Beach Reading and the Adult Summer Reading Code!

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The Adult Summer Reading Code is: Penny
For more information about our Summer Reading Programs for all ages, please click here.

SURFSIDE SISTERS
By Nancy Thayer
“Having left Nantucket behind for the life of a successful novelist in New York City, why should Lara return? Because success isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, her mother is now unemployed and depressed, and Lara herself faces writers’ block after a relationship went bust. The problem? She and childhood best friend Isabelle haven’t spoken in years after a big blowup. What’s more, she’s crushing on Isabelle’s brother the moment she hits the island. The New York Times best-selling Thayer lives on that very island and makes its tides and times very real.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

MRS. EVERYTHING
By Jennifer Weiner
“It’s been a while since Weiner explored the complicated terrain of sisterhood, and readers will flock to this ambitious, nearly flawless novel.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE WONDER OF LOST CAUSES
By Nick Trout
“An artfully crafted story about the connection between a boy and his dog and the deep bond between a son and his mother.” ~Kirkus

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

SUMMER OF ‘69
By Elin Hilderbrand
“As always, Hilderbrand’s characters are utterly convincing and immediately draw us into their problems, from petty to grave…To use the parlance of the period, a highly relevant retrospective.” ~Kirkus

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

More World War II Recommended Reading and the Adult Summer Reading Code!

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The Adult Summer Reading Code is: Penny                                                                                            For more information about our Summer Reading Programs for all ages, please click here.

June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. The library has a wonderful collection of World War II novels and non-fiction. The following are just a few suggested titles. Check back for more recommendations every week in June and July.

THE NIGHTINGALE
By Kristin Hannah
“Hannah departs from the contemporary novels she’s known for with this engrossing tale of two sisters’ bravery in occupied France during WWII.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

FORGOTTEN: THE UNTOLD STORY OF D-DAY’S
BLACK HEROES, AT HOME AND AT WAR
By Linda Hervieux
“In her debut, journalist and photographer Hervieux unearths a valuable piece of the D-Day landing story scarcely included in the official records: the contributions of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only African-American combat unit to land at Normandy.” ~Kirkus

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE SOLDIER’S WIFE
By Margaret Leroy
“Leroy has written a tender love story wrapped around a horrifying account of unspeakable cruelty. She brings to life the island and the characters that populate it.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE DEAD AND THOSE ABOUT TO DIE: D-DAY:
THE BIG RED ONE AT OMAHA BEACH
By John C. McManus
“A focused tale of the hellish ascendancy of the U.S. Army’s famed 1st Infantry Division on June 6, 1944, underscoring how the Normandy invasion nearly went terribly awry.” ~Kirkus

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

 

World War II Recommended Reading

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June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. The library has a wonderful collection of World War II novels and non-fiction. The following are just a few suggested titles. Check back for more recommended reading every week in June.

THE LIGHT OVER LONDON
By Julia Kelly
“This is a bold story of a young woman’s innocence and heartache, and her satisfying discovery of her worth and inner strength.” PW

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE ALLIES: ROOSEVELT, CHURCHILL, STALIN,
AND THE UNLIKELY ALLIANCE THAT WON WORLD WAR II
By Winston Groom
“Groom’s legions of fans will enjoy his novelistic approach to history, and all readers will appreciate the plethora of information he offers about three of the most important personalities of the twentieth century. With plenty of action, romance, intrigue, diplomacy, tragedy, and richly detailed history, The Allies is a strong addition to WWII collections.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE ALICE NETWORK
By Kate Quinn
“A compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and women’s fiction, Quinn’s complex story and engaging characters have something to offer just about everyone.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

DOUBLE CROSS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE D-DAY SPIES
By Ben MacIntyre
“Macintyre effortlessly weaves the agents’ deliciously eccentric personalities with larger wartime events to shape a tale that reads like a top-notch spy thriller.” ~PW

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

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June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy. The library has a wonderful collection of World War II novels and non-fiction. The following are just a few suggested titles. Check back for more recommended reading every week in June.

NORMANDY ’44 : D-DAY AND THE EPIC 77-DAY BATTLE FOR FRANCE
By James Holland

“This hefty, scrupulously balanced history of the Allied invasion of northern France goes beyond some of the well-known events of D-Day, thanks to Holland’s meticulous research and clear-eyed view of the big picture… This is an excellent and engrossing new look at the Normandy invasion.” ~PW

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

EVERY MAN A HERO: A MEMOIR OF D-DAY, THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH,
AND A WORLD AT WAR
By Ray Lambert

