Summer is here! As you head to your town pool or the Jersey Shore, don’t forget to pack a novel or two along with your sunscreen. Summer is a fabulous time to relax with that book you’ve been planning to read for months. We asked New Jersey librarians throughout the state to recommend their favorite summer beach reads, ranging from humor to mysteries. See their suggestions below and visit your local library to stock up for the summer. Happy reading! [bibblio style=”bib–default bib–hover bib–white-label bib–row-2 bib–title-only bib–size-16 bib–font-arial” query_string_params=”e30=” recommendation_type=”optimised”]
Adult Books
“All the Missing Girls” by Megan Miranda
“Ten years ago, after the disappearance of her best friend Corinne, Nic left her hometown in North Carolina and started a new life in Philadelphia. Now, to care for her father, she returns home; just after she arrives, another young woman named Annaleise disappears, and she has connections to Nic and Corinne. In an unusual but very effective narrative, the story is told backwards from Day 15 to the day Annaleise disappeared, keeping the tension high and the reader eager to learn what happened…but in reverse.” ~ Jennifer Winberry, Assistant Library Director, Hunterdon County Library
“Black Rabbit Hall” by Eve Chase
“As bride-to-be Lorna Dunaway searches for a wedding venue, she is drawn to a crumbling Cornwall estate known as Black Rabbit Hall. Thirty years earlier it was home to the free spirited Alton family, enjoying an idyllic life there until a tragic accident put an end to it. As Lorna uncovers the secrets of the house, her own buried memories begin to surface.” ~ Barbara Evans, Librarian, Camden County Library System
“The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden” by Jonas Jonasson
“This is a hilarious story about the life of a South African girl named Nombeko Mayeki, whose first job as a child laborer was in the sanitation department of the township of Soweto. With her keen ability to quickly learn everything, and her good judge of character, she raises herself out of her slum, only to find herself interned for being falsely blamed for an accident where she was the victim. But by being smart, fearless and cunning, she manages to escape—only to find herself tangled with Swedish twins, who inherited from their father the passion to take down their government and King.” ~ Fifi Germano, Library Media Specialist, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, Manville
“Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” by Mindy Kaling
“This is a laugh-out-loud read, perfect light reading for the summer. It’s easy to relate to Kaling; she isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself, but in equally funny moments, she dishes out some pretty good advice.” ~ Suzanne Walzer, Adult Services Librarian, Burlington County Library System
“The Lake House” by Kate Morton
“This truly puzzling mystery will keep you guessing, as the author cleverly lays out several plausible scenarios. Between the high level of suspense and the compelling writing, you’ll be speed-reading to find out what happens at the end!” ~ Suzanne Walzer, Adult Services Librarian, Burlington County Library System
“Lily and the Octopus” by Steven Rowley
“Funny and heartwarming, this story of a beloved pet and her owner will have you grinning madly one minute and reaching for a box of tissues the next. It reminds us that love, even when lost, can be found again. Fans of Garth Stein’s ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ are sure to enjoy this one.” ~ Terry Crisostomo, Camden County Library System
“The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George
“Jean is a book apothecary in Paris–his book recommendations don’t give you want you want, but what your soul needs. He’s anchored his book barge on the banks of the Seine for 20 years after suffering through a crushing breakup that emotionally crippled him. But after finding a letter from his former love he ventures on the canals looking for closure with an eccentric group of friends to help him on his quest.” ~ Nathalia Bermudez, Adult Services Librarian, East Orange Public Library
“Middlemarch” by George Eliot
“Once at the beach, I’m really looking forward to reading this sprawling tale of a fictitious English town in the late 1800’s, containing a huge cast of characters and considered to be one of the best novels ever written. It will be the perfect choice for endless summer afternoons at the shore.” ~ Jane Ricketts, Reference Librarian, Hunterdon County Library
“The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend” by Katarina Bivald
“When Sara, a funny tourist from Sweden arrives in Broken Wheel, Iowa to meet her reading pen pal, she is greeted with heartache but decides to continue with her holiday nonetheless; unwittingly using books as a means to connect people. Readers will cheer for Sara and all the residents of Broken Wheel as a friendship that began with ‘An Old-Fashioned Girl’ renews and offers hope to an entire town.” ~ Jennifer Winberry, Assistant Library Director, Hunterdon County Library
“Summer House with Swimming Pool “ by Herman Koch
“Actor Ralph Meier is dead, and his doctor Marc Schlosser is being investigated for medical malpractice. To reveal the events leading up to Meier’s death, Koch takes us back to last summer where the two men, along with their families, vacation together at Ralph’s Mediterranean summer home. While serious themes are explored, Koch’s humorous writing, twisty plot and Mediterranean setting make this a page-turning summer read.” ~ Jill DeMarco, Reference Desk Assistant, Montclair Public Library
“10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works”
by Dan Harris
“How did an overworked, stressed ABC News anchor revamp his life following an on-air panic attack? He did a thorough self-examination and turned to non-medicinal remedies such as meditation. Mental health topics can be heavy, but Harris doesn’t weigh down the reader as he recounts his experiences. This memoir is a terrific read for our competitive, multi-tasking society.” ~ Jennifer Kaari, Family Literacy and Community Services Librarian, Montclair Public Library
Young Adult Books
“The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life” by Tara Altebrando
“Senior year is coming to an end and with it looms the Oyster Point High Official Unofficial Senior Week Scavenger Hunt, an all-night intensive competition between teams of seniors to check off the most items and experiences from a multi-part list created by the previous year’s winners. This story is all about second chances and matters of the heart, plus the excitement of solving the hundreds of scavenger hunt challenges alongside the characters!” ~ Rosy Wagner, Teen Librarian, Burlington County Library System
“El Deafo” by Cece Bell
“This graphic novel is a memoir of growing up in the 70s with hearing aids that are not at all like the hearing aids of today.” ~ Loreli Stochaj, Librarian, Franklin School, Summit
“The False Prince: Book 1 of the Ascendance Trilogy” by Jennifer A. Nielsen
“Four orphans are forced by one of the King’s regents to compete against each other to successfully impersonate the King’s long-missing son to prevent a civil war with the neighboring lands. Only one will be selected and the others know they’ll be killed if they don’t succeed.” ~ Sharon Rawlins, Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning, NJ State Library
“Rain Reign” by Ann M. Martin
“The main character has autism. Reading this gives you a different perspective of someone who sees the world in a different way.” ~ Loreli Stochaj, Librarian, Franklin School, Summit
“We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story”
by Josh Sundquist
“Motivational speaker Josh Sundquist wrote this charming memoir about all the girls and young women he supposedly dated. Filled with amusing mock graphs and scientific inquiry, this book will make you laugh and sigh as you relive your own early relationships.” ~ Terry Edwards, Branch Manager, Hunterdon County Library
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