Our friends at the Hamra Family Library have great suggestions for summer reading. We’re sure you’ll find these books entertaining and surprising, with something for the lover of serious, true-life scenarios as well as fun, escapist fiction. You can check them out from the OTC library (some in multiple formats, such as audiobook), so feel free to put one on hold through your student or employee account, or stop by our Springfield campus for more summer reading suggestions!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (Recommended by Gail Eubanks)
Rom-Com with a difference: A clever take on the book publishing industry and its denizens. This novel skewers Hallmark movie tropes such as the heartless career woman. Clever banter between main characters Nora (a literary agent) and Charlie (her insecure best-selling client) keep the narrative flowing. Of course, rom-coms require a nearly insurmountable challenge for their protagonists, or else there is no story. Like many rom-coms, the challenges in this one could have been solved by a few honest conversations, instead of so much sturm und drang. Nevertheless, Book Lovers is an enjoyable read that should satisfy even those who are not rom-com devotees.
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (Recommended by Sarah Fancher)
They’re watching you: In this lengthy and impeccably researched tome, the author examines the history and future of how digital data analytics are used to predict and modify human behavior. With a particular focus on the actions and policies of companies like Google and Facebook, this book offers much to consider as we navigate our digital lives, balancing convenience and ease of use with privacy. Also available as an audiobook.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (Recommended by Linda Aasby)
Fast-moving mystery: A story that takes off immediately, this novel starts with a woman’s husband vanishing and snowballs from there. The twists and turns keep coming, and just when you think you have things figured out, something happens to prove that you have not. To avoid spoilers, we won’t say more about the plot, except that it has a surprise ending. This can’t-put-it-down read was chosen for Reese’s Book Club. Also available as an audiobook.