“Lambert, a 98-years-young recipient of the Silver Star, finally agreed to commit his WWII experiences to paper after realizing that he is one of the last survivors of the D-Day landings at Normandy…All Americans owe Lambert gratitude for his service and sacrifice, and for sharing his memories so that we never lose our connection to the ever-relevant past. ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE
By Anthony Doerr
“A novel to live in, learn from, and feel bereft over when the last page is turned, Doerr’s magnificently drawn story seems at once spacious and tightly composed. It rests, historically, during the occupation of France during WWII, but brief chapters told in alternating voices give the overall—and long—­narrative a swift movement through time and events.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE FIRST WAVE: THE D-DAY WARRIORS WHO LED THE WAY TO VICTORY IN WORLD WAR II
By Alex Kershaw
“Kershaw is at his evocative best describing the chaos, courage, and carnage of combat, vividly portraying the bravery of the “greatest generation.” Even readers well-read on the subject will enjoy this perspective.” ~Publisher’s Weekly

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

MISTRESS OF THE RITZ
By Melanie Benjamin
“Benjamin, who has made a career out of fashioning compulsively readable historical fiction starring real-life women does it again here with the life story of American expatriate Blanche Auzello, the titular Mistress of the Ritz, whose French husband, Claude, managed the legendary Paris hotel from the Jazz Age into the sixties and, notably, during the German Occupation.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

SOLDIER, SAILOR, FROGMAN, SPY, AIRMAN, GANGSTER, KILL OR DIE:
HOW THE ALLIES WON ON D-DAY
By Giles Milton
“Cornelius Ryan and Stephen Ambrose have set the standard for D-Day historiography. It’s safe to say that Milton (Nathaniel’s Nutmeg) can be now added to that list with this refreshing portrayal of how the Allies prepared, fought, lost, and won on that fateful day in 1944.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

MISSION TO PARIS
By Alan Furst
Furst conveys a strong sense of the era, when responding to a knock might open the door to the end of one’s days. The novel recalls a time when black and white applied to both movies and moral choices. It’s a tale with wide appeal.~ Kirkus

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

MADAME FOURCADE’S SECRET WAR: THE DARING YOUNG WOMAN WHO LED FRANCE’S LARGEST SPY NETWORK AGAINST HITLER
By Lynne Olson
“As well researched and engrossing as her previous books, showcasing her adroit ability to weave personal narratives, political intrigue, and wartime developments to tell a riveting story, Olson’s latest is highly recommended to readers interested in World War II, the history of espionage, women’s history, and European history.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Staff Picks for May

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Winnie’s Great War
by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut; illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Winnie-the-Pooh had a namesake: Winnie the bear cub of Winnepeg, Canada. This historic middle grade novel tells the story of how Winnie made it to England during WWI. Mattick is the great-granddaughter of the soldier who started the adventure when he met Winnie in 1914. A magical book, beautifully illustrated, perfect to read together with a child. ~LM

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green
by Erica Boyce
Daniel Green has spent his adult life making crop circles as part of a secret society that travels the world. When he is hired by a farmer in a small Vermont town to make his 15th circle, his life is changed forever. Great characters and a satisfying ending. ~LQ

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Where the Forest Meets the Stars
by Glendy Vanderah
After conquering breast cancer and losing her mother, a grad student returns to her nesting bird research deep in the Illinois forest where she unexpectedly meets a mysterious child. A truly tender story. ~KC

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

The Silent Patient

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The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides
Artist Alicia Berenson is accused of brutally shooting her husband, however, she will not speak, not even to defend herself. Her only voice is through her last painting which holds the key to this mystery and reveals a deep psychological connection to the murder. ~SR

For more information, or to place a hold on this book, please click here.

This is also an excellent audiobook choice. If you would like more information about the audio version of this title, please click here.

Staff Picks For April

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AMERICAN POP
by Snowden Wright
A masterful family saga about the making and unmaking of a soda pop dynasty. Four generations of the Forsters span the 20th century and criss cross the globe while the public searches for the secret ingredient that propels the soft drink to success. ~JF

For more information, or to place a hold on this item, please click here.

THE DREAMERS
by Karen Thompson Walker
A strange new virus is sweeping through Santa Lora, California, putting its victims into a deep and seemingly endless dream filled sleep. As more people fall prey to the rapidly spreading disease, who will be left to care for the dreamers? ~SB

For more information, or to place a hold on this item, please click here.

LEADING MEN
by Christopher Castellani
Castellani weaves pure magic in this historical fiction about playwright Tennessee Williams’ and Frank Merlo’s romantic relationship and their circle of friends. It is really Merlo’s story as Castellani gets inside his head to explore what made this working class man tick. Captivating and beautiful. ~PB

For more information, or to place a hold on this item, please click here.

SHOUT
by Laurie Halse Anderson
The follow up to SPEAK, Anderson once again puts forth a powerful piece of literature filled with compelling prose and fierce dialog. Particularly relevant as the #MeToo movement gains more attention. ~KC

For more information, or to place a hold on this item, please click here.

