“First-Time Caller” is about a radio host and a caller — how they meet and fall in love.

❤️

• The radio excerpts throughout
• THE LIST!!!!
• A gasp at the last few chapters especially at “Long time listener, first time caller”
• Chosen & found family — blended family
• Maya’s line “You don’t have to be alone to feel lonely.”
• The supporting characters

💔

• Kinda lulled for me around halfway & felt a little long
• Third act breakup, grrrrr!!

Three words that describe this book: Romance, contemporary, mixed-media

You might want to pick this book up if: You want a binge-able, feel-good romance.

-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.

“The Island of the Sea Women” follows a woman throughout her life as a diver (Haenyo dive without equipment) on the South Korean island of Jeju. This book weaves between past and present to understand her story. It also gives insight to the social and political struggles on Jeju throughout her life, including Japanese annexation, colonization, and WWII.

I liked how different this book felt. I had never heard of Jeju or Haenyo and this book was able to teach so much history and culture while still telling a fictional story. It didn’t shy away from any of the hardships and often left me feeling… depressed, hopeless, etc. But it also provided hope and encouragement. When a book can make me feel so many emotions, that’s a good book.

Three words that describe this book: Educational, unique, intriguing

You might want to pick this book up if: I was wanting a story about a culture I didn’t know much about but wanted to learn more.

-Lauren

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.

The book “Variation” is about a elite principal ballerina and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who were best friends for several years growing up before a tragedy struck them, severing their friendship and leading to silence between the two for a decade. Their paths end up crossing and the story follows their relationship and the unexpected connections that force them to reconsider what happened that tragic day.

I really enjoyed the romance in this book as well as the characters. It’s a great book for someone who is looking for a light and quick read that’s comedic but serious at many points and has a stereotypical romance/enemies-to-lovers plot line.

Three words that describe this book: Cheesy, Romantic, Fun

You might want to pick this book up if: I’m looking for an easy, light-hearted and romantic read.

-Tasneem

 

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.

“Just For The Summer” is about a traveling nurse named Emma who feels that she has a curse: every man that she dates ends up finding “the one” once they break up with her. Through Reddit, she meets a man named Justin, who has gone viral for having the same problem. They make a deal to date one another to break the “curses.”

As expected, they find themselves falling deeply for one another as the relationship blossoms. However, there are many obstacles in the way for Emma and Justin. Complex family issues ravage the latter half of the book. You’ll have to read on to find out more! I liked this book because the romance was great (think kittens and post-date surveys!) and because the author framed mental health issues and healing in a thoughtful way.

Three words that describe this book: Mushy, Complex, Heart-Wrenching

You might want to pick this book up if: You like reading about family dynamics and are a sucker for a wholesome love story.

-Ashley

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

In “Touch the Dark,” Cassie Palmer is a clairvoyant being hunted by pretty much everyone in the supernatural world. Everyone wants something from her; some want her dead, others want her powers under their control. Cassie has to control her powers to keep free of the clutches of Black and Silver Circle and to escape the vampires holding her captive.

I love this book. Cassie seems like a real person — her character is well rounded and her actions feel like something a real person would do in her situations. The book rarely has a slow point and every chapter has a shocking revelation in it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.

Three words that describe this book: Engaging, Action, Suspense

You might want to pick this book up if: You want a kick-ass heroine, enthralling vampires, devious mages, and ghosts who have gambling problems.

-Anonymous

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

“100 Days of Real Food” is a cook book but it’s also the author and her family’s journey of taking a 100 day pledge to eat only real, unprocessed food. She shares her favorite recipes for eating whole food, what she learned along the way, as well as information about our conventional food system.

The book was quite eye opening. I knew a good amount of the information already but this is a pretty comprehensive look at the food industry. While it’s not a new book, it’s got really rich information in it and timeless advice on how to find and benefit from REAL food.

Three words that describe this book: Cooking, health, lifestyle

You might want to pick this book up if: You’re looking for healthier recipes with few ingredients, looking to make lifestyle changes but aren’t sure where to start, are disgusted by the corporate food industry and want info to inspire you to make changes in how you source your food.

-Hannah

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

Two of my favorite things are Pirates and Godzilla movies. So I was ecstatic when I stumbled upon “Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons.” This comic book limited series, now collected in trade paperback, is an awesome summer read.

Written by Frank Tieri, this story places Monster Island in the tropical waters of the golden age of piracy. The book is a quick read, full of maritime adventure and giant monster battles.

Even if you don’t dig the story, the book is worth picking up just to peruse the gorgeous artwork. Artist Inaki Miranda’s illustrations are so good that they earned this title a nomination for Best Penciller/Inker at this year’s Eisner Awards.

{Pirate voice}: If ye be searching for some summertime adventure, voyage to DB-Arrr-L and pick up “Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons.”

Three words that describe this book: Adventurous, Exciting, Fun

You might want to pick this book up if: You are into Pirates or Kaiju

-Joe

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

I’ve been on a haunted house novel deep dive this year. During this reading streak, I came upon “The September House.” Most haunted house stories involve the characters trying to escape the specters haunting their abode. In this debut horror novel, author Carissa Orlando instead explores what it would be like to try and continue living in a house you love despite its being haunted.

The “September House” is a well written horror story that blends several major aspects of the haunted house genre with dark humor and reflections on what a person is willing to put up with to stay in the place they love.

Reader beware, this book contains depictions of emotional abuse, mental illness and gaslighting. The depictions of the ghosts are also very gory.

I found “The Summer House” to be a legitimately scary read. It’s perfect for those looking to add a little scary to their summer.

Three words that describe this book: Scary, Dark, Tense

You might want to pick this book up if: You’re in the mood for a summertime scare.

-Joe

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

“Driving Miss Norma: One Family’s Journey Saying ‘Yes’ to Living” is an inspiring memoir about 90-year-old Miss Norma, who, after a cancer diagnosis, opts for a cross-country road trip with her son Tim, daughter-in-law Ranie, and their poodle Ringo. I enjoyed reading about the love of a family as well as sights and experiences they encountered along the way. Death is portrayed as a natural part of life rather than something to dread.

Three words that describe this book: Inspiring, heartwarming, hopeful

You might want to pick this book up if: You enjoy road trips, appreciate reading books about families or like to read about end of life experiences.

-Kristi

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