Adult Summer Reading Program Recommended Reads
reading
wake county public libraries www.wakegov.com/libraries
Welcome to our annual booklet featuring great summer reads! In honor of this year’s Summer Reading theme, we have chosen some wonderful titles to help you “Get in the Game!” From classics to modern novels, and from genres such as mysteries and fantasy to history and biographies, we read a wide variety, so you’re sure to find some books you’ll love among these librarian favorites!
Please take a look at our great tools for finding books on our Reading page: www.wakegov.com/libraries/reading Also, follow us on Twitter (@wcplonline #wcplreads) for staff reading suggestions. Our librarians now offer individualized professional services such as starting a book club, accessing the Book Club Kit collection, downloading eBooks/ eAudio books, and creating custom book lists. For information and registration see www.wakegov.com/libraries/services/adults WCPL offers a variety of adult programs and book discussions at the regional libraries. From live music to monthly crafts, from small business expertise to author visits – we have programs to suit your interests! For information and registration see www.wakegov.com/libraries/events
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Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
Nonfiction 646.7 ANSAR
Aziz Ansari, a stand-up comedian and actor best known for his role on Parks and Rec, uses scientifically backed research to analyze past and current dating rituals and methods to provide a fresh perspective on dating. You will laugh while learning tips like how to take the perfect selfie and how soon is too soon to text someone back. Modern Romance is a humorous and surprisingly insightful look at how to succeed at dating in today’s social media dependent world. ~ Lisa L. However Tall the Mountain: a Dream, Eight Girls, and a Journey Home by Awista Ayub
Nonfiction 796.334 AYUB
A courageous and selfless woman led Afghan girls to freedom through sport. Awista escaped with her family from Afghanistan to America at two years old. An athlete who loves her heritage, she founded the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange (AYSE), starting by bringing eight girls to America to play soccer. Learning leadership through teamwork, the girls discovered their own strengths and made AYSE a success. Now an organized league of fifteen teams, it makes a huge difference in the lives of Afghan girls. ~ Mary A. Here If You Need Me by Kate Braestrup
Biography B BRAESTRUP
A tragic car accident leaves Kate Braestrup a widow and four young children fatherless. Instead of wallowing in sorrow, Kate turns her grief into something positive. Kate decides to carry out her husband’s dream of becoming a Unitarian Minister. In her role as minister, she works with the Maine Game Warden Service and assists the families of the missing. Kate provides comfort to parents, siblings and the wardens as they face trying situations. ~ Carla P.
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The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for the Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel Brown Nonfiction 796.48 BROWN Joe Rantz, has no family and appears to have no future, becomes part of a rowing team for the University of Washington. In 1936, Berlin is hosting the Summer Olympic games. However, during this time Germany is facing unrest due to the influence of Adolf Hitler. Rantz, along with his teammates, a determined coach, and a skilled boat-maker, embark on a journey that will become one of the greatest sporting events of all time. ~ Thad M. This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash
Fiction CASH
Easter and Ruby are soon going to live with their grandparents after the death of their junkie mother. But the game changes when their father, a washed up baseball player, resurfaces and takes off with the girls. Set against the 1998 homerun play-off between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, this end of summer chase only intensifies with a determined legal guardian and psychotic hitman added to the mix. ~ Amy W. The Daughters by Adrienne Celt
Fiction CELT
Folklore features in this present day story of new mother, Lulu, who since the birth of her daughter, can mysteriously no longer sing her beloved opera. Is there really something to the ancient Polish curse her grandmother told her was put on the women of their family? You do not have to be an opera or classical music fan to read this beautifully written debut novel. ~ Melissa K.
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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror CLINE
In a dystopian future, humanity escapes into a vast virtual world called The Oasis. Recently deceased founder James Halliday’s will dictates that control of Oasis will pass to the person who navigates Halliday’s clever online quest. Enter Wade Watts: a skilled gamer and high school student intent on winning. Along with his online friends, he battles an evil mega-corporation in the quest to conquer the game. Filled with fun, geeky 1980s pop culture references, this Sci-Fi thriller is a wild and engrossing ride! ~ Dan B. Robert B. Parker’s Blind Spot by Reed Farrell Coleman
Mystery COLEMAN
When Jesse Stone is invited to a reunion of his old Triple-A baseball team, he is forced to grapple with his regrets over what might have been. His time at the reunion is cut short when a woman is found murdered and her missing boyfriend presumed kidnapped. Though seemingly unrelated, there is a connection between the reunion and the crimes as Jesse discovers that one of his former teammates may be his main suspect. ~ Tess A. A Home on the Field: How One Championship Soccer Team Inspires Hope for the Revival of Small Town America by Paul Cuadros Nonfiction 796.334 CUADR Get in the game this summer with a real-life Tarheel version of the story “Hoosiers” (featuring soccer, not basketball). Siler City, NC, is a town well-versed in football and traditional southern culture, and also a recent hotspot for Latino immigration. Meet a small group of recent immigrant students at Jordan-Matthews High School who put together a soccer team; they become champions in more ways than one, and find a new home, both on and off the field. ~ Heidi R.
