If you’re reading this blog, I feel confident in my assumption that you are a fan of reading and libraries. I also feel confident in assuming you’re looking for a new book to read. And lastly, I am confident you like variety—because, as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life! In today’s blog post, rest assured, you’ll find plenty of variety in the book recommendations we offer: a humorous travelogue set in Britain, a poignant memoir in graphic novel form, a debut novel exploring identity—racial and sexual, a futuristic science fiction novel about clones and interplanetary travel, and, finally, a modern Young Adult romance. Talk about variety—at the Lewis & Clark Library, you will find a variety of reading choices every day of the week.
Happy Reading!
John recommends . . .
Notes from a Small Island: An Affectionate Portrait of Britain
by Bill Bryson
I really love Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson. I read/listened to it on my flight to England, and finished it when I returned home. It was very funny. I loved the way that Bryson described the peculiarities of life in the UK, especially since I would experience the same "slightly off" way of life myself. Although we did not experience the same sort of pub life that he did, those descriptions were very fun. I highly recommend the book for Anglophiles. Bryson always reads his own audiobooks. He is a masterful reader.
Find Notes from a Small Island in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Hoopla eBook
Katy recommends . . .
The Best We Could Do
written and illustrated by Thi Bui
A heartfelt illustrated memoir about war, immigration, and family trauma that is moving and also shares a historical perspective that was new to me.
Find The Best We Could Do in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook
Hoopla eBook
Watch a LA Public Library sponsored interview with Thi Bui Here
James recommends . . .
Rainbow Milk (2021)
by Paul Mendez
Superb writing, gritty and authentic. Mendez explores the mid-20th century immigrant experience in the UK through the lives of a Jamaican family in the industrial West Midlands. The story is a nonlinear narrative, moving back and forth through the life of the main character, Jesse.
Find Rainbow Milk in the catalog Here
Also available in digital format:
Montana Library2Go eBook and Audiobook
Rainbow Milk is Paul Mendez’s debut novel. Read more about the author Here
Guil recommends . . .
Mickey 7
by Edward Ashton
Check out this great science fiction title with interesting and exciting world-building combined with a genuinely funny point of view character. Ashton also investigates the morality of his central premise in a satisfying way.
Plans are underway to adapt Mickey7 into a major motion picture directed by Oscar-winner Bong Joon Ho (Parasite) starring Robert Pattinson. Also, Antimatter Blues, a sequel to Mickey7, is projected to be published in March 2023.
Find Mickey7 in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and Audiobook
Read more about the author Edward Ashton Here
Rachel recommends . . .
Here's to Us
by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
This sequel to What If It's Us is even better than the first novel in the series. A heartwarming tale of two boys trying to decide if the universe is bringing them together or pulling them apart. With timely cultural references, such as to the musical Six!, tied in, this is a feel-good story that I immensely enjoyed from start to finish!
Find Here’s to Us in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and Audiobook
Read more about the authors Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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James recommends . . .
by Casey McQuiston
I dare anyone to be able to talk about this book without spoilers. It's a meet-cute story that takes place in NYC with vivid characters and a lot of heart. The book is a little like Rent with happier, not-quite-as-poor characters and fewer musicians. I've seldom read a book that ties up all the loose ends so neatly.
Find One Last Stop in the catalog Here
Also available in digital format:
Axis 360 eBook
Montana Library2Go eBook and Audiobook
Read more about the author Casey McQuiston Here
Katy suggests . . .
by Pat Barker
A retelling of the story of Achilles from the viewpoint of Briseis, a captured woman who becomes a slave in his camp. The change in perspective is interesting, especially to an overlooked character, and the story is descriptive and engaging!
Find The Silence of the Girls in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby Audiobook
Read more about author Pat Barker Here
Lisa recommends . . .
by Ruth Hogan
Lonely, broken-hearted Anthony Perdew has devoted his life to rescuing lost objects-things others have dropped, misplaced or left behind-and writing stories about them. Upon his death, his assistant Laura inherits both his house and his secret mission-- reuniting the lost things with their rightful owners. Laura herself is lost and lonely but in her new home and with new friends, she begins to come alive again. Equal parts romance and mystery with a little ghost story thrown in, The Keeper of Lost Things is a charming, clever book overlaid with melancholy and humor.
Find The Keeper of Lost Things in the library catalog Here
Also available in digital format:
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and Audiobook
Axis 360 eBook
Hoopla eBook and Audiobook
Read more about author Ruth Hogan Here
Kelli suggests . . .
by Rhys Bowen
Sometimes summer means I want a really good thriller to get my heart pumping, sometimes it means I need something fluffy on the beach. Her Royal Spyness series definitely leans towards the fluffy side. It is murder-lite, for when I need a good mystery with a side of baked goods! This series is about a young woman who is royal-adjacent, but doesn't have the money to keep up appearances. Murder and hijinks ensue. The royals are all over the news right now, making this series a fun and timely escape.
Find Her Royal Spyness in the library catalog Here
Find other books in the Royal Spyness series on Montana Library2Go
Read more about the author and this series Here
As we move into summertime and warmer weather, how do your reading habits change? Log in below and tell us about your summer reading plans or maybe you’re reading something really great—share your recommendation in the comments! If you haven’t created an account yet, the process is easy and only takes a few minutes.
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