CHECK ME OUT

Check Me Out ;) WORDS Jane Martin, City Librarian Winter Haven Public Library 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven

THE SUMMER WIVES by Beatriz Williams

“The Summer Wives” is the perfect summer read - part romance, part mystery, and part historical novel. “The Summer Wives” adeptly weaves several timelines together to create a rich novel set on an exclusive island where the lives of the wealthy and privileged summer residents intertwine with the far less privileged locals. Spanning decades of secrets, Williams brings each era to life with rich descriptions.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER by Mary Dixie Carter

I love reading a dark, psychological thriller on a hot summer night, and “The Photographer” fits the bill perfectly. This is a very twisted tale of obsession told through the eyes of a completely unreliable character, a woman who manipulates her way into a picture-perfect family. I found I couldn’t put down this faced paced debut novel.

DUMA KEY by Stephen King

“Duma Key” captures the feel of the beauty of a Florida gulf coast island paradise - sunsets, blue water, and sugar-white sand. But this is a King novel - and just like in one of our powerful summer storms, paradise is turned into a whirlwind of natural and supernatural forces, and everything turns scary fast. Hands down, one of my favorite Stephan King ghost stories.

BRAT: AN ‘80S STORY by Andrew McCarthy

The 80s were my decade and I grew up watching McCarthy in all my favorite films. So, I was happy to find myself reading his impressions of this time in his life. He brings to life a picture of what was happening behind those Hollywood scenes and I loved every last word. The book is written in an informal, rambling way that adds to the personal nature of the material. I was impressed with McCarthy’s writing and his authentic and self reflective gaze.

THE SUMMER JOB by Lizzy Dent

A romantic comedy with wonderfully flawed characters, “The Summer Job” is an escapism fantasy that will make you laugh out loud. This debut novel has all the hallmarks of a traditional rom-com; disguise and mistaken identity, romantic tension, and lessons to be learned. What sets it apart is an assembly of supporting characters that shine on their own as well as the amount of depth to be found in some of the storylines.

MILK BLOOD HEAT by Dantiel W. Moniz

This collection of short stories is not about happy endings or neat endings perfectly wrapped in a bow - these stories, many that end without resolution, are meant to stay with you. Moniz writes around the themes of motherhood, childhood,families and self discovery - all set in Florida. These are deep stories that are meant to hold us in discomfort and many feel like the slippery slope when you realize things happen beyond control. I will definitely be rereading this collection in the future.

THE SUGAR QUEEN by Sarah Addison Allen

Light and airy and so, so sweet. The perfect book for sitting on a porch sipping sweet tea. Sarah Addison Allen is known for her magical realism, and “Sugar Queen” doesn’t disappoint. The story is full of magical elements that are grounded in enough reality to make them believable. The novel has lots of romance and a touch of sadness - but it is the character development that makes this an enjoyable summer read.

TIGER GIRL AND THE CANDY KID by Glenn Stout

What a title! What a story! This nonfiction book reads like a fast paced fiction, but it is a well researched fascinating slice of history. “Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid” tell the story of the first gangster couple - Richard and Margaret Whittemore. They partied with the elite during the American Jazz Age while robbing and murdering through multiple states. Even though Stout writes with amazing attention to detail, the story is never weighed down.