If you're participating in the Adult Summer Reading Bingo Challenge, you might be wondering what are good books to be reading for it, right? Our staff are also participating and are here to tell you what they've been enjoying so far on their journey to Summer Reading Greatness!
Happy Reading!
Title: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Reviewer: Laura B., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): Read More Bingo - Book About Social Justice
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: eBook
Length: 248 pages
Personal Thoughts: This is a book that I think everybody should read! It is written clearly and concisely, and provides detailed suggestions for how to improve your interactions with others regarding race.
Title: The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson
Reviewer: Jane S., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): First in a Series
Genre: Mystery
Format: Print
Length: 277 pages
Personal Thoughts: This is a light, easy mystery with a fun premise. A small law firm moves to a new office on the 200 block of Baker Street in London and a provision of the lease is that they have to answer all letters that arrive...to Sherlock Holmes! A current letter opened by one of the partners strikes him as odd, as it is inconsistent with a child's letter written 20 years before in crayon that caught his eye in the historic files. How are these two are connected becomes an international story!
Title: The Round House by Louise Erdrich
Reviewer: Jordan D., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): Indigenous Author
Genre: General Fiction
Format: Print
Length: 323 pages
Personal Thoughts: This was a tough read from the point-of-view of a 13-year-old boy whose mother has been raped, as he and his father try to find out who is responsible. That said, it's extremely well-written and hard to put down.
Title: Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
Reviewer: Paul H., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): Read More Bingo - Genre You Don't Often Read
Genre: Historical Geography
Format: Print
Length: 277 pages
Personal Thoughts: I wanted to read something outside my comfort zone, and I'm enjoying learning about different cultures and countries through this book.
Title: The Moomins and the Great Flood by Tove Jansson
Reviewer: Laura B., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): Read More Bingo - Book in Translation, First in a Series, & Under 200 Pages
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Format: Print
Length: 52 Pages
Personal Thoughts: This was a super cute kids book and I definitely want to read more Moomin books after reading this one. I loved the fantastical cast of characters and the adorable illustrations. I also thought Jansson did a great job of writing a story with just enough adventure and emotion to appeal to children and not talk down to them without overwhelming them.
Title: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
Reviewer: Sarah M., Honan Allston Branch Library
Bingo Square(s): Main Character Over 60 & LGBTQ+ Author
Genre: Adult Fiction
Format: Print
Length: 400 pages
Personal Thoughts: Albert is a 65 year old British postman who is reaching the age of compulsory retirement. He's also a closeted gay man and has led a lonely, fearful life. Albert decides to turn his life around and goes on a search for his long lost love, making lasting friendships along the way. This book warmed my heart, made me cry, and gave me hope for humanity. It was so refreshing to see good people have good things happen to them, conflicts resolved by talking them through in a straightforward manner, and flawed people try to change after learning important lessons.
Title: The Yakuza's Bias by Yatsuda Teki
Reviewer: Veronica K., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): Author of Color, First in a Series, Under 200 Pages, Read More Bingo - Book in Translation
Genre: Manga
Format: Print
Length: 160 pages
Personal Thoughts: If you're looking for anything deep or serious, look elsewhere — but if the premise "a gangster discovers the joy of K-pop fandom" sounds like a very silly, very fun treat, that's exactly what this is! The Yakuza's Bias isn't taking itself seriously, but the humor is never mean-spirited, either, and it's a sweet reminder that we can all find a source of happiness in unexpected places.
Title: One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley
Reviewer: Laura B., Central Library
Bingo Square(s): LGBTQ+ Author & Under 200 Pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: eBook
Length: 200 pages
Personal Thoughts: Erica Ridley is one of my favorite romance authors, and I've been working my way through her back catalog this year. This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes series (which does not need to be read in order), and I've loved every book in the series so far! This book follows Thad, a secret romantic looking for a wife who will love him for his personality instead of his money, and Priscilla, a woman who is determined to avoid marriage and gain control of her inheritance. Priscilla and Thad were both wonderful, lovable characters which made their relationship easy to root for.
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