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The Game by Ken Dryden
Biography B DRYDEN
The game of hockey was born in Québec, Canada, then completely reimagined in the Soviet Union by Anatoli Tarasov, and here is captured in much of its breathtaking and poetic beauty. From the flash of the first faceoff, says former Montréal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden, emerges an epic struggle of speed and skill and muscle and will, and the patterns of the game flow in every direction. Fast skates, a pass. Collaboration creates the space. It was not, but is. ~ Emil S. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
Fiction EVANS
Devastated after several traumatic events that transpire in a short time, including the death of his wife, Alan Christofferson decides to walk from Seattle to Key West hoping to rediscover why life is worth living, Along his journey, it is the inspirational people he interacts with while writing in his diary who make a profound difference in reclaiming his life. The story rings true, as it was inspired by dark days in the author’s own life and it is book one in “The Walk” series. ~ Janet M. Dick Francis’s Damage by Felix Francis
Mystery FRANCIS
British horse racing is not just a sport, it’s a lucrative business, and when a mysterious figure calling himself Leonardo dopes every horse at a race meet simultaneously, potentially invalidating the meet’s results, the British Horseracing Authority is understandably alarmed. When Leonardo threatens to continue disrupting races until he is paid millions of pounds, they assign former British Army intelligence specialist Jeff Hinkley to stop him before he brings down the racing authority and organized British horse racing with it. ~ Lisa W.
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Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer Nonfiction 153.1 FOER Covering the U.S. Memory Championship, journalist Joshua Foer meets fascinating people in a subculture previously unknown. His interest is piqued and he begins learning the memorization techniques, such as creating a memory palace in which numbers become vivid visual images. Foer excels and finds himself a national competitor. His breath-suspending descriptions of these competitions illustrate an unexpected intensity and excitement. Throughout the book, he explores why memory matters even as technology frees us from it. ~ P.J. G. Countdown to Lockdown: A Hardcore Journal by Mick Foley Nonfiction 796.812 FOLEY Mick Foley, literary champion of the ring, chronicles his furious build-up to “Lockdown�, the most important match of his hard-hitting career. Foley is sorely tested as he battles the fearsome tag team of Father Time and Mother Nature. Overcoming multiple injuries and self-doubt with his trademark blend of wit and wisdom, Foley recounts untold stories from his remarkable life, including his transition from WWE to TNA, his short career as a television commentator, and his heart-wrenching charity work in Sierra Leone. ~ Edward W. The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman
Fiction FREEMAN
18th century England leaps to life in this tale of two women from vastly different backgrounds. Charlotte SInclair, scarred by smallpox, enters into a marriage of convenience. Ruth Downs, born into poverty, makes her living in the boxing ring, a highly unusual career path for a female. Brought together by chance, the women find common ground in their struggle to create a meaningful life in a society where women have few choices and must fight if they wish to break free of convention. ~ Janet L.
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Don’t Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman
Mystery FRIEDMAN
Buck Schatz has been out of the game for years – and he misses it. His body can’t seem to keep up with his brain, and the slow pace of retirement is not helping. When he finds out an old enemy from World War II is alive and may have stolen Nazi gold, he knows he should not get involved. On the other hand, he has inside knowledge, and he never leaves home without his gun. What could go wrong? ~ Amy F. Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living by Jason Gay Nonfiction 818 GAY We often get bogged down with the details in life, striving for perfection even in situations that don’t require it. Wall Street Journal sports writer Jason Gay reminds us – in his usual hilarious manner – that living adequately is a victory in itself, and we must take the small wins whenever we can. Part memoir, part advice column, and a whole lot to laugh at, Gay puts us in the mindset to relax and proudly display our “Not Bad” blue ribbon. ~ Joy J. Girl in a Band: A Memoir by Kim Gordon
Biography B GORDON
In the game of entertainment, it’s almost impossible to win, yet Sonic Youth emerged as an iconic band. In this memoir Kim Gordon, one of the founding members, speaks candidly about her past. From her childhood in the sunny suburbs of Southern California to New York’s downtown art and music scene and the birth of a band that would pave the way for grunge rock, Gordon’s is an edgy and evocative portrait of a life in art. ~ Marsha B.
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Calico Joe by John Grisham
Fiction GRISHAM
Paul Tracey is on a quest. Can he convince his dying father, Mets baseball pitcher Warren Tracey, to meet with Cubs batter Joe Castle? More importantly – can he persuade his father to apologize to “Calico Joe” for purposely throwing a fast ball to bean Joe. A fast ball thrown 30 years before that ended Joe’s meteoric career and changed all their lives forever. Paul, Warren and Calico Joe bond in ways none of them expected in this moving Grisham novel. ~ Sandy A. In a Rocket Made of Ice: Among the Children of Wat Opot by Gail Gutradt Nonfiction 362.73 GUTRA
Wat Opot, in Cambodia, is a refuge for children either orphaned by AIDS or who have AIDS themselves. The author, a volunteer at Wat Opot, tells the stories of these children and of the founder of the refuge, an American veteran of the Vietnam War. While there are some sad stories, this is mostly a hopeful book, and includes lots of photographs of the children. ~Sue S.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Mystery HIGHSMITH
This psychological thriller is about con man, Tom Ripley, who assumes the identity and life of a friend he has killed. Patricia Highsmith paints an eerie picture of a man who is disturbed, greedy, and frightening, yet handsome, charming and brilliant. First in a series of novels about Ripley. ~ Susan N.
