Hot Picks for Cool Summer Reading

ByDonnaRuthMorgan

In Brunswick County, summer is a great time for reading. Whether you’re enjoying a breeze on the screen porch or huddled in a cozy chair in the air conditioning, the best company is a good book. You can find these recently-published choices at Brunswick County libraries.

Someone Else’s Shoes by the popular Jojo Moyes (2023) is over four hundred pages of easy-to-predict plot dynamics and dramatic scenarios. The idea that a pair of shoes can change a woman’s life is a bit over the top, but this author deftly manages her protagonists through multiple sub-plots and twists. Nutshell review: Laughaloud elements of revenge and female bonding make this rom-com a nice escape from reality.

My anticipation of Lessons in Chemistry (2022) as a celebration of female scientific acumen and achievements with a side of humor were dashed. Bonnie Garmus serves up a menu of evil against females: domestic violence, bullying, misogyny, and rape (graphic— no smiles there!). One-dimensional characters are caught in a miasma of male-bashing, pervasive anti-religion and 21st- century grudges. Ugh! Nutshell review: The only likeable element is Chase the dog.

What predicts health and wellbeing? Robert Waldinger and Marc Schultz share the process and outcome of two long-term

Harvard studies in The Good Life (2023). Scientific analysis and real-life narratives provide insights into a successful, happy existence. Worksheets and exercises help readers identify issues under their control. Nutshell review: Relationships, a sense of purpose, and attitude are important elements on the path to well-being.

Charming characters in

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022) grapple with loss, aging, and belonging. Connections between generations, reunited loved ones, and the perfect ending are a bit fantastical—but appropriate for a novel featuring a sentient octopus as narrator. Shelby Van Pelt’s foray into authorship is well-written and engaging. Nutshell review: No political commentary—just highlyrecommended realistic fantasy.

Jellyfish Age Backwards (2023) by molecular biologist Nicklas Bernburg presents solid science behind aging and behavior choices that may (or may not) extend our lifespans. The author examines “immortality” in plants and animals in his inquiry into longevity—an almost magical process as presented. Nutshell review: Entertaining and educational for anyone curious about longevity.