Staff Picks For March

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In addition to our 2019 One Book, One Town pick HARBOR ME, by Jacqueline Woodson (found here), we have a few more terrific recommendations for your March reading from our library staff:

Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks
Harriet’s four-year old daughter Alice goes missing at a local fair while in the care of Charlotte, a family friend. Told from multiple points of view, this novel is brimming with emotion, unveiling hidden pasts and dark secrets all leading up to a stunning conclusion. ~KC

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz
The fourth novel in the Orphan X series continues the action. Evan Smoak, a former black ops assassin with a heart, uses his training to help ordinary civilians in desperate situations while fighting back against government agents who aren’t happy he’s gone rogue. ~AP

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
This novel in verse tells the story of the painter Artemisia Gentileschi. One of the most talented painters in Rome in the early 1600’s, no one knew her name until she was raped by another painter, Agostino Tassi. Can she take strength from the brave female biblical subjects of her paintings to face her attacker and paint again? ~JL

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Dopesick by Beth Macy
Our country is struggling to cope with a terrorizing opioid crisis. Through interviews with families, addicts, dealers, counselors, clergy and law enforcement, the author attacks this epidemic straight on, unveiling the true criminals—big pharma and our nation’s most dangerous and habit forming gateway drug ~KC

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

Spotlight on Author Louise Penny

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Louise Penny’s series, featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is a perennial favorite among library staff and patrons. Set in the fictional village of Three Pines in the province of Quebec, this series will entertain and enthrall readers with a quirky cast of characters, as well as transport them to a quaint Canadian village with no shortage of secrets and murder. The titles in this series are listed below, in order, for your convenience. Happy reading!

STILL LIFE
“This is a real gem of a book that slowly draws the reader into a beautifully told, lyrically written story of love, life, friendship, and tragedy. And it’s a pretty darn good mystery too.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

A FATAL GRACE
“Penny is a careful writer, taking time to establish character and scene, playing around with a large cast, distracting us so we won’t see the final twists coming until they’re upon us. This is a fine mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style, and it is sure to leave mainstream fans wanting more.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE CRUELEST MONTH
“Penny is an award-winning writer whose cozies go beyond traditional boundaries, providing entertaining characters, a picturesque locale, and thought-provoking plots. Highly recommended.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

A RULE AGAINST MURDER
“Murder interrupts Chief Insp. Armand Gamache and his wife’s annual summer holiday at Quebec’s isolated, lake-front Manoir Bellechasse in Agatha-winner Penny’s intriguing, well-crafted fourth mystery.” ~Publisher’s Weekly

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE BRUTAL TELLING
“Having won numerous mystery prizes, including the prestigious Arthur Ellis and Anthony awards for her debut, Still Life, Canadian author Penny has only gotten better with each succeeding novel. Her fifth in the series is the finest of all.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

BURY YOUR DEAD
“Penny’s first five crime novels in her Armand Gamache series have all been outstanding, but her latest is the best yet, a true tour de force of storytelling.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT
“Readers who love literary mystery writers such as Donna Leon will enjoy Penny’s latest excellent series entry.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY
“This heart-rending tale is a marvelous addition to Penny’s acclaimed series. Fans won’t be disappointed.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN
“Another bravura performance from an author who has reinvented the village mystery as profoundly as Dashiell Hammett transformed the detective novel.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE LONG WAY HOME
“Another gem from the endlessly astonishing Penny.” ~Booklist

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST
” A strong sense of place, a multilayered plot, and well-crafted (and for Penny’s fans, familiar) characters combine for a thoughtful, intriguing tale.” ~Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

A GREAT RECKONING
“This riveting read, with characters of incredible depth who only add to the strength of the plot, will keep readers guessing until the last page.” Library Journal

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

GLASS HOUSES
“The familiar, sometimes eccentric, denizens of Three Pines and Gamache’s loyal investigative team help propel the plot to an exciting, high-stakes climax.” ~Publisher’s Weekly

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

KINGDOM OF THE BLIND                                                                                                               “Insightful, well-plotted… Penny offers intriguing commentary on the willful blindness that can keep people from acknowledging the secrets and lies in their own lives. Penny wraps up some continuing story lines and sends recurring characters in surprising directions.” ~Publishers Weekly

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

 

Staff Picks For February

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A LIGHT OF HER OWN
By Carrie Callaghan

In Haarlem, Holland in 1633, a young woman sets out to make her mark as a member of the prestigious artist guild. Few women artists existed. Based on the life of Judith Leyster. Comparable to THE MINIATURIST. ~ KC

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

CALLING MAJOR TOM
By David M. Barnett

For everyone who loved A MAN CALLED OVE or THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV, this story of a curmudgeonly astronaut on his way to Mars will have you rooting for everyone involved. ~ LQ

For more information, or to place a hold, please click here.

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (audiobook)
By James Baldwin

Fonny and Tish are a young black couple who fall in love in early 1970s New York City. Baldwin’s writing flows eloquently-authentic and profound. Audiobook narrator Bahni Turpin makes his words come alive. A film adaptation was released in 2018. ~PB

For more information, or to place a hold on the print version of this title, please click here.

The audio version of this title is available through OverDrive here.