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Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington Nonfiction 650.1 HUFFI Arianna Huffington was extraordinarily successful, founding and editing the online Huffington Post. Her rapid upward trajectory was interrupted in 2007 by a broken cheekbone when she collapsed from exhaustion. It was a classic wake-up call, and she did not ignore the summons. Her 2014 book pulls together what she learned, and how she started taking care of herself according to The Third Metric, even while getting back in the game. ~ Kathe R. The Blazing World by Siri Hustvedt
Fiction HUSTVEDT
Artist Harriet Burden, having lived for decades in the shadow of her art collector husband, intends to expose the hypocrisy of the art establishment by hiring three men to pass off her work as their own. But when her relationship with one of the men, Rune, takes a dark turn, her plan to reveal the truth comes crashing down. Told retrospectively by multiple narrators, The Blazing World is an engrossing exploration of identity, gender, and art. ~ Daniel S. Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt by Michael Lewis
Nonfiction 332.62 LEWIS
When the system is rigged, the rules keep changing, and the world is (quite literally) at stake, what do you do? Game the system. A Canadian stockbroker, an Irish network expert, traitor traders, and a Dostoevskian cast of Russian programmers take on the absurdity and unfairness of the 21st century stockmarket, going up against dark pools, kickbacks, nanosecond flash-trading, suspicious fiber-optic cables, algorithms written to win at any cost, and (most of all) big Wall Street banks. ~ Gordon J.
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H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Nonfiction 598.944 MACDO
While grieving for her beloved father, who suddenly died, Helen Macdonald decides to train a goshawk named Mabel. Helen has been obsessed with goshawks and falcons since she was eight years old and began reading books on falconry, most notably, The Goshawk by T.H. White. She weaves White’s story in nicely with her own, comparing and contrasting their experiences. This is a beautiful tribute to love, life, and interspecies relationships. ~ Ashlyn B. Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of How Six MIT Students Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich Nonfiction 364.1 MEZRI Kevin Lewis was just your ordinary MIT student focused on getting into Harvard Grad school—or was he? Student during the week and professional card counter on the weekend, Lewis led a double life where VIP suites and partying with celebrities was the norm. Bringing Down the House goes behind the scenes to learn the art of blackjack and card counting to uncover the true story of how a team of MIT students took Vegas for millions. ~ Jen B. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror MORGENST What if your whole life was a strange game? And what if that game turned into a love story? And what if it was in a weird and wonderful setting - a circus that appears and disappears of its own volition. If you like mystery and imaginative scenery, visit The Night Circus. ~ Tara B.
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One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Fiction MOYES
Ed and Jess are opposite in many ways. He is an arrogant self-centered technology millionaire. She is a single mom of two teens who happens to clean his house. A strange circumstance forces them to embark upon a journey together, where chaos follows the entire group. Plus there is an 80-pound slobbering dog. Eventually, they find the common core of sweetness, strength, and trust, and fall in love. ~ Celia G. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg Business 658.409 SANDB Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, offers practical advice to women on how to be fully engaged at work while also maintaining a fulfilling personal life. She encourages women to “sit at the table� and be leaders in the workplace, and encourages men to help facilitate this by being equal partners in the home. This book offers a compelling look at how women and men can work together to level the playing field at work. ~ Carrie L. The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver
Fiction SILVER
Noa P. Singleton refused to defend herself while on trial for first degree murder. Ten years later, Noa faces her last months before execution. When Marlene Dixon visits her, she is surprised and wary because Marlene is the mother of the woman Noa was accused of killing. Marlene has had a change of heart and no longer believes in the death penalty. She wants to help Noa, but in exchange, she wants to know what really happened. ~ Rita B.
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The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy by Bill Simmons Nonfiction 796.323 SIMMO Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy, became the most popular sportswriter on the planet through his endless and bizarrely apt pop culture references, the unabashed enthusiasm of his writing and most of all for his ability to make sports relatable to non-fans. These qualities are on full display in his magnum opus, where he reflects on basketball’s history, ranks the greatest players of all time, muses on the greatest what-ifs in league history and shares his infectious passion for the sport. ~ Rob C. Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads by Paul Theroux
Nonfiction 975 THERO
Driving the meandering back roads of the Deep South, Paul Theroux rediscovers small towns that are struggling to survive. Major employers have moved overseas, highways have routed traffic away from the town centers. What he finds is a remarkable resilient spirit and a will to revive and rebuild among the residents. Characters abound, from the 95-year-old, short story writer to the preachers, mayors, and everyday people who manage not only to thrive, but to inspire. ~ Cathy P.
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