Summer is here, and for many, that means switching to vacation mode. Whether you're traveling to a new destination or enjoying a staycation, the library has one golden rule: always make time for a great book.
Yes, it's true, books are the ultimate summer companion. They are compact enough to toss into a beach bag or carry-on, yet powerful enough to transport you to entirely new worlds. Best of all, they let you unwind and chill out no matter where you are or how hot it is.
We recently asked you about your summer reading plans. We received great responses and some really cool book recommendations. Curious to see what your fellow bookworms are up to this summer? Let's dive into some highlights from our summer reading poll!
Where do you find yourself doing your best summer reading?
What's your summer reading pick that deserves a spot in everyone’s beach bag?
- Jessica Flores: I prefer a chill over the heat, so, while counting down the days to autumn, I plan to escape back to the gloomy English countryside in The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
- Anonymous: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. The books in this science fiction and fantasy LitRPG series are a fast read. They are fun (perhaps more fun for folks familiar with RPG, but don't let a lack of experience stop you). Warning: skip this series if you are not a fan of gore or if a spattering of sexual innuendo offends you. If those don't turn you away, jump (crawl?) into the world of Carl and Princess Donut, Carl's ex-girlfriend's cat, who, thanks to the magic and technology of the dungeon, can now speak and tell the world about her strong dislike of cocker spaniels. You will love Carl's indomitable spirit and Princess Donut's sass.
- Patrick Sherman: The new Michael Connelly book that drops this month - Nightshade. It is not Harry Bosch, but a new character.
- Lyanne Garcia: The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. Fair warning: It's a tearjerker and one of those books that makes you want to hug the book while simultaneously throwing it across the room.
- Maria Lerma: The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo.
- Anonymous: One thrift find that I read a few years ago and would certainly recommend for escapist summer reading is The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley. I think a new genre called “family thriller” would be a good category for this story, which revolves around family and loved ones and contains strong elements of drama, mystery, and suspense.
- PJ Purchase: A huge fan of Philippa Gregory's, I am awaiting her first book in her next trilogy, Boleyn Traitor, which is set to release in October. In the meantime, I am currently reading The Aspern Papers and Other Stories, a collection of 5 stories from Henry James.
- Julia Reed: I haven't read this yet, but I want to read it to see what all the fuss is about - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
- Nicole Tassinari: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. The premise of the story is that a child goes missing from summer camp in 1975. The child is a sibling of another camper who went missing 14 years earlier. I love the multiple points of view the author uses in this engaging mystery.
- Ngaire Smith: Beach Music by Pat Conroy
- Wendy Schmidt: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
- Kristina Green: Any short story collection by Stephen King
- Alexis Soard: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. It was very engaging from start to finish.
- Anonymous: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson - a comedy and suspense. It’s a playful tongue-in-cheek story that blends mystery and metafiction.
Which of the following best describes your summer reading reality?
In the Library
As a reminder, the University Library has ebooks! They don't include summer blockbusters, but their topics may have a wider appeal than you realize. Many of our databases also allow you to limit your search by publication type, including ebooks. Splash right into the databases that primarily offer ebook access, author bios, and even book reviews. Your next great read might be just a click away!
Thanks for joining us on this sunny stroll through summer reading habits! Got a different take? Drop your own summer reading reality in the comments! All in all, your reading journey is uniquely yours, and that's what makes it awesome. And don't forget to pack a book (or two) wherever your summer takes you!
Lyanne Garcia is a librarian who works with the reference and content development teams. She believes that crushed ice is superior to all other ice types.