Looking for something to do this summer? Take a look at these recommendations. Thrillers, romance, biographies and epic tales highlight this month’s selections. Check one out today and you will have a great companion at the beach, the park, or at home.
The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore
Taking place in Block Island, three strangers become friends as they use the beach as a hideaway from their personal issues. All three individuals share many secrets, bonding over their stressful situations and sparing some of the truth. The truth will come out and cause these characters to face their lies, forcing them to decide what truly matters. This is a heartfelt, emotionally torn story with a great adventure!
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan
In a quiet suburban neighborhood, tensions erupt when a sinkhole appears and consumes a child. Two mothers, once close friends but separated by a deep rift, take opposite sides in a conflict that only worsens as the story continues. Dark and suspenseful, Sarah Langan, a three-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, crafts a story on toxic suburban gossip, social exclusion, and fear. Her novel, set in a near future where climate change takes on a local effect, is accentuated with tabloid stories. Read what Publisher’s Weekly called a “sharp, propulsive novel”, one that “pulls off a maximalist variation on suburban gossip gone wrong”.
Robin by David Itzkoff
Itzkoff’s biography of Robin Williams is a must read for any fan of the comedian. It follows the entertainer from childhood (playing with toy soldiers), through his early days as a standup comic, his breakout success as the zany alien in Mork and Mindy, to his long film career, and finally its tragic end. Itzkoff’s examines Williams’ life with insight into the successes and struggles met along the way. Even at 400+ pages, it’s a quick read and great for a long flight or lazy day on the beach
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
This vivid retelling of The Iliad and The Odyssey centers the voices of the overlooked women – mortals and goddesses alike – whose lives were impacted by the Trojan War. Bite-sized stories from varied points of view make for a quick read whether you slowly peruse one chapter at a time or binge the whole thing in one setting. A must read for fans of Greek mythology and feminist retellings of classic tales!