We hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend! We were able to get some summer reading in so we thought we’d share our latest recommendations here. We hope you’ll find the time to get lost in another world and escape the COVID-turmoil for a while or take a deep dive in a new topic to broaden your mind.
By the way, the links below are from Amazon, which is certainly convenient and we are frequent shoppers, but if you’re looking to #ShopSmallBusiness, you might check out some of these shops:
One of Molly’s college classmates is the owner of The Bookworm in Edwards, CO. You should check out her online store but might also find her recent press interesting regarding her experience keeping her small business going. Way to go, Nicole!
East City Bookshop is a Capitol Hill favorite with an incredible selection and knowledgeable staff.
Mahogany Books is a family-owned bookstore based in Anacostia. Run by a husband, wife and daughter team, Mahogany Books has been nationally recognized for their community work and making books and reading more accessible.
Happy reading!
The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz - Reviewed by Molly
I am a huge fan of Connie Schultz and love her columns, past books and her thoughtful stories on Facebook. She also happens to be married to Senator Sherrod Brown, whom I also adore as a native Buckeye. Connie’s first novel was an enjoyable read because she is such a gifted storyteller. I struggled with the characters because I quickly grew attached to them and rooted against the difficult choices they made or had to make due to their class and cultural obstacles. I found myself putting it down in frustration but then picking it back up because I had to know how it ended. Connie’s reader can really build a strong sense of empathy with these characters and, in the end, they find redemption.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler - Madison is currently reading
Written in 1993, this dystopian novel takes place during a global economic and climate crisis in the mid-2020s. Is it the most comforting book to read in the midst of a pandemic/cultural reckoning? No. Am I thoroughly enjoying it? Yes!
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - A favorite of Hannah’s
Escape to the late sixties and get absorbed in the intersecting stories of Daisy, a girl coming of age and the members of The Six, a rock band on the brink of fame and fortune. The book reads as if Daisy and the band members are telling their story directly to you.
Dune by Frank Herbert - Isaac is currently reading
Dune is one of the best fantasy novels that I have ever read. It can be a bit difficult to get into as Frank Herbert throws you into his world without giving any roadmap or explanation but it is worth the effort. A science fiction/fantasy adventure following Paul Atreides through his journey on a new planet (could not give more information without spoilers). This book has been adapted to a movie coming out this year staring Timothee Chalamet. Would recommend reading before as it is a true page turner!
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander - Reviewed by Jacob
More relevant now than anytime the last 6-8 years. This is an eye opening dive into the prison system and how racially charged policies have locked away black and brown people and continuously denied them the opportunity to live freely.
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano - Lexi is currently reading
This book tells the story of Edward Adler, a teenage boy who is the sole survivor of a plane crash that tragically takes the lives of everyone on board including his family. Following Edward's story as he comes of age and tries to heal from the tragedy has been beautifully painful. But on top of this, in alternating chapters, the novel returns to that flight in its final hours, which allows you to get to know some of the other passengers, including his family. The pain of knowing what ultimately happens to these characters has been difficult for me to get through, but it has been countered with the heartwarming tenderness of Edward finding his way in the world and learning to rise above.
MAA Kid Reviews:
The Cool Bean by Jory John - Reviewed by Maren (age 5)
This story is about making new friends and being nice. This story reminds me to be nice to other people.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs - Reviewed by Charlie (age 10)
This is a book for kids who like to read stories about action or suspense. The story starts with a normal kid, Ben Ripley, who dreams about being a spy and then he gets recruited to actually be a spy! It turns out that it wasn’t as glamorous as it sounded. Ben soon found that he was being tracked by an evil organization. This book is about an exciting adventure about junior spies in training (series of 6 books).
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey - Reviewed by Clark (age 9)
Meet Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha. This book is a very funny story about how four bad guys became good (book 1 in a 11-book series).