of the best (so far). I found the structure of the novel to be unique — utilizing third-person narration as well as first-person narrated testimony. The ending will certainly leave an impression.

Three words that describe this book: Mysterious, clever, slow

You might want to pick this book up if: If you like eccentric and highly intelligent detectives and murder-mysteries that rely just as heavily on what is said as what isn’t, you might like this book.

-Anonymous

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

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.